What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The Bellarmine Psychology program offers three tracks: the general Psychology major, the Clinical and Counseling concentration, and the Human Resources concentration.
The general Psychology major is designed for students considering graduate school and professional work in the field. The Clinical and Counseling concentration is designed for students considering graduate school and work in the helping professions and is more training oriented. The Human Resources concentration is designed for students considering a career in organizational and business settings.
What makes Bellarmine’s approach to Psychology stand out?
Because of Bellarmine’s small class sizes, faculty are able to work closely with each student to help them develop their individual interests and progress toward career goals. Students also enjoy opportunities to conduct research alongside faculty and travel to regional conferences.
Bellarmine also offers a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. This program prepares students to work in fields seeing substantial career growth, including integrative health care and sport and performance psychology. Students completing this program will be well-prepared to begin practicing or continue their training in a doctoral program.
The Faculty Perspective
Dr. Courtney Keim is an associate professor of Psychology with a Ph.D. in Experimental
Psychology from the University of Memphis. Her research focuses on organizational
wellness and psychologically healthy workplaces. Dr. Keim is president of the Kentucky
Psychological Foundation and has consulted with and presented to many organizations,
including departments within Louisville Metro Government, Norton Behavioral Medicine,
the U.S. Navy, and the Kentucky Nonprofit Network.
Keim says Bellarmine’s liberal arts education is the perfect complement to the study of Psychology because it gives students an interdisciplinary viewpoint and the critical thinking skills needed for the application of psychology to the human condition.
“Not only do students have the opportunity to take classes that span the broad field of psychology, but they also have space in their schedules to add other majors or minors that specialize their degree to their unique career path."
Keim says another strength of the program is Bellarmine’s small class sizes and the faculty’s wide breadth of knowledge. This combination enables professors to give their students more personal instruction and gives students opportunities for collaboration with professors outside of the classroom.
“The Psychology faculty really get to know our students and assist them in their individual career journeys,” Keim said. “Our faculty represent many areas in Psychology, so students are able to take a variety of courses from full-time experts in their areas. Outside of the classroom, our faculty conduct research with students, take students to regional conferences, and advise student organizations, such as the Psychology Club and the Human Resources Club.”
Keim says the Bellarmine Psychology program helps students develop the critical thinking skills, data analysis skills, and teamwork and leadership skills that employers desire. The program also employs individualized advising, intentional coursework, research requirements, and extracurricular activities designed to prepare students for advanced education in graduate school, law school, and medical school.
If this sounds like the type of program you’re interested in, Keim encourages students who are curious about Bellarmine to get in touch.
“Come and visit us! We love to have prospective students visit our classes, meet with us in our offices, or chat online to answer your questions.”