Who We Are
The Psychology Department is home to both the largest undergraduate major at Seattle University and a clinically focused Master of Arts (MAP) program. Both programs engage students in the study of all psychological life—the individual, social, cultural, biological and ethical dimensions of human behavior and experience. Students learn to apply their understanding of human behavior to meet the needs of our changing world and the urgent issues we face, both locally and globally.
A psychology major at Seattle University prepares students for careers in a wide variety of fields, including nursing, teaching, social work, human resources, criminal justice, law, and medicine, to name a few. The major also prepares students who plan to work as therapists, counselors, or psychological researchers. The SU Master of Arts in Psychology or MAP Program teaches students to work effectively as ethically committed therapists. Its graduates provide care and support to adults and children, families, and individuals from diverse communities across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Hear it from our student
Why did you choose Seattle University’s Psychology program?
I chose Seattle University’s Psychology program because of the robust curriculum that the program offers students. The curriculum has introduced me to different careers in the Psychology field, such as psychotherapy, research, academia, and social work
What aspects of your involvement in the Psychology Department have you found valuable?
Aspects of my involvement in the Psychology Department that I have found valuable include being a Psi Chi peer mentor to incoming students, representing the department through the New York University QUEST fellowship, and being a TA in the department’s Statistics and Research Methods course. My involvement has helped me gain mentorship, leadership, and research skills that will aid me in my future career.
How has the Psychology Department influenced your time as a student at Seattle University?
Overall, being mentored by amazing professors in the Psychology Department has been the highlight of my Seattle University experience. I am so glad I chose Seattle University’s Psychology program, as it gave me the opportunity to achieve my educational goals and strengthen my career goals.
—Christina Beavers, she/her/hers
Psychology Major, Class 2024
How will my gift help?
Donations to the Psychology Department are critically important and directly contribute to the mission of our department to create equitable access to opportunities for all students. The funds we have received are used to help undergraduate and graduate students access myriad opportunities, opening paths for all students. Your gift can provide the department with small grants to cover student expenses in completing research projects, furnish funds for students to take part in national and international conferences, pay for guest speakers and special events, or, if you wish, help with tuition support for students experiencing significant financial hardships. You can donate to the department as a whole or you can designate your gift as intended for use specifically by the undergraduate or graduate MAP Program.