Psychology

Dickinson College

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Psychology

The Department of Psychology seeks to teach knowledge and skills to investigate and engage the world through psychology, the scientific study of the mind and behavior.

Students in our classes engage in critical inquiry, research conceptualization, data analysis, scientific writing and thoughtful discussions as they explore the breadth of the discipline. Our introductory courses present nine subdisciplines of psychology, ranging from principles of learning to clinical psychology. The expertise of psychology faculty spans a wide range of subdisciplines, including social, cross-cultural, clinical/counseling, community, health, developmental, cognitive, behavioral neurobiology, neuroscience and the psychology of women, gender and sexuality.

Among psychology majors nationwide, Dickinson grads rank #7 for starting salaries at U.S. bachelor-degree-granting institutions (Texas Public Policy Foundation, 2020)

Dickinson psychology offers extraordinary training in research methodology. Our majors learn the fundamentals of research design and strategies for clear scientific communication in four semesterlong courses, and all majors are able to experience the process of psychology research firsthand. Students also have the opportunity to engage in independent projects and collaborative research with faculty and are able to participate in community-based programming.

Chair: Michele FordSenior Lecturer in Psychologyfordm@dickinson.edu
Department Coordinator: Erin SlatteryAcademic Department Coordinatorslattere@dickinson.edu

Phone: 717-245-1255
Fax: ---
Location: Kaufman Building Mailing Address

Department Features

Study Abroad

Current Courses

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Community Involvement

Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs

Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh
Brain Balance Achievement Center of Wexford
Commission on Economic Opportunity
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Deloitte
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
National Foreign Language Center, University of Maryland
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Teach for America

Graduate Schools

Clemson University
Georgetown University
Johns Hopkins University
London Business School
New York University
Northwestern University
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)
University of California
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
University of Southern California
University of Texas, Austin
Vanderbilt University
Yale University

Where Our Students Have Interned

Alzheimer's Association
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Children's National Health System
City of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management
Columbia University
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
Global Mental Health Program, Columbia University Medical Center
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Johns Hopkins University, Lieber Institute of Brain Development
University of Pennsylvania
University of California, Berkeley
LGBT Center of Central PA
National Eating Disorders Association
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Peloton Advantage
Premier Sports Psychology
YWCA Carlisle Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Program

Student Perspective

“It’s important to go into the field and see real-life applications of what you’re learning about in class, and it’s something that we get to do right at the start at Dickinson. [Elsewhere] it’s often not until after graduation that you get to have these experiences.”

—Sam Gerhard ’19

Psychology News

All News Department News

Psychology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2023

Psychology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2023

Psychology majors secure jobs as a behavioral technician, social worker and a clinical assistant at Boston Children's Hospital.

Four Dickinsonians Awarded Fulbrights

Four Dickinsonians Awarded Fulbrights

The college's long history of Fulbright success continues as a recent graduate and three seniors receive grants for one of the world's most prestigious international exchange programs.

Astrophysicist for NASA

Astrophysicist for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to Give Talk at Dickinson

John Mather will receive Dickinson’s annual Joseph Priestley Award.

Striving for Gender Equity

Striving for Gender Equity

Former psychology major Sarah DiMuccio '15 follows her passion for research as the director of research at Catalyst, a global nonprofit that helps build gender equity in the workplace.

Student Snapshot: Mary Howe ’23

Student Snapshot: Mary Howe ’23

Mary Howe ’23 has conducted student-faculty research and served a summer internship in Germany.

Student Snapshot: Ellie Pattillo ’23

Student Snapshot: Ellie Pattillo ’23

"The faculty and staff here want us to succeed,” says Ellie Pattillo ’23, a psychology and women’s, gender & sexuality studies double major, who created a podcast while studying abroad.