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Undergraduate Major

Psychology Major (BA)

A BA in psychology at Widener will expand your scientific understanding of why people think and behave as they do.

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  3. Psychology Major (BA)

At a Glance

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Major & Minor

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Campus Location
  • Chester, PA

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Explore the Psychology Major

Psychology as a major at Widener will give you an exploration of the science of human behavior and mental processes while also emphasizing the hands-on human aspect of the field.

Our curriculum stresses a variety of areas important to employers and for future graduate work. As you hone your scientific research and critical thinking skills, you'll also practice communication skills and cultural competency with meaningful field work.

Whether you're seeking a career in mental health counseling, forensic psychology, family therapy, human resources management, or beyond, studying psychology will grow your understanding of and empathy for the diversity of humankind.

Program Options for Psychology Majors

As an introduction to the field of psychology, you'll explore courses within different domains of psychology:

  • Developmental domain
  • Sociocultural domain
  • Biological domain
  • Applied domain

Choose from a range of electives to then customize your education to your unique goals. All students will complete a research sequence and a laboratory course, completing their degree with a capstone seminar, research project, or internship.

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College is about exploration. At Widener, you'll complete a general education curriculum that supports just that. You'll have the flexibility and freedom to dive deep into the topics that spark curiosity, challenge your mind, and power your personal and academic growth. 

Along the way, you'll cultivate critical, meaningful skills employers seek, including:

  • How to make a difference in a diverse world with an inclusive mindset
  • How to write and edit for clear, compelling communication
  • How to analyze data and make decisions using critical thinking

It all starts with ASC 101: Thinking Through — a selection of around 40 course topics that will encourage you to go deeper and examine complex issues that shape our world and our ways of relating to one another. When you dive into the possibilities, you're sure to find multiple courses that inspire and intrigue you, regardless of whether they align with your major! Think of it as an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and truly learn something new. Then, in your senior year, you'll come full circle with a capstone course that takes your Thinking Through topic to new heights strengthened by everything you've cultivated along your college journey.

Through Widener’s Accelerated Advantage program, you can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree with only one additional year of study—saving you valuable time and money. Master's degrees can be earned in allied health education (MEd), business administration (MBA), criminal justice (MCJ), organizational development and leadership (MA), and public administration (MPA).
 
While Widener does not offer a master’s degree in the same field as this major, you can still select from a variety of powerhouse master’s programs that will enhance your job opportunities and prepare you for rapid career growth.

Learn more about our Accelerated Advantage 4+1 Program

While Widener University does not offer a master's in psychology, the psychology department has partnerships with multiple graduate programs at other institutions. Many of these include preferential admissions and tuition discounts. Contact the Psychology department for more information about these opportunities.

Psychology majors can participate in the following pathways:

You'll have a comprehensive understanding of knowledge in psychology while working towards earning a degree in one of our pathway programs.

Psychology majors who have demonstrated excellence in course work become eligible to apply for the Honors in Psychology program. In this program, you'll complete an independent, empirical research project under the supervision of a faculty member, and get to formally present your unique research to the department.

Interested in gaining real-world work experience before you graduate? As a student, you can tap into powerful networks of faculty mentors, alumni, and Career Design & Development professionals to find your perfect fit.

You'll have multiple opportunities to gain internship or externship support, including the Widener Works program—an externship program that takes place over winter break. Widener also offers an Experience MORE program which helps financially support students who have unpaid or low-paying internships.  

Learn more about internships

Pair Your Psychology Major with a Minor or Certificate

Environmental Studies Minor

Advantages

Make an impact in environmental sustainability with an in-depth understanding of human behavior and how to influence changing habits.

Outcome

Consultant Working With Industry or Government Agencies

Human Resource Management Minor

Advantages

Bring your understanding of how people think and act to human resources management to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Outcome

Human Resources Manager

Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies Minor

Advantages

Deepen your understanding of how gender functions in society in relation to sexuality, race and ethnicity, culture, ability, and class.

Outcome

Psychologist Specializing in LGBTQ+ Care

Spanish Minor

Advantages

Become fluent in the Spanish language to connect to non-English speakers through conversation, written communication, and cultural competence.

Outcome

Psychologist Serving Spanish-Speaking Communities

Computer Forensics Minor

Advantages

Combine your psychological know-how with criminal justice, coding, and ethics courses to learn how to tackle cyber crime head-on.

Outcome

Computer Forensics Analyst

Career Outlook & Outcomes for Psychology Majors

Recent Employers

  • Elwyn
  • Haverford School District
  • Penn Medicine
  • PeopleShare
  • SOAR

Job Placements

More than 50% of students who participated in a practicum or internship are offered a job at their placement.  

Industry Growth

Employment of psychologists is expected to increase 6% by 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

Potential Careers

  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Behavioral Neuroscientist
  • Drug and Alcohol Counseling
  • Child Psychologist
  • Marriage and Family Counseling
  • Forensic Psychologist

Workplace Settings

  • Hospitals
  • Rehabilitation Centers
  • Businesses
  • Counseling Agencies
  • Schools
  • Corporations

Why Study Psychology at Widener?

Faculty member mentoring student at high top table

Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One

We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.

Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.

Lean more about faculty mentorship
Explore resources for academic & career support
Find support for health & wellbeing

Student Presenting Research Poster

Learn Beyond the Classroom

You'll have the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty on their industry-shaping research through projects like the Summer Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities program. Through these opportunities, you'll acquire experience and skills valued by graduate schools and employers.

You can also join various clubs and organizations across campus, including Psi Chi – The International Honor Society in Psychology, Active Minds mental health awareness organization, and many more.

Psychology Clip Board

Explore Meaningful Practicums and Internships

Through the progressive sequence of a professional development seminar and practicum before your internship, you'll enter your placement with confidence and be set up for success. The hands-on experience will set you apart in the psychology field and help you establish a network in the workforce before you graduate.

Internship focuses vary widely based on student interest but can include:

  • Sports, orthopedic & rehabilitative medicine
  • Drug & alcohol rehabilitation
  • Developmental disabilities
  • Business & HR staffing

Student Stories

Widener student Ariana Hurtado-Day

"Being able to have these internships and experiences outside of the classroom makes me feel happy because not only am I able to build connections, but I’m getting experience and understanding with the career that I want."

Ariana Hurtado-Day

Class of 2023
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Headshot of Patton Vo

"When I was struggling with my own identity, Widener never turned its back against me. And that’s exactly the type of experience I want to provide other students."

Patton Vo

Class of 2015
Read Story
Dante DiBattista stands in front of a powerpoint screen speaking to a room of Widener students

"I tell students to focus on being the best you possible. Being there for yourself allows you to be there for more people."

Dante DiBattista

Class of 2017
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Kennedy Shaw stands on campus on a blue sky day, with Founders Hall behind her and the Old Main dome visible in the background

"Freshman year was a great year. Even though I was not physically on campus, I felt at home. I love it here. I was shocked with how much love I received online and I knew it would be 1,000 times better in person."

Kennedy Shaw

Class of 2024
Read Story
Hannah Berard stands on top of a mountain and signs "I love you"

"Widener has helped me take my academics and what I’ve learned in classes and apply it not just in the Chester community, but to the whole world in general."

Hannah Berard

Class of 2022
Read Story
Psychology major Christie Birchall leads group

"Widener helped me realize my track. The faculty in the psychology department provide a safety net and make it their job to find you a place in the field."

Christie Birchall

Class of 2019
Read Story
View all Stories

Our Faculty

Luke Ayers 260x300
Luke W. Ayers
Chair, Psychology Department
Lori Simons
Lori Simons
Practicum and Internship Coordinator of Psychology Department

"Psychology majors are more interested in psychology when it is applicable to their own development and when they can observe its contribution through service-learning, practicum or internship, and independent research with faculty."

View All Faculty Explore Faculty Research Interests

Recent News

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Admissions & Aid

Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!

Admissions

Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.

Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.

When to Apply​

We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app. 

Key dates to keep in mind:​

  • October 1: FAFSA opens for the next academic year (Widener's school code is 003313)​
  • November 1: Early Action deadline and decision notifications begin​

What to Expect After Applying​

Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.

Learn more about the application process

If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:

  • Receiving your admissions decision by Thanksgiving
  • Early consideration for merit-based scholarships
  • Early notification of financial aid offers, including need-based awards
  • Priority enrollment for summer registration—where you sign up for classes!

All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!

Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.

Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator. 

Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there! 

Learn more about applying as a transfer student

Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.

Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process. 

This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.

Learn more about applying as an international student
Learn more about life at Widener as an international student

Financial Aid

Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings an exceptional education within reach. Complete your admissions application today to determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants.

Widener FAFSA Code 003313

Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need. 

You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.

 

Paths to Savings

Nearly 100% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid

Nearly 100% of new full-time undergraduate students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.

The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.

Scholarships Start at $100,000 Over 4 Years

(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)

Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.

4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition

In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.

More About Tuition & Financial Aid

Take the Next Steps

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View Admissions Events

We offer a variety of events to get to know Widener—from virtual sessions, workshops, and private tours, to the big splash of our signature open houses.

Request Information

Have a question about Widener? Drop us a line and an admissions counselor will be in touch. We're always happy to help!​

Apply

Applying online is easy—and it's free! We also accept the Common Application. Take the next step toward joining the Widener Pride.