About Psychology
Attention, Students Enrolling Fall 2024 and Onward
The Psychology Department has revised both the B.A. and B.S. programs beginning in Fall 2024. Any student entering after Fall 2024 will be under these new program requirements (PDF).
Students in Buffalo State’s psychology program learn statistical methods necessary to understand and perform research in psychology. They develop critical thinking skills to analyze and solve problems. They understand the effects of genetic, biological, social, cultural, and environmental influences on behavior, learning, intelligence, cognition, stress and coping, and personality. Developing oral and written communication skills is a critical part of this major. Buffalo State offers both a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science in psychology. The BA gives students a broad understanding of core concepts, while the BS is designed for a close study of specialized areas within the psychology disciplines.
Students enrolled in the undergraduate major of psychology usually fall into three broad categories:
- Those who want to work in the field and become psychologists. This option requires a graduate degree in addition to the undergraduate one.
- Those who want a general background in psychology to complement another major such as criminal justice, social work, or business.
- Those who wish to use a bachelor’s degree in psychology in fields such as social services or human resources.
Degree Information
Career options for psychology majors are quite broad, making it a popular choice among undergraduate students. Psychology graduates get jobs in research, education, advertising, marketing, public relations, politics, and public health. Of course, becoming a licensed counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist are the most popular options, but they are far from the only ones:
- Animal Behaviorist
- Art Therapist
- Career Counselor
- Child Psychologist
- Correctional Treatment Specialist
- Criminal Investigator
- Crisis Counselor
- Family and Marriage Therapist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Grief Counselor
- Human Resources Specialist
- Lawyer
- Marketing Director
- Military Psychologist
- Music Therapist
- Public Relations Agent
- Psychiatrist
- School Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- University Psychology Professor
- Youth Counselor
Upon graduation, many of our students are accepted into graduate programs at such institutions as Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Syracuse University, and the University at Buffalo. Other students choose to work upon graduation. Of the many positions our recent graduates have obtained include ones at:
- Crisis Services
- Transitional Services
- The Buffalo Psychiatric Center
- Stanley Falk School
- Gateway-Longview
- Horizons
- Geico
Psychology Club: This campus club is open to all students with an interest in psychology. It includes visits from professionals, career seminars, field trips, research projects, and a year-end picnic.
Psychology Students Interested in Community Outreach
(PISCO): This charity drive supported by the Psychology Club aims to help disadvantaged families in neighborhoods surrounding Buffalo State.
Psi Chi Honorary Society: The international honorary society coordinates programs and activities with the Psychology Club and Psychology Department. Members of Psi Chi sponsor an informal tutoring program for psychology courses on an as-needed basis.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): A local student chapter of a national organization that helps prepare students for possible careers in human resources or industrial/organizational psychology. Activities include guest speakers, tours of organizations, and campus conferences.
Our students are actively involved in research: Internships enable students to gain hands-on experience in the field and apply what they have learned in the classroom. Every year, students publish papers in refereed journals, present at regional and national conferences, and participate in the Student Research and Creativity Celebration. This kind of activity helps our students learn to think critically about psychology, learn about the research process, and prepare for careers and graduate school.
Two types of internships: Field studies and teaching. Internship topics include crisis services, human resources, mental illness, refugee placement and support, school/youth counseling, substance abuse, and teaching.
“It’s important to surround yourself with dynamic, goal-oriented individuals.”
Individualized Attention
Most psychology classes have between 12 and 30 students so that you have the opportunity to get to know faculty members and receive individualized attention.
Award-Winning Faculty
Our full-time faculty are active researchers who receive competitive federal grants and routinely publish their research in peer-reviewed journals and present their research at regional, national, and international conferences. Many of our faculty have been recognized with awards for teaching, research, advising, and undergraduate research mentorship.
Students of Excellence
Our students are recognized as among the best in the college. Since 2003, the Psychology Department has produced 14 recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence and five recipients of the President’s Medal.
Advanced Research
Our program offers advanced research projects that are usually only offered to graduate students.
“I loved having the opportunity to hear stories from students who have gone through the program and overcome their own obstacles."
"...the extracurricular activities reinforce how practical and valid everything in the classroom really is.”
