Psychology

The undergraduate degree in psychology provides an overview of the key concepts and theories of the major perspectives of psychology (biological, developmental, social, cognitive, and clinical psychology). Students demonstrate their knowledge gained in their psychology classes to practical situations through various written, oral, and/or role-playing assignments.

Undergraduate training is offered through both entry-level and advanced courses, which provide career-related internships (e.g. field placement) and firsthand research experience (e.g. research methods). Students are offered the opportunity to work closely with faculty on research projects to get firsthand experience in the field. These programs prepare students for a variety of careers in clinical, social, educational, and industrial environments.

Traditional courses, online courses, and summer courses are offered.

International F-1 students who successfully complete this degree are eligible for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension to work in the U.S. in an area directly related to their area of study immediately upon completing the customary 12-month post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Graduates

Graduates become eligible for positions such as human relations specialist, caseworker, or psychological technician. Similarly, graduates are prepared by means of these programs for postgraduate study and advanced training in the fields of psychology, social work, counseling, and law.

Research Opportunities

Students are encouraged to get involved in psychology research as Undergraduate Research Assistants. These opportunities allow students to participate in designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, preparing and authoring manuscripts, and presenting their research at both national and international conferences. Research opportunities are available in the fields of social-developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, and the psychology of teaching and learning. Please contact Dr. Robert Alexander at ralexa04@nyit.edu for more information.

DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES

Behavioral Science Club

The Behavioral Science Club aims to engage students in various events (e.g. guest speakers, field trips) throughout the semester related to Psychology and the Behavioral Science field. Being part of the Behavioral Science Club allows students to be part of a club where they can connect with other students and build a sense of community around the Behavioral Sciences.

Psi Chi

Founded in 1929 with a mission of encouraging and maintain excellence in scholarship while advancing the science of psychology, Psi Chi has chapters at more than 1,000 colleges in the United States and Canada. New York Tech's Psi Chi chapter was established in 1974. For more information, email chapter advisor Dina Karafantis at dkarafan@nyit.edu.

Combined Programs

The Department of Psychology and Counseling offers a Combined Psychology, B.S./School Counseling, M.S. program that will enable the student to achieve B.S./M.S. degrees in five years. You will matriculate from an undergraduate major to a graduate candidate after your third year. After completing the program, you will be prepared to apply for a Provisional Certificate in School Counseling.

We also offer an Accelerated B.S. in Psychology/M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program. This is very similar to the combined program in that students complete their first three years as a psychology major, but then they must apply to the graduate program in Mental Health Counseling in the spring of their junior year. Students take a combination of undergraduate and graduate courses in their fourth year before transitioning to the M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program.

This program follows our general admission requirements.

Application Materials

Completed application
$50 nonrefundable application fee
Copies of transcripts of all high school work, including college-level courses. Your midyear and final grades will be required. All final, official transcripts must be received prior to the start of your first semester.
First-time, first-year applicants may choose to submit their application without standardized test scores to be considered for admission to New York Institute of Technology. You also have the option of submitting test results if you feel your academic strength is best reflected by your scores:
- SAT Code: 2561, ACT Code: 2832
Two letters of recommendation
300–350 word essay on one of the following topics:
- Tell us about your career goals and why attending New York Tech would further these goals.
- Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and why.

International Students Special Requirements

Transition to the School Counseling Program

After completing the undergraduate portion of the degree program in psychology in three years, you may be admitted directly into the M.S. in School Counseling program provided you meet the following requirements:

Undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or above through the fall semester of your junior year
Submit three reference forms from undergraduate instructors and/or advisors that attest to your ability to succeed both academically and professionally in a field that requires leadership, social justice advocacy skills, and a strong ability to collaborate. Goal Statement: In 250 words or less, describe how your career path has led you to the school counseling profession. What excites you about working as a school counselor?
Complete and submit the Statement of Understanding form
Group interview with graduate applicants, conducted in the spring of junior year. Schedule with the department office at 212.261.1529.