USCBe Informed: News & Happenings

Psychology Program Shines Via Growth, Research and Dynamic Internships

explore USCB Psychology 

The University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Psychology program is thriving, offering students the chance to study human behavior, gain real-world experience through internships and conduct research and present their findings. One of the university's fastest growing majors, the program spans social and developmental psychology to clinical and community psychology.

Academic rigor is joined by experiential learning and a supportive faculty committed to preparing graduates for success in graduate school and a variety of careers including counseling, social work, education, medicine and business. Psychology majors leave USCB equipped with skills that apply across many professions.

A Growing and Flexible Program

Since its launch in 2014 with 127 students, USCB's Psychology program has grown steadily and is now the university's fourth-largest major, with six full-time faculty members and five adjunct instructors. The department is currently looking to hire a new assistant professor. Learn more and apply

In Fall 2025, enrollment reached 268 Psychology majors out of USCB’s 2,258 students. Currently, 35 percent of Psychology majors study online.

This growth reflects the program’s adaptability and its appeal to students seeking flexible learning options, said Dr. Cindy Lahar, Professor of Psychology and Program Coordinator. The major can be completed through traditional, in-person classes on the Bluffton campus or entirely online through USC Palmetto College’s completion program. Both pathways emphasize faculty mentorship and opportunities for students to apply classroom knowledge in community and clinical settings.

Internships aren't required but are strongly encouraged, said Senior Instructor of Psychology and Internship Coordinator Sandra Knapp, LPC, LPCS.

"Internships are where the textbook ideas get to be implemented with real people and real challenges," Knapp said, "It is also a chance to meet and work with professionals in our community, which is a big plus for students who are planning to stay in this area, since those connections can turn into future job opportunities.”

Psychology major McKenzie Wray is completing an internship at Pockets Full of Sunshine, a local nonprofit serving adults with intellectual disabilities.

“I’ve learned about patience, empathy, and the importance of creating inclusive opportunities. If I'm in a bad mood, the moment I get there, it's gone,"  she said. “This experience made me decide to pursue a career in Special Education."

Fellow Psychology major Chloe Neal is interning with USCB Counseling and Accessibility Services. She staffs a weekly information table on the Bluffton campus to answer students' questions and connect them with campus counseling options and community resources. She also collaborates with community partners such as NAMI Lowcountry and the South Carolina Department of Mental Health to bring information and materials to students.

“I spread awareness about mental health and let students know there are people and services ready to support them,” Neal explained.

Exploring the Human Mind

Two Psychology research labs — the USCB Psychology Lab for Early Affective Development (LEAD) and the USCB Social & Cultural Psychology Laboratory — provide students with opportunities to design their own research projects, engage with the community to collect data, and present their findings.

At The LEAD Psychology Lab, students are analyzing data about social media usage and risk factors in child development. The lab has recently expanded to include research on integrating AI tools into college classrooms, thanks to grant funding. The LEAD Psychology Lab is directed by Dr. Carmen Brown Farrell, Assistant Professor of Psychology.

The Social & Cultural Psychology Laboratory is staffed by student volunteers who work alongside social psychologist Dr. Kyle J. Messick on projects within the domains of psychology of religion, psychology of music and broader studies exploring social and cultural psychology.

Recently, Pyschology student and research assistant Ash Bass presented as part of a panel directed by Messick at the International Association for the Psychology of Religion conference in Birmingham, England. Bass' presentation was on expanding measures of nonbelief to better encompass Eastern populations and traditions.

USCB Psychology students  also frequently present at the university's annual Student Research and Scholarship Day and USC Columbia's Discovery Day.  USCB is especially proud of Andrea Santibañez (Psychology, '25), who is now pursuing a fully-funded doctorate in Ecological/Community Psychology at Michigan State University, where she is a Distinguished Fellow.

 

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CW 10/4/25