Department of Psychological Sciences

Unlocking the mind

Examine the ways people think, feel, and behave while exploring the full range of cognitive, social, and emotional processes. You’ll ask big questions about motivation, decision-making, relationships, and the many factors that shape behavior. Whether your goal is a career in healthcare, organizational development, education, or research, you’ll gain the expertise and confidence to translate psychological knowledge into meaningful impact.

Why study Psychological Sciences at NAU

NAU’s Department of Psychological Sciences cultivates a welcoming environment where students from a range of backgrounds, including first-generation, veteran, and non-traditional learners, explore the science of human behavior. Our courses cover a wide range of topics in the psychological sciences including those related to clinical, cognitive, developmental, health, organizational, physiological, and social psychology—with consistent attention paid to the methods used by psychologists to understand human affect, cognition, and behavior.

Through coursework in statistics, research methods, and applied psychology, you will learn to analyze data, interpret findings, and understand behavior in real-world contexts. Here, you’ll find a balance of strong academic foundation with the flexibility to tailor your learning through research, community service, study abroad, and volunteer work.  

Learning outcomes

As a Psychological Sciences major at NAU, you will: 

• Learn the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings in psychology and be able to apply this knowledge. 
• Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena and be an effective consumer of basic psychological research. 
• Develop ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in an increasingly diverse landscape. 
• Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of psychosocial and cultural diversity.  

Research

With faculty guidance, you’ll use behavioral and/or neuroscience techniques to study topics from cognitive aging and trauma psychology to mindfulness, gender development, and prosocial behavior. Collaborative projects like the CATS research team combine expertise in trauma, military psychology, and quantitative methods, producing work that informs practice and policy nationwide. Some students will have the opportunity to contribute to research by earning grants, co-authoring publications, and presenting at conferences.

Community involvement

Faculty partnerships empower you to connect with local organizations to reinforce classroom learning with real-world experience while supporting positive change.

Dedicated support

In Psychological Sciences, support comes from every direction—faculty mentors, peers, and community partners. Combined with mentoring, workshops, and student-led organizations, these experiences give you the freedom to build a path that reflects your interests and prepares you for the future you want to create.

Meet the faculty

With more than 30 faculty members across sub-disciplines, the Department of Psychological Sciences combines scientific rigor with practical relevance. You'll find that faculty are approachable mentors offering opportunities to connect classroom learning to real-world challenges through research, internships, and study abroad experiences.

Career readiness

At NAU, career preparation is prioritized through faculty-led research labs, publishing findings, presenting at conferences, practicums, and internships. Through these academic exercises, inside the classroom and out, you’ll develop transferable skills in communication, teamwork, data analysis, and problem-solving that will empower you to navigate a complex, changing world. 

Scholarships and funding

NAU’s commitment to making high-quality education affordable means you’ll have access to funding that supports your career goals, no matter what degree program you choose. As a Psychological Sciences major, you’ll be encouraged to pursue competitive awards like HURA or Psi Chi grants as well as departmental scholarships. Visit Scholarship Universe to search for scholarships tailored to your academic path and personal profile.