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Psychological Sciences

Zach Simmons, Ph.D., chair

Faculty: Berger, Crowgey, Downs, Guest, Julka, Monto, Oliva, Pitzer, Simmons

The Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Portland engages the tools of science to understand the diverse human experience. As home to an undergraduate major and minor, we see psychology as a hub discipline that is central to the liberal arts while also offering a foundation for a wide range of meaningful professions. We orient our academic programs, along with our research and service, around enabling healthy lives and inclusive communities, including through the learning opportunities offered by our neighborhood, city, and region. Our primary goals in contributing to a holistic undergraduate education are to cultivate integrative understandings of people, founded on scientific thinking and social responsibility, and to develop skills for future success.

Learning Objectives and Performance Indicators of the Psychology Major

Psychology graduates of the University of Portland should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an integrative understanding of behavior, thought, and emotion.
    1. Identify and explain key psychological terms, constructs, and theoretical approaches.
    2. Draw on research and theory to inform understandings of behavior, thought, and emotion.
    3. Describe and apply psychological principles as related to personal, social, and/or organizational issues.
  2. Employ scientific thinking to investigate issues related to human experience.
    1. Identify relevant questions and critically evaluate psychological problems and controversies.
    2. Distinguish empirical and theoretical claims and the strength and weaknesses of types of research.
    3. Design and implement research relevant to psychological phenomena.
  3. Engage with ethical and social responsibility in a diverse world.
    1. Identify relevant ethical and cultural issues related to psychological research.
    2. Articulate the importance and value of diversity in empirical research.
    3. Model behaviors that promote the creation of inclusive communities.
  4. Write and communicate effectively about psychology.
    1. Effectively communicate the results of psychological research in both written and oral presentations.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to process psychological research and describe it in ways that are audience-appropriate.
  5. Develop skills for personal and professional development.
    1. Engage in a process of discernment about career goals and professional opportunities.
    2. Reflect on how undergraduate experiences might serve to further personal goals or professional development.

Breadth of Study

The psychology major is designed to expose its students to the breadth of approaches deployed by psychologists in their study of human nature with a focus in three areas: the brain, the mind and behavior. Upper division courses listed in Group 1 address the human condition primarily on the level of the brain and will explore the neurobiological mechanisms responsible for human thought and behavior. Courses listed in Group 2 address the human condition primarily on the level of the mind and will explore the design and function of the systems that shape thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Courses listed in Group 3 address the human condition primarily on the level of behavior with an emphasis placed on cataloging and explaining the tremendous variability both within and between individuals. 

Capstone Experience

All psychology majors must take a three-credit hour capstone course as an independent class to employ and integrate concepts and skills from contemporary psychological sciences. The most general capstone course is the senior seminar course, which has a heavy emphasis on professional development and encourages students to reflect on their undergraduate experiences and how they connect with their future endeavors. Students with an interest in research or who are considering academic careers can instead enroll in the thesis course, which will focus on completion of an intensive empirical research project. Students interested in exploring psychology in community-based settings can take the applied projects course, which will ask them to leverage their knowledge to engage with community partners.