Saint Louis University

Psychology is the science of behavior. Students majoring in psychology learn how human behavior depends on biological factors, developmental status, cognitive processes and social conditions. Psychological science encompasses a wide range of methods to address diverse topics, from brain function to cultural influences. The discoveries of psychology improve understanding of the human experience and the quality of life.

As one of the most popular majors at Saint Louis University, training in psychology provides students with multiple avenues to explore their own interests and develop their abilities through research, service and study. Areas of study include cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, social/personality psychology and applied psychology.

The Department of Psychology’s mission is to broadly educate students in the discipline of psychology and its applications. Faculty accomplish this by integrating empirical science, theory and practice focused on the evidence-based understanding of behaviors and experiences of individuals and groups, including the family, organizations and institutions.

SLU faculty encourage intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and ethical responsibility. A commitment to value-based, holistic education and an enthusiasm for psychology is realized in the products of research, in graduates and in service to others locally, nationally and globally. The faculty seek to contribute to the improvement of the human condition and to promote human welfare through understanding past knowledge, discovering new knowledge, and disseminating that knowledge through teaching, publications, and service. The faculty educate students to be professionals and challenge them to be ethically responsible, to be committed to serving others and to respect human diversity in all its forms.

Additional program highlights include:

• Psychology majors are mentored by individual faculty members who support students’ discernment of and successful progress toward professional goals that are integrated with expectations of compassionate community engagement.
• Psychology majors build evidence-based habits of mind and research skills through rigorous coursework, individual research projects, and as research assistants working with faculty and graduate students investigating a wide variety of psychological phenomena, such as eating behaviors, gambling, stress, intergroup relations, close relationships, ADHD, social categorization, stigma and stereotyping, parent-child discourse, PTSD, sleep, aging, organizational development, assessment and consulting.
• Psychology majors can take science out of the ivory tower to foster social justice in diverse communities and neighborhoods as members of a social advocacy learning community, at nearby service-learning practicum sites, or through values-based research activities.