Psychology
Unlock how brains work
At Macalester, psychology is about exploring how we think, feel, and act—and harnessing that insight to make life better.
Use scientific methods to understand behavior
You’re a whole person here, not just a brain to fill. Bring your personality, background, and all your unique experiences, and we’ll make space in our classrooms to support your learning. From brain science to social behavior, mental health to the mysteries of love, you’ll dive deep into the field of psychology while building skills that open doors in any area.
Skills that make you stand out
Psychology is one of the most versatile majors you can choose. It equips you with a useful set of skills that employers value most: critical thinking, data analysis, teamwork, communication, and real-world problem solving. Many courses also examine psychology with underrepresented communities, taking a critical lens on power, privilege, and the impact of exclusion. Examples include Psychology of Women and Gender, Race in Developing Lives, LGBTQ+ Health, and Psychology of/and Disability.
Learn by doing
No need to wait until senior year for hands-on experience. Our Intro to Psychology course includes a lab, meaning you run experiments from day one. As you move through the major, you’ll learn statistics and R programming, design and run your own studies, and complete a capstone research project that contributes to the field. Our faculty lead active research programs, and students work side by side as collaborators and research assistants.
See the world
Most of our students study away—often in programs with robust psychology opportunities, such as a hands-on child development course exploring preschool systems in Scandinavia.
Life after Macalester
Our grads do it all:
- Health care, public health, and medical services
- Education, teaching, or training
- Nonprofit leadership and community advocacy
- Research and data analysis in science, business, or policy
- Graduate study (nearly 70% earn advanced degrees within 10 years)
You never know what’s going to come your way. Be open to receiving it.Molly Ahearn ’81 Graphic designer, psychology and Spanish double major
Psychology in the cities
From clinical to industrial-organizational psychology, internships are everywhere.
17
Number of Fortune 500 companies near campus, including Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, 3M, and General Mills
73
Percentage of Macalester students who do an internship or research project
Access to the University of Minnesota’s top research labs like those at the Institute of Child Development and Research in Adolescent Depression
A community that knows your name
Alumni rave about supportive professors who offer feedback, mentorship, and genuine care. We hang out at Friday Socials (think donuts, trail mix, hot cocoa, and conversation), share treats and research at Psych Trick-or-Treat, and geek out at the annual Johnson Lecture, which invites a distinguished psychologist to campus. Psych Club hosts community-building events such as trivia nights and a Valentine’s Day party.
Are you a future psychology major at Macalester?
If you’re considering Mac, let us know. We’ll keep you up to date on application deadlines and visit opportunities.
