The field of psychology is very broad. At Carthage, students are introduced to psychology's major sub-fields.Social psychologists study human behavior in crowds and groups, from juries to sporting events. Developmental psychologists study behavior across the lifespan.Many students are interested in working with autistic children. They can gain field experience while at Carthage.Professor Leslie Cameron involves students in visual processing and olfaction research.Students conduct and participate in a range of psychological experiments.Above, students conduct an experiment on taste sensitivity.Professor Dan Miller leads students in research on PTSD in rats.Above, students participate in cognitive skills challenges during Introduction to Psychology.Carthage also offers a 3-2 Occupational Therapy program.A major in psychology can prepare you for many different careers.

Psychology

Psychology students at Carthage get significant research experience. They work with human subjects, studying olfaction, visual perception, and how children navigate their socio-emotional environment. They work with animals, examining post-traumatic stress disorder through brain manipulation in rats.

From the classroom to the lab, from independent fieldwork to summer research with faculty, students develop an understanding of human behavior from a broad perspective, and graduate well prepared for further study or employment in psychology-related fields.

Classic Curriculum

Carthage offers a classic psychology program, which means students study the five sub-areas of psychology:

  • Developmental — studying behavior across the lifespan
  • Cognitive — studying mental processes, typically in humans
  • Biological — studying the brain and behavior, often in non-humans
  • Social — studying interactions between people
  • Abnormal — studying aberrant behavior

Students focus their research efforts on the areas that most interest them. Students who plan to work in social service can participate in Carthage's fieldwork program. A quarter of psychology majors add a second major in Social Work. More than half go on to graduate school.

Hands-on Experience

The department emphasizes undergraduate research. Students learn research techniques in class, experience those techniques in laboratory work, and then become eligible to conduct independent research. Seniors can pursue field placements, which strengthen a student's resume for graduate school applications and can lead to employment after graduation.

Special programs, such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, give students further opportunities. In SURE, students work one on one with a faculty mentor.

Carthage offers a major and minor in psychology.


Related Links:
Learn more about the sub-fields within psychology.
How Carthage psychology faculty help students consider their options.

Academics at Carthage

Prospective Students

Explore Your Options

Faculty work closely with students to help them determine which area of psychology best suits their talents and interests. Read more.

Student Voices

"Carthage provides a lot of opportunities as long as you are willing to work toward them."

— James Oren, '12, Algonquin, Ill.

Hear what students have to say about studying psychology at Carthage.