Information for Transfer Students

How does Psychology Department curriculum at St. Lawrence University differ from other colleges and universities?  

St. Lawrence University’s Psychology Department offers a personalized liberal arts experience with small classes (11:1 student–faculty ratio; most under 20 students) and a strong blend of foundational study and hands-on, applied learning. Alongside core areas like developmental, cultural, and clinical psychology, students can explore distinctive courses like animal behavior, sport psychology, sexuality, decision making, determinants of well-being, and more!  Our program emphasizes close mentorship, discussion-based classes, and real-world applications. 

The Psychology Department at St. Lawrence University is housed in the Natural Sciences. Students who complete our degree program earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology.  

What courses can I transfer to count toward the Psychology Major and/or Minor?  

The Psychology Major requires 9 courses: Introductory Psychology (PSYC 101), Applied Statistics (STAT 113), 3 electives at the 200- or 300-level, Research Methods (PSYC 205), 2 upper-level lab courses, and either a senior seminar or independent research project.  

The Psychology Minor requires 7 courses: Introductory Psychology (PSYC 101), Applied Statistics (STAT 113), 2 electives at the 200- or 300-level, Research Methods (PSYC 205), 1 upper-level lab course, and either a senior seminar or independent research project. 

Transfer credit policy: All lab courses (including Research Methods) and seminars/independent projects must be completed at St. Lawrence. Typically, credits may transfer for PSYC 101, STAT 113, and elective requirements. Examples of common elective courses include Developmental Psychology, Psychology of Gender, Cultural Psychology, Psychology and Law, and Motivation and Emotion. We do accept transfer credits for courses we do not offer at SLU. For example, if you took a History of Psychology course, we would likely count that as an elective toward the major/minor.  

Exception: If your prior Research Methods course closely matches SLU’s in structure and focus, contact the department chair to discuss a possible transfer. 

Will I have an academic advisor?:  

Once you matriculate at St. Lawrence University and declare Psychology as your major or minor, you will be assigned a faculty advisor from within our department who can give you advice on course scheduling, career opportunities, internships, and graduate school. This advisor will be your go-to resource for all questions about the major/minor. 

Can I participate in off-campus study as a transfer student? 

The short answer is: YES! There are a number of ways to do this, including taking a summer abroad course. Our faculty regularly teaches a summer off-campus study course called Neuroscience of Fear and have most recently offered it in London and Rome. Depending on when you transfer to St. Lawrence, and how many of your past courses you can count toward your SLU degree, you may also be able to participate in the off-campus study program during a regular semester. For questions about the feasibility of doing so, please contact the Center for International and Intercultural Studies: https://www.stlawu.edu/offices/ciis.  

Can I get involved in research with faculty?  

Absolutely! Our faculty represent a wide range of disciplines within the field of psychology, and all have active research programs. We recommend reviewing the areas of specialization and research focus for our faculty first and then reaching out directly to the faculty you may be interested in working with (https://www.stlawu.edu/offices/psychology/staff). It is a typical practice to have students partner with faculty on their existing research projects first, before offering the opportunity for students to develop their own research projects.  

Are there psychology‑related extracurriculars or clubs I can join? 

In our department, psychology transfer students have multiple ways to get involved and connect with the community. We offer an active Psi Chi chapter for students who qualify, as well as opportunities to participate in our peer‑mentoring program and to serve as teaching assistants in various courses. Students can also engage in volunteer and applied learning opportunities connected to psychology, which provide hands‑on experience, exposure to different subfields, and meaningful ways to build relationships with faculty and peers. 

Who do I contact if I have a question? 

You are welcome to contact the Psychology Department Chair, Dr. Megs Carpenter (mcarpenter@stlawu.edu), if you have any questions about our major/minor, course offerings, or other opportunities within our department.