Printer Friendly
Psychology
Why do we act as we do? How do we perceive and learn? What affects our feelings, forms our thoughts, shapes our personalities? And how do we study or measure these things?
As a Hood psychology major, you'll explore the complexities of human behavior, from our first responses at birth to the process of death and dying. Equipped with a broad background in the liberal arts, with specific scientific knowledge and with practical experience in the field, you'll be well-prepared for professional opportunities in the workforce or for advanced study in graduate school.
After completing general requirements for the psychology major, you'll select one of four areas in which to specialize:
- experimental psychology
- social/organizational psychology
- personality/clinical psychology
- developmental psychology
You'll study mental health disorders; euthanasia and other ethical issues related to dying; research methodologies and statistical analysis; the behavioral effects of drugs; theories of personality; and other fascinating topics. You may also have the opportunity to assist faculty by tutoring students in introductory classes or working with them on thier research projects.
Internships
Hood's location in the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area makes
it possible for you to intern with some of the nation's leading laboratory
and research facilities. Recently, a student interned at the National Institute
of Mental Health in the division headed by Judith Rappaport, whose book on obsessive-compulsive
disorder, "The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing," was a national bestseller.
Other Hood psychology interns have served in the following capacities:
- Mental health assistants at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute at The Johns Hopkins University Medical Institutions;
- Working with hospitalized children, adolescents and adults at facilities such as the world-famous Sheppard Pratt Health System;
- Assisting mentally and physically disabled adolescents in local schools and day treatment centers; and
- Providing services in the Frederick County state's attorney's office, hospice and other agencies
Alumnae and Alumni Success Stories
A psychology degree from Hood is excellent preparation for entry-level careers
in many human services settings, including outreach and outpatient programs,
community homes and recreation therapy, as well as social science research
and personnel work. Recent graduates test inmates at the Maryland Correctional Institution, teach psychology at a Maryland high school, assist with psychopharmacology research at a medical school lab, and coordinate social and recreational activities for older adults.
Since many careers in this field require an advanced degree and a license to practice, more than half of Hood's psychology majors pursue graduate studies at institutions such as:
- Howard University
- Loyola University
- NOVA Southeastern University
- The Johns Hopkins University
- Vanderbilt University
- West Virginia University
Hood alumnae and alumni who have earned graduate degrees are successful counselors and administrators in human service agencies throughout the country.
Graduate School Opportunities
Hood offers 14 master's degrees, including two that relate to psychology. The
master of arts in human sciences is an interdisciplinary approach to the problems of
contemporary society and their impact on individuals. The goal of the program
is to enrich the understanding and skills of students in their professional
and civic roles.
Hood also offers a master of arts in thanatology. This field, which studies death, dying and bereavement, is a new and rapidly growing one. Hood is one of the only institutions in the U.S. to offer such a program.
For complete information in our online catalog, click here.