Department of Psychology
Majors, Minors & Programs
Neuroscience
Neuroscience majors investigate the biological basis of behavior and the relationship of neural and psychological processes. As a major, you will take biology and psychology courses with additional courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, philosophy and computer science, depending upon your particular interests.
Students are integrated into research labs as early as their first year of college and continue developing key skills as they complete senior capstone projects. Many neuroscience graduates continue their education in medical school or other master’s-level and doctoral programs.
Psychology
Westminster’s psychology students engage in scientific exploration through mentorship with faculty members. Students are integrated into research labs as early as their first year and continue developing key skills as they complete senior capstone projects. Students also complete a 160-hour internship in a psychological setting that develops professionalism and reinforces classroom/laboratory skills; opportunities for service learning, study abroad, and community engagement further extend students’ development. The four-year curriculum is intentionally aligned with the American Psychological Association so that graduates are successful in their careers and/or graduate programs.
Psychology majors interested in graduate school can also save time and money through one of our Bachelor’s Degree Plus Programs. Through these programs, you could earn your Westminster degree and be on the fast-track to a master’s degree in Psychology or Clinical Psychology.
Pre-Med & Pre-Health Programs
Westminster College provides guidance and education for students interested in a wide variety of healthcare careers. Professional schools seek students who are broadly educated in the liberal arts with strong critical-thinking and communication skills. These skills are nurtured and developed at Westminster, which has resulted in an above 90 percent acceptance rate for students applying into professional schools.
Students who plan to attend medical or other professional schools in the health sciences can pursue any standard disciplinary or interdisciplinary major Westminster offers. Popular majors for our pre-med and pre-health students include biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and neuroscience.
Pre-Occupational Therapy (Professional Program)
At Westminster, students who are interested in careers in Occupational Therapy usually major in Psychology. OT overlaps with Psychology in that occupational therapists help clients in activities connected to daily living and psychologists help their clients adjust to life-changing events. As a pre-OT student, you'll receive specialized advising to ensure you get the courses and experiences that you need to get into OT school.
Psychology students have attended Occupational Therapy graduate programs at the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University and Indiana State University. Westminster also offers Pre-OT students a fast-track to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree through a Bachelor's Degree Plus Program with Chatham University.
Interdisciplinary Programs
Art Therapy (Micro-Credential)
The Art Therapy micro-credential is a unique opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing further experience and education in this specific discipline. Art therapists are mental health professionals who facilitate therapeutic experiences through art-making, creative processes, and applied psychological theory to treat individuals across the lifespan experiencing psychopathology. The Art Therapy micro-credential has been designed to include foundational and core courses for both the Art and Psychology majors, with a specific focus on applied/therapeutic perspectives. A critical component of the micro-credential is the completion of an interdisciplinary internship that provides the essential elements of both perspectives. The Art Therapy micro-credential provides a strong intersection of psychology and art and will provide Westminster College students with an interdisciplinary experience that will prepare them for graduate study in Art Therapy and/or the incorporation of art therapy practices within broader therapeutic settings.
Child & Family Studies
Explore the Child and Family Studies major at Westminster and be part of a diverse, interdisciplinary program with an array of human services professions. With a curriculum built on courses in education, psychology, sociology, and criminial justice studies, our program offers three major concentrations that allow you to be part of authentic, hands-on experiences as a young child and family educational specialist, social service organization educator, or educator for at-risk youth and families.
Immerse yourself in experiences that take you outside the classroom and into professional organizations in the region that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the success of children and their families. Lead the change that will transform our communities.
Childhood Development (Minor)
The minor in Childhood Development is offered in cooperation between the Department of Psychology and the School of Education. The program serves to strengthen the developmental background of those students interested in working with children.
This interdisciplinary course of study will advantage students interested in the areas of early childhood education, guidance counseling, criminal justice, special education, and social work.
Peace Studies (Minor)
Peace Studies is an interdisciplinary academic program designed to prepare students for the challenge of living in an increasingly diverse and global community. Recent uncertainties about the nature of world security make this an especially opportune time for Peace Studies. In addition to understanding conflict and its resolution, coursework emphasizes global awareness, multiculturalism, public policy, ethics, and human rights. You can tailor your course selections to meet post-graduation goals, which will enhance your ability to secure jobs in an increasingly global economy and multicultural society. Through service learning at the local, national, or international level, you will translate your competencies into action.
If your academic plan does not have sufficient flexiblity to complete the courses required for a minor, you may choose to complete a concentration in Peace Studies, which requires fewer courses. You can also pursue a major in Peace Studies through our Interdisciplinary Major.
Individual Interdisciplinary Major
The Individual Interdisciplinary major allows students to design their own majors. Students identify a core of course work in one program of study (major or minor), and then add coursework from other disciplines to craft an educational experience as unique as their ambitions.
Recent real-life examples of Individual Interdisciplinary majors include:
- Environmental Science Project Management(Environmental Science and Business)
- Scientific Illustration (Fine Art and Biology)
- Film & Media Relations (Film Studies and Communication)
For more information, contact an Admissions Counselor today.
Bachelor's Degree Plus Programs
Bachelor's Degree + Master's Degree in Psychology or Clinical Psychology (3+2 Programs)
Psychology majors who are interested in a graduate degree can take advantage of our 3+2 partnership with Chatham University that allows you to begin your graduate studies at the end of your junior year. In this program, eligible students spend three years at Westminster and then two years in either Chatham's Master of Arts in Psychology program or Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program. Upon successful completion of all requirements, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is awarded from Westminster, and a master's degree is awarded from Chatham.
Bachelor's Degree + Occupational Therapy Degree (3+3 and 4+3 Programs)
In addition to having access to our robust Pre-Occupational Therapy Program, you could be guaranteed admission to an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program (OTD) when you graduate through our special agreement with Chatham University. You might also be eligible to start working on your Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Chatham at the end of your junior year, saving you time and money.
Bachelor’s Degree + MBA (4+1 Program)
As a Westminster undergraduate student, you can get a headstart on your Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree by beginning your master's coursework during the second semester of your senior year.
Available to qualifying Westminster students with any major, our MBA program emphasizes real-world business issues integrating communication, accounting, finance, marketing, law, ethics, operations management and human resources in order to prepare you to thoughtfully and ethically lead in public and private sector organizations. The program offers students the choice of four concentrations: Management, Business and Data Analytics, Healthcare Management, or Sustainability/Green MBA.
For more information, contact the Chair of the School of Business, Dr. Robert Badowski.
Learn More about the Department of Psychology
