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Psychology

Psychology is the study of people, thought, and behavior from cells to society. As one of the leading Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ majors, our program helps you understand how the mind works and why it matters through hands-on research and collaboration on the Occidental campus in Los Angeles.

Earn Your Psychology Degree From Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ

As a psychology major at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, you will explore how people think, feel, and behave through the lens of science and human experience. The program integrates theory with applied research to uncover the biological, social, and cognitive processes that drive behavior. You will develop skills in observation, experimental design, and data analysis while deepening your understanding of individuals and communities.

The Occidental psychology undergraduate program provides a strong foundation for advanced study and professional success. Working alongside faculty who are active researchers, you will participate in labs that investigate thought, feeling, and behavior. By graduation, you will have practical research experience, communication skills, and a scientific mindset that prepare you for careers in education, health care, business, or law.

Psychology program at a glance

What You’ll Learn as a Psychology Major at Occidental

Occidental students presenting research findings

Exploring the science of mind and behavior

Psychology at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ examines how humans and animals think, learn, and interact. You will study cognitive processes, social dynamics, and biological systems while building research, analytical, and communication skills that support your growth across disciplines.

Students in the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Psychology Department engage in hands-on research from their first year. You can work in labs such as the Thinking Lab, which studies the foundations of human thought, the Canine Intelligence Lab, which explores social behavior in dogs, or the , which examines children’s social, cognitive, and academic development. You can also join the People Watching Lab, which investigates how we perceive and interpret others, the Behavioral Medicine Lab, which studies health behavior and wellbeing, or the Behavioral Endocrinology Lab, which looks at hormones and social interaction. Many students earn grants, present at conferences, or co-author published papers through the Undergraduate Research Center and its Summer Research Program.

Learn more about how to get into research at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ.

Psychology majors can connect their interests with other disciplines through programs such as cognitive science, neuroscience, kinesiology, and public health. These options give you broader insight into human behavior and open pathways to careers in medicine, education, and social policy.

chloe lindner headshot

At Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, psychology professors treat you like graduate students. Students are actively involved in their research and are integral members of their labs. Our input is valued, and we are a part of the entire research process.

Chloe Lindner
Psychology major; Madison, NJ
Occidental students in a classroom

Learning Psychology in LA

Studying psychology at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ places you in the heart of Los Angeles, a global center for health care, research, and innovation. You can apply what you learn through internships, community partnerships, and research at world-class hospitals, schools, and nonprofits. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ faculty will connect classroom learning to real-world practice, preparing you to understand and address human behavior in diverse settings.

What Our Graduates Are Doing

PhD program in Counseling Psychology, University of MN

Amelia Blankenau
2021

Licensed Attorney

Lesley Pilgrim
2018

Clinical Researcher and Data Analyst, UCLA

Jasper Laca
2018

Medical school, University of Toledo

Laura Zima
2015

Senior Community Health Promotion Specialist, Arapahoe County

Mikayla Branz
2015

Assistant professor of psychology, CSU Long Beach

Amy Wax
2010

Meet Our Faculty

FAQs

The program combines close faculty mentorship with research opportunities that begin early in your academic journey.

Yes. Students join faculty-led labs, conduct independent studies, and present their findings at conferences.

Yes. Many psychology majors combine their work with neuroscience, education, or public health courses.

Occidental psychology graduates apply their understanding of human behavior across mental health, education, research, medicine, law, and business. Many continue on to advanced study or move into professional practice, while others teach or conduct research in universities and government agencies.

Contact Psychology
Swan Hall 112