The Department of Psychology seeks to teach knowledge and skills to investigate and engage the world through psychology, the scientific study of the mind and behavior.

Students in our classes engage in critical inquiry, research conceptualization, data analysis, scientific writing and thoughtful discussions as they explore the breadth of the discipline. Our introductory courses present nine subdisciplines of psychology, ranging from principles of learning to clinical psychology. The expertise of psychology faculty spans a wide range of subdisciplines, including social, cross-cultural, clinical/counseling, community, health, developmental, cognitive, behavioral neurobiology, neuroscience and the psychology of women, gender and sexuality.

Among psychology majors nationwide, Dickinson grads rank #7 for starting salaries at U.S. bachelor-degree-granting institutions (Texas Public Policy Foundation, 2020)

Dickinson psychology offers extraordinary training in research methodology. Our majors learn the fundamentals of research design and strategies for clear scientific communication in four semesterlong courses, and all majors are able to experience the process of psychology research firsthand. Students also have the opportunity to engage in independent projects and collaborative research with faculty and are able to participate in community-based programming.

Contact Info

Chair

Sharon KingstonAssociate Professor of Psychology

Department Coordinator

Amy McMurdy

Phone

717-245-1255

Fax

---

Location

Kaufman Building Mailing Address

Department Features


England.jpg
Study Abroad
700_NeuroScience_20130321_9122.jpg
Current Courses
2ndGradeScience_20140509_4259.700_1.jpg
Community Involvement

Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs

  • Chicago School of Professional Psychology
  • Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh
  • Brain Balance Achievement Center of Wexford
  • Commission on Economic Opportunity
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • Deloitte
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • National Foreign Language Center, University of Maryland
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Teach for America

Graduate Schools

  • Clemson University
  • Georgetown University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • London Business School
  • New York University
  • Northwestern University
  • Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)
  • University of California
  • University of Michigan
  • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Texas, Austin
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Yale University
Where Our Students Have Interned
  • Alzheimer's Association
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Children's National Health System
  • City of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management
  • Columbia University
  • Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
  • Global Mental Health Program, Columbia University Medical Center
  • Johns Hopkins Hospital
  • Johns Hopkins University, Lieber Institute of Brain Development
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • LGBT Center of Central PA
  • National Eating Disorders Association
  • New York State Psychiatric Institute
  • Peloton Advantage
  • Premier Sports Psychology
  • YWCA Carlisle Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Program

Student Perspective

“It’s important to go into the field and see real-life applications of what you’re learning about in class, and it’s something that we get to do right at the start at Dickinson. [Elsewhere] it’s often not until after graduation that you get to have these experiences.”

—Sam Gerhard ’19


Psychology News

All News Department News
Tasting Italy With Kyle Carter

Tasting Italy With Kyle Carter '99

Kyle Carter ’99 carves a new career path leading small-group tours of Italy that go off the beaten path.

read more
Mask Wearing—When and How to Speak Up

Mask Wearing—When and How to Speak Up

Dickinson College Professor of Psychology Marie Helweg-Larsen discusses how to handle the challenge of encouraging others to wear proper face coverings in public.

read more
Student Snapshot: Guoxuan “Allan” Chi ’20

Student Snapshot: Guoxuan “Allan” Chi ’20

Guoxuan "Allan" Chi '20 found his academic niche at the intersection of computer science and psychology. Learn more about his lab internship at UC Berkeley, his perfect study-abroad course and more.

read more
Psychology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2020

Psychology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2020

Psychology majors are accepted to graduate programs at Villanova and Boston University and secure jobs in consulting.

read more
image

Dickinson College Psychology Professor Explains Why ‘Optimistic Bias’ Could Hamper Efforts to Fight COVID-19

Psychology professor Marie Helweg-Larsen will discuss her research on “optimistic bias” in a virtual lecture hosted by Dickinson’s Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues.

read more
A Next-Level Global Education

A Next-Level Global Education

Six international students offer an inside look at their Dickinson experience.

read more