- <a href="/live/image/gid/81/width/650/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image98059"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg" alt="Students have direct access to their professors—in class, in office hours, and even as coresearchers!" width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98059_DIV-C5-0618-0001.rev.1678835569.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2131" data-max-h="2133" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Students have direct access to their professors—in class, in office hours, and even as coresearchers!</div>
- <a href="/live/image/gid/81/width/650/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image98060"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/81/width/500/height/479/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg" alt="One way for our students to collaborate with faculty is through our annual Rogers Summer Science Research Program." width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/81/width/720/height/690/crop/1/98060_DIV-C5-0622-0013.rev.1678835659.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2131" data-max-h="2127" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> One way for our students to collaborate with faculty is through our annual Rogers Summer Science Research Program.</div>
Psychology
Our students do psychology—they don’t just read about it. Plus, they build relationships with faculty (often as a coresearcher!), engage in hands-on learning opportunities in Portland and overseas, and learn from and collaborate with their peers, both in and out of the classroom.
Why Choose a Degree in Psychology?
While you build a scientifically rigorous foundation in the psychology discipline, you will also design studies, analyze and interpret data, communicate your findings, and have the opportunity to apply these skills in real-world settings. We believe this active, engaged approach to learning is the best preparation for your life after Lewis & Clark, both as a professional and a scientifically literate citizen.
What You’ll Study
Our psychology curriculum is multidisciplinary, and spans social, clinical, developmental, cognitive, and biological/neuroscientific aspects of the field. We believe in working closely with our students both in the classroom and our laboratories. Undergraduates are deeply involved in our research programs exploring the psychology of health-related behaviors, the neuropsychology of bilingualism, the use of technology to teach coding concepts to children, the social construction of depictions of mental illness, and many other topics.
Outside the classroom, psychology students often complete off-campus internships and practica at a variety of relevant agencies and organizations. Many of our students study overseas. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, there are programs designed and led by psychology faculty to Australia and Ireland, in which students gain credit toward their psychology degree and gain valuable internship experience.
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors
The most popular minors for our psychology majors are: neuroscience, gender studies, or ethnic studies.
What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark
- Alex Wally BA ’23
I really enjoyed the variety of classes within the psychology department because it gave me the opportunity to test out different aspects of the field. All the professors in the department are wonderful as well.
Psychology | Seattle, WashingtonMore about Alex - Max Morrish BA ’22
I find the community through my interests. Bonding with people over different types of outdoor endeavors, musical interests, and academic interests has given me a community with which I can pursue the things I care about most.
Psychology | Environmental Studies | Ashland, OregonMore about Max - Marissa Marquez BA ’19
Lewis & Clark provides everything for the best education: smaller class sizes, caring professors at the top of their field, and a community to find your place.
Psychology | LaVerne, CaliforniaMore about Marissa
What Can You Do With a Degree in Psychology
Our alumni use their BA in psychology in a variety of careers in research, clinical work, social services, teaching, and the health professions, while others go on to earn their master’s and doctoral degrees. Many also utilize the problem solving, statistical, writing, organizational, and public speaking skills they learned at Lewis & Clark in fields not directly related to psychology.
Dedicated Faculty
Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.
Psychology faculty rely on their students to be collaborative researchers in the lab, a rare opportunity for many undergraduate students. Students are frequent coauthors on peer-reviewed faculty publications and professional presentations.
- Top
For the seventh time in 10 years, Lewis & Clark has been named a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution for 2023–24.
- 15%
first-generation students at Lewis & Clark College
- 4-5-6
Lewis & Clark’s 4-5-6 Commitment can help you make the most of your future.
- 19
Average class size for undergraduate students
- 10%
of our undergraduate students are from outside the U.S.
Invest in Yourself
A private, liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that first-year students will graduate in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.
Find Your People
Our student-led Psychology Club organizes symposia, lectures, and social events. In April 2021, Noam Chomsky presented a Q&A via Zoom on linguistics and the cognitive revolution!
Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You
- Alan Misael Gaxiola BA ’21
Being an alumnus of Lewis & Clark opened many doors for me. Thanks to the alumni network, I was able to break into the field I wanted to work in!
Psychology | Juan José Ríos, Sinaloa, México, and Phoenix, ArizonaMore about Alan - Ruth Liebendorfer BA ’22
All of my professors and classes, all of the support I received from career center staff, all of the little moments here and there of assistance from members of the Lewis & Clark community — they all made a huge difference and in a multitude of ways prepared my for my current job and career plans.
Psychology | Seattle, WashingtonMore about Ruth - Hanna Lyubinina BA ’19
L&C taught me the critical thinking and analytical skills that I have needed in order to devise creative solutions to problems in both my personal and professional life. The ability to pull from many areas of study and make connections between multiple disciplines is invaluable in my field.
Computer Science and Mathematics and Psychology (double) | Concord, CaliforniaMore about Hanna
Featured News
Paid Summer Research Enables Faculty-Student Collaboration
Over the summer, Lewis & Clark offers students paid, hands-on research experiences that rival those of graduate-level institutions.