School of Psychology and Cognitive Science
RIT’s School of Psychology and Cognitive Science equips you to explore the science of behavior while building the skills to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Through collaborative, research-driven learning, you’ll work alongside faculty who are advancing discovery in areas ranging from cognition and perception to mental health, neuroscience, comparative psychology, human-centered technology, and the relationship between psychology and AI.
At the School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, research is more than an academic experience—it’s a pathway to innovation, discovery, and career readiness. RIT students are active contributors to research that deepens our understanding of behavior across species and informs solutions to complex societal challenges.
You’ll graduate prepared to think critically, communicate effectively, and apply psychological science to fields spanning healthcare, technology, research, user experience, and AI-driven industries—helping shape technologies and systems that better understand and support humanity.
19
Research laboratories and centers
5
Academic Programs
Psychology (BS), Neuroscience (BS), Experimental Psychology (MS), Cognitive Science (Ph.D.), Engineering Psychology (Advanced Certificate)
$4.3M+
Research Grant Funding Awarded
in the last five years (2021-2026) for RIT School of Psychology and Cognitive led research.
Student Resources
Here you will find additional resources for the School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, such as co-op information and department forms.
See Resources for the School of Psychology and Cognitive Science
Labs and Centers
Through nearly 20 labs and centers, RIT advances research and discovery in psychology. Student researchers get hands-on experience and work alongside renowned faculty who are esteemed experts in their fields.
- Attention, Cognition, and Emotion Lab
- Child Study Center
- Computational Linguistics and Speech Processing Lab
- Cognitive Engineering and Engineering Psychology Lab
- Comparative Cognition and Perception Lab
- Developmental Psychopathology and Serious Mental Illness Lab
- Health and Addictions Research Center
- Meaning, Language, and Cognition Lab
- Mood Across Life Transitions Lab
- Neurobehavioral Lab
- Psychopathology, Adolescence, Development, Methodology, Evaluation Lab
- Perception and Acquisition of Words Lab
- Risk and Resilience Lab
- Social Cognition Across People & Environments Lab
- Social, Methods, Evolution, and Legal Lab
- Visual Plasticity and Translational Neuroscience Lab
- NTID deaf x lab
- NTID Perception, Language & Attention in Youth Lab
2025-26 Psychology Labs (PDF document) descriptions, locations, and lab director contact information
Featured Work and Profiles
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One Lab Tour, A New Direction: Rose Khoobyar’s Shift to Experimental Psychology
Rose Khoobyar arrived at RIT planning for a career in law—but Psychology Lab Tour Day during her first year changed everything. A visit to the Comparative Cognition and Perception Lab sparked a new...
Read More about One Lab Tour, A New Direction: Rose Khoobyar’s Shift to Experimental Psychology -
From Psychology to the Law: Romiere Horace Forged a Path to Forensic Psychology
When talent, drive, and passion meet opportunity and support, the possibilities are limitless. Romiere Horace—the RIT College of Liberal Arts 2026 Graduate Program Commencement Delegate and soon-to-be...
Read More about From Psychology to the Law: Romiere Horace Forged a Path to Forensic Psychology -
Experimental Psychology Alum Focuses on Animal Cognition
Felicia Swartzenberg ’25 Anna Sofia Hege ’25 MS (experimental psychology) gained experience working on animal cognition research at RIT. Now that she’s graduated, she’s continuing to study animals...
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Co-op & Internship Spotlight: Exploring Empowerment Through International Research
Through a Globalink Research Fellowship in Montréal, Ethan Martin explored complex questions of empowerment and well-being among 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Canada. Immersed in a fully French-speaking academic...
Read More about Co-op & Internship Spotlight: Exploring Empowerment Through International Research -
Meet Olivia Bryant, May 2025 Psychology and 3+3 Law Grad
Olivia Bryant will graduate from the College of Liberal Arts with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a double minor in communication and business administration. As an RIT 3+3 accelerated law...
Read More about Meet Olivia Bryant, May 2025 Psychology and 3+3 Law Grad -
Bo Allaby’s work on the resilience of the brain will lead her Ph.D. work this fall
Rebecca Houston ’25 “Why does one person with a brain injury recover faster than another? Or why does someone in their 90s still live independently while another faces early cognitive decline? I want to understand what...
Read More about Bo Allaby’s work on the resilience of the brain will lead her Ph.D. work this fall
Latest News
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July 15, 2026
Cultural Psychology course brings classroom learning to life in Japan
RIT students explored culture, identity, and psychology through an immersive study abroad experience.
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May 6, 2026
College of Liberal Arts names Romiere Horace and Olivia Croteau as 2025-2026 Commencement Delegates
Recognizing two students whose academic excellence, leadership, research, and service reflect the breadth of impact possible through a liberal arts education.
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February 10, 2026
RIT College of Liberal Arts Announces Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 Semester
Three hundred and sixty College of Liberal Arts undergraduate students earned a spot on the fall 2025 semester dean's list, including 74 who are double majors with the college.