The possibilities for a future with psychology major are many. Recent Augustana grads have gone on for a master’s in counseling, industrial organization, social work and political science. If you go for a Ph.D., you could join our graduates who are experts in cognitive, clinical, social and quantitative psychology, or behavioral neuroscience.
Whatever fascinates you about the field, our developmental approach and hands-on experience will open doors. Your knowledge of research methods, analysis and presentation will make you stand out to graduate schools or employers.
You’ll get 40+ hours of clinical experience in the community. (It’s not unusual for recent grads to be hired full-time after a successful clinical placement.) You may collaborate with a faculty mentor in a research lab. You also may spend a term volunteering in a community agency and developing research based on your experience.
Working with your advisor, you’ll create a portfolio of your customized learning and research experience, to help your focus on a professional path.
• All psychology majors take the course Personal & Professional Development, where they work to connect who they are to their vocational and other ambitions.
• Each year, psychology student researchers participate and present at conferences such as the Tristate Undergraduate Psychology Conference, the annual convention of the Midwestern Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Sciences. Thanks to travel grants, students have been able to present their work in New York City, San Francisco, Toronto and Havana, Cuba.
• The psychology department has offered a two-part course, Childhood in the Developing World in Guatemala, with a fall term on campus and two weeks in Guatemala over J-term. Students of psychology, education or social welfare may especially be interested in learning how cultural, economic and social factors affect development in children in the developing world. Students can use their Augie Choice $2,000 for this or other study-abroad opportunities.
• Students who major in psychology, biology and/or neuroscience can enroll in a 3+2 Master of Science in Occupational Therapy or 3+3 Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy coordinated degree program with Washington University, St. Louis.
Ocean Akau '25 is pursuing a master's in applied behavior analysis at Brigham Young University.
Christina Harvey '25 is attending Marquette University to earn a master's in speech-language pathology.
Ryan Hammerzell '25 is in Japan teaching through the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program.
Charlotte Newport '25 is attending The University of Texas School of Law.
Jaclyn Schmidt '25 is attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison to earn a doctorate in occupational therapy.
Hoden Siena '25 is enrolled in the Program of Physical Therapy at Washington University in St. Louis.
Brianna Ebenroth '24 is attending DePaul University for clinical mental health counseling.
Hannah Johnson '24 is pursuing a master's in counseling with a concentration in child and adolescent psychology at Northwestern University.
“Dr. Lorenz and Dr. Barringer, your mentorship solidified my passion for psychology.”Read More
“The psychology and neuroscience department gave me an academic home at Augie.”Read More
“Compared to other schools, the psychology major here focused more on elective courses and experiences — that was exciting to me!”Read More
The best way to get career-ready? Jump in and do the work. Summer internships give students the chance to use classroom lessons in real-world settings. Meet four of the Augustana students who chose to stay local to share their talents and hone their skills for future careers.
Three student-athletes remain on top in their sport and studies — Charlotte Frere ’26, Charlotte Newport ’25 and Ocean Akau ’25. All three are repeat Academic All-American honorees, a feat achieved by only a few Vikings through the years.
The Hasselmo Award for Academic Pursuit supports students pursuing careers in research or higher education teaching. Find out how this year's award-winners Reigna Hels '26 (psychology) and Luke Dalzell '26 (physics and applied mathematics) will be using their prize money.
