Why DU Psychology
An Inclusive Community Fostering Innovation
In the Department of Psychology, we prioritize collaborative scholarship, individualized mentorship and contributions to the public good. We aim to connect classroom learning to hands-on, real-world experience that makes a difference, and we encourage undergraduate and graduate student research that continues to expand our intellectual community.
Our undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty support each other's growth by engaging innovative ideas. From our BA and BS degrees to our three doctoral programs, all students connect classroom to community.
We challenge undergraduates to think critically about psychological knowledge, including how it has been built and which perspectives may be underrepresented. Students take this critical lens and apply it to their research and practice.
Graduate students can choose from three programs that balance rigorous and innovative research with opportunities in teaching, clinical science, public service and policy work. Our unique training clinics position doctoral students as junior colleagues pursuing valuable research.
Undergraduate Students
Find Your Passion in Psychological Science
Our program balances a broad foundation in the psychological sciences with hands-on research and clinical opportunities that help you identify your specific areas of interest. All courses introduce you to fundamental principles of psychology and explore the ethics, diversity and social responsibilities of psychological science and practices.
Developmental psychology explores how people change over time, while social and affective psychology looks at how humans interact, feel and process emotions. Clinical psychology focuses on methods to support mental wellbeing. Our unique concentration in cognitive neuroscience examines how the brain operates to support memory, language and reasoning functions.
A BA in psychology provides the most flexibility and can be combined with majors from across the University. A BS is intended for students with strong science and math interests and can be combined with other science majors.
Research Labs
Enhance your classroom learning and develop valuable research skills with hands-on training in our state-of-the-art research labs. Get involved by signing up for PSYC 2112, where you can complete up to 10 credits of in-lab internship work, or check out volunteer and work-study opportunities, which are posted on the student employment site as well as in Frontier and Nagel halls. You can also apply for the distinction in psychology program, where you'll gain experience in department labs.
Distinction in Psychology
For students seeking departmental honors, the highly selective distinction program trains juniors and seniors in research methods while providing hands-on experience conducting research projects in department labs. Seniors complete an empirical honors thesis under the directorship of a faculty mentor. If you complete the program, your transcript will show that you have earned departmental honors.
Certificates in Psychology (Micro-credentials)
Students can apply for one of three certificates of completion: diversity and inclusion, data-informed decisions, or mental health. Each certificate includes two required courses meant to provide students with foundational material related to the content area of the chosen certificate and one elective course from a list of relevant options. In addition, participants will work with a professor to develop an experiential project lasting one quarter. Contact Daniel Storage, PhD, at Daniel.Storage@du.edu to apply.
Honors Society and Department Clubs
Connect with faculty and other psychology undergraduates through the Psychology Club, where you'll hear from guest speakers, learn about psychology internship opportunities and gain valuable career information. Top-ranking majors and minors in psychology may be eligible to join Psi Chi, the National Psychology Honors Society. Contact Paige Lloyd to see if you qualify for the honors society.
Scholarships and Awards
Psychology majors can apply for the Vandergrift Memorial and Bernard Spilka Undergraduate Scholarships, which offer merit-based aid to juniors and seniors. The Trowill Award recognizes meritorious work from a graduating senior psychology major, while the Shaklee Trowill Award recognizes an exceptional senior honors research paper. DU provides grants and scholarships, work-study, student loans and summer aid to undergraduates.
Career Support
Each spring, the psychology department hosts a Graduate School and Career Night to help you identify and achieve your educational and career goals. Our program provides a wide knowledge base to prepare you for careers in public relations, law enforcement, marketing, journalism and many other career paths. Students planning to become practicing mental health professionals can learn more about applying to graduate or professional schools.
Are you ready to join the DU Department of Psychology?
Graduate Students
Pursue Unique Interests Through Collaboration
Our program fosters an atmosphere of collegiality and collaboration aimed at cross-program, interdisciplinary research and courses, including research collaborations among students, between students and faculty, and with nearby universities and medical schools.
We invite diverse perspectives that inform and enrich our work. In courses, research and clinical work, we engage issues of diversity relevant to modern psychology, such as systemic inequality, cultural trauma and neurodiversity. The Department is especially supportive of student-initiated efforts to broaden the Department's training and policies around inclusivity.
Our programs are designed to train students to become innovative researchers, teachers and clinicians. We encourage presentation and publication of research—as well as development of teaching skills—across our doctoral programs in affective, social and cognitive psychology; clinical psychology; developmental psychology; and our specialization in developmental cognitive neuroscience.
Visit our Resources for Prospective PhD Students Page for even more information.
Training Features
We view graduate students as junior colleagues who participate on departmental committees and in major decision-making processes. We work to provide ample funding, including travel funds, for research and offer opportunities to present in lab meetings and research groups. Our two in-house clinics, as well as our state-of-the-art research labs and classrooms, provide hands-on training to prepare you for a range of clinical and research-based careers.
Financial Aid
The Department of Psychology offers financial support for full-time graduate students, including a full tuition waiver, stipend and health insurance for all students in their first five years. Many students also receive a tuition waiver and stipend in year six. University Graduate Fellowship and Inclusive Excellence Awards can supplement your stipend up to $4,500.
63% Working at a college or university
21% In a medical school or working at a hospital
16% Working in school, business or clinical settings
