Clarkson University

What you'll study

The programme provides a balanced curriculum in the major areas of psychology, emphasising both theoretical foundations and practical research skills. You will take core courses such as Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, and Statistics for the Behavioural Sciences, alongside domain courses in Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology and Abnormal Psychology.

Practical and applied learning is central to the degree. Typical components include:

• Laboratory courses and supervised research opportunities that teach experimental design, data collection and analysis.
• A senior capstone or honours thesis option where students design and carry out an original research project under faculty supervision.
• Applied practica or internship placements in community agencies, schools, healthcare settings or industry, giving experience in assessment, intervention and consultation.
• Electives that allow specialisation in areas such as health psychology, cognitive neuroscience, clinical assessment, psychometrics, or human factors and user experience.

Students also complete a liberal arts general education component, and there are opportunities to take cross-disciplinary courses in business, engineering, computer science and data analytics to broaden career-relevant skills.

Entry requirements

Admission to Clarkson’s undergraduate programmes is based on a complete review of secondary school academic preparation and other supporting materials. Typical expectations include:

• A high school diploma or equivalent with a strong academic record across core subjects.
• Recommended coursework in English, mathematics (including statistics or algebra), biology and social sciences.
• Standardised test scores if submitted (when applicable) and considered as part of a holistic review; check Clarkson’s admissions guidance for current test policies.
• Supporting documents such as a personal statement, teacher or counsellor recommendations and a résumé or list of relevant extracurricular activities or volunteer experience.
• For international applicants, proof of English language proficiency and academic credential evaluation or translated transcripts are required.

Successful applicants typically demonstrate curiosity about human behaviour, evidence of academic preparation for college‑level study, and an interest in research or applied work in psychology.

Career prospects

A Clarkson psychology degree prepares graduates for a range of entry-level roles and for further graduate or professional study. Common career paths include:

• Human services and clinical support roles in community health agencies, youth services, and rehabilitation centres (note: clinical practises and licensed psychotherapy roles require graduate training and licensure).
• Research assistant positions in university, government or private research labs, especially for students with undergraduate research experience.
• Human resources, recruitment, training and organisational support roles where understanding of behaviour, assessment and interpersonal skills are important.
• Marketing, user experience (UX) and consumer research positions that value knowledge of cognition, perception and experimental methods.
• Further study in psychology (clinical, counselling, cognitive neuroscience), allied health professions, social work, education or business and data analytics graduate programmes.

Clarkson’s emphasis on internships, experiential learning and faculty-mentored research helps graduates build the applied skills and professional networks employers and graduate programmes seek.

Why study at Clarkson University

Clarkson delivers a personalised undergraduate experience with small class sizes and close access to faculty. Psychology students benefit from supervised research opportunities and well-equipped behavioural and neuroscience labs that support hands‑on training in experimental methods and measurement.

The university’s strong focus on experiential learning means psychology majors can secure internships, cooperative placements and community practicum experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world settings. Clarkson also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing students to combine psychological study with courses in business, engineering, computer science and data analysis to tailor their degree to specific career goals.

Finally, dedicated academic advising, career services and alumni networks support students in planning graduate study or entering the workforce, while the campus community in the North Country offers a close-knit environment for focused study and collaborative projects.