Psychology Outcomes

Your Path to SUCCESS

PSYCHOLOGY

is filled with OPPORTUNITIES

FOR CRITICAL THINKING, OPENNESS TO NEW WORLDVIEWS AND AN APPRECIATION FOR DIVERSITY -- THESE ARE THE VALUES THAT A DEGREE FROM RWU IN PSYCHOLOGY PROVIDES.

You’ll learn what psychologists do and the methods they use to conduct their research, including how to use software-based statistical techniques. And in your junior and senior years, you can dive deep into specialized areas of Psychology and learn how to conduct observations and surveys, examine case studies, and develop research proposals. Many Psychology students take advantage of our vast array of majors and minors, combining their passions by double majoring or minoring in areas including criminal justice, modern languages, and business to prepare for careers in their areas of expertise. Our graduates are prepared for graduate school, as well as a wide range of careers, including clinical psychology and research, human resources, management, marketing, and education.

SUCCESS by the NUMBERS

85% GRADUATE WITH MORE THAN A SINGLE MAJOR

The majority of 2022 Psychology majors graduated with a 2nd major or minor(s), giving them the skills and diverse experiences that are most desirable for employers and graduate school admission.

96% PLACEMENT OF 2022 GRADS

Our graduates found success in employment or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation.

35+ RESEARCH PROJECTS

A significant number of student and faculty-led research projects take place annually in SSNS, with many opportunities even for first-year students.

You’ll Study with EXPERT FACULTY

VICTORIA HEIMER-MCGINN, PH.D. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY

In 2019, Victoria Heimer-McGinn received the Next Generation Award from the Society for Neuroscience for her innovative work to educate the public about the human brain. Heimer-McGinn co-founded the annual Brain Week RI and connects with local K-12 schools to get young students excited about careers in brain science through its BRAINY program. She established a popular Introduction to Neuroscience course at RWU and collaborates with undergraduate students on research into the roles of memory and social functioning in the brain. She has also been a Fulbright Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar and Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Scholar.

“Professor Heimer-McGinn involves our students in her outreach activities and also establishes important connections between biology and psychology in her popular classes,” said SSNS Dean Benjamin Greenstein.

ALEJANDRO LEGUIZAMO, PH.D. PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY

Professor of Psychology Alejandro Leguizamo is an expert in multicultural aspects of sexual aggression and sex offender treatment, and risk assessment with ethnically-diverse sex offenders. He works with students on research projects that tackle real-world issues.

“I can be both involved in a hands-on way and serve as a guide. It’s about how I can best serve the students. I helped my students design the collection tools that they then used to enter data, and we will analyze the data together.”

Graduates Share Their EXPERIENCES

RWU gave me a perfect foundation of knowledge to build a career. My professors were excellent at teaching us about the current state of the field, while also inspiring us to work toward progressing it wherever we found ourselves after RWU. My time in this program positioned me to find a role administering therapy to youth with autism spectrum disorder, and my Psychology professors were more than willing to help me however I needed as I applied to graduate programs.

CONNOR BURT ’21

PSYCHOLOGY AND MARKETING

Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapist at APEX Behavioral Consulting in Boston, MA

I felt really supported from my career advisor who always made it a point to be on a first-name basis as we worked on tailoring my resume and narrowing the scope of what kinds of jobs I wanted to apply to. My professors knew my name and I knew I could reach out at any time.

KRISTINA RAUCCIO ‘17

PSYCHOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Sr. Anti-Money Laundering Analyst at Santander Bank in South Boston, MA

When I was at Roger, a lot of my learning was applied. I was involved with research projects that were very handson and meaningful. Having the opportunity to do work like that and not have it be abstract was important to me.

JENN REALE ‘20 PSYCHOLOGY AND LEGAL STUDIES

J.D. Candidate at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, MA

The RWU Difference

HOLD A HUMAN BRAIN

RWU is one of only two higher ed institutions in Rhode Island to have a plasticized human brain for neuroscience education.

“It’s really hard to teach the anatomy of the brain with just a book. With a brain in your hand, all of a sudden, students want to come to class. They want to explore the brain, look at it, and wonder about the person it belonged to, their memories and their past. It’s an educational tool and an outreach tool, and I’m hoping that throughout the years we can use it for many other things,” said Assistant Professor of Psychology Victoria Heimer-McGinn.

BLEND MAJORS & MINORS

At RWU, 85 percent of Psychology students graduate with more than just a single major. You can build your unique career advantage with a double major or combination of minors. Many students combine Psychology with Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, Education, or Marketing.

ENGAGE IN RESEARCH

At RWU, every Psychology student graduates with direct research experience. Many students participate in conferences, sharing and presenting their work, or publishing their work in respected journals.

Some recent research topics include:

• How accurate is eyewitness testimony?

• Jury selection in the courts: A scientific model

• Do men and women learn differently?

• Is “whiteness” part of “multiculturalism”?

INTERNSHIP CONNECTIONS

• How do we choose our romantic partners?

• How do parents balance the needs of work and family?

Our strong industry connections help provide internships or co-op experiences, and students are supported before, during and after their real-world experiences. Students have recently interned with organizations including Butler Hospital, Newport Mental Health, Communities for People, State of RI DCYF, East Bay Mental Health, and Adult Correctional Institutions.

COMMUNITY ENGAGED LEARNING

Partner with community organizations and businesses to solve problems that matter. Examples include promoting mental health and well-being with youth in Jamaica, working with the Bristol Health Equity Zone to study the impact of community cooking demonstrations, and analyzing policies and programs at an elementary school in Providence and Head Start in Fall River, MA.

EARN A GRADUATE DEGREE

RWU offers graduate degrees that complement the bachelor’s degree in Psychology, including a Master of Arts in Forensic Mental Health Counseling, which prepares students for clinical work or for a Psy.D. program. The 3+3 Juris Doctor (J.D.) program allows students to pair their primary major with a second major in Legal Studies to pursue an accelerated pathway to a Juris Doctor degree.