Psychology

Research

Dig deeper into psychology topics or pressing issues through research, either during the semester or as part of a paid summer fellowship. Recently, our students have conducted studies on memory and trauma, nanoparticles, learning, virtual reality, infant communication, coach-athlete relationships, sleep and hoarding, and juror decision-making. 

Senior Year Experience (SYE)

Turn your passion into a project with a Senior Year Experience like Emma Casey  ’25, who explored the effects of cyclic sighing, a structured breathwork technique, on college students’ sleep quality. With guidance from Professor Serge Onyper, the study examined changes in total sleep time, efficiency, and stress responses to understand if breathwork can improve sleep and well-being.

Meet Your Psychology Mentor

Associate Professor of Psychology Megan “Megs” Carpenter brings curiosity, authenticity, and compassion to everything she does at St. Lawrence University. Since joining the faculty in 2018, Carpenter has become known for creating engaging classroom experiences that invite students to think deeply about relationships, identity, gender, and human behavior.

What surprises students most about you?

It’s definitely that I’m from Hawaii. I always get the question of, “What are you doing here?” The next most surprising thing is probably the tattoos. I think a lot of students come in with some very specific stereotypes of what professors are like—the way that they appear or the things they care about—and many of us challenge those expectations. 

How do you make your classes engaging?

I like to treat my classes like a dialogue between myself and students. I do a lot of call-and-response questions and group discussion. I think about what students would find surprising, outrageous, or funny—and what they’re really sitting with right now. I get to teach topics that are very relevant to college students, like the psychology of gender, human sexuality, attraction and relationships, and the global history of love. They’re living these experiences, so there’s a natural curiosity. 

What are your proudest moments as a professor?

I had a former student reach out to tell me she’s working as a prevention and wellness specialist and moving into a program manager role. She talked about teaching kids about psychology, relationships, and identity, and creating a safe, inclusive environment. She said our research together prepared her for the work she’s doing now. Moments like that—I definitely cried. 
 

Internships

Learn by doing in a real-world environment. Our majors intern and conduct research with a wide range of organizations, including: 

• Syracuse Veteran Affairs Medical Center
• Maplewood Care and Rehabilitation Center
• Hands of Hope
• Curley Company
• Syracuse Behavioral Health Care
• Camp Baker
• Butler Hospital
• Harpswell Coastal Academy
• Praytell Agency
• Rose Hill Treatment Center

Volunteering

You can also gain experience while making a difference through service work. Students studying psychology have volunteered at:

• Reachout, a local crisis hotline.
• Renewal House, an agency that provides support for victims of domestic violence.
• Canton Bear Packs, a garden share program that connects St. Lawrence county with locally-grown food.

Study Abroad

Choose from more than 30 semester-long programs offered in more than 20 international locations, including  Australia, London, and Austria.

Explore Off-Campus Study Opportunities

Connect with Community

Among the 150+ clubs and organizations at St. Lawrence, you’ll find many that our majors are involved in, including: 

• Pre-Health Club
• American Chemical Organization
• Environmental Action Organization
• The Advocates Program
• Humane Society Club
• Letters of Love

Learn More About Student Life