Bachelor of Science in Psychology

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Why Choose Saint Rose for Psychology?

The Department of Psychology at Saint Rose houses the very popular undergraduate B.S. programs in both Psychology and Forensic Psychology. While graduate training is required to practice in most areas of Psychology, our undergraduate program, with 52 required course credits, provides greater breadth and depth in students’ educational training than most other undergraduate programs, and makes our students more competitive candidates for graduate school. Enhancing student preparation even further, Psychology majors may choose optional concentrations within the Psychology major that provide specialized training in different areas. Our undergraduate major in Psychology also has a very distinctive research component, requiring students to design and conduct at least one independent research project on a topic of their choice, with opportunities to complete many more through Directed Research with faculty, Research Honors projects, and their senior capstone course.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics reports very high job growth (19% average) in Psychology with some of the highest rates in areas such as Clinical, Counseling, Forensic, School, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology through at least 2024. The American Psychological Association has reported that the fastest growing areas of Psychology are Clinical Neuropsychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Geropsychology, and the World Health Organization has stated that the worldwide shortage of Psychologists may represent a global health problem.

In addition to these undergraduate programs, our Department has two specialized accelerated dual degree programs. We offer a 3+1 program combining a 3 year B.S. in Psychology (including a Concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology) with a 1 year Masters in Business Administration, and we offer a 3+2 program combining a 3 year B.S. in Psychology (including a Concentration in Clinical/Counseling Psychology) with a 2 year M.S.Ed. in Counseling, which qualifies graduates to take the licensing exam to become a licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Program Highlights

  • With 52 required credits, the education students acquire has a much greater breadth and depth within the field of Psychology in comparison to most other institutions.
  • Specialized within-major concentrations:
    • Clinical/Counseling Psychology
    • Industrial and Organizational Psychology
    • School Psychology
    • Health Psychology
    • Behavioral Neuroscience
    • Social/Personality Psychology
    • Human Development
  • William J. Hagan Research Honors Concentration. This unique Honors Concentration may be completed by qualified students with strong interests in graduate school and/or post-graduate work involving research.
  • Highly diverse faculty interests resulting in equally diverse course offerings.
  • Wide variety of internship opportunities.

Requirements and Course Descriptions

BS in Psychology
Faculty
Michael Cruz

AN INSPIRED PATH TO WORKPLACE UNITY THAT BEGAN AT SAINT ROSE
  • B.S. Psychology, 2010—The College of Saint Rose
  • M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 2015—Iona College
  • Junior Human Resources Business Partner, Access: Supports for Living

The tight-knit community that Michael found at Saint Rose—from the Psychology program, to the step team he co-founded, to the Multi-Cultural Mentor Program—helped inspire his own passion to create model communities, ultimately envisioning the “ideal workplace.”
With the skills and instincts first nurtured at Saint Rose, he’s turned that passion into action, today strengthening employee relations for those who themselves serve the community.

Dr. Leslie Sandusky

ADVANCING NEUROSCIENCE, FROM A START AT SAINT ROSE
  • B.S. Psychology, 2008—The College of Saint Rose
  • Ph.D. Behavioral Neuroscience, 2014—SUNY Albany
  • Postdoctoral researcher, University of South Florida Health, Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute

It takes an exceptional mind to master the science behind it, so Leslie has dedicated the last decade of her life to that study. Getting her start at Saint Rose—with a concentration in clinical and counseling psychology—led her to the advanced neuroscientific research she’s doing today. Investigating the impacts and outcomes of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, she’s working to preserve what’s exceptional in every mind.

Daniel Cobbins

HIGHER EDUCATION THAT LED TO A HIGHER CALLING
  • B.S. Psychology, 2013—The College of Saint Rose
  • Masters of Divinity candidate—Cordon Conwell Theological Seminary

A psychology degree can lead you down any number of paths; a degree from Saint Rose—where you’re mentored and inspired as you explore—can lead you to your true calling. For Daniel, the answer was a matter of faith, and a desire to serve the minds and hearts of the community around him. Today he does just that, by working toward his Masters in Pastoral Care and Counseling, and as a special education teacher, lifting up the next generation.

Kaitlynn Nesbitt

A SAINT ROSE SUCCESS STORY HELPING OTHERS SUCCEED
  • B.S. Psychology, 2009—The College of Saint Rose
  • M.B.A and M.A., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, 2011—Fairleigh Dickinson University
  • Manager of Talent Management & Analytics, Tiffany & Co., NYC

With its reputation for results, Saint Rose was just the right environment for someone with Kaitlynn’s drive. Earning her degree in only three years—while also active in psychology clubs, leading the Relay for Life team, and working as a community tutor—she was on the fast track to a double Masters degree (earned in two years), and ultimately a thriving corporate career. Today, she works to nurture that same kind of talent and drive in employees into real business results.

Natalie Rostran

STANDING UP FOR SAINT ROSE AND COUNTRY
  • B.S. Psychology, 2010—The College of Saint Rose
  • Combat Correspondent and Broadcast Journalism certifications—The Defense Information School
  • Deputy Director, Orange County Veterans Service Agency

To us, “the few, the proud” sounds like a description of Saint Rose graduates. It also happens to be Natalie’s calling, the happy end of a journey begun at Saint Rose. Her interest in psychology helped her explore the way people communicate, and set the stage for her to become a public affairs specialist—as well as Interim Content Production Chief and Broadcast Chief—for the Marines. Ultimately, speaking for the military led her to where she is today: giving a voice to veterans in upstate NY.

Example Careers with graduate training:

  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Counselor or Social Worker
  • School Psychologists
  • Industrial and Organizational Psychologists
  • College/University Professors

Example Careers with only B.S. in Psychology:

  • Pharmaceutical Sales
  • Case Manager
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Business Recruiter