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. You’ll find a balance of strong academic foundation with the flexibility to tailor your learning through research, internships, community service, study abroad, and volunteer work.  

NAU Psychological Sciences programs span Cognitive, Developmental, and Social Psychology, as well as clinical-focused study of Abnormal Psychology and Interpersonal Processes. Through coursework in statistics, research methods, and applied psychology, you’ll learn to analyze data, interpret findings, and understand behavior in real-world contexts. 

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 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. You’ll actively contribute to research by earning grants, co-authoring publications, and presenting at conferences. This experience will deepen understanding while preparing you to empower patients.  

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

NAU’s Department of Psychological Sciences make sure you have the resources you need to achieve your academic and career goals, including faculty mentorship and guidance, career preparation, and funding for tuition. 

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

Through internships with community organizations, businesses, and service agencies, you’ll gain hands-on experience in fields where psychology makes a difference. 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.