{"id":8802,"date":"2026-02-09T15:57:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T20:57:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/?page_id=8802"},"modified":"2026-06-09T09:19:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T13:19:50","slug":"psychology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/majors-and-minors\/psychology\/","title":{"rendered":"Psychology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Visit the full Psychology site<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Department of Psychology at Bates helps students understand people and prepares them to put that understanding into practice. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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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 major areas of psychology such as clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology; social work; and related professions such as business, health, and law. Bates psychology graduates are well prepared to contribute thoughtfully and effectively to their professions and to their communities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Contact Us<\/h5>\n\t

Tobie Akerley Gordon
\n353 Pettengill Hall
\n Phone: 207-786-8295\n<\/span>takerley@bates.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>

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What You Will Learn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Insight into complex human behavior and how it can apply to your future career<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hands-on training in statistics, research design, and data analysis<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Psychology\u2019s connection to mental health, education, economics, law, politics, and social justice<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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To conduct mentored thesis research in a lab, online survey, or community setting, and to ultimately present the results<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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To collaborate with others through participation in faculty research and Bates-funded student research grants<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Problem-solving and analytical skills that are easily transferable to the workplace and to life<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Life After Bates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our alumni have gone on to follow a wide range of paths, including careers in mental health, public policy, research, journalism, finance, 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 Fulbright fellowships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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94%<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

of 2020-2024 Bates graduates are employed and\/or attending graduate school \u2014 settled into their next opportunity within 6 months of graduation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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“Studying psychology at Bates College gave me more than a foundation in human behavior \u2014 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.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Leah Ciappenelli \u201991<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Selected Places of Employment\/Service<\/h6>\n\n\n\n