Academics

Welcome to the Department of Psychology

Psychology is a popular major at many universities across the country, largely because psychological issues permeate our everyday lives; an understanding of how and why humans are affected by mental processes can benefit graduates in a variety of career fields. Psychology majors become adept professionals in clinical and counseling settings, medicine, law, politics, education and business.

The psychology major offers a challenging curriculum that integrates theoretical study, empirical investigation and practical application. Because faculty members have a wide range of expertise in adulthood and aging, child development, clinical psychology, cognition and emotion, history, neuroscience, psycholinguistics, social psychology and women’s studies, students receive a comprehensive education that prepares them well for careers or post-graduate study.

Richmond psychology graduates are routinely admitted to excellent graduate programs, both in psychology and other fields in which students have developed interests. 

Degrees, Major, Minor, and Concentrations

The Department of Psychology offers both a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science degree in psychology in addition to an interdisciplinary major in cognitive science. There is also an interdisciplinary concentration in neuroscience.

Scholarships, Honors, & Awards

Department scholarships and awards are presented annually to students who demonstrate excellence in research and coursework. The honors program in the Department of Psychology provides qualified students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of psychology through year-long intensive psychological research and a senior thesis under faculty mentorship. 

Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in psychology with the purpose of “encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology.” This established society has been a pivotal part of the University of Richmond Psychology Department since 1950. The UR chapter of Psi Chi is a student-led organization that is responsible for many activities within the psychology department.