Psychology & Neuroscience

Melanie Leussis, Ph.D. Chair

Psychology and neuroscience are rich and varied disciplines dedicated to the scientific study of the complexity and diversity of the mind and brain. Psychology and neuroscience majors receive a broad liberal arts education as well as training in the specialized knowledge and skills of their discipline. Early core courses in psychology and neuroscience provide the scientific background for later courses that build upon students’ knowledge base and capacity to analyze and think critically about different problems or issues. Upper-level courses allow students to explore subdisciplines of psychology and neuroscience more deeply while further developing professionally through directed research, exposure to scientific literature, and year-long senior internships. These programs prepare students for a wide variety of careers or post-graduate educational opportunities in psychology or neuroscience and other related disciplines.

Psychology Psychology covers a broad area of study, including but not limited to behavior, cognition, memory, motivation, psychological disturbance and psychotherapy. Psychology majors apply their knowledge in a wide variety of settings, such as with children or the elderly, or in institutional and mental health facilities. Emmanuel psychology graduates have continued their education at the master’s and doctoral level in psychology, social work, health care and other professional fields. Some graduates work in human resources, personnel or related careers in business and academia. Graduates have also been involved research, in college teaching, and in human services within a variety of institutions and agencies and within a broad range of clinical settings.

The psychology and neuroscience department offers a B.A. degree in psychology with two concentrations, which help to guide students’ coursework in an area that helps them to meet their academic and professional goals.

Developmental psychology is a program that concentrates on developmental psychology through the human life span.

Counseling and health psychology concentrates on interviewing skills and modern research on coping and dealing with stress and other health-oriented issues.

Neuroscience The psychology and neuroscience department offers a B.S. degree in neuroscience. This major is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in interdisciplinary brain science, incorporating biology, chemistry, psychology, and neuroscience, while remaining sufficiently flexible to allow students to tailor the program to their specific interests. If you are interested in exploring the brain, with topics ranging from the biology and anatomy of the brain to human psychopathology and neurological disorders to animal behavior, then the B.S. in neuroscience may be the right path for you. Through a combination of interdisciplinary core courses paired with flexibility electives, students will develop quantitative and critical thinking skills that will be put to use while engaged in a year-long internship. These educational and hands-on experiences will prepare students for Ph.D. programs