Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Psychology

The Psychology Department has three full-time and three part-time faculty. There are currently 95 majors, twenty-two of which are seeking certification in elementary education, and12 minors. Besides providing liberal-arts electives for all Thiel students, the Department insures that our majors are prepared for either immediate employment or graduate school.

Many students in related fields, such as sociology and nursing, elect to complete a minor, consisting of six courses, in our department. Among these students, our lifespan tract or concentration is very popular.

A majority of our graduates go immediately into the work force following graduation. They are qualified to work in a wide variety of settings, including education, nursing, social work, business, government, and human services.

Twenty to thirty percent of our majors go directly to graduate school, either in psychology or a related field, such as social work, counseling, personnel, or criminal justice. Many others continue their education following several years of employment which helps them to refine their career goals.

The Department has approximately 20 courses. Most of them are offered every semester or annually. While pursuing a major, students may specialize in one of four tracts or concentrations: (1) development across the lifespan (childhood, adolescence, and adulthood); (2)counseling psychology; (3) experimental psychology; and (4) cognitive psychology.

Psychology majors who desire to work with elderly populations should also consider Thiel's Gerontology Minor. Those wishing to become teachers should see the Education Department. Individuals desiring to work with troubled youth or victims of domestic violence may wish to consider an additional major in Juvenile and Family Justice.