Psychology, B.A. or B.S. at Penn State
Help people create a healthier future with a degree in Psychology.
Psychology is the study of human behavior. It integrates scientific research with diverse social systems—including crime, education, and healthcare—to improve mental health and foster a deeper understanding of the human experience.
Classes explore how psychological concepts intersect with these various social systems. To apply concepts learned in class, students participate in drum circles to foster mental health, serve as guests on faculty podcasts, learn how to run focus groups, and create and implement behavior modification plans.
At Penn State Beaver, you can engage in specialized research on neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD. This focus on high-level inquiry helps set our graduates apart by providing a resume-building foundation in behavioral analysis and data collection, proving you can apply psychological theory to solve complex, real-world problems.
In addition to having access to faculty expertise and cutting-edge research, students have opportunities to engage in capstone experiences ranging from a seminar focused on serial killers to helping families with youth psychological assessments.
What You’ll Learn
- How to use psychology to improve lives
- Strong communication and technology skills for today’s job market
- Tools for social, personal, and workplace issues
- Cultural, gender, and ethical considerations in the field
- Core concepts, theories, and trends in psychology
- Research methods and data analysis
- Managing human resource dynamics for large and small organizations
Internships & Careers
Penn State Beaver students have completed internships or gained employment at many companies including:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- The Bradley Center
- Knapp Center for Childhood Development
- Reed Smith law firm
- The Watson Institute
- Western Pennsylvania Psych Care
- Going into private practice
Career Paths
- Counseling and human services
- Neuropsychology
- Research and data analysis
- Education
- Healthcare, law, and graduate programs
- Organizational change management
- Human resources
