Delve into the Complexities of the Human Mind and Behavior
The Department of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience supports students interested in studying the brain and behavior while developing essential skills that prepare them for their next steps, whether they choose professional school, graduate school or direct entry into a career.
Through rigorous coursework and experiential learning, you’ll develop an understanding of the human mind and behavior. This broad background equips you for careers that require critical thinking skills and interaction with others — including psychological practice, research, business, education and social services.
You’ll benefit from working alongside professors who are experts in their fields and who have earned numerous national, regional and local awards for teaching and research excellence. Our faculty encourage experiential learning through professional research opportunities and field internships to prepare you for future careers.
Explore Our Programs
The Department of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience offers bachelor’s degrees and minors in Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience. As a student in these programs, you’ll expand your knowledge of the human experience and understand why we think, act and feel the way we do. And you’ll discover how our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are influenced by our biology.
What do our graduates do?
Alumni of our programs are prepared for a diverse range of jobs, including positions in research, policy analysis, human resources, substance abuse intervention, community planning, software design and public relations. Our graduates also go on to top medical, law and graduate schools across the nation. Here’s a quick sample of alumni jobs and graduate schools:
Psychology
- Research and planning analyst for a community college district in San Diego.
- Psychometrician at Elsevier, a global information analytics company
- Policy analyst at the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition
- Graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin, Stanford University, Columbia University, the University of Houston and more
Behavioral Neuroscience
- Behavioral data coordinator at MediaScience
- Neuropsychiatry research coordinator at Baylor College of Medicine
- School psychologist in Austin Independent School District
- Graduate school placement in doctorate programs in neuroscience at Colorado State University, University of Texas, Scripps Institute, Icahn School of Medicine and more
The Classroom and Beyond
Internships
All students complete an internship as part of their degree program, and internship placement is tailored to the student’s career goals. Students have recently interned at these Austin organizations, and many more:
- American Cancer Foundation
- Austin Center for Grief and Loss
- LIVESTRONG
- Texas Health and Human Services
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- United Way
- Capital Area Counseling
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders
Research
The Department of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience boasts research facilities that feature high-tech observation, EEG and behavioral labs. Our well-equipped labs offer you more complex research opportunities than most undergraduate programs.
You’ll have the opportunity to assist faculty with their research projects, pursue your own area of inquiry, and present your work at professional academic conferences. Whether you choose a research assistantship, teaching assistantship or field internship, you’ll get a head start on your career.
Research Grant and Award
Students who engage in research with faculty can apply for financial assistance opportunities offered by the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences. The Emma Lou Linn Research Endowment Grant pays a stipend for performing research. The Behavioral and Social Sciences Student Research Award provides funds for travel to share research findings with others.
Psi Chi
The Psi Chi International Honor Society in psychology encourages, stimulates, and maintains excellence and advancement in the science of psychology. Membership is open to both graduate and undergraduate students with at least three semesters of college experience and nine hours of psychology. A member must have at least a 3.5 GPA and demonstrate superior scholarship in psychology.
Psychological Society
The Psychological Society is an organization open to all students interested in psychology. Psychology Society sponsors educational, social and volunteer opportunities for the campus community.
Meet the Faculty
Each semester, our Meet the Faculty event welcomes students into the Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience community. The event encourages students to connect with professors, success coaches, and career coaches and learn about courses, research opportunities, and innovative programs offered by the department.
Psych on the Hilltop
The department hosts Psych on the Hilltop events throughout the year that fosters an inclusive community of scholars beyond the classroom. Students engage with their peers, learn more about psychology and hear from experts on cutting-edge topics. The event series includes research presentations, career-development talks and discussions of “hot topics” in psychology.
Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience students are encouraged to explore these and other professional organizations. Many of these organizations host conferences where St. Edward’s students have presented their research.
National and International Organizations
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Association for Psychological Science (APS)
- American Educational Research Association (AERA)
- Animal Behavior Society (ABS)
- Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS)
- Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)
- Social Psychology Network
- Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (SBN)
- Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP)
- Society for Neuroscience (SfN)
- Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP)
- Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD)
Regional Organizations
Certificate in Evidence-Based Addiction Counseling
Many students majoring in Psychology or Behavioral Neuroscience also choose to earn our Certificate in Evidence-Based Addiction Counseling while completing their degree. This certification provides the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to pursue a career as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in Texas.
Earn Two Degrees in Five Years
Complete your BA in Psychology and MEd Applied Behavior Analysis with our pathway to receive two degrees in five years. Your success coach and academic advisor will guide you through undergraduate and graduate courses to maximize benefits.