• <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>

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.

Curriculum

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

  • My favorite class has been Key Monuments with Professor Benjamin David. He brought new and remarkable perspectives to Western art history. 10/10, would recommend!

    Lucia Sheridan BA ’23
    Psychology and German Studies (double) | Art and Art History | Saugatuck, Michigan
    More about Lucia
  • I appreciate the range of academic possibilities available at L&C, no matter your declared path and major.

    Kenan Imamovic BA ’25
    Computer Science and Psychology (double) | Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
    More about Kenan
  • Abnormal Psychology was a fast-paced rigorous class that had me excited to wake up at 9 a.m. to attend.

    Luz Vazquez BA ’25
    Psychology | French Studies | San Francisco, California
    More about Luz

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.

Meet the Professors

  • Best

    We’re on Newsweek’s list of “50 Best Colleges in Big Cities.”

  • Value

    Lewis & Clark is on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022–23 “Best Value Schools” list.

  • 125

    of our undergraduate students are Third Culture Kids.

  • 10%

    of our undergraduate students are from outside the U.S.

  • 15%

    first-generation students at Lewis & Clark College

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

  • If it weren’t for L&C’s focus on discovering passions and meaning, I doubt I would have made the leap into the unknown of starting my own business.

    Devin Owen BA ’14
    Psychology | Oakland, California
    More about Devin
  • Lewis & Clark allowed me to develop my writing and research skills, which was great preparation for law school.

    Helen Hitz BA ’21
    Economics and Psychology (double) | Omaha, Nebraska
    More about Helen
  • Being an alumnus of Lewis & Clark opened many doors for me. Thanks to the alumni network, I was able to break into the field I wanted to work in!

    Alan Misael Gaxiola BA ’21
    Psychology | Juan José Ríos, Sinaloa, México, and Phoenix, Arizona
    More about Alan

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