The program provides extensive training in research methods and specialized areas of psychological study, including experimental, developmental, abnormal, personality and social psychology.
You can prepare for exciting opportunities by earning your Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology at St. John's University. Offered through St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the University's oldest division, this acclaimed, 120-credit program is nationally known for the quality of its professors and graduates.
The program provides extensive training in research methods and specialized areas of psychological study, including experimental, developmental, abnormal, personality and social psychology. Faculty and students regularly present at conferences hosted by major organizations including the American Psychological Association.
You also gain practical experience through student-led research experiments and collaboration with faculty on various research projects. Fieldwork is available through St. John's Center for Psychological Services and clinics throughout the local community.
Professor and Chair, Psychology
For more information about admission to this and other acclaimed undergraduate programs at St. John’s University, please visit Undergraduate Admission.
To earn your B.A. in Psychology, you complete a minimum of 120 credits including core requirements, major requirements, and free electives. The major requirements are outlined below. For more information about courses, please see the St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of our Undergraduate Bulletin.
Twenty-two credits of Free Electives are required for the Psychology program. However, this total may vary slightly depending on the courses taken to complete the Free Electives and St. John’s College Core Elective requirement. Regardless, the student must complete all requirements and finish a minimum of 120 credits with at least a 2.0 in both their overall and major indices to be eligible for a Bachelor of Arts degree.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 1000C | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 2990 | Sophomore Seminar | 3 |
| PSY 2030 & 2030L | Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences with Lab | 4 |
| PSY 2040 & 2040P | Research Methods in Psychology with Practicum | 4 |
| PSY 2150 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 3260 | Introduction to Psychological Measurement | 3 |
| PSY 3800 | History and Systems of Psychology | 3 |
You also complete one course from each of the following groups for a total of 12 credits.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 2200 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 2210 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| PSY 3320 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 2070C | Child Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 2080C | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 3270 | Experimental Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| PSY 3280 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 3290 | Experimental Psychology of Sensation and Perception | 3 |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 2220 | Child and Adolescent Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY 2240 | Psychology of Women | 3 |
| PSY 2250 | Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 2260 | Positive Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 2270 | Health Psychology | 3 |
In addition, you complete two electives from among the department offerings for a total of six credits. You may choose these additional electives from unselected courses in the groups above.
The career outlook is excellent for students interested in psychology. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for graduates with degrees in the psychological sciences are expected to increase over the next five years due to high demand in schools, hospitals, social service agencies, mental health centers, substance abuse treatment clinics, consulting firms and private companies.
You benefit from St. John’s location in dynamic New York City. Our faculty and Career Services have strong ties to employers and other professional and educational resources throughout the New York area.
You also benefit from St. John's focus on international academic experiences. The University offers extensive study abroad opportunities, from our nationally unique Global Passport program for first-year students, to short-term and semester opportunities throughout your academic year. The Department of Psychology offers a fall semester program in Rome tailored specifically to the academic needs of our majors. For more information on all of our study abroad programs, please visit the Office of International Education.
At St. John's, you learn from a nationally acclaimed faculty of scholars and practitioners. You have opportunities to conduct research and participate in field work at St. John’s Center for Psychological Services, a state-of-the-art facility that serves community residents in Queens, NY.
You can also gain an academic and professional edge by joining the Psychology Club. One of more than 180 student clubs and organizations at St. John's University, the Psychology Club provides a warm, social atmosphere. The club holds events and discussions that enhance members' educational experience while assisting you in your preparation for careers and graduate study.
St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers membership in two honor societies of special interest to psychology majors:
Facilities include high-tech classrooms, laboratories, and our 1.7 million-volume University Library. Our D’Angelo Center is a five-story, 127,000-square-foot University and Student Center with classrooms, lecture halls, a Starbucks Café, and a full-service food court.
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The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Global Development and Social Justice program aims at best practices and leadership in global development. Our mission of social justice and human rights advocacy, grounded in Catholic Social Teaching and the Vincentian tradition “to provide excellent education for all people, especially those lacking economic, physical, or social advantages,” is reflected through our innovative online methodology. We seek especially to provide education to those lacking economic and social means.
Students in this 18-credit minor must complete the following requirements along with the Integrating Interdisciplinary Seminar in Social Justice and a minimum of 40 hours of service learning.
You can complete a major or a minor in Sociology and Anthropology, a minor in Social Work, or combine your B.A. with an M.A. in Sociology or Criminology and Justice.
The Office of Student Financial Services is committed to providing students and their families with the information they need to navigate and understand the financial aid and payment process.
St. John’s offers a free online application for all 100+ undergraduate programs, and graduate applications carry a low cost for most programs.