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Psychology

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

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I absolutely loved studying Psychology at Marist! Through my studies, I figured out that I wanted to become a school psychologist, so I ended up staying at Marist to complete my MA in School Psychology. After that, I was certified and ready to work.

Nicholas Montany

Psychology Major

Read Nicholas's story >

I feel greater appreciation for Marist even more now than I did my freshman year. The Hudson River is beautiful, and campus life is active and lively. The students are eager to learn, the classes are eye-opening and impactful, and we're able to have really important conversations about weighty topics.

Marika Cygert

Communication Major, Psychology Minor

Read Marika's story >

Marist equipped me with the leadership skills I needed through practical experience. The experiences I gained...helped me develop skills I have used throughout my entire professional life, including the importance of standing up for the most vulnerable in our community.

Andrew Paulsen

Sports Communication Major, Mathematics Major, Psychology Minor

Read Andrew's story >

I applied early decision to Marist. I could tell that people had a lot of school spirit. I liked that it was a liberal arts schools because I wasn't sure what I wanted to major in at first. Marist also has a really good study abroad program; the Florence campus was really important to me.

Maggie Lyman

Social Work Major, Psychology Minor

Read Maggie's story >

I love helping people, so I want to share these experiences with children and let them know that they, too, can have these opportunities. I want them to know that they're capable of more than they realize and that things can and do get better.

Justin Camero

Psychology Major, Sociology and Music Minor

Read Justin's story >

My education at Marist is what drives me to succeed. My personal story and experiences inspire me to keep being positive and not take anything for granted.

Qadan Mohamed

Psychology Major, Business Minor

Read Qadan's story >
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CAATE Accredited

Marist is accredited by and fully meets all standards set forth by the CAATE and is registered with the New York State Education Department.

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First-Time Pass Rate

One of only nine programs to achieve a 100% first-time pass rate on the national board exam for eight of the last nine years.

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Clinical Affiliations

Athletic training students are required to complete seven clinical rotations, including four consecutive five-week rotations at local high schools, colleges, and clinics.

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100% online

Every course is offered 100% online for your flexibility.

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Annual start dates

We offer start terms in August, October, January, March, and June.

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Accelerated Degree

Complete your degree in as little as 14-months full-time, or at a part-time pace.

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Specialized Concentrations

Focus your studies in ethical leadership, health care administration, or financial management.

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AACSB Accredited

Backed by the premier accrediting agency for degree programs in business administration and accounting.

Marist 100: Improving the World Through Education

Marist 100 is an ambitious strategic plan that seeks to position the College for a major leap forward. It’s built upon our unique strengths and designed to carry us through and beyond our upcoming centennial in 2029. The plan will help make a Marist education accessible to a broader range of talented students. The plan has three pillars:

  • Academic Vibrancy
  • Student Centrality
  • Expansive Community
Read more about why Marist is a college on the rise
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Latest from the President

Community Well-Being During Challenging Times, Oct. 23, 2023

We are here to support each other as we navigate through these extremely challenging times.

Stay up to date with the president’s latest thoughts and announcements.
See more communications >

Follow his social media:

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UPDATE: Supporting Local Workers and the Local Economy

Over the last several months, one local union (DC-9) has been engaged in an informational picketing about the project due to a dispute they have with a carpentry subcontractor that is using non-union labor for drywall taping. 

The union picketing is not about Marist College or its employees. We encourage you to learn more.

Read More
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Your Pathway to a Career in Healthcare

Marist is expanding its admissions pathways to meet the growing demand for careers in the healthcare industry. Our competitive and comprehensive programs offer new specialized entry pathways to support our undergraduate interests and healthcare related goals.

Academic Achievement Award Ceremony

Research With Faculty From Day One

Marist Psychology students are encouraged to participate in thoughtful research with faculty early on in their academic careers. Whether you choose to pursue a graduate degree or jump right into the field, undergraduate research is invaluable in progressing toward your goals.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: Emily S. and Clare R., in collaboration with faculty at Marist, present their Senior Thesis research on the effectiveness of "Mindfulness at Marist College," the results of which were compiled into a proposal for the College's Strategic Plan Committee.

Video Archive: Virtual Information Sessions

Marist hosted live, virtual sessions that explored cybersecurity, fashion, and psychology and how high school students could prepare for careers through college. Industry professionals and key faculty were also present during these sessions. Click the image below to watch the session.

Learn From Experts in the Psychology Field

Our Psychology faculty are at the top of their field and have a diverse range of specialties. Our faculty is intentionally composed of professionals with a wide array of experiences, expertise, and training backgrounds, exposing our students to a variety of subdisciplines both within and outside the Psychology major. Meet a few of our faculty members below, or view all Psychology faculty>

E.G. Fredrick

Dr. Fredrick received their PhD in Experimental Psychology in 2017. Some of their current research includes bisexual microaggressions and quality of life, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals experience of structural stigma in the current political climate.

Jason Trent

Dr. Trent received his PhD in Social/Personality Psychology. His research has focused on first impression judgements, and he is also interested in how different aspects of modern society (e.g., smartphones, social media, consumerism, etc.) influence human behavior. Dr. Trent particularly enjoys working with students on research projects they are passionate about.

Kimery Levering

Dr. Levering teaches and researches cognitive psychology, trying to better understand how we perceive, remember, and think. Regularly involving students in her research, she is currently focused on how we develop stereotypes about social groups based on physical or psychological traits.

A Carefully Crafted Psychology Curriculum

Marist’s Psychology BA program enables our students to excel by offering coursework centered around their interests. Some of our unique courses include “Cognitive Neuroscience & Neuropsychology” and “Social Psychology of Modern Living.” The flexible core curriculum paired with the rigorous major curriculum provides our students with a breadth of foundational knowledge that lays the groundwork for practical experience opportunities.

View Full Curriculum

Extensive Top-Tier Internship Opportunities

Internships are a core part of the Psychology curriculum. In an industry with increasingly high standards, field experience before entering the workforce is essential for helping our students excel in their careers. Here are just a few examples of internship opportunities our students are involved in:

Logos of Psychology internship locations: West Point, Anderson Center for Autism, Astor House, Family Services, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, and Sprout Creek Farm
Logos of Psychology internship locations: Children's Home of Poughkeepsie, Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way, Abilities First, and The Institute for Family Health

*formulas are examples of major and minor combinations that some students have explored en route to their corresponding careers. Each career in these examples requires more than only majors and minors, but are meant to convey the wide range of academic possibilities and career options available through Marist's Psychology Program.

November 21, 2023 — Tis' the season to light up the night's sky with the iconic Marist Tree. As we eagerly await the annual Marist Tree lighting, let us recognize how much time and effort goes into setting up this community tradition and learn more about it's festive features. Dedicated Marist staff spend weeks getting every detail just right before the lighting, which this year is set for Monday, November 27.

Weeks of Dedication: Marist staff members start decorating the tree in mid-October to avoid extreme weather conditions and to invest a high level of attention to detail while setting up.

77,000 Lights!: The Marist Tree is adorned with a staggering 77,000 lights, meticulously arranged in strands, all of which are energy-efficient LED.

While the current manner of the Marist lighting display has been done since 2002, the College has been lighting the tree since the late 1980’s according to Brother Frank Kelly. “For many, especially the students, the lighting of the Christmas tree marks the arrival of the holiday season at Marist.”

Height and Sights from Route 9: Standing tall at 48 feet, the tree captivates local Dutchess County onlookers with its grandeur, easily visible from Route 9.

WATCH: Red Foxes Rise Together! Marist Day of Giving Video

Did You Know?

For more than 30 years, Marist has sponsored local families in need with holiday gifts. Through the Giving Tree initiative, the Department of Spiritual Life and Service (formerly Campus Ministry) has distributed over 20,000 gifts to the local community during that time. These gifts support families through the generosity of the Marist community and are distributed via local partners such as Dutchess Outreach, Grace Smith House, Family Services, Catholic Charities, Poughkeepsie Family Literacy Program, and Dutchess BOCES/ESL.

This year’s Giving Trees are now placed around campus, located in Donnelly, Lowell Thomas, James A. Cannavino Library, Fontaine, Hancock, the Champagnat Breezeway, the Allied Health Building, and the MPorium store in Steel Plant. There are three categories of ornaments on each tree for anyone to take and purchase the gift written on the tag.

Gifts need to be wrapped and brought to the Chapel by Sunday, December 10 by 6:30 pm for the Giving Tree Ceremony.

 

November 21, 2023 — Tis' the season to light up the night's sky with the iconic Marist Tree. As we eagerly await the annual Marist Tree lighting, let us recognize how much time and effort goes into setting up this community tradition and learn more about it's festive features. Dedicated Marist staff spend weeks getting every detail just right before the lighting, which this year is set for Monday, November 27.

Weeks of Dedication: Marist staff members start decorating the tree in mid-October to avoid extreme weather conditions and to invest a high level of attention to detail while setting up.

77,000 Lights!: The Marist Tree is adorned with a staggering 77,000 lights, meticulously arranged in strands, all of which are energy-efficient LED.

While the current manner of the Marist lighting display has been done since 2002, the College has been lighting the tree since the late 1980’s according to Brother Frank Kelly. “For many, especially the students, the lighting of the Christmas tree marks the arrival of the holiday season at Marist.”

Height and Sights from Route 9: Standing tall at 48 feet, the tree captivates local Dutchess County onlookers with its grandeur, easily visible from Route 9.

Did You Know?

For more than 30 years, Marist has sponsored local families in need with holiday gifts. Through the Giving Tree initiative, the Department of Spiritual Life and Service (formerly Campus Ministry) has distributed over 20,000 gifts to the local community during that time. These gifts support families through the generosity of the Marist community and are distributed via local partners such as Dutchess Outreach, Grace Smith House, Family Services, Catholic Charities, Poughkeepsie Family Literacy Program, and Dutchess BOCES/ESL.

This year’s Giving Trees are now placed around campus, located in Donnelly, Lowell Thomas, James A. Cannavino Library, Fontaine, Hancock, the Champagnat Breezeway, the Allied Health Building, and the MPorium store in Steel Plant. There are three categories of ornaments on each tree for anyone to take and purchase the gift written on the tag.

Gifts need to be wrapped and brought to the Chapel by Sunday, December 10 by 6:30 pm for the Giving Tree Ceremony.

Commuter Student Survey

First Year Programs Colin McCann
Colin.McCann@marist.edu

Housing Application

Housing and Residential Life
Housing@marist.edu
Students attending June Orientation are able to tour the residence halls prior to completing the application.

Living Learning Communities Application

Housing and Residential Life
Housing@marist.edu
Living Learning Communities include:
- Honors*
- P-STEM*
- Women's Athletic Connection*
- Gender Inclusive
- First Generation
*You must be members of these groups to qualify.

Health Forms for Incoming Students

Health Services
Health.Services@marist.edu

Language Survey

Languages/Cultures Interest Survey
Department of World Languages and Cultures, Dr. Patricia Ferrer-Medina, Chair
Patricia.Ferrer@marist.edu

Athletics Survey

Sports Interest Survey
Athletics, Stephen D'Alessandro
Stephen.DAlessandro@marist.edu

Music Program Survey

Music Program Survey
Music Department, Mike Napolitano
Michael.Napolitano@marist.edu

Religious Preference Survey

Department of Spiritual Life and Service: Religious Preference Survey
Department of Spiritual Life and Service
SpiritualLifeandService@marist.edu

First Year Seminar Preference Selection

Review Course Descriptions and make selections

 

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Academic Buildings

  1. James A. Cannavino Library
    • Academic Learning Center
    • Academic Technology
    • Books & Bean Café
    • Center for Multicultural Affairs/HEOP
    • Office of International Student Services
    • Weiss Language Center
  2. Donnelly Hall
    • School of Science
    • Donnelly Café
  3. Dyson Center
    • School of Management
    • School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
    • Center for Career Services
    • Investment Center and Trading Room
    • Saxbys Café
  4. Fontaine Hall
    • School of Liberal Arts
    • Alumni Relations
    • Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership
    • Hudson River Valley Institute
    • Office of College Advancement
  5. 51 Fulton
    • Multi-Use Academics
  6. Hancock Center
    • School of Computer Science and Mathematics
    • Center for Teaching Excellence
    • Marist Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO)
    • Hudson at Hancock Café
    • Study Abroad/Marist Italy Offices
  7. Lowell Thomas Communications Center
    • School of Communication and the Arts
    • Center for Social Media
    • Center for Sports Communication
    • Media Center
    • Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
  8. Science and Allied Health Building
    • School of Science
    • Gross Anatomy Lab
    • Movement Analysis Lab
  9. Steel Plant Studios and Gallery
    • School of Communication and the Arts
    • Art Gallery
    • Maker Lab
    • MPorium Student-Run Retail Store
    • Steel Plant Café

Athletics and Recreation

  1. Cornell Boathouse
  2. Fern Tor
    • Nature Preserve
  3. Longview Park
    • Riverfront Recreational Area
  4. James J. McCann Recreational Center
    • Aerobic Center
    • Athletic Department
    • Center for Sports Medicine
    • Center for Student-Athlete Enhancement
    • Club and Intramural Center
    • Fitness Center
    • Hall of Fame Multimedia Room
    • McCann Arena
    • McCann Café
    • Natatorium
    • Varsity Coaches Center
  5. Marist Boathouse
  6. North Field
    • Softball

Residences / Campus Housing

  1. Champagnat Hall
    • First-Year Residence
  2. Foy Townhouses
    • Upperclass Residence
  3. Fulton Street Townhouses (Lower)
    • Upperclass Residence
  4. Fulton Street Townhouses (Upper)
    • Upperclass Residence
  5. Leo Hall
    • First-Year Residence
  6. New Townhouses
    • Upperclass Residence
  7. Marian Hall
    • First-Year Residence
  8. Mid-Rise Hall
    • First- and Second-Year Residence
    • Transfer Student Housing
  9. North End Housing
    • Upperclass Residence
    • Aerobic Studio
    • Dance Studio
    • McCormick Hall Fitness Center
    • North End Dining Hall
  10. Sheahan Hall
    • First-Year Residence
  11. West Cedar Townhouses (Lower)
    • Upperclass Residence
  12. West Cedar Townhouses (Upper)
    • Upperclass Residence

Services

  1. Byrne House
    • Department of Spiritual Life and Service
  2. Multi-Denominational Chapel
    • Interfaith Prayer Room
  3. Donnelly Hall
    • Advising and Academic Services
    • Business and Financial Affairs
    • Computer Center/Information Technology
    • Donnelly Café
    • Office of Accommodations and Accessibility
    • Registrar
    • ResNet
    • Safety and Security
    • Student Financial Services
  4. 57 Fulton
    • Multi-Use Physical Plant
  5. Greystone
    • Office of the President
    • Office of the Executive Vice President
  6. Kieran Gatehouse
  7. Kirk House
    • College Chaplain
    • Army ROTC
  8. Murray Student Center/Music Building
    • Admission Visitor Center
    • Campus Bookstore
    • Delicious Desserts and Joe
    • Main Dining Hall & Cabaret
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Housing and Residential Life
    • Music Department
    • Nelly Goletti Theatre
    • Post Office
    • Student Activities
    • Student Affairs
    • Student Government Association
  9. St. Ann's Hermitage
  10. St. Peter's
  11. 69 West Cedar
    • Multi-Use Offices

Key

Image of a fox head icon Admission Visitor Center and Bookstore

Image of lightning bolt. EV Charging Station

Image of script M. MPorium Student-Run Boutique

 

Parking

P1. Allied Health
P2. Beck Place 
P3. Boathouse
P4. Donnelly
P5. Dyson
P6. Fontaine
P7. Foy
P8. Fulton
P9. Hoop
P10. Longview
P11. Sheehan
P12. Steel Plant
P13. McCann
P14. Mid-Rise/Admission
P15. North End / St. Ann’s
P16. Riverview
P17. Tennis Courts

 

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The Value of a Marist Education

At Marist, we pride ourselves on our dedication to providing our students with a well-rounded liberal arts education that prepares them for practical experience and profound success in their field. But don't just take our word for it - the numbers speak for themselves.

95%

Employed or attending grad school 6 months after graduation

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Of Marist Graduates Participated in one or more internships

82%

Graduation rate, higher than the average for public and private colleges

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Best Undergraduate Teaching

*As reported by U.S. News and World Report.

U.S. News & World Report

Top 10 Regional Universities-North

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Awarded one of America's Best Colleges

Learn Beyond the Classroom Image of the Long Reach Society logo.

The Long Reach Society builds community among scholarship recipients while nurturing their passion for United States history and politics by giving them access to enriched experiences outside the classroom.

These have included:

  • Hamilton on Broadway
  • Weekend in Gettysburg at battlefields and museum
  • Day trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
  • Public Services Career Trip to Washington D.C.
  • Access to Gilder Lehrman Institute in NYC- including paid internship opportunities
  • FDR Presidential Museum and Library
  • Dinners with distinguished lecturers

Scholars also benefit from a wide variety of programs offered by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, a top national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the knowledge and understanding of American history. 
 

Key Initiatives

Marist 100 is an ambitious plan that seeks to position the College for a major leap forward. It’s built upon our unique strengths and designed to carry us through and beyond our upcoming centennial in 2029. The three pillars of Marist 100:

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Academic Vibrancy >

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Student Centrality >

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Expansive Community >

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President's Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience

The President's Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience enables talented students with financial need to access internships and attachment courses. The fund is intended to help all Marist students reach their full potential and get the most out of their college experience.

“To continue to reach greater heights, Marist must attract, enroll, and retain a diverse group of talented students and enable them to experience the full range of College offerings once they arrive, regardless of their financial circumstances.”
– President Weinman

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Schedule of Events

 

Wednesday, June 17th (EDT)

5:00 PM Fall 2020 and Uncharted Waters - This panel discussion will cover navigating fall travel, collaborating with school counselors and community based organizations, engaging prospective students, and application review in our current climate. There’s a lot to discuss, and we hope you’ll join the conversation. Register
     

 

Previous Events

Engineering Your College Essay: A STEM Perspective on College Essays - We read thousands of college essay every year so we know how stressful students find it to write theirs. Join us to learn how you can write your best college essay. You'll also learn how to write a STEM focused essay regardless of whether or not you are applying to a STEM college or university. Watch Recording
Application Review: What You Can and Cannot Control - Holistic application review means that colleges are looking at every aspect of a student's application from extra-curricular involvements to academics to recommendations and more. But there are factors applicants have no control over like institutional priorities and changes in the admissions landscape. Join Assistant Director of Admission Rachelle Ehrman from Vassar College to learn more about what you can do to best represent yourself in your college application and what circumstances may be beyond your control. Watch Recording
Admission to The U.S. Military Academy at West Point - Thousands of America’s best and brightest high school students apply for admission to West Point each year — but you should know that it takes more than excellent grades to earn an appointment to West Point. Applicants must have the necessary critical thinking skills to successfully navigate the academic rigors of a West Point education; they must be physically fit to meet the demands of military training and athletics; they must possess character that is beyond reproach; they must have grit; and they must have a desire for challenge and to be part of something bigger than themselves. Join this presentation and Q&A to learn what it takes to receive an appointment to West Point. Watch Recording
Hospitality & Culinary Schools - Join Domenick Burruano, Director of Admissions at The Culinary Institute of America, for a presentation on how to choose a Culinary/Hospitality College. We will discuss the benefits of a culinary or hospitality degree, the different career paths within the food industry, how to stand out within the application process, along with tips to ensure you select the best college fit. Watch Recording
COVID-19 and Your College Search - Marist College’s Director of Undergraduate Admission, Chris Doyle, will lead this presentation and Q&A focused on ways to conduct your college search despite COVID-19, quarantine and social distancing. He'll show you how to research colleges, understand their culture and ask thoughtful questions that help you better understand the experience they offer and how to identify your best fit. Watch Recording
The Power Of A Liberal Arts Education - This session explores the lifelong advantages of a Liberal Arts education. Built upon a foundation of critical thinking, incisive questioning, creative problem solving and the practical application of theoretical discussion -- skills that we will rely on increasingly as the world around us shifts in predictable and unpredictable ways. This approach to learning requires the development of crucial skills that are often de-emphasized in a tracked or more singular approach to higher education. Empathy, flexibility, and ingenuity are integral to our ability to effectively adapt to the changing environment and to adequately consider the impacts of our voices and our actions. A Liberal Arts education empowers students to explore their passions deeply, to own their roles as developing professionals in their field(s) of study, and contribute to the world in new and necessary ways as independent thinkers and global citizens. Watch Recording
   

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