Do you like helping people? Are you fascinated by the way the mind works? Does performing experiments and analyzing statistical data sound like fun?
Consider a career in Psychology, the scientific study of the mind and behavior. From social service agencies, to private practice, to cognitive research, a degree in Psychology will prepare you for a number of professions!
Degrees Offered
- BA in Psychology
- Minor in Psychology
About Psychology
Psychology is a unique combination of humanities and sciences. Psychologists try to understand patterns and causes of human behavior and then relate these to the biology of our brains and environments. It is a diverse discipline and includes many sub-fields of study. Some focus areas of Psychology include human development, sports, health, clinical, social behavior and cognitive processes. Research in the field of Psychology seeks to understand and explain how we think, feel and act. With a psychology degree, you will learn valuable skills to pursue the career of your choice in a myriad of fields – from marketing to clinical research!
- Small classes taught by full-time faculty (not graduate assistants)
- Rare emphasis on undergraduate research
- Close mentoring relationships with faculty committed to your success
- Unique, interdisciplinary approach to coursework
- Build your resume and experience through local service learning projects
Research
As a Converse Psychology major, research experiences are integral to your education. You’ll be exposed to rare research opportunities most students won’t get before graduate school. Working independently or side-by-side with faculty mentors, our students have received competitive grant money, presented, and even won awards at state, regional, and national conferences.
Recent student and class research topics include:
- Interventions to improve body image
- Social media, psychopathology and general well-being
- Do artificial sweeteners result in weight gain?
Psychology Book Club
As a Converse psychology student, you will enjoy this fun forum in which both faculty and students select titles to read. During the Fall Term, faculty recommend a book and students return the favor with their own suggestions during Spring Term. Informal discussions about each book are then held at the homes of professors. Recent selections have included:
- The Girl on the Train
- Still Alice
- Before I Go to Sleep: A Novel
- Room
Internships
Few things enhance the value of a college education like the real-world experience gained in an internship. Converse psychology students have recently held internships with the following agencies:
- SAFE Homes – Rape Crisis
- Westgate Family Therapy Institute
- Spartanburg Law Enforcement Agencies
- Children’s Advocacy Center
- The Charles Lea Center (a nonprofit agency serving over 1,400 Spartanburg residents with disabilities and special needs)
The Psychology major is designed to provide you with a broad understanding of the field. The Department offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Minor in psychology.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology
As a psychology student, you will learn the empirical, conceptual, and theoretical approaches to understanding animal and human behavior. We will help you develop into a competent producer and critical consumer of psychological research. When you graduate, you will be skilled in the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, about the field of psychology. This degree will also prepare you for master’s and PhD level studies in Psychology or related fields.
Minor in Psychology
A Psychology minor will complement most any major you choose at Converse. If you are interested in human resources, for instance, you might major in business with a minor in psychology. Other psychology minors have majors in biology, education, religion and theatre.
Sample Elective Courses
- Abnormal Psychology
- Human Sexuality and Intimate Relationships
- Forensic Psychology
- Psychology in the Movies
- Body Image, Eating Disorders and Obesity
What are common careers in Psychology?
- Social Worker
- Psychologist
- Residential Care
- Human Resource Manager
- Public Relations
- Student Affairs/Services
- Law Enforcement
- Education
- Animal Training
What are Psychology alumnae doing?
Converse prepares you for success in the field of psychology. Our psychology alumnae pursue a wide variety of activities following graduation.
Grad Schools
Some of our majors opt to attend graduate school in such areas as clinical or counseling psychology, social work, law or public health at institutions including:
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- University of Georgia
- Michigan State University
- University of South Carolina
- Auburn University
- Clemson University
- Gardner-Webb University
- Mary Black School of Nursing
- East Carolina University
- Kent State University
Jobs
- Family Teacher at the Hope Center for Children
- Research assistant with the Hawkins Foundation
- Intern, South Carolina School for the Blind
- Associate, Erwin Penland Advertising
- Mental Health, Carolina Center for Behavioral Health
- Therapist, South Carolina Early Autism Project
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