Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience Concentrations
Psychology is one of our top 10 programs for a reason
Psychology is a hub science, which means you can use your degree to spin off in many different scientific pursuits. For example, psychosocial factors are crucial in understanding numerous facets of healthcare and criminal justice outcomes.
As a student of psychology and behavioral neuroscience at Cornell, you have the flexibility to sink into a specialty field in one of three psychology concentrations. You can develop an individualized major that combines elements of our psychology concentration with requirements within another major. Your degree is as agile as your interests.
Psychology & Behavioral Neuroscience:
Sciences Concentration
The sciences concentration is for you if you want to understand the impact of sociocultural forces on behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. You will examine the impact of various environmental systems on human behavior, thinking, and emotional responses, including social systems, political structures, educational systems, occupational systems, and healthcare systems.
You will receive strong preparation to continue your studies after Cornell in graduate and professional programs which emphasize the role of these systems in normal and abnormal psychological functioning, including graduate programs in social psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, school psychology, education, gender and sexuality studies, higher education administration, and hospital administration. There is a strong emphasis within this program on research and statistics in order to prepare you for advanced graduate or professional study.
Psychology & Behavioral Neuroscience:
Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration
The behavioral neuroscience concentration prepares you to understand the biological and chemical foundations of behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. Principles in neuroanatomy and neurochemistry are used to understand a variety of psychological processes including learning, memory, social interactions, and the nature of mental illness.
You’ll receive strong preparation to continue your studies after Cornell in graduate or professional programs which emphasize the biological and chemical foundations of behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, including behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, health psychology, neuropsychology, and public health. There is a strong emphasis within this program on research and statistics in order to prepare you for advanced graduate or professional study.
Psychology & Behavioral Neuroscience:
Applied Concentration
The applied concentration is similar to the sciences concentration in that it prepares you to understand the impact of sociocultural forces on behaviors, thoughts, and emotions and you will examine the impact of various environmental systems on behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, including social systems, political structures, educational systems, occupational systems, and healthcare systems.
The applied concentration is distinguished from the sciences and behavioral neuroscience concentrations in that there are fewer courses in research methodology (you are not required to take Research Methods II or Senior Seminar). There is a greater emphasis on encouraging a capstone experience which places you in an internship designed to prepare you for your professional career. You will receive strong preparation to directly apply your skills and knowledge to a work environment immediately following graduation.
The applied concentration prepares you for careers in non-profit organizations, retail management, human resources, entry-level psychological services, sales positions, and entry-level positions in some other business settings. This concentration is also intended to prepare you for graduate programs in psychology and related fields that are not research intensive. Your advisor will mentor you through your course selections and be a valuable resource as you consider careers or grad schools.