SUNY Polytechnic Institute
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, New York’s premier public polytechnic, provides an innovative and affordable higher education for students interested in science, engineering, technology, business, healthcare, and other liberal arts offerings for a well-rounded approach to experiential learning. Our commitment to a hands-on education situates students with both the academic structure customary of undergraduate study and unique opportunities for training and cutting-edge research, ultimately providing learners an unmatched education targeted for success in our fast-changing world. SUNY Poly students enjoy public school tuition with benefits that many small, private institutions boast, including small class sizes, individualized learning experiences, and a tight-knit community.
Hands-On Learning
Our program provides experiential learning opportunities. We have a newly renovated humansubjects laboratory with state-of-the-art testing equipment to help students with their research. Research Equipment:
• EGI 256-channel EEG System
• Tobii Pro Spectrum Eye Tracker
• Teletherm Thermal Imaging Camera
Students who participate in independent study and supervised undergraduate research coursework develop skills in human subjects testing and experimental design, data collection and statistical analyses, and professional writing and presentation. Our program also offers practicum/internship opportunities to juniors and seniors each spring semester, where students spend 10-12 hours/week working in professional psychology and mental health settings.
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study
Earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology opens the door to a diverse array of career paths and further academic pursuits. As the field of psychology continues to expand, graduates find themselves equipped with invaluable skills that are highly sought after in today’s job market. Whether they aim to enter the workforce immediately or pursue advanced degrees, graduates of the psychology program possess a unique understanding of human behavior that can be applied in various settings. Our recent alumni have been admitted into master’s and doctoral programs in the field of:
• counseling
• social work
• neuroscience
• clinical psychology
• educational psychology
• organizational psychology
Given the extensive selection of courses in the program, graduates are prepared for success in fields such as health promotion, human services, mental health counseling, school psychology, substance abuse counseling, and social work upon graduation. In addition, our alumni have also found careers in adjacent fields such as human resources, marketing, research and statistics, teaching, and business.
What You’ll Study
I. Psychology Core Requirements
• PSY 100: Principles of Psychology
• P SY 310: Research Methods
• P SY 493: Senior Seminar
II. Statistics and Writing Core Requirements
• STA 100: Statistical Methods
• COM 308: Analytical & Research Writing
III. Intermediate Coursework: Clinical-Developmental-Social Cluster:
• PSY 220: Life-Span Developmental Psychology
• P SY 222: Abnormal Psychology
• P SY 242: Social Psychology
• PSY 331: Psychology of Personality
Cognitive-EvolutionaryNeuroscience Cluster:
• PSY 262: Learning and Motivation
• P SY 270: Cognitive Psychology
• PSY 280: Evolutionary Psychology
• PSY 355: Behavioral Neuroscience
IV. Upper-Division Electives Examples:
• P SY 352: Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• P SY 360: Perception
• P SY 377: Health Psychology
• P SY 405: History of Psychology
• P SY 410: Forensic Psychology
• P SY 420: Parenting and Culture
• P SY 470: Psychological Testing
• P SY 477: Principles of Counseling
Alumni Careers
Graduates of the psychology program have the opportunity to pursue a number of career paths in a variety of settings, and our alumni say they gained many valuable skills through their academic preparation at SUNY Poly. Find more information about alumni employers and alumni job titles online.
CAREERS
Student Involvement
Psi Chi Honor Society
Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology, recognizes outstanding academic achievement and promotes active student involvement in the field of psychology. SUNY Poly students are eligible to join the local Psi Chi chapter when they achieve junior standing, a cumulative GPA of 3.0, a GPA of 3.4 for psychology courses, and complete 24 credit hours in residence.
Our Campus
Psychology and Sociology Club
Membership in the Psychology and Sociology Club is open to all interested students. The club sponsors lectures and discussions on current topics in psychology, graduate school, and relevant employment. Throughout its history, the club has raised thousands of dollars for location charities and is frequently voted as SUNY Poly’s ‘Academic Club of the Year.’
Alumni Spotlight
Raj Bala Chaudhary ’23 BA in Psychology
Raj, a first-generation college student, initially came to SUNY Poly to study engineering. However, a passion for mental health emerged during COVID as she saw the mental health challenges her peers were experiencing. This, along with Raj’s personal connection to mental health — her siblings faced neuropsychiatric and psychological conditions as an outcome of serving in the military — served as the catalyst for the change. Raj studied psychology “to help [her] siblings and others who struggle daily with mental health challenges.” Now pursing a master’s degree in mental health counseling, Raj hopes to eventually earn her PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology.
Located in Utica, NY, on hundreds of wooded and landscaped acres, SUNY Poly’s campus is a beautiful living and learning environment. Students live in our modern, spacious residential complexes, including the new Hilltop Hall, SUNY’s first zero-net carbon residence hall, and enjoy an expanding array of student-focused facilities that include our state-ofthe-art Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing, Student Center, and Wildcat Field House. Life on campus is enriched by a wide variety of events and activities, including the Wildcats’ championshipwinning intercollegiate athletics program, our Wildcat Esports team, and a weekly agenda of intramurals, concerts, comedians, and more. Students can join one of the dozens of clubs and organizations or start one with a group of friends who share an interest.
