Department of Psychology

Highlights of Psychology and Neuroscience at Simmons

• Small classes foster interactive learning and strong student/ faculty connections.
• The Neuroscience & Behavior program is offered jointly by the Departments of Psychology and Biology.
• Field placements, senior capstone projects, faculty/student research, and independent research build experience and professional skills.
• Social justice and service to historically marginalized populations are central to our teaching and research.

The faculty care deeply about their students. We want to empower them to express their ideas, and use their voices.

- Greg Feldman, Professor, Department of Psychology

A rigorous curriculum prepares psychology students for success

• In advanced seminars, students and faculty explore topics such as the applications of psychology to real-world problems, ethics and professionalism in psychology, and careers.
• Seniors work in teams with a faculty mentor to complete capstone research projects. Recent projects include studies of emotional expression and management in young children, and the impacts of how mindfulness meditation on physiological markers of stress and relaxation.
• Our location gives students incredible field-work opportunities at institutions like Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Gateway Arts, Judge Baker Children’s Center, and Nashua Street Jail.
• Faculty members engage students in their research and support independent student projects. Students regularly co-author papers and present their work at conferences with faculty mentors.

Honors in Psychology

Candidates for honors in psychology should fulfill the University requirements as described on page 23 and have a GPA of 3.5 in psychology. Candidates will submit a proposal for a thesis to the Psychology Department. The members of the Department will determine candidacy. In addition, an honors candidate will be required to complete PSYC 350 or 380 in the first semester of their senior year. Upon completion of that course and with departmental approval, she will then register for PSYC 355 or 381 in the second semester of her senior year.

Careers

Our graduates pursue a wide variety of careers, including applied clinical work, research, law, education, marketing, computer science, the non-profit sector, and social services. Others pursue further academic training; recent graduates have been accepted to prestigious programs at the University of Vermont, Northeastern University, and Boston College. The Psychology Department and the Neuroscience and Psychology Liaison foster friendships and networking among students and alumni.