Understanding human behavior and developing psychology skills are valuable in many careers, especially given America's mental health crisis. Saint Vincent College’s psychology programs offer a comprehensive education by integrating theoretical knowledge of behavioral sciences with practical experience. Students explore human behavior, mental processes, and emotional functioning through a flexible curriculum that includes coursework, research, and internships. With supportive professors and ample opportunities for experiential learning, Saint Vincent College prepares students to make significant contributions to psychology and society.
Students interested in psychology can work toward earning a mental health concentration or a specialty certificate, making them more marketable and ready to face challenges within the industry. The following are some of the degrees and certifications that students add:
Saint Vincent psychology majors have opportunities to collaborate with professors on professional research projects or lead their own research team and present their projects at our Academic Conference or the Eastern Psychological Association Conference.
Students complete internships with local organizations to gain practical experience and clarify their career goals. Recently students have shadowed professionals assessing patients in the neuroscience department of Allegheny General Hospital, and working with at-risk youth at Adelphoi and the Day School at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. Students also work and learn alongside professionals in the Johnstown Police Department, Transitional Options Social Services, and Lanigan Funeral Home among others.
The psychology major at Saint Vincent is versatile and flexible, requiring a manageable number of credits. This allows students to pursue additional majors or minors and take elective courses like sports psychology or forensic psychology to tailor their education path to meet career goals. Students who concentrate in Mental Health will take courses such as Ethical Issues and Intro to Counseling, giving them a strong foundation in mental health and preparing them for graduate school or the workforce.
Psi Chi, the International Honors Society in Psychology, provides travel grants for conferences, research grants for summer projects, and regional and national research awards to its members. Our chapter supports students by covering conference registration fees and organizing service events for Blackburn Center, which aims to end domestic and sexual violence, and Saint Anne Home, a residential care facility.
Due to the flexibility of the psychology major, you can easily pursue a second major or minor. Common combinations include children’s studies, biology, or criminology. After graduation, many students secure employment in the field right away, with some employers like UPMC, Qualtrics, and the Watson Institute offering tuition assistance for graduate degrees. Others have pursued post-baccalaureate degrees in professional fields such as medicine, clinical mental health counseling, human resources, and business. A degree in psychology at SVC prepares you for a career or continued learning in mental health, education, law enforcement, and beyond.
Alumni will go on to successful careers as
Our students have secured jobs and internships at a variety of companies in their field and enrolled in prestigious graduate schools such as
“Having prior research experience is critical in landing a position in a PhD program, but I was worried I wouldn't gain enough experience before graduate school applications were due, given that I only started the psychology program during my junior year. With help of some exceptional faculty members in the Psychology Department at SVC, I completed two research projects in just three semesters, and was able to leverage these experiences in my graduate school applications. These research experiences were extremely important in helping me secure a position as a doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh.”
Social Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Conflict Resolution (CORE) Lab
“Studying psychology at Saint Vincent College provided a strong foundation in understanding human behavior and mental health, which was crucial for graduate school. The rigorous coursework and research opportunities honed my critical thinking and analytical skills, preparing me for advanced study. Faculty mentorship and small class sizes allowed for personalized guidance, fostering both academic and personal growth. The program's emphasis on ethical practices and cultural sensitivity shaped my professional values and equipped me to excel as a mental health counselor.”
Graduate student in the counseling program at Robert Morris University
“The Saint Vincent Psychology Department was an awesome experience for me. I knew that each professor cared about what they were teaching and the success of each student. My undergraduate program helped prepare me for graduate school very well. I took four years off from school before going to graduate school, and I am so grateful for the classes I had in college which have laid such a great foundation for my graduate level courses now. I feel so prepared and set up for success in graduate school as well as in a career as a counselor.”
Graduate Student at Franciscan University
The psychology major is part of the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and supported by our core curriculum, where students delve into diverse academic subjects at both foundational and advanced levels to explore how different disciplines connect, fostering deeper self-understanding and proficiency in their chosen field of study. Students who wish to earn a concentration in mental health will take courses like Ethical Issues and Intro to Counseling which give them a strong foundation in mental health, preparing then for graduate school or the workforce.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology - 35 Credits
Requirements for Concentration in Mental Health - 21 Credits
(For Psychology Majors Only)
Students who are interested in taking PY335/BL 255 (Psychopharmacology) may substitute this course for another course in the mental health concentration with permission of the chair.
Requirements for Minor in Psychology - 18 Credits
Abnormal Psychology: This course covers psychological disorders, including their symptoms, effects, causes, and treatments. It also explores the biological, psychological, and environmental factors involved and the classification system used for diagnoses.
Research Methods in Psychological Science: This course acquaints students with the diverse research methods used in the field of psychology. Students work collaboratively to design research projects, and with support from professors and resources like our behavioral science labs, students will get hands-on experience and an understanding of real-world problems while analyzing data and reporting results.
Capstone Research: Students will either design and conduct an empirical research study and produce a manuscript based on their findings or write a literature review and analysis of a topic in the field of psychology. In recent years, students have researched and analyzed topics like “Racial and Age Bias in the Courtroom” or “Television Media and Childrens’ Health and Body Image.”
Faculty in the Department of Psychological Science conduct research in their areas of interest: eyewitness memory, change blindness, media literacy, spatial ability, animal memory, gambling addiction and more! We have resources to do physiological and cognitive tests on humans, rats, mice, and even fish. Some of our favorite examples include an operant conditioning chamber and a driving simulator!
Saint Vincent College psychology faculty members and/or students are members of and participants in the following organizations:
Association for Psychological Science (APS): A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing scientific psychology and its representation at the national and international levels
American Psychological Association: A leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with a mission to promote the advancement and application of psychological science to benefit society
Eastern Psychological Association : The oldest regional psychological association in the United States, focused on advancing the science and profession of psychology through annual meetings and dissemination of professional information
Psi Chi: The International Honor Society for Psychology: An honor society founded in 1929 to recognize and promote excellence in the science and application of psychology, with over 900,000 lifetime members
The Fr. Vernon Holtz, O.S.B. Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to a junior or senior psychology major. Fr. Vernon was a longtime faculty member in the Psychological Science Department, and he served the College, Monastery, and the Preparatory School for 66 years in countless roles, including assistant headmaster, department chair, and academic dean. His interests in psychology focused on existential phenomenology and its understanding of the relationship between the psyche and the spirit, or mental health and spirituality. He was active in counseling and integral to founding and implementing an aging and spirituality program for the local community. In addition to being dedicated to mental health and spirituality, Fr. Vernon was a lover of sports. He founded and served as head coach for the Saint Vincent soccer team and coached several other sports as well. Fr. Vernon was a dynamic and challenging teacher and a beloved mentor to both students and faculty. This scholarship honors the life and work of Fr. Vernon Holtz, O.S.B.
