Psychology

Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences

Psychology Department

Acquire the core ideas and skills of psychology

WCSU’s psychology department prepares students to become productive members of a culturally diverse society embedded within a changing global environment.

You will receive a comprehensive education in the methods and content of the discipline of psychology while remaining true to the liberal arts ideal. Our program provides:

  • Flexibility, so you can expand your intellectual horizons
  • Structure, so you can acquire the core ideas and skills of psychology

You’ll graduate with skills in interpersonal and intrapersonal interactions, quantitative analysis skills for understanding social science data, and exposure to a tiered writing experiencing emphasizing critical analysis and argument based on empirical evidence.

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Office of Undergraduate Admissions
email: admissions@wcsu.edu
phone: (203) 837-9000

Office of Graduate Admissions
email: graduateadmissions@wcsu.edu
phone: (203) 837-8243

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts in
Psychology

COURSE CATALOG ➜

Download Program Sheet ➜

Minor in
Psychology

COURSE CATALOG ➜

Download Program Sheet ➜

Master of Science in
Addiction Studies

COURSE CATALOG ➜

Master of Science in Addiction Studies ➜

Get Involved!

Consider joining Psych Alliance

Psych Alliance

Student & Alumni Spotlight

More ABOUT OUR STudents
Karla Mendez Vasquez

Summer Undergraduate
Research Fellowship Program

Karla Mendez Vasquez

We are proud to announce that Karla Mendez Vasquez, a WCSU psychology major, was just accepted into the Yale Summer Undergraduate Research fellowship (SURF) Program.  The program will take place at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, from June 3 to July 29, 2024. In addition to a research project, SURF Scholars will take part in a series of professional development workshops and social events and will do an oral PowerPoint presentation at a closing symposium sponsored by the Leadership Alliance. 

For any students (rising sophomores, juniors & seniors) interested in learning about how to apply for this in the future visit the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program website.

Research Fellowship Program

Elaina Layden

B.A. in Psychology, ’10; M.S. Applied Behavioral Analysis ’17

Elaina Layden

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

“I was originally a history major and I took a class with Dr. Barrett, who pushed me to be the best version of myself and inspired me to change my major. I also had Dr. Nelson who was tough, but compassionate, and she held my infant son so I could take an exam. I had an amazing experience at WCSU and find those memories to be so important to my journey of becoming a therapist.”

Skylar Bartush

B.A in Psychology, ’23
minor in math

Skylar Bartush

Skylar Bartush (’23) has been accepted to Bentley University’s M.S. In Human Factors in Information Design program for Fall 2025. Since August 2023, Skylar has worked as a Postgraduate Research Associate at Yale University, where she has been involved with XR Pediatrics.
READ MORE ➔

Sarah Hoegler

B.A. in Psychology, ’18

Sarah Hoegler

Ph.D. Student at University of Notre Dame

“I’ve met so many people here at WestConn to whom I’ve said, ‘I want to be like you when I grow up!’ But, Dr. Nelson is a professor who has certainly been a mentor to me. I’ve worked with Dr. Nelson for almost three years, and she’s really pushed and challenged me to become the best that I can as a student in general, but specifically as a researcher.” 

Lots of exciting news from our recent graduates!!

Jade Carreiro ‘24 – accepted and attending Western Michigan University’s doctoral program. She is pursuing her PhD in counseling psychology.

Joanna Galbo ‘24 – accepted and attending Marist College school psychology master’s degree program. She is enrolled in their full-time two year in-person master’s program.

Branden Purvis ‘24 – accepted and attending University of Bridgeport clinical mental health counseling master’s program. After completing their full-time three year in-person program he will be applying to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

James Richards ‘24 – accepted and attending the WCSU master’s in clinical mental health counseling program. After completing their part time 3-year online program he will be applying to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Valerie Marterella ’24 – graduated this year Summa Cum Laude. She was accepted and is now attending the WCSU master’s in clinical mental health counseling program. After completing their part time 3-year online program she will be applying to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She was also recently hired as a Graduate Intern in the Office of Judicial Affairs at WCSU.

Kaisy Cabrera ’24 – accepted and attending Fairfield University’s Master’s in Social Work program. She is excited to be on her way to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Michael Figueroa ’24 -applied and attending Marist College clinical mental health counseling in-person 2-year program. He will be applying to become a Licensed Professional Counselor after graduation.

Leticia Silva ’24 – finished an internship with the Grassroots Academy in Danbury through her PSY 306 course and impressed them so much that she was offered a full-time job upon graduation. She is currently applying to the WCSU master’s in clinical mental health counseling program for Fall 2025.

Skylar Bartush ‘23 – just finished a post grad year in a research lab at Yale and then hired to work in the Pediatrics Department. Her current research lab is called XRPeds where they design gamified behavioral interventions for kids. She is excited to be getting this amazing research experience to help open doors for her next step of applying to graduate school to receive her doctorate in psychology.

Meghan Keating ’23 – after graduating from WCSU she went to work in VA at Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare as a Substance Use Disorder Services Clinician. She recently earned her CSAC-S certification in substance use disorder counseling.

Mixtli Suarez ’22 – after graduation she was hired as an Academic Associate at Grassroots Academy in Danbury where she previously completed her internship for PSY 306. She was then hired as a Behavioral Health case Manager at Apex Community Care in Danbury. She was recently accepted and started attending the WCSU master’s in clinical mental health counseling program. After completing their part-time 3-year online program she will be applying to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

* If you are a recent graduate and have an update for us please email it to murphym@wcsu.edu. We love knowing what our grads are up to!

  • Mission

  • The psychology program offers a comprehensive education in the methods and content of the discipline of psychology while remaining true to the liberal arts ideal. The program provides flexibility, so that students can expand their intellectual horizons, and structure, so that students can acquire the core ideas and skills of psychology.

    Students graduate with skills in interpersonal and intrapersonal interactions, quantitative analysis skills for understanding social science data, and with exposure to a tiered writing experiencing emphasizing critical analysis and argument based on empirical evidence.

    The department prepares our students to be productive members of a culturally diverse society embedded within a changing global environment.

  • Learning Outcomes

  • At the completion of their studies, Psychology majors will be able to:

    1. Be knowledgeable of the facts, theories and principles of scientific psychology, including the areas of cognitive, biological, developmental, social and personality, and clinical and counseling psychology.
    2. Describe applications of psychology.
    3. Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research.
    4. Demonstrate psychology information literacy.
    5. Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem-solving.
    6. Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice.
    7. Write in a cogent scientific argument, present information using a scientific approach, engage in discussion of psychological concepts, explain the ideas of others, and express their own ideas with clarity.
    8. Produce a research study or other psychological project, explain scientific results, and present information to a professional audience.
    9. Apply psychological content and skills to career goals.
    10. Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.
  • 4+1 Graduate
    Masters Degree Pathway

  • 4+1 Graduate Masters Degree Pathway for WCSU Psychology Majors


    Advanced Standing Option

    WCSU Psychology majors who complete three undergraduate courses in Substance Use Counseling (out of PSY 392, 393, 394, 395) and who complete an undergraduate internship can apply for Advanced Standing and complete the graduate program in 30-31 credits rather than 37. The MS in Addiction Studies can be completed in one year full-time, or in two years part-time.

The psychology program offers a comprehensive education in the methods and content of the discipline of psychology while remaining true to the liberal arts ideal. The program provides flexibility, so that students can expand their intellectual horizons, and structure, so that students can acquire the core ideas and skills of psychology.

Students graduate with skills in interpersonal and intrapersonal interactions, quantitative analysis skills for understanding social science data, and with exposure to a tiered writing experiencing emphasizing critical analysis and argument based on empirical evidence.

The department prepares our students to be productive members of a culturally diverse society embedded within a changing global environment.

At the completion of their studies, Psychology majors will be able to:

  1. Be knowledgeable of the facts, theories and principles of scientific psychology, including the areas of cognitive, biological, developmental, social and personality, and clinical and counseling psychology.
  2. Describe applications of psychology.
  3. Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research.
  4. Demonstrate psychology information literacy.
  5. Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem-solving.
  6. Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice.
  7. Write in a cogent scientific argument, present information using a scientific approach, engage in discussion of psychological concepts, explain the ideas of others, and express their own ideas with clarity.
  8. Produce a research study or other psychological project, explain scientific results, and present information to a professional audience.
  9. Apply psychological content and skills to career goals.
  10. Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.

4+1 Graduate Masters Degree Pathway for WCSU Psychology Majors


Advanced Standing Option

WCSU Psychology majors who complete three undergraduate courses in Substance Use Counseling (out of PSY 392, 393, 394, 395) and who complete an undergraduate internship can apply for Advanced Standing and complete the graduate program in 30-31 credits rather than 37. The MS in Addiction Studies can be completed in one year full-time, or in two years part-time.

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