Bachelor's Degrees

Psychology

Minors

Psychology
Exercise and Sports Psychology
Substance Abuse

Master's Degrees

Master of Counseling Psychology
Master of General Psychology 

For a detailed look at the course requirements and descriptions for these degrees, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

Should I Major in Psychology?

Major in Psychology to:

• Signal an interest in people and interpersonal skills
• Work in human services
• Continue in a Psychology-related graduate field
• Plan a career requiring people skills
• Develop quantitative and research skills

My Parents Want to Know:

Will I be able to get a job with a bachelor's degree in Psychology?

• Nationally, less than 5 percent of Psychology majors report being unemployed
•  It may not be in a field directly related to Psychology

Will I make any money?

• Yes, but not as much as in some other majors such as engineering.  Jobs tend to be in public service areas.

How to Check Psychology Out

• Talk to some people who are majoring in Psychology
• Talk to Psychology instructors
• Take some Psychology classes as a part of your general education requirements
• Check out career services early
• Talk to professionals in the field of Psychology

Questions to Ask Yourself

• Do I like to work with people?
• Can I work with people who have problems?
• Is a Psychology major needed to reach my goal?
• How about the money?
• How do I know I will stay interested?

Some Jobs Held by Psychology Majors

Source:  Morgan, B., & Korschgen, A. (2001) Majoring in Psych? Career options for psychology undergraduates (2nd ed.) Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Course Rotation

• Psychology

Plans of Study

• Psychology
• Masters of Counseling Psychology 48 Hour Program
• Masters of Counseling Psychology LPC Track
• Masters of Counseling Psychology LADC Track
• Masters of Science General Psychology

• Learn from faculty that have expertise in areas such as counseling, research, data analysis and specialized areas including sports psychology and substance abuse counseling
• Study about the human body and behavior from evidence based curriculum
• Hands-on learning with psychology tools which help with application theories and techniques in the field
• Utilize knowledge and skills obtained to begin careers in education or assessment, advance to graduate school, and even work with a major league baseball team using sports psychology

Scholarship opportunities are available for students in this department.

All incoming freshmen or transfers are encouraged to fill out their respective scholarship forms: Freshman Scholarship or Transfer Scholarship, which should be submitted along with the Application for Admission to the University. The incoming freshman deadline is May 15, while the transfer student deadline is July 15.

Current students have until March 15 for academic scholarships using the Continuing Student Scholarship Application.

For departmental scholarships you will need to fill out a form provided by the department chair by February 15.  

Psychology Scholarship Form can be found by clicking here. 

Departmental scholarships available in this area and more can be found at https://ournorthwestern.org/make-an-investment/scholarships, including numerous miscellaneous unspecified scholarships.

For more information, please visit Scholarships.

Knowledge Base of Psychology 

SLO 1: Students will defferentiate major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical finding, and historical trends in psychology. 

Research Methods in Psychology

SLO 2: Students will appraise basic research methods in psychology, including formulation of research design, appraisal of data analysis, and provide interpretation. 

Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology

SLO 3: Students will examine and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to problem-solving.

Application of Psychology

SLO 4: Students will apply psychological priniciples to personal, social, and organizational issues.  

Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice

SLO 1:  Students will examine basic counseling theories within the counseling profession, and establish a theoretical framework to utilize with diverse client populations.

SLO 2:  Students are responsible for displaying ethical professionalism by demonstrating knowledge of ethical codes, legal statutes, professional organizations, and licensing standards.

SLO 3:  Students will demonstrate techniques and therapeutic approaches used in counseling to assess human behavior, pathology, and addiction. 

Social and Cultural Diversity

SLO 4:  Students will evaluate and demonstrate knowledge and self-awareness of diverse populations and cultural context.

SLO 5:  Students will examine theories and models of multicultural counseling, cultural identity development, social justice, and advocacy. 

Human Growth and Development

SLO 6:  Students will demonstrate knowledge of theories of human growth and development by evaluating biological, developmental, and environmental factors that impact the life-span. 

Assessment and Testing

SLO 7:  Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of standardized methods of client assessment/evaluation used in counseling by administering, interpreting, and analyzing various tests.

Research and Program Evaluation

SLO 8:  Students will analyze, interpret, and implement empirical research as it impacts the counseling field.

SLO 9:  Students will design research studies 

Social and Cultural Diversity

SLO 4:  Students will evaluate and demonstrate knowledge and self-awareness of diverse populations and cultural context.

SLO 5:  Students will examine theories and models of multicultural counseling, cultural identity development, social justice, and advocacy.

Human Growth and Development

SLO 6:  Students will demonstrate knowledge of theories of human growth and development by evaluating biological, developmental, and environmental factors that impact the life-span. 

Assessment and Testing

SLO 7:  Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of standardized methods of client assessment/evaluation used in psychology by evaluating, interpreting, and analyzing various tests.

Research and Program Evaluation

SLO 8:  Students will analyze, interpret, and implement empirical research as it impacts the psychology field.

SLO 9:  Students will author a final thesis or capstone project.

State Licensure Information (updated August 12, 2020)