Psychology
Program Details
Xavier's psychology major highlights the science of behavior and mental processes, including the scientific approach to the understanding of human behavior and personality. Students graduate from the program prepared to work in business and community agencies, enter grad school or find employment in personnel, writing, community service, health, teaching, management, research and sales positions.
Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is nationally recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes. 99 percent of our students, including those in the psychology major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022).
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Psychology major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- BIO 102 Life: Human Biology............ 2cr.
- BIO 132 Life: Human Biology Lab............ 1cr.
- CORE 100 First Year Seminar............ 3cr.
- CORE 101: (GOA I)............ 0cr.
- MATH 105 or 120............ 3cr.
- second language I............ 3cr.
- ENGL 101 English Comp OR 115 Rhetoric............ 3cr.
Spring
- PSYC 130 Psychology Science Perspective............ 2cr.
- PSYC 131 Psych-Science Perspective Lab............ 1cr.
- PSYC 200 Orientation to the Major............ 1cr.
- PSYC 231/261/277 Dev/Soc/Ab Psych............ 3cr.
- MATH 140 Concepts of Calculus............ 3cr.
- second language II............ 3cr.
- Core 102 (Goa: II)............ 0cr.
Fall
- PSYC 210 Statistical Techniques............ 3cr.
- PSYC 212 Statistical Techniques Lab............ 1cr.
- PSYC 221 Research Methods & Design I............ 2cr.
- PSYC 223 Research Methods & Design I Lab............ 1cr.
- PSYC 231/261/277 Dev/Soc/Ab Psych............ 1cr.
- PHIL 100 Intro to Ethics............ 3cr.
- Creative or Historical Perspectives............ 3cr.
Spring
- PSYC 222 Research Methods & Design II............ 2cr.
- PSYC 224 Research Methods & Design II Lab............ 1cr.
- PSYC 231/261/277 Dev/Soc/Ab Psych............ 3cr.
- THEO 111 The Ignation Imagination............ 3cr.
- PHIL 200 Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- PSYC Elective............ 3cr.
- PSYC 460 Learning & Behavior or PSYC 427 Cognitive Psych............ 3cr.
- THEO 200 Elective............ 3cr.
- Diversity Flag Elective............ 3cr.
- General University Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- PSYC Elective............ 3cr.
- PHIL 300 Elective............ 3cr.
- General University Elective............ 3cr.
- General University Elective ............ 3cr.
- General University Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- PSYC 301 History & Systems in Psych............ 3cr.
- PSYC 499 Capstone in Psychology Science............ 3cr.
- General University Elective/Minor............ 3cr.
- General University Elective/Minor............ 3cr.
- General University Elective/Minor............ 3cr.
Spring
- Ethics/ Religion & Society Elective............ 3cr.
- CORE 499 - Reflection on XU Core............ 0cr.
- General University Elective/Minor............ 3cr.
- General University Elective/Minor............ 3cr.
- General University Elective/Minor............ 3cr.
- General University Elective/Minor............ 3cr.
Sample Courses
Xavier is known for providing an education that's both challenging and personal. Here are some courses that are part of the Psychology major at Xavier:
Psychology Science Perspective/Lab (PSYC 130/131) - Designed to provide an introduction to the scientific method used in psychological research within the context of the field of psychology.
Developmental Psychology (PSYC 231) - Factors influencing a person's life span. Application to stages of physiological maturation, developmental tasks, social learning, personality integration.
Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 277) - Dynamics of the disturbed personality; symptoms, causes, treatment of psychoneuroses, psychoses, deviant personalities.
Career Outcomes
Upon graduation, psychology majors are in a position to move in two different career directions. First, they may seek immediate employment in a variety of settings, such as business, community agencies and education. Alternatively, psychology majors may choose to pursue additional education in areas such as law, social work, counseling, or psychology.
99% of Xavier students, including those in the psychology major, are employed, in grad school or in a volunteer position within 6 months of graduating. (Class of 2022).
Careers: Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist, Care Manager, Abuse Counselor, Case Manager, Clinical Research Associate, Drug Addictions Counselor, Emergency Housing Coordinator, Family Life Services Counselor, Psychiatric Technician, Program Coordinator, Research Coordinator, Social Skills Teacher
Recent Student Job Placements: Beech Acres, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati Public Schools, Goodwill, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, Medpace, Sacred Heart Community Services, Starfire Council, St. Joseph Home, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Student Clubs
The Psi Chi chapter is an official chapter of the National Honor Society of Psychology. Psychology Club is open to all students of any major or minor in an effort to raise awareness and interest in all fields of psychology. Both clubs work as one to increase awareness for and interest in psychology.
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Request InformationResearch Opportunities for Psychology Majors
As a psychology major, you'll have the unique opportunity to gain real hands-on experience of choosing, creating and presenting a research project to your faculty and peers.
Graduate Programs for Psychology Majors
Xavier's psychology program prepares you for diverse graduate programs in psychology. Whether your goal is a Ph.D. in research or a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology (offered right here at Xavier!), our program will equip you for the next chapter.
Cincinnati: No. 1 City for Recent College Grads
Cincinnati, Ohio is ranked the #1 Best City for College Graduates (smartasset.com) and the #15 Best Place to Start a Career (WalletHub). It’s home to some of the nation’s leading hospitals and healthcare networks, including Cincinnati Children's Hospital, the Christ Hospital and TriHealth.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Psychology Major at Xavier University
The undergraduate Psychology program at Xavier University acquaints students thoroughly with the content and methods on scientific psychology. While emphasizing the scientific approach to the understanding of human behavior and human personality, the psychology courses aim to show the student that this branch of science is complementary to and compatible with a sound philosophy of human nature. In addition to the program leading to the Bachelor of Science, the School of Psychology provides courses in the University Core Curriculum. The School of Psychology also offers a minor in Psychology.
Xavier University's College of Professional Sciences prepares undergraduate and graduate students intellectually, morally and spiritually for careers and professions of service. CPS challenges students to strive for academic excellence and life-long learning through promoting collaboration and community partnerships, and incorporating research, scholarship and innovation.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."