Department of Psychology

Your learning experience in psychology will take you beyond the traditional classroom by providing you with many opportunities to apply the knowledge you’ve gained. Our faculty are engaged teachers, sound scientists and role models of the intellectually involved person that support and advance intellectual inquiry.

Apply your knowledge

Both undergraduate and graduate students work as junior colleagues with our dedicated faculty to investigate a wide variety of topics including:

basic brain processes
drug effects
social cognitive factors underlying prejudice
ways to reduce school violence
the evaluation of psychological treatments.

Students also have opportunities to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom in practicum experiences or community research projects. The study of psychology gives them the chance to use technology, learn to communicate and be able to analyze ideas critically.

STUDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Our Degree Programs

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Undergraduate Programs We offer a bachelor’s degree and minor as well as three interdisciplinary minors: neuroscience, applied behavior analysis and developmental/intellectual disabilities, and evolutionary studies. Learn More

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Master's Program Our Master of Arts degree is offered in three concentrations:  psychological science, neuroscience and behavior and applied behavioral analysis. Explore

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Doctoral Program The Department of Psychology offers a doctoral program in three concentrations: general clinical, applied behavior analysis and psychological science. More Info

Quick Links

UNCW College of Science and Engineering (great resource for academic procedures, scholarships, organizations, contact names, etc., as well as commonly used academic forms).
APA Accreditation

Psychology Diversity Mural

Explore the new mural commissioned by the Psychology Diversity Advisory Committee, located in the Teaching Lab Building.

View Mural

UNCW General Psychotherapy and Assessment Clinic

The UNCW GPAC is a non-profit training clinic and treatment center that offers affordable and accessible mental health services.

We offer psychotherapy and psychological assessment services to adults in New Hanover County and the surrounding community. These services are discounted to increase accessibility for behavioral health services.

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Teen Binge Drinking Study Receives NIH Grant

Dr. Kate Nooner was awarded a $379,503 grant from the National Institutes of Health to study adolescent binge drinking. The project, “Biomarkers of Binge Drinking in Maltreated Adolescents,” will examine resilience to teenage binge drinking following childhood stress and adversity.

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UNCW SACSCOC Accreditation Reaffirmed

UNCW's accreditation has been reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This decision comes with no additional reporting requirements, recognizing UNCW’s continued commitment to high academic standards at all degree levels.

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CSE Dean Receives Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Ronald J. Vetter, founding dean of the College of Science and Engineering and professor of computer science, is the recipient of the 2023 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society Richard E. Merwin Award for Distinguished Service.