What is Psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of mind, brain, and behavior. Although it is a relatively young science, psychology spans a variety of topics, some related to biology and chemistry, others connecting to anthropology and sociology. Psychologists investigate how we think, feel, learn, develop, and interact with each other across the lifespan.

Why study Psychology?

Psychology provides deep insight into human behavior, decision-making, social interaction, and mental and physical well-being. The discipline develops broadly applicable skills: communication, analytical thinking, ethical judgment, empirical reasoning, and the ability to work in diverse teams.

A psychology major prepares you for careers in mental health, research, healthcare, law and justice, business, and education. You’ll learn to pose meaningful questions about human behavior and to explore those questions using the tools and methods of psychological science.

Why study Psychology at Beloit College?

Beloit College’s program introduces students to the major subfields of psychology — biological, clinical, cognitive, developmental, personality, and social — through hands-on inquiry and active engagement with theory, methods, and evidence. Beloit College’s psychology curriculum is intentionally broad and flexible. The program is designed for liberal learning, helping you discover the topics that matter most to you and connect them with your personal, academic, and career goals. Our curriculum follows the standards established by the American Psychological Association (APA) and encourages students to pursue individualized pathways, including double majors.

Unique to Beloit College, students move between classrooms, labs, and the community:

• Hands-on research is built into Research Methods, Statistics, and upper-level seminars.
• Capstone courses include independent projects, applied research, seminar discussion, and community-based learning.
• Independent “special projects” and faculty-mentored research allow students to explore specialized interests in depth.
• High-achieving students are invited to conduct a year-long research project during their senior year, making them eligible to graduate with departmental honors.
• Community-based field placements through the Psychology Practicum (PSYC 325) place students in local organizations such as mental health centers, shelters, schools, and other social service agencies.
• Study abroad opportunities allow students to explore psychology around the world.
• Many students present their faculty-student research findings at the Spring Student Symposium, the Midwest Psychological Association Conference in Chicago, or at national or international conferences.

Faculty work closely with students as teachers, mentors, and research collaborators, creating a learning community where students support each other, share expertise, and apply psychological knowledge beyond the classroom.