Psychology is the science of mind, behavior, and experience. Although psychology is a relatively new science, it already concerns itself with an astonishing variety of phenomena. Some border on biology and chemistry; others touch on anthropology and sociology. Beloit’s curriculum acquaints students with the major subfields of psychology—developmental, experimental, personality, and social psychology. Faculty involve students in the theories, methods, evidence, and practice of psychology, and they work toward liberal education in the discipline of psychology rather than technical preparation in a particular brand of psychology. Consequently, students learn how to pose meaningful questions about human behavior and how to explore those questions using the methods of science.

THE CURRICULUM

Students begin work in our program by taking three required courses during the first two years: Introduction to Psychology, Statistical Applications in Psychology, and Research Methods and Design. In the first course, students read about and discuss enduring issues and classic studies in psychology. In the next two courses, students learn how to think like research scientists-a crucial skill in psychology.

In advanced courses, students explore in detail the theoretical and empirical knowledge of the discipline of psychology. In these courses, students engage in library research, laboratory work, and a good deal of reading and writing. The requirements for the major are flexible so that students may choose from a broad range of topics that include child growth and development, personality, psychological disorders, biological psychology, sensation and perception, memory and cognition, social psychology, cross-cultural psychology, forensic psychology, and the psychology of women.

As seniors, students complete two capstone courses-a course in the history of psychology and an advanced seminar that examines current issues in the field. Some students are invited to complete a senior thesis, which is based on a year-long independent research project.

In recent years, the discipline of psychology has become increasingly international in its outlook. At Beloit, students have the opportunity to participate in a unique study abroad program. With a faculty director, students live and study in Fez, Morocco, for eight weeks and in Tartu, Estonia, for another eight weeks. In both countries, students study cross-cultural psychology, language, history, politics, and literature in translation. They also conduct an independent research project and often present their findings at a regional or national conference.

PROFESSIONAL EXPLORATION

CAREERS

Our students frequently explore career options through internships at various sites. In recent years, students have earned credit by serving as interns at hospitals, schools, psychiatric facilities, daycare centers, women's shelters, law firms, counseling centers, police departments, and technology companies. Students also serve as research assistants on faculty research projects.

Many of our graduates step right into entry-level professional positions after graduating. Psychology students at Beloit have accepted positions with ARCO International, IBM, Arthur Andersen Consulting, the University of Wisconsin, Northwestern University Hospital, and clinics, school districts, and colleges across the country.

Approximately 40 percent of our graduates choose to attend graduate school. They have earned master's degrees or doctorates at schools such as the University of Chicago, Harvard University, Northwestern University, and the Universities of California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin.