Program overview

As psychologists, we know that what makes a program outstanding is its people – students, faculty and staff alike – and the experiences they create. The common denominators among our faculty are a love of Psychology, excellence in teaching and scholarship, an approachable and supportive advising style, and an unwavering commitment to student success. Our goal for our students is to develop a broad understanding of the many topic areas within psychology. The program is committed to helping students understand and appreciate both the scientific foundations and human service aspects of the field of psychology. 

Rider’s Psychology program is designed to meet the needs of various types of students. Our online program for continuing education students was rated #2 Best Online Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology Programs (CounselingPsychology.org, 2023).

Department of Psychology

Admission options

Apply psychology outside the classroom

The Department of Psychology at Rider brings together faculty and students who share an interest in the critical interplay of the mind, brain and the multitude of external variables that make people behave the way they do. Courses and experiences in our program provide an all-encompassing edge by teaching and sharing what is known about human behavior and cognition and how to best apply that knowledge. We don’t only teach Psychology. We also provide a “user’s guide” – through courses and experiences that emphasize real-world applications.

 

Distinctive professional development

Students directly apply what they learn about behaviors and the mind to their own lives. This unique curricular offering allows students to map out a career path, produce a resumé, and connect findings from Psychology with work experiences.

Combine theory with practice

During the COVID-19 pandemic, “flatten the curve” and the experimental design in the testing of vaccine efficacy were incorporated in Statistics courses, as were discussions of how social distancing & remote learning impact Child Development.

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Program requirements

Rider’s B.A. in Psychology program helps to develop the fundamental skills that predict success across many professions, from human services, counseling and clinical psychology, to education, graduate school, and corporate careers. Whatever your background and interests, we welcome you to explore the enriching possibilities of a major in Psychology at Rider.

Many psychology students take advantage of our accelerated graduate degree program, or remain at Rider to complete a second major in a related field, most often in the College of Education and Human Services, to later pursue a career in education.

Enriching possibilities:

  • Courses in the five "pillar" areas of Psychology—Biological, Cognitive, Development, Social and Personality, and Mental and Physical Health—provide a foundational springboard for more specialized interests in targeted areas within Psychology.
  • Three courses in statistics and research design build highly desirable skills to understand scientific evidence and manage spreadsheets. Employers love this skill set!
  • A professional development course, required of all sophomores, prepares students for their future beyond Rider. Each student gets to apply their knowledge of Psychology to their own life and career trajectory. As a bonus, we weave in work with Rider's Career Development and Success center that yields a professional resumé and a plan for life after graduation.
  • Diverse, student interest-driven capstone options for internships and independent research projects.
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Student research

Many of our psychology majors conduct independent empirical research under the supervision of the faculty. This is an important part of their undergraduate education for those seeking further education because graduate schools seek applicants with prior research experience and often provide these students with substantial financial aid in the form of assistantships and tuition waivers. Rider students have co-authored journal publications with the faculty and presented papers at regional, national and even international conferences.

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Alumni success

About three-fourths of the graduating psychology majors each year will secure employment, while about one-fourth go on to further graduate and professional training at the master's and doctoral level. Rider psychology majors have been very successful in gaining admission to graduate programs. All seniors that sought admission to graduate school were accepted by at least one of the schools to which they applied, including many of the most prestigious universities in the country.

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Minor requirements

A minor in Psychology offers not-so-minor benefits that extend far beyond college. Indeed, the combination of scientific training with an understanding of people provides a valuable complement to any major. Graduates with a minor in Psychology can pursue successful careers across many domains, from Business and Education to Law, Healthcare, and the Arts. Whatever career path you choose and wherever your personal journey takes you, the study of Psychology can pay off dividends for a lifetime.

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Financial aid resources

Learn more about financial aid, tuition and the various options we offer to make your college education affordable.

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Next steps

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Contact

Psychology (B.A.)

Elaine Scorpio

Associate Professor

Department of Psychology

Mike and Patti Hennessy Science and Technology Center

escorpio [at] rider.edu

609-896-5343

Academic Focus: Psychology

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