The Psychology Department at Lake Superior State University (LSSU) is committed to providing exceptional undergraduate training in psychology—a program we believe stands out as one of the best in Michigan. With a strong emphasis on research, our curriculum equips students with the skills that employers demand and the preparation that graduate programs value. At LSSU, students benefit from personalized attention typically found at small, private colleges, all while enjoying the affordability of a public university. Our graduates excel in diverse career paths and graduate programs, reflecting the strength and versatility of their education.
Lake State’s Psychology Program provides a rigorous education in scientific psychology including Behavioral Neuroscience, Learning and Motivation, Research Methodology, Cognition, and Personality. Psychology electives include Psychopathology, Social Psychology, and Child and Adolescent Development. The Psychology program also provides applied courses required for many minors that can also be taken as Psychology electives including Health Psychology, Behavior Management, Communication Skills in Counseling, Family Therapy, Group Therapy and the Psychology of the Exceptional Child/Adolescent.
See Program CatalogLake Superior State University’s psychology department recently showcased the research results of its graduating students. Topics ranged from how dance affects mood and concentration, to whether differences in color impacted memory for words.
Psychology students, Tommissa Ennes (left) and Duncan Lavey (right), presenting the results of their senior research projects to faculty and students at the Michigan Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference at Calvin University. Tommissa’s research focused on college students in non-gender normative majors and educational outcomes. Duncan tested the “Ketchup and Mustard” effect (i.e., how color affects appetite).
Psychology student, Emma David, presenting the results of her senior research project at the Michigan Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference at Calvin University. Emma’s research examined co-occurrence of symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults.
Behavioral Neuroscience student, Makenzie Jacobson (left), presenting her project on epilepsy during the LSSU Brain Awareness Week Event: B.Y.O.B. Bring Your Own Brain!
The senior research project has actually led me to enjoy the research/experimental aspect of Psychology. Before the class I didn’t think I could perform well in these aspects, but now that I am doing the project I realize that I can do it and enjoy it!”
Senior thesis research is a capstone experience for LSSU students studying the sciences. Under the guidance of faculty mentors, students choose a topic, design a study, collect and analyze the data, and then produce a scientific poster and write a senior research thesis.
Career PathsIn the past several years, all of our graduates who applied to graduate schools in public health, psychology and social work were admitted. Students have been admitted for graduate work in Masters and PhD programs in both clinical and experimental psychology.