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Saginaw Valley State University

Department of Psychology

Students and faculty from the Psychology Department

Department of Psychology

Psychology is a scientific field devoted to understanding the behavior and mental processes of humans and other animals. Some areas of psychology are devoted to studying neurophysiology, sensory processes, perception, cognition, and motivation, while other areas focus on the nature of development, personality, mental disorders, cultural diversity, and social influence. Psychology is also a profession offering careers that involve basic scientific research, as well as applied work relevant to such areas as education, health, industry, criminal justice, and international relations.

What Makes the SVSU Psychology Program Distinctive?

The SVSU Psychology program helps students stand out by combining a strong foundation in research with hands-on learning that builds real-world skills. Faculty bring expertise across key areas of modern psychology and offer courses in a variety of formats—including lectures, labs, small-group work, community engagement, and interdisciplinary seminars.

Students gain practical experience through modern laboratory facilities and applied coursework focused on research design, data analysis, psychological assessment, interviewing, and fieldwork. Rather than only studying theory, students actively explore areas such as learning, cognition, personality, social psychology, perception, and motivation through original research and experiential projects.

Beyond the classroom, students can stand out through involvement in the Psychology Club and Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, gaining opportunities for leadership, research, professional development, and community engagement.

At SVSU, psychology students stand out by developing:

  • Strong reasoning and research skills
  • Hands-on experience applying psychological concepts
  • Learning across diverse classroom and lab environments
  • A supportive, collaborative academic community

Psychology at SVSU is distinctive because students don’t just learn psychology—they stand out by doing it.

Psychology Program/Course Information

The Psychology program offers a wide range of resources to help you plan your coursework, explore research opportunities, and prepare for careers or graduate study. The documents below provide detailed information about major and minor requirements, course offerings and prerequisites, faculty-mentored research, and professional pathways available to psychology students.

Mission

The Department of Psychology promotes an understanding of major theories and findings from psychological science, an appreciation of the scientific principles from which this knowledge is derived, and the creative and ethical application of psychology to real-world contexts. The department offers the opportunity for students to learn and practice the reasoning, methodological, and analytical skills relevant to psychological science. These experiences provide students with a foundation for success in further graduate study or other advanced work. The department provides sound general education for students seeking an empirical understanding of behavior and diversity. The department facilitates student success in community and professional service as well as advanced study in psychology and related disciplines.

 

Vision

The Department of Psychology will engage students and exemplify lifelong learning with exemplary teaching and scholarship activities. Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology will be stewards of responsible community and professional leadership. The department will contribute to the public good by shaping a citizenry that is sensitive to the complexities of human development, thought and behavior.