Psychology

Major

Psychology

If Lawrence is your first choice, apply by Nov. 1 to receive your admission decision by Dec. 1. Early Decision applicants also receive financial aid offers and select housing early, making senior year feel more settled.

Program Overview

The Psychology program delves into the nature of human behavior through understanding biological, social, clinical, cognitive, and developmental factors. It also explores applied topics such as human behavior in industries and organizations as well as in mental health settings. You will gain foundation skills in psychology while engaging in various hands-on learning experience such as by conducting original research projects and experiments, developing clinical skills, and conducting field work. The Psychology major offers many career paths including counseling, social work, speech therapy, music therapy, art therapy, sports and performance therapy, human resources, research science, user-experience research, market research, education, and criminal justice, just to name a few. A psychology degree from Lawrence offers a foundational framework for applying human behavior knowledge to graduate study and/or any professional path.


Program Highlights

Work closely with faculty on cutting-edge research and gain hands-on experience that extends beyond the classroom.

Put what you learn into practice through community-based experiences that build valuable professional skills before graduation.

Join graduates who continue into leading graduate and professional programs or pursue careers across a wide range of industries.

Learn from faculty with expertise across the field and build a well-rounded education shaped around your interests.


Types of Degrees

Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with the option to focus their coursework and experiences on a particular area if desired, such as clinical/counseling, developmental, cognitive, industrial-organizational, social, and health. A minor in Psychology is also available.


Advising

At Lawrence, academic advising helps you shape an educational experience that reflects your interests, goals, and aspirations. Your faculty advisor will support you as you plan your path, connect with campus resources and communities, and make informed decisions that prepare you for a meaningful and fulfilling future.


Faculty

Engage deeply and collaboratively with professors who are experts in their field and committed to supporting your education.

Chairs

Matthew E. Ansfield (He/Him)

Associate Professor of Psychology

matthew.ansfield@lawrence.edu

920-832-6883

Instructor of SI Topics in Psychology Course, Professor of Psychology I have had the honor of teaching in the Department of Psychology at Lawrence University since 2000.  I am originally…

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All Faculty

Lori Michelle Hilt (she/her)

Professor of Psychology

lori.m.hilt@lawrence.edu

920-832-7050

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and developmental psychopathology researcher. I direct the Child and Adolescent Research in Emotion (CARE) lab at Lawrence where my students and I examine emotion…

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Wenhao Dai (He/him)

Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology

wenhao.dai@lawrence.edu

920-832-6642

I am a social and experimental psychologist. My research studies mental health, cultural differences, social priming, action and inaction, attitude and persuasion, etc. 

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Rachel Dyer (she/her)

Assistant Professor of Psychology

rachel.dyer@lawrence.edu

920-832-6541

Rachel L. Dyer, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Psychology. Her PhD is in Counseling Psychology, meaning she is well-training as a mental health clinician and academic researcher with a particular…

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Hilary Miller-Goldwater (She/her)

Assistant Professor of Psychology

hilary.miller-goldwater@lawrence.edu

920-832-6705

I am a cognitive and developmental psychologist who investigates STEM learning in childhood and adulthood. I specialize in the STEM domains of science and spatial cognition. I direct the Learning…

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Kristina Pagel-Martinez

Assistant Professor of Psychology

kristina.pagel-martinez@lawrence.edu

920-832-6599

Kristina Pagel-Martinez is a developmental biopsychologist, specializing in psychoneuroimmunological research on health and health disparities. Dr. Pagel-Martinez studies development across the lifespan using an interdisciplinary perspective including quantitative studies, experimental…

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Carrie A. Picardi

Thomas Hurvis Professor of Organizational Psychology and Collaboration and Associate Professor of Psychology

carrie.a.picardi@lawrence.edu

920-832-6708

Dr. Picardi is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist with over 25 years of experience including human resource management positions, as an organizational consultant, and as a professor serving both psychology and business programs.…

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Learning Spaces

Students have access to the department’s extensive laboratory facilities for research in child and adult development, cognitive, clinical/, counseling, social, health, and industrial/organizational psychology. Many labs also partner with community agencies to collaboratively engage in real-world research.

Additional Resources