Psychology

Cupola atop a building on the Molloy University campus

Psychology at Molloy University


If you're passionate about understanding the human mind and aspire to make a real difference in people's lives, a degree in Psychology from Molloy University is your stepping stone. With the field expected to grow significantly, there's never been a better time to dive in. Our program is perfect for those looking to work in diverse settings like counseling, healthcare, schools, and even the corporate world.

 

Why Earn A Degree In Psychology?


Step into the dynamic field of psychology at Molloy, where we blend theory, research, and hands-on experience to give you a well-rounded education. Our curriculum goes beyond the basics, offering specialized electives like Forensic Psychology and Behavior Modification.

Internships are integral to our program, providing you with real-world exposure and networking opportunities. You'll also have the chance to showcase your research at various conferences, gaining valuable feedback from professionals in the field.

Our small class sizes aren't just a perk; they're a promise of personalized education. You'll form close bonds with faculty who are also seasoned professionals, enriching your learning experience and setting you up for career success.

In a world where mental health is increasingly prioritized, especially post-pandemic, our graduates are well-equipped to meet the growing demand for qualified professionals. Whether you're eyeing further studies or jumping straight into the workforce, a Psychology degree from Molloy University offers a pathway to a fulfilling, impactful career.

What Will You Learn?


Photo of students standing next to psychology research

Our program is crafted to make you proficient in scientific reasoning, ethical conduct, and clear communication. Here's how:

  • Scientific reasoning: Learn to apply key psychological concepts to real-world issues, going beyond mere theory.
  • Research skills: Master advanced research methods, including experimental design and statistical analysis, to solve complex problems.
  • Ethical conduct: Understand the formal regulations that guide professional ethics in psychology, ensuring you make sound ethical decisions.
  • Communication: Hone your ability to construct and articulate scientific arguments, both in writing and presentations.
  • Teamwork: Engage in group projects and research, preparing you for collaborative work in diverse settings.

In sum, our program equips you with a versatile skill set that makes you an attractive candidate for various career paths and prepares you for meaningful contributions in any professional setting.

Pathways Our Program Offers


Our BS in Psychology is a comprehensive program that prepares you for a multitude of career paths. The course requires 120 credits, giving you the flexibility to double major or add minors to your degree.

  • BS Psychology

    This comprehensive program prepares you for a diverse range of roles in mental and physical health, education, business, and engineering. With a curriculum that includes courses on psychological disorders, addictions, health psychology, and clinical counseling, this degree is particularly relevant for addressing the complex mental health challenges in a post-pandemic world.

  • Double Major Opportunities

    Expand your academic horizons by opting for a second major that complements your psychology studies. A double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice has been especially popular among our students, largely due to intriguing elective courses like Criminal Profiling and Forensic Psychology, which offer a multidisciplinary approach to understanding human behavior.

Minors To Complement Your Major


Diversify your academic portfolio and enhance your career prospects with one of our specialized minors.

  • Child life

    Open to all majors, this minor gears you up for a career as a certified child life specialist. The curriculum focuses on child development and psychology, preparing you to support children and families in healthcare. After completing the minor and recommended General Education courses, you will have all of the courses you need to continue on the path toward certification.

  • Psychology

    Ideal for majors like nursing, education, and biology, this minor provides a foundational grasp of psychology. It's designed to enhance your understanding of human behavior, making it valuable for careers requiring strong interpersonal skills.

Career Orientation


Career readiness goes beyond just hitting the books, and our faculty is dedicated to enriching your educational journey in four key ways.

  • Personalized advising: We offer tailored guidance and career counseling, helping you align your unique skills and interests with your academic path.
  • Department library: Our department has an array of books and films available to help you begin research on a topic.
  • Expert talks: Our colloquia series brings you up close and personal with leading minds in psychology, offering invaluable insights into the field.
  • Hands-on experience: We provide supervised internships tailored to your career goals in psychology, giving you practical experience in real-world settings.

If you're eyeing a specific career in psychology, make sure to consult with your advisor when selecting your electives.

How To Apply


Ready to make your move? Applying to Molloy is simple. You can either use our dedicated Molloy Portal or go through the Common App. Either way, you'll find the process straightforward and user-friendly.

Start your application here.

Log into your account here.

You can also apply to Molloy University using the Common App by clicking here.

Transfer students, we've got you covered too. Our program is designed to be inclusive, offering transfer guidelines, articulation agreements, and even funding opportunities to make your transition as smooth as possible.

So, what are you waiting for? A world of opportunities is just a click away. Make the smart choice: Choose Psychology at Molloy University.

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Student Resources


As a Psychology major you will receive attentive advisement and guidance from faculty and opportunities to engage with your fellow classmates.

  • Internships

    Through the Office of Experiential Learning and the Department of Psychology fieldwork supervisor you can pursue internship opportunities in education, business, research and healthcare settings. The fieldwork supervisor meets with you to help find an internship that provides valuable experience for your personal career interests.

  • Psychology Club

    Many students are active in our Psychology Club and bring speakers and related events to campus while engaging with fellow classmates.

  • Psi Chi Honor Society

    Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to graduate and undergraduate men and women who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests, and who meet the minimum qualifications. If you meet the necessary application requirements you will be invited to join the Psi Chi Honor Society.

    PSI CHI Application requirements

    • The Psi Chi Constitution requires that undergraduate student applicants to Psi Chi:
    • Must be enrolled as a student at Molloy University
    • Must have established a GPA at Molloy University
    • Must be at least a second-semester sophomore
    • Must be enrolled as a major or minor in the psychology program
    • Must have completed at least 9 semester hours of psychology courses
    • Must have an overall GPA that is at least 3.40 on a 4-point scale

     

    * Undergraduate transfer students who wish to join must complete at least 12 semester hours at Molloy University

    Please visit psichi.org for information about this honor society

Our Faculty


  • Cheryl Camenzuli, Ph.D., Chairperson

    Cheryl Camenzuli, Ph.D.

    Professor
    Department of Psychology
    ccamenzuli@molloy.edu
    (516)-323-3841

    Areas of Specialization: Visual Development, Perception, Biological Psychology and Developmental Psychology

    Dr. Cheryl Camenzuli earned a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Fordham University. She completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship awarded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Infant Visual Development. Dr. Camenzuli has a number of publications in infant vision and perception. As director of the Siena Women’s Center, Dr. Camenzuli received a number of grants supporting the Young Women’s Leadership Initiative, Gender Equity Education, a Domestic Violence Educational Initiative, and the development of an undergraduate leadership training course with an emphasis on family empowerment. Prior to teaching at Molloy Dr. Camenzuli taught at Fordham University and Hofstra University.

     

  • Melissa Gebbia, Ph.D.

    Melissa Gebbia, Ph.D.

    Professor
    Department of Psychology
    mgebbia@molloy.edu
    (516)-323-3848

    Areas of Specialization: Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Academic Self-Regulation, Research Methods in Psychological Science, Application of Cognition to Education

    Dr. Gebbia earned a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.  Prior to her current position on the faculty at Molloy University, Dr. Gebbia taught at Hofstra University, Baruch College, and consulted for a variety of organizations and nonprofits as an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist.  Dr. Gebbia has published articles in the areas of Assessment, Relational Aggression, and co-authored a chapter on learner developmental outcomes and intellectual styles for The Handbook on Intellectual Styles. Dr. Gebbia teaches Research Methods, Psychological Assessment, General Psychology, Organizational Psychology, and Cognitive Psychology. The goal of her research is to improve self-regulatory skills through direct instruction.  Dr. Gebbia conducts research on pedagogical approaches that contribute to Academic Self-Regulation and enhancing academic performance through motivation and learning strategies. 

  • Jennifer Elliott, Ph.D.

    Jennifer Elliott, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Psychology
    jelliott@molloy.edu
    (516)-323-3847

    Areas of Specialization: Clinical psychology, Health Psychology, Psychopathology, Addiction, Interventions, Psychological Research

    Jennifer Elliott has a PhD in clinical psychology from Syracuse University and is a NY state licensed psychologist. Prior to coming to Molloy, she was an Assistant Professor at Columbia University's Department of Psychiatry and a Research Scientist at New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), where she had NIH funding for addiction research. She is now an Assistant Professor in the Psychology department at Molloy University, where she teaches students about topics like Abnormal Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, and research, and runs an undergraduate research lab.  

  • Jaime Vitrano, Ph.D.

    Jaime Vitrano, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Psychology
    jvitrano@molloy.edu
    (516)-323-3846

    Areas of Specialization: Child Development, Adolescent Development, Life-span Development, Categorization, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Disabilities and Neurodiversity, Undergraduate Research. 

     

    Dr. Vitrano earned a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the Graduate Center of The City University of New York, and a B.A. in Psychology from Boston University. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Psychology Department at Molloy University, and teaches courses such as General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Exceptional Child, and Senior Seminar. Her research interests include how and when children with autism understand object categories, and college readiness of neurodiverse populations.  

  • Kimberly Johnson

    Kimberly Johnson

    Assistant Professor
    Department of Psychology
    kjohnson4@molloy.edu
    (516)-323-3845

    Areas of Specialization: Educational Psychology, School Psychology

    Kimberly Johnson began as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Molloy University in Fall 2023. Kimberly is a doctoral candidate in the field of educational psychology at Regent University and is a licensed clinician in the state of New Jersey. Kimberly completed her graduate studies at Syracuse University and undergraduate studies at SUNY Stony Brook. Kimberly’s research interests are generational trauma, first-generation college students and their mental health.

  • Professors Emeriti

    Charles Callahan, Mary T. Fitzpatrick, Mary Ann O'Donoghue, Andrea Spata

  • Adjunct Assistant Professors

    Daniel Calderone, Christian J. Lynch

  • Adjunct Instructors

    Max Benezra, Annmarie DiFrancesca, Frank Dwyer, Talita Ferrara, Lauren Loyal, Lori McAndrew, Marie Mues, Steve Perino, Joshua Schwartz