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

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Location

Kaufman Building Mailing Address

Department Features


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Study Abroad
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Current Courses
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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
Psychology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2021

Psychology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2021

Graduating psychology majors secure jobs in education and are accepted to graduate programs at Boston University, University of Virginia and University of Washington.

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Student Snapshot: Sagun Sharma ’21

Student Snapshot: Sagun Sharma ’21

The best thing about Sagun Sharma '21’s time at Dickinson? “Being able to meet and engage with so many different, amazing people from all around the world.”

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Faculty-Led Program Helps Families Affected by Caregiver Substance Abuse Disorder

Faculty-Led Program Helps Families Affected by Caregiver Substance Abuse Disorder

Associate Professor of Psychology Sharon Kingston co-leads a program to strengthen caregiver-child bonds and promote effective parenting strategies.

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Striving for Educational Equity

Striving for Educational Equity

Former psychology major Ashley Flynn ’11 works to achieve equality in education as associate director of research at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.

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Podcast: The Psychology of a Pandemic

Podcast: The Psychology of a Pandemic

A Dickinson College psychology professor and two alumnae share their new, collaborative research on predicting COVID-19 risk perceptions.

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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.

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