Psychology Department

Psychology is a difficult discipline to categorize. Many students who do not want to become psychologists or who have no desire to go to graduate school choose to major in psychology as a chance to learn about themselves and to acquire many skills valued in today's job market. For example, you learn critical thinking throughout the major. You learn to apply statistics and to do systematic problem solving. You learn to write reports and interpret research. These skills are quite valuable to today's graduate who may change careers three or four times before retirement.

For those wishing to pursue graduate or professional training in psychology the major is helpful but not absolutely necessary. We recommend that the student consider where they want to go to graduate school, what their ultimate goal is, research vs application, for example, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. Graduate training in psychology and allied disciplines can vary from area to area. For example, Masters programs in Counseling do not require the BA in psychology but clinical PhD programs often do require it. If you are seriously interested in graduate training as a psychologist you need to understand that the schools vary from competitive to extremely competitive (for experimental and clinical areas, respectively). The college and community of Albertson will aid you in making these decisions. We hope that whether you choose to major or to just take a few courses that we can help you appreciate the intriguing world of behavior and thought that we as faculty have come to know.

Please click on the pages described on the left to get further information or call us (see the main The College of Idaho page for a toll free number or the local number if you are in Idaho). The department page has descriptions of courses taught in the department as well as which faculty usually teach them. There are syllabi, study guides, and other materials for courses being taught this semester on the Course Information pages.