Psychology Major

Why Choose Psychology at LAS

Psychology is one of our most popular majors, and for good reason. Many students stumble into a psychology class only to become hooked by how much it reveals about people, relationships, and the world around them. Whether psychology has always been your path or something you’ve just discovered, our program gives you a purpose-driven foundation for whatever comes next.

The psychology curriculum is grounded in real-world relevance. You’ll explore big questions, gain hands-on clinical experience, develop critical thinking skills, and learn from professors who bring thoughtful mentorship into every lesson and conversation.

Long after graduation, we hope you’ll be part of an active, supportive alumni network. Many of our graduates stay connected and committed to supporting the next generation of students by returning as mentors, guest speakers, professors, or internship supervisors.

Meet the Psychology Faculty

Our faculty members are clinicians, researchers, and advocates who care deeply about helping students succeed both personally and professionally. They have worked in hospitals, community clinics, private practices, research labs, nonprofits, and schools. Many are Touro graduates themselves — so they’ve been where you are!

They’ll challenge you to think critically, support you through the grad school and licensure process, and make sure you know what it takes to thrive in the field. Here are some faculty members you could be learning from:

• Dr. Rebecca Soffer is the deputy chair of the psychology department and a passionate advocate for students at LAS. She brings warmth and strategic insight to everything from curriculum development to individualized mentorship, especially for students pursuing graduate degrees.
• Dr. Malky Zacharowicz is a pediatric neuropsychologist and assistant professor at LAS. With years of clinical experience diagnosing learning and developmental disorders, she brings clinically grounded insights into the classroom and helps students connect theory to practice in child psychology and neuropsychology.
• Dr. David Steinman has been with Touro for 35 years and is widely known for his work in addiction studies. His classes combine academic rigor with lived insight, and he remains a student favorite for his clarity and compassion.
• Dr. Sheindy Pretter is a research psychologist with expertise in health psychology and eating disorders. Her work explores the connection between physical and emotional well-being, and she challenges students to think critically about the science behind human behavior and mental health.
• Dr. Shoshana Richter is a clinical psychologist and Touro alum with experience in hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics. She brings deep clinical expertise in CBT, DBT, and Emotionally Focused Therapy to help students connect classroom concepts to the lived experience of therapy and client care.

Course Spotlight: Positive Psychology

While many psychology courses focus on dysfunction and disorder, Positive Psychology (PSYN 347) explores what it means to thrive. A favorite among psychology majors who are drawn to the solution-focused side of the field, this class explores the science of happiness, resilience, gratitude, and personal growth.

Students examine research-backed strategies for cultivating well-being and how to apply them through real-life reflections, group discussions, and hands-on projects. Positive Psychology offers a powerful foundation in strength-based thinking and emotional intelligence, which are valuable across careers in psychology, education, and public health. If you want a course with a fresh perspective on what makes life meaningful and fulfilling, this is it.

Other courses our students are drawn to include the required Experimental Psychology (PSY 301), and electives Psychology of Aging (PSYN 225) and Forensic Psychology (PSYN 326).

More About the Psychology Major

As a psychology major, you’ll explore how people think, feel, and behave while building critical thinking, communication, and research skills that prepare you for graduate school or a career in mental health, education, or community work.

Join the Psi Chi honors society, attend grad school open houses, or hear from clinicians and admissions reps at events hosted by AOJP (Association of Jewish Orthodox Psychologists). Then, learn from the many alumni who return to mentor or take on student interns. We’re proud of our strong network of graduates working in counseling, school psychology, mental health services, and doctoral programs.

Step Into the Field with Internships

Our psychology majors move beyond the classroom and into real-world environments where they can see theory in action. Many students complete multiple internships before graduating, giving them a broader view of the opportunities available within psychology and beyond.

In addition to placements at the Center for Anxiety, Ohel, Proud Moments ABA, Yeled V’Yalda, Hamaspik, and the Lower East Side Service Center, students have recently completed the following internships:

• Shadowing psychologists and participating in pediatric oncology research at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital
• Assisting with clinical psychology research tied to Touro’s PsyD program in Yosef Sokol’s Research Lab
• Joining therapy team meetings, assisting with social media marketing and mindfulness initiatives, and learning about dialectical behavior therapy for trauma and personality disorders at The CBT/DBT Center in Israel.

Whether you’re planning to pursue clinical work, applied research, education, or health services, you will be eligible to apply for an internship. Your professors are ready to help you find opportunities that align with your goals and give you meaningful experience before you graduate.

Internships are available in clinical, research, and community settings. They also often lead to valuable mentoring relationships and career insights. If you’re wondering how to get started with internships, here’s what LAS psychology major Chaya Deutsch recommends:

Gain Hands-On Research Experience

LAS offers multiple ways for psychology students to gain real-world experience. Students have completed competitive research placements at the Institute for Basic Research with a child development focus and at the Brooklyn College REU program. Students have also worked in labs under Touro School of Health Sciences faculty members.

Through these experiences, students sharpen their critical thinking, gain valuable mentorship, and build strong portfolios for graduate school applications.

Additionally, psychology honors students complete independent research projects on real-world topics. Here are some recent examples of topics:

• Codependency and mental health
• How music training affects child development
• Cognitive dissonance and memory
• The link between motivation and academic success
• How personality shapes emotional experiences

Achieve More With Flexible Study Options

The psychology major at LAS is designed to fit into your life. Tailor your schedule to enjoy the community and camaraderie of in-person classes while benefiting from the flexibility and convenience of online classes. Students can also choose to complete the program in person, fully remote (online and Zoom options) through the FLEX program, or in a hybrid manner.

This flexible structure makes it possible for students living abroad, balancing family commitments, or managing work schedules to earn their degree without compromise. Whether you’re attending classes in Brooklyn or studying remotely while abroad, you’ll receive the same high-quality education, personalized advising, and supportive community LAS is known for.

Psychology Pathways at Touro

Psychology students interested in mental health counseling, IO psychology or ABA can get a head start on their graduate degree through the Behavioral Science Pathway Program. With this program, you’ll be accepted to Touro’s School of Health Sciences and take up to four graduate-level courses at the undergrad tuition rate and continue seamlessly with the master’s program after graduating from LAS. 

Available pathways for psychology majors include:

• MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• MS in Industrial-Organizational (IO) Psychology
• MS in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Provided you stay on track and meet all academic program requirements, you’ll graduate ahead of the curve, with real progress toward your next degree — all while staying within a supportive, familiar community. Plus, each pathway includes personalized advising and mentorship from both undergraduate and graduate faculty, so you always have support, structure, and a clear plan forward.

In addition to formal pathways, psychology students are strongly positioned to enter other Touro graduate programs, including:

• MA in General Psychology at Touro’s School of Health Sciences
• PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Touro’s School of Health Sciences
• MSW at Touro’s Graduate School of Social Work

Although these programs don't have official undergraduate pathways, Touro graduates receive priority consideration and a warm welcome across the university’s graduate divisions. If you’re considering social work, you can take some graduate social work classes while at LAS.

What to Expect at LAS

If you’re juggling work, family, seminary, or community responsibilities, you’ll be met at the Lander College of Arts & Sciences with flexibility, support, and a faculty team that believes in your potential. Here’s what sets us apart: