The Psychology Department at Mills integrates scientific approaches to human behavior and its development with immediately practical issues of working with people and addressing their problems.

Each student devises, in consultation with her academic advisor, a study plan for her own version of the major that is the most appropriate preparation for her particular goal. Each plan includes psychology courses along with course work in other academic areas. Qualified students may cross-register at other nearby institutions for specialized courses not taught at Mills.

Students interested in a psychology major but who do not plan advanced graduate work in the field may choose the general psychology track. Students who intend to go on to doctoral-level graduate school in psychology are advised to follow the research in psychology track. In addition to these two strictly undergraduate tracks, a third track begins an accelerated master's (4+1) degree program leading to a BA in psychology and an MA in infant mental health. Eligible students interested in graduate work or community practice that focuses on infants and young children begin planning with their advisor during their sophomore year and apply for the 4+1 track in the fall of their junior year. Students may also elect a separate two-year master's program in infant mental health if their prerequisites do not permit acceptance to the 4+1 track. See the Graduate Catalog for more information about the infant mental health master's degree program.

During their final two years, many psychology majors enroll in internships that serve as career tryouts, giving them actual experience in the field and making them better prepared for graduate school. Approximately half of Mills psychology majors go on to graduate work in psychology, counseling, or social work. Others go to law school or medical school, able to use their knowledge in family medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics, or family law. Those who do not continue to graduate school use their majors in a variety of careers, such as personnel work.

The department has a strong research emphasis. Students have the opportunity to carry out independent research under the guidance of a faculty member or to participate in a faculty member's own research. One measure of the department's strength in teaching research techniques is that many Mills psychology majors present their research at professional and student research conferences.