Department of Psychology

Psychology is the scientific examination of mental processes and behavior. It explores numerous aspects of individual experience including cognition, emotion, motivation, learning and memory. Further, the field examines the development of the person across the lifespan, in terms of understanding the emergence of normal and abnormal patterns of individuals and groups. At both undergraduate and graduate levels, the psychology curriculum at Suffolk University encourages the student to examine the brain, the person, and the cultural context of individual development.    

 

Opportunities to learn

In that psychology encompasses a broad range of human experience, the undergraduate major is designed to provide students with a comprehensive survey of the field. It is designed to maximize both exposure to core disciplines within the field of psychology (core and distribution requirements) and individual student choice (elective courses). Similarly, the department offers a flexible minor in psychology; students can select particular areas to emphasize (e.g., human development, social-organizational, personality) or can more broadly sample from the entire list of course offerings. Students benefit from studying with department faculty members who are actively engaged in the field as either researchers and/or clinicians. Faculty members work closely with both undergraduate and graduate students to facilitate their growth of knowledge, research skills, and self-awareness.  

 

Preparing for a career

Since the psychology major has relevance for many career paths, we encourage students to explore their interests and the many intersections of psychology with other disciplines (e.g., Law, Education, Management, Social Work, Gender Studies). Exciting research opportunities exist for students at all levels. Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in research in collaboration with a department faculty member. These research tutorials involve the student in many of the hands-on elements of research, and thus provide excellent training for students preparing for graduate study in the field.

 

PhD Program

The department of psychology offers a highly regarded PhD program in Clinical Psychology. This APA accredited program combines the scientist practitioner orientation with focused training in various clinical specialty areas. Students graduate from our doctoral program well-prepared to begin professional careers as clinicians, researchers, and educators.