- <a href="/live/image/gid/81/width/650/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image98059"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg" alt="Students have direct access to their professors—in class, in office hours, and even as coresearchers!" width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2131" data-max-h="2133" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Students have direct access to their professors—in class, in office hours, and even as coresearchers!</div>
- <a href="/live/image/gid/81/width/650/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image98060"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg" alt="One way for our students to collaborate with faculty is through our annual Rogers Summer Science Research Program." width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2131" data-max-h="2127" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> One way for our students to collaborate with faculty is through our annual Rogers Summer Science Research Program.</div>
Psychology
Our students do psychology—they don’t just read about it. Plus, they build relationships with faculty (often as a coresearcher!), engage in hands-on learning opportunities in Portland and overseas, and learn from and collaborate with their peers, both in and out of the classroom.
Why Choose a Degree in Psychology?
While you build a scientifically rigorous foundation in the psychology discipline, you will also design studies, analyze and interpret data, communicate your findings, and have the opportunity to apply these skills in real-world settings. We believe this active, engaged approach to learning is the best preparation for your life after Lewis & Clark, both as a professional and a scientifically literate citizen.
What You’ll Study
Our psychology curriculum is multidisciplinary, and spans social, clinical, developmental, cognitive, and biological/neuroscientific aspects of the field. We believe in working closely with our students both in the classroom and our laboratories. Undergraduates are deeply involved in our research programs exploring the psychology of health-related behaviors, the neuropsychology of bilingualism, the use of technology to teach coding concepts to children, the social construction of depictions of mental illness, and many other topics.
Outside the classroom, psychology students often complete off-campus internships and practica at a variety of relevant agencies and organizations. Many of our students study overseas. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, there are programs designed and led by psychology faculty to Australia and Ireland, in which students gain credit toward their psychology degree and gain valuable internship experience.
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors
The most popular minors for our psychology majors are: neuroscience, gender studies, or ethnic studies.
What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark
- Emma Ray-Wong BA ’20
I love both psychology and studio art so much I couldn’t bear to pick just one, so I decided to double major!
Psychology, Studio Art: Photography (double) | Boston, MassachusettsMore about Emma - Hannah Meggitt-Nxumalo BA ’20
Since I didn’t have the opportunity to visit campus before arriving for orientation, I had to base my decision on the website and some conversations with current students. One of the things that really stuck with me was how welcoming the community seemed.
Psychology | Mbabane, eSwatiniMore about Hannah - Serena Saba BA ’19
I love the ability to be a DIII athlete and focus on academics while still playing the sport I love.
Psychology | Dana Point, CaliforniaMore about Serena
What Can You Do With a Degree in Psychology
Our alumni use their BA in psychology in a variety of careers in research, clinical work, social services, teaching, and the health professions, while others go on to earn their master’s and doctoral degrees. Many also utilize the problem solving, statistical, writing, organizational, and public speaking skills they learned at Lewis & Clark in fields not directly related to psychology.
Dedicated Faculty
Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.
Psychology faculty rely on their students to be collaborative researchers in the lab, a rare opportunity for many undergraduate students. Students are frequent coauthors on peer-reviewed faculty publications and professional presentations.
- 19
Average class size for undergraduate students
- 2,188
As of fall 2022, there are 2,188 degree-seeking students enrolled at Lewis & Clark College.
- 10%
of our students are from countries other than the U.S.
- 1 of 7
L&C is one of seven Oregon schools to make the national Colleges of Distinction list in 2023–24.
- Value
Lewis & Clark is on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023–24 “Best Value Schools” list.
Invest in Yourself
A private, liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that first-year students will graduate in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.
Find Your People
Our student-led Psychology Club organizes symposia, lectures, and social events. In April 2021, Noam Chomsky presented a Q&A via Zoom on linguistics and the cognitive revolution!
Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You
- Lindsey Palish BA ’22
Friends are what keep you going throughout life but they don’t define you.
Psychology | Wynnewood, PennsylvaniaMore about Lindsey - Isabel Bowen BA ’19
Working in laboratory settings through L&C allowed me to focus on my research and get a taste for clinical work.
Psychology | Bozeman, MontanaMore about Isabel - Emily Tash BA ’21
L&C prepared me through allowing me to, and always encouraging me to, pursue all my interests.
Psychology | Political Science | Los Angeles, CaliforniaMore about Emily
Featured News
Paid Summer Research Enables Faculty-Student Collaboration
Over the summer, Lewis & Clark offers students paid, hands-on research experiences that rival those of graduate-level institutions.