Santa Clara University

Although psychology is a broad field, many people think of psychologists only as psychotherapists working with clients. In fact, these clinical or counseling psychologist, who specialize in understanding and treating psychological disorders, represent only one facet of the field: Developmental psychologists study children and changes in people through the life cycle; cognitive psychologists examine how people generate, organize, and use thoughts; social psychologists look at the way people interact with and influence each other; physiological psychologists study biological influences on behavior; and health psychologists examine the many ways behavior influences physical well-being. These are just a few examples of the many areas of specialization available to psychologists.

The psychology major at Santa Clara provides students with a broad background for understanding behavior through exposure to many of the subfields within the discipline of psychology. The curriculum shows students that examining behavior from many different perspectives is the key to understanding psychology. Students learn that human behavior is influenced by cognitive processes, developmental histories, physiological traits, and social forces. The requirements for psychology major also are flexible enough that students can concentrate on the areas of psychology they find most interesting. For example, students interested in clinical or counseling psychology can take courses in abnormal psychology, psychological testing, and advanced topics in clinical psychology. Special emphasis programs are offered in gerontology (the psychology of aging) and psychobiology.

Because psychology is a science, research plays an important role in all areas of the field. The Psychology Department provides opportunities for many undergraduates to participate in professional psychological research. Many students help design and conduct research with faculty members in their areas of expertise. As a result of these projects, many Santa Clara students have co-authored presentations at professional conferences or papers published in professional journals. The Psychology Department has extensive laboratory facilities and equipment available for research. These include permanent laboratory rooms for research with human subjects as well as modern animal facilities.

The majority of professional psychologists work in the area of clinical or counseling psychology. Consequently, the Psychology Department has developed opportunities for majors to directly experience working with people with a wide variety of counseling needs. Through Santa Clara's Arrupe Center, a university wide project that builds a partnership between the university and underserved populations in the community, the department has developed opportunities for clinical experience at many local agencies. These agencies serve youth, the elderly, and people with a variety of mental-health needs. Several psychology courses include active learning experiences through short-term placements at one of these agencies. Many psychology majors obtain more extensive clinical experience by working several hours per week at one of the agencies as part of a quarter long practicum/internship course.

Psychology is a very popular major at Santa Clara and offers many career opportunities. Many psychology majors continue their education in graduate programs in psychology and related fields. Professional psychologists often work in clinical or counseling settings, teach at colleges and universities, and conduct research. But psychologists also are in demand in business and industry, hospital and health facilities, and educational institutions at all levels. Many psychology students find their broad liberal arts education paves the way to medical, law, and other professional schools.