About

The Psychology Department is housed in the Olin-Rice Science Center and features dedicated areas for classrooms, research laboratories, offices, and student work and relaxation. The department comprises nine full-time faculty with expertise representing the breadth of Psychological Science (e.g., Biological Psychology, Clinical, Cognitive, Cultural, Developmental, and Social Psychology). The psychology curriculum advances students’ understanding of the scientific study of behavior and experience, from single cells in the brain and body all the way up to culture.

Psychology Majors and Minors

The Psychology Department supports approximately 135 majors and 24 minors as of August, 2024. Our students have a wide range of academic and personal interests, and they often double major or minor in disciplines such as American Studies, Art, Chemistry, Economics, Educational Studies, Environmental Studies, Philosophy, and Sociology. A number of our students participate in athletics, choir, theater, and various student organizations. Our students also volunteer and intern [link to “Internships”] in area schools, hospitals, and clinics. After Macalester, our Psychology graduates go on to many different fields including business administration and analytics, consulting, education, government, healthcare (both mental and physical), human resources, marketing, non-profits, program management, research, sales, social work, student support, and tech.

Psychology Research Labs

Each faculty member in the department maintains an active research lab and has their own dedicated laboratory space. If you are interested in getting research experience in Psychology, contact a faculty member to find out about available research assistant positions.

Getting Involved

We strive to create a welcoming “home” for students, and we encourage you to get involved in the life of the department. There are many opportunities to get to know faculty, staff, and other students outside of the classroom, and we hope you’ll take advantage of as many as possible!

Johnson Lecture

Since 1988, the Psychology Department invites a distinguished psychologist to deliver the annual Johnson Lecture, named in memory of former faculty member Ray Johnson.

Mission Statement

The Psychology Major advances students’ understanding of the scientific study of behavior and experience. Through activities both in and outside of the classroom, as well as continual and incremental immersion in empirical research, the curriculum a) introduces students to the methods of investigation, theoretical and statistical analysis, and application most characteristic of a wide range of subdisciplines in psychology; b) develops students’ mastery of the specific theories and methodologies in one or more subdisciplines; and c) cultivates an appreciation for the context of psychological science by examining its cultural, social, and/or political dimensions. The major promotes the skills and knowledge necessary for students to become critical thinkers, strong communicators, and lifelong learners. In this way, students are prepared to succeed in a variety of educational and career pursuits.