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Academics
Grounded in a general liberal arts education, Hope College offers specialized study in more than 90 majors, minors and pre-professional programs.
Admissions
Flourishing programs in 90+ disciplines. A vibrant Christian mission. $50 million in new campus construction. Championship athletics. 94% placement within 6 months of graduation. There’s never been a better time to consider Hope College.
Research
Research abounds at Hope. Our students and faculty carry out high-quality research projects that are challenging, meaningful and contribute to exciting new knowledge in a broad range of disciplines.
Arts
At Hope College, award-winning student performances share the stage with nationally known writers, musicians, performers and artists.
Campus Life
The Hope College campus is a place to come alive. We have hundreds of student organizations, groups and events you can plug into, serve with, play in, root for and grow with.
Athletics
As a member of the MIAA and NCAA Division III associations, Hope College sponsors 22 varsity sports for men and women. The college is home to the 2022 NCAA Division III National Championship women’s basketball team.

Psychology Department

Are you fascinated by the science and practice of psychology? Hope’s Psychology Department will help you pursue your calling.
Degree Programs
Prepare for your future

We provide broad, rigorous academics combined with field experiences, internships, advising and mentoring to prepare you for professional careers and graduate school.
After graduation

With award-winning faculty, state-of-the-art facilities and varied research opportunities, Hope’s psychology department will prepare you for diverse callings and careers.

At Hope, psychology students dive headfirst into the study of the human mind and behavior. Going beyond information, we engage in formation through integrated scientific inquiry, field experience, perspective-taking and faith engagement.

We cultivate:

Knowledge in the major areas of psychology
Scientific inquiry skills
Critical thinking and communication skills
Service-learning and field experience
Ethical and moral engagement for social responsibility in a diverse world
Professional development
Engagement with faith and learning

You’ll learn and collaborate in the A. Paul Schaap Science Center’s smart classrooms, eight-room observational teaching space equipped with one-way mirrors, advanced research teaching lab and 30 research laboratory rooms.

Research is integral to our practice and our degree programs, and our students are vital to the process. You’ll work alongside our distinguished faculty on psychology research projects and in our labs. Many of our students who pursue supervised research go on to present at conferences themselves, and some are even published!

Our faculty is recognized regionally and nationally; they earn awards and accolades every year. From textbook authoring to research publishing, your professors are actively working in their fields.

With a psychology degree from Hope, you’ll engage in significant learning that shapes your knowledge of the field, how to conduct research and how to work with others — skills that carry lifelong value, whether you pursue grad school or dive right into your career after graduation.

Explore student research opportunities

Learn about current and upcoming courses What can I do with a psychology degree?

Student learning outcomes

11 FebAcademics

Research to Reduce Workplace Racism

As a social psychologist, Dr. Mary Inman, professor of psychology, prioritizes learning about people’s basic motivations, environmental influences on behaviors, and why and how people use stereotypes. As a Christ-follower, she seeks to understand and address social issues for the sake of justice. Her recent research on racial harassment and discrimination in the workplace addresses both of those professional and personal life goals.

16 Dec Academics

Retired Academic Success Center Director Jacqueline Heisler Dies

Jacqueline Heisler of Holland, Michigan, who retired in 2006 as director of the Academic Success Center and adjunct assistant professor of psychology, died on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. She was 80.

Declare a psychology major or minor

Learn more about declaring a major or minor in psychology.

• Major Declaration Form

• Major Interest Form

• Minor Declaration Form

Major Declaration Meetings — spring 2025

To declare a psychology major, you must attend one Psychology Major Declaration Meeting.

Spring 2025 meetings are held in SC1008.

Students entering Hope College in fall 2023 or after must attend from 11–11:20 a.m.

Students entering Hope College prior to fall 2023 must attend from 11:25–11:50 a.m.

• January 30, Thursday

• February 20, Thursday

• April 15, Tuesday

At least two days prior to attending a meeting, please complete and submit your Major Interest Form and Major Declaration Form.

Hope CollegePsychology Department

A. Paul Schaap Science Center35 East 12th StreetRoom 1110Holland, MI 49423

workP. 616.395.7730

Hope by the Numbers

58%Conduct additional research

More than half of our students conduct research beyond the curricular lab requirements.
Research with us
75%Graduates employed within 6 months

In 2022, three-quarters of psychology graduates were employed within six months of graduating. Most others went on to graduate studies.
38%Pursue graduate school

38% of last year’s graduating class went to grad school.
10%Student population

1/10th of Hope’s total student body majors in psychology.
View our degree programs

Psychology has helped me learn how to think in a different way and understand how others think in their own way. I feel better equipped to help people during emotional struggles, feel called to help people in times of stress, and have a greater understanding of relationships.
Hope psychology major