Psychology

Explore what makes people think the way they think and act the way they act.

As a psychology student at Oglethorpe:

You’ll learn to understand, apply, and critique empirical methods of research – from controlled experiments in the lab to naturalistic observations.
You’ll practice analyzing your research findings, and communicating them clearly in both speaking and writing.
You’ll even develop posters and presentations for professional conferences.
You’ll explore the major theoretical advances of modern and contemporary psychology, comparing and contrasting the various schools of thought.
You’ll become more observant and more insightful, with greater understanding of the human condition.

Being a psychology major at Oglethorpe has been an amazing decision! The professors and other psychology students are very helpful and supportive!

– Naomi Stamper ’26

When you graduate, you’ll be a sharper thinker and a stronger communicator, with a deeper understanding of yourself and your fellow human beings – valuable assets in any life you choose to build.

Real-World Experience
Life After Oglethorpe
Degree Requirements & Courses

From internships at Atlanta’s influential research centers and nonprofit organizations, to the campus psychology lab (offering undergraduate research opportunities galore), you’ll have plenty of opportunities to turn theory into practice.

Complete a high-impact internship, choosing from a diverse selection of organizations. Students have interned at adoption agencies, private practices and clinical settings, law firms and law enforcement agencies, and more – a list that includes the AAUW, Birmingham Neuropsychology, CDC, Desert Hope American Addiction Centers, the Georgia State University Language Research Center, the Georgia Psychological Association, Gwinnett Medical Center, Habitat for Humanity, Heartbound Ministries, H.E.R.O. for Children, Inc., Kate’s Club, Marcus Autism Center, Partnership Against Domestic Violence, SisterLove, South Community, Inc., Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, and Zoo Atlanta.
Consider joining Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology – our Oglethorpe chapter has been going strong since 1985. The outstanding Psi Chi students host a variety of fun and educational events throughout the year.
Go deeper into the discipline with hands-on research. Some students collaborate with faculty on psychological research projects in progress (like a few current students who are assisting a professor in an investigation of the psychological benefits of SCUBA training for people with mobility impairments); others develop their own unique projects, aided by faculty mentorship.
Our top-notch psychology lab is newly renovated with the latest computer hardware, experimental software, and video technology, offering researchers-in-training everything they need to succeed.

Your degree in psychology will help you develop a broad range of valuable skills: the ability to research efficiently and effectively; to communicate with clarity in speaking and writing; and to understand other people at a deeper level. So even if you don’t choose to pursue a career as a psychologist, you can put your training to work in a variety of fields

Oglethorpe psychology alumni are making an impact in the psychology field. One is an associate professor of psychology at Berry College; another is an assistant professor at Albion College. Another alum is serving as a child psychologist and fellow at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Other psychology graduates have found successful careers in advertising, business, education, management, marketing, law, sales, social work, and more.

Read success stories of Psychology graduates, and see where they’ve gone to graduate, medical, and law school on the Psychology Department website.

See degree requirements and course descriptions in the University Bulletin.