Psychology

MajorMinorBachelor of Arts

Join the Journey for Curious Minds.

Butler’s Psychology major blends comprehensive classroom instruction with hands-on engagement in cutting-edge research. Renowned for consistently achieving at the 97th percentile on the Major Field Test in Psychology, our undergraduate program uniquely combines the professional development opportunities found in large research universities with the intimate learning environment characteristic of liberal arts colleges.

In our close-knit community, you’ll benefit from small class sizes and direct faculty contact, fostering an enriching educational experience. With a remarkable 80 percent of students collaborating on at least one research project, the program emphasizes active participation and exploration. Furthermore, internship opportunities throughout Indianapolis and beyond will equip you with the skills and insights essential for success in graduate school or diverse careers in the field of psychology.

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Program Information

Curriculum

Sample courses in this program include:

SW 250-PS – Psychological Inquiry
OR
NW 220-PS – Behavioral Science
PS 202 – Learning
PS 235 – Biological Bases of Behavior
PS 320 – Life Span Developmental Psychology
PS 350 – Social Psychology

See all Psychology major curriculum information

See all Psychology minor curriculum information

The Butler Advantage

Students in the Psychology program will benefit from both classroom instruction and hands-on research, allowing them to:

Master a central core of psychological knowledge.

Acquire basic methodological and computer skills.

Attain a sophisticated knowledge of at least one area within psychology.

Meet Your Faculty

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Tara Lineweaver

Professor – Psychology
Psychology – LAS

Expertise I am trained as a Clinical Psychologist with a specialty in neuropsychology (how the brain impacts cognitive abilities). My research interests span neurodegenerative disorders (such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease), music and…
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Brian Day

Associate Professor, Psychology
Psychology – LAS

Areas of Expertise: Human Experimental Psychology: Visual Depth Perception in real and virtual…
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Jennifer Berry

Associate Professor, Psychology
Psychology – LAS

Jennifer Berry earned a B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky, with a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology. She routinely teaches learning, biological basis of behavior, research methods and statistics, and a seminar…
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“Going into college, I didn’t necessarily think that you could have such deep connections with professors. Dr. [Tara] Lineweaver shows a genuine interest in her student’s lives and wellbeing. For instance, she always made an effort to check in during our lab meetings about what we did over the weekend and how our semesters were going. She recognizes that her students are more than just students and this definitely made me feel seen, heard, and valued.”

Marissa Ward
Psychology major, Neuroscience minor

Psychology FAQs

A bachelor’s degree in psychology is an excellent foundation for any job that require a robust understanding of the human mind. This includes a wide variety of careers across industries, so you’re not limited to only pursue careers in mental health, social work, or psychological research. If your goal is to become a psychologist specifically, then you’ll want to obtain a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree so you can work in clinical settings and provide diagnoses. While a bachelor’s in psychology is a straightforward choice for those who want to become a psychologist, other undergraduate degrees can prepare you for this path as well, such as sociology, social work, anthropology, or similar degrees.

Becoming a licensed psychologist can take 8-12 years depending on your desired level of education and the pace you are able to commit to while pursuing your Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D). A Ph.D. is ideal if you are primarily interested in research or psychology as a science, whereas a Psy.D. is more applicable to a clinical training for a career in mental health and therapy.