Chatham University

What you'll study

The psychology degree provides a balance of core scientific principles and applied practice. You will study foundational topics such as research methods, statistics for psychology, biological bases of behaviour, cognitive psychology, social psychology and developmental psychology, alongside applied subjects like abnormal psychology, personality, assessment and intervention.

• Research Methods and Statistics: experimental design, data analysis, ethics in research and training in commonly used quantitative and qualitative techniques.
• Biological and Cognitive Bases of Behaviour: neuroscience, psychophysiology, sensation and perception, learning and memory.
• Developmental and Social Psychology: lifespan development, child and adolescent psychology, social cognition and group processes.
• Clinical and Applied Areas: abnormal psychology, psychological assessment, counselling concepts and practicum or internship opportunities with community partners.
• Electives and Interdisciplinary Options: courses drawn from related fields such as health sciences, gender studies or neuroscience to support individual interests and specialisms.
• Capstone and Research Opportunities: senior seminar or honours projects that allow you to design and carry out supervised research or applied projects under faculty mentorship.

Entry requirements

Entry to the Bachelor in Psychology normally requires completion of secondary education with good academic standing. Admissions criteria take a holistic view and may include consideration of academic transcripts, personal statement and relevant extracurricular or work experience.

• Typical academic expectations: strong grades in relevant subjects. Applicants with qualifications such as A-levels, International Baccalaureate, or equivalent secondary credentials are considered.
• Recommended subjects: mathematics or statistics and a science such as biology are helpful preparation but not always mandatory.
• Standardised tests: Chatham generally operates a flexible testing policy; applicants should check the latest guidance on standardised tests (if any) and test-optional provisions.
• Transfer and advanced standing: credit may be awarded for recognised college-level work, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) higher-level courses; applicants should submit transcripts for evaluation.
• International applicants: proof of English proficiency may be required through recognised tests or previous instruction in English, alongside documentation of secondary qualifications.

Career prospects

A psychology degree from Chatham prepares graduates for a wide range of entry-level roles and for further professional training. Many graduates enter fields that involve working with people, research, data or organisations.

• Direct-entry roles: research assistant, behavioural health technician, case manager, rehabilitation specialist, youth worker, human resources assistant or community outreach coordinator.
• Health and social services: positions in mental health agencies, counselling centres, hospitals and non-profit organisations, often combined with on-the-job training or certification.
• Further study and professional training: many graduates go on to postgraduate programmes in clinical psychology, counselling, social work, school psychology, occupational therapy, public health or research-focused masters and doctoral study.
• Related careers: market research, user experience and human factors, education and teaching (with appropriate additional qualifications), and roles in policy, advocacy and administration.

Why study at Chatham University

Chatham emphasises personalised education with small class sizes and significant faculty interaction, which benefits students in a discipline that values mentorship and supervised research. The programme integrates classroom learning with experiential opportunities such as lab-based research, practicum placements and community partnerships, helping students apply theory to practice.

Located in the Pittsburgh region, Chatham students can access a network of hospitals, clinics, research centres and community agencies for internships and employment. The university also supports interdisciplinary study and offers pathways to allied health and neuroscience programmes, enabling students to tailor their degree to specific career goals.