Welcome
A Message from the Director of Undergraduate Programs
An undergraduate major in psychology at the University of Pittsburgh takes on many forms and opens many doors. Our students develop a broad knowledge of psychological research and theory and also have many opportunities to complete concentrations and conduct research in specific areas. Many of our students have continued on to graduate study in psychology and related disciplines, and others have applied their psychology training to careers in areas such as education, marketing, consulting, mental health, and medicine. In addition to taking courses in research methods and upper level courses in areas of interest, many students also complete internships and other projects that draw on their coursework.
Our newly designed website contains a wealth of information about our undergraduate programs. You will find course requirements and options, research opportunities, tips to prepare for graduate study, outreach opportunities, and much more. The department website also includes schedules for brown bag and colloquium presentations, information about our graduate program requirements, and highlights of the many active research programs and laboratories in our department. Much of this information will be of interest to our undergraduate majors. I hope you will find what you need to know on this website, but I also hope you will take full advantage of our department’s faculty and outstanding Advising Office (one of the best advising offices at the university). We all want the experiences of our students to be productive and fulfilling, and to that end we consider the “personal touch” an important part of our services.
If you enroll as a major in our department, I hope you will find your studies to be thrilling and thought-provoking. There is so much to learn about how people think, feel, and behave, and the faculty in our department have devoted their careers to such learning. We invite you not only to take our courses but to be critical thinkers and contributors to our understanding of mind and behavior. I hope that you will find your journey in psychology to be an adventurous one.
Sincerely,
William Klein, PhD
Assistant Professor
Director of Undergraduate Programs in Psychology
A Message from the Director of the Psychology Advising Office
Please accept my warm welcome to the psychology department at Pitt. The advising office staff and I look forward to working with you to achieve your academic and career goals. While the "basics" of the advising office include helping you understand the requirements for the psychology major, working with you to identify coursework reflecting your interests and career aspirations, and facilitating the registration process, we offer much more.
The advising office is a resource for locating and coordinating internship and directed research experiences within the field, learning about ways to become involved with student organizations and activities in the department, and providing opportunities to interact with fellow students, faculty members, psychology alumni, and professionals in psychology and related fields.
Successful navigation through your college years involves dedication and teamwork—and the advising office is designed to be an important contributor to your success. The information available on this Web site and in your orientation handouts will serve as your first guide to majoring in psychology at the University of Pittsburgh: requirements for graduation, opportunities for gaining research and internship experience, career planning, and as an introduction to the staff and mission of the Psychology Advising Office.
Take care,
Cynthia Lausberg, PhD
Director, Psychology Advising Office