Program Overview
Psychology
Study the science of behavior and the mind while gaining research experience, working closely with faculty, and preparing for graduate study or a wide range of careers.
Research from the Start
Work alongside faculty on research projects and gain hands-on experience in modern psychology laboratories.
Learn Through Discovery
Develop skills in scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and data analysis through research and Independent Study.
Faculty Mentorship
Work closely with professors who are dedicated to undergraduate teaching and student success.
Why Study Psychology at Wooster?
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Conduct research early through opportunities such as the Pew Sophomore Research Program.
Work in modern laboratories designed to support undergraduate research and hands-on learning.
Learn in small classes taught by faculty committed to undergraduate teaching and mentorship.
Complete a yearlong Senior Independent Study under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
Graduate with strong research, analytical, and communication skills that prepare you for graduate study and a wide range of careers.
Build your research experience.
Research is at the heart of psychology at Wooster. Students have opportunities to work with faculty on research projects, including through the Pew Sophomore Research Program, which encourages sophomores to become involved in scholarly work early in their college careers.
Every psychology major also completes a Senior Independent Study project, working one-on-one with a faculty mentor to investigate an original research question and present a written thesis. Together, these experiences help students develop the confidence and skills needed for graduate study and professional success.
Students interested in complementing another major can also pursue a minor in psychology. The minor includes six courses, beginning with introductory psychology and statistics before progressing to intermediate coursework in areas such as behavior, cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and educational psychology.
Ready to Explore Psychology?
Whether you're interested in understanding human behavior, conducting research, or preparing for graduate or professional school, Psychology at Wooster provides the knowledge, experience, and mentorship to help you reach your goals.
Career Opportunities
Psychology graduates develop research, analytical, and communication skills that open doors to many career paths.
Recent graduates have become school psychologists, physician assistants, attorneys, and resident physicians. Others have continued their education at institutions including Chatham University, Cleveland State University, Penn State, Purdue, Tufts, UCLA, the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Key Areas
Many continue to master's or doctoral programs in psychology and related fields, including education, law, social work, criminology, and medicine. Others begin careers immediately after graduation in areas such as:
Social services
Human resources
Data and computer analysis
School psychology
Health care
Law
Michael Casey
Associate Professor of Psychology
mcasey@wooster.edu
Amber Garcia
Professor of Psychology
agarcia@wooster.edu
Dan Scheibe
Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
dscheibe@wooster.edu
Meredith Hope
Assistant Professor of Psychology
mhope@wooster.edu
Bryan T. Karazsia
Professor of Psychology (On leave for AY 2025-26)
bkarazsia@wooster.edu
Grit Herzmann
Associate Professor of Psychology; Department Chair of Neuroscience; Pre-Health Advisor
gherzmann@wooster.edu
Peiyao Chen
Assistant Professor of Psychology
pechen@wooster.edu
Nathan Foster
Associate Professor and Department Chair of Psychology; Neuroscience
nfoster@wooster.edu
Claudia Thompson
Visiting Associate Professor Emeritus
Susan Clayton
Whitmore-Williams Professor of Psychology
sclayton@wooster.edu
Amy Jo Stavnezer
Professor of Psychology; Neuroscience
ajstavnezer@wooster.edu