April 24, 2026
Victoria Neason Wallace to join Bates as vice president for e…
Victoria (Tori) Neason Wallace has been appointed vice president for enrollment and dean of admission and financial aid at Bates College, effective July 1. Neason…
Psychology at Bates
The Department of Psychology at Bates helps students understand people and prepares them to put that understanding into practice.
Beginning with foundational coursework, students build up to advanced work through hands-on training in statistics, research design, and data analysis. The major culminates in a senior thesis that strengthens preparation for graduate and Ph.D. programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology; social work; and related applied fields. Bates psychology graduates are well prepared to contribute thoughtfully and effectively to their professions and to their communities.
Contact Us
Tobie Akerley Gordon
353 Pettengill Hall
Phone: 207-786-8295
takerley@bates.edu
What You Will Learn
Insight into complex human behavior and how it can apply to your future career
Hands-on training in statistics, research design, and data analysis
Psychology’s connection to mental health, education, economics, law, politics, and social justice
To research, present, and defend, through an independent thesis experience in a lab or in a community setting
To collaborate with others through participation in faculty research and Bates-funded student research grants
Problem-solving and analytical skills that are easily transferable to the workplace and to life
Life After Bates
Our alumni have gone on to follow a wide range of paths, including careers in mental health, public policy, research, and industry, and pursuing graduate and Ph.D. programs in related applied clinical and research fields. Their work has earned them awards that have included fellowships with The Innocence Project at the University of Virginia School of Law and Fulbright fellowships.
94%
of 2020-2024 Bates graduates are employed and/or attending graduate school — settled into their next opportunity within 6 months of graduation.
“Studying psychology at Bates College gave me more than a foundation in human behavior — it gave me a lens I’ve never stopped looking through. From my very first courses, I was drawn to understanding what drives people: how they think, how they heal, and how they connect. My course in abnormal psychology with Professor Kelsey cemented my interest in mental health. That curiosity led me naturally to pursue an MSW, where I could translate that understanding into real support for individuals and communities navigating some of life’s hardest moments.”
— Leah Ciappenelli ’91
Selected Places of Employment/Service
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- McLean Hospital
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- National Institutes of Health
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Analysis Group
- Workday
- Teach For America
Selected Graduate Schools
- University of Oxford
- University of Pennsylvania
- Columbia University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Harvard University
- Northwestern University
- New York University
- King’s College London
- Tufts University
- University of Chicago
Why Study Psychology at Bates?
As a psychology major at Bates, you will learn to use rigorous scientific methods to explore behavior and mental processes in humans and, in some cases, non-human animals. Our commitment to small class sizes gives students the opportunity to develop close relationships with fellow majors as well as faculty, offering individualized guidance and support. Opportunities for hands-on research and community-engaged learning in Lewiston, across Maine, and around the world help students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed in graduate and professional programs or to begin meaningful careers.
“Majoring in social psychology at Bates shaped the way I understand human behavior, decision-making, and organizational dynamics, skills that have proven invaluable in my career in healthcare leadership. Courses spanning social psychology, cognitive science, neuropsychology, statistics, and experimental design gave me both insight into how people and systems function, and a strong analytical foundation.”
Beth Greene Grabowski ’04
Featured Courses
Meet the Faculty
Chaired by Associate Professor of Psychology Michael Sargent, the Bates Psychology department is made up of nationally and internationally respected scholars who bring cutting-edge expertise and individualized guidance to undergraduate teaching. They have earned numerous professional honors — including the American Psychological Association’s Departmental Award for Culture of Service — served in leadership roles in major psychological organizations, and held editorial positions at leading journals.
News & Events
April 22, 2026
Beyond their punny names, intramural dodgeball teams bring se…
At Bates, intramural dodgeball is a big deal. Students form teams with names like “Dodgenomics” and “Springfellows,” and the competition — and community — is real.
April 21, 2026
Explore the breadth of student research at Mount David Summit
On April 10, more than 200 student researchers presented their work to the Bates community during the annual Mount David Summit.