Psychology and Neuroscience

Are you curious about why people do the things they do?

Do you wonder how people can view the same situation and interpret it in completely different ways? Are you interested in understanding how the body and mind affect your mental health? Do you ask yourself why some things are so easy for you to learn, but other things are much harder?

The Psychology program an North Central College provides you with opportunities to examine these questions and many more. We help you build a sound background in the methods used to understand the causes and consequences of behavior. You will learn skills that will make you successful for life.

As a Psychology student you can work with our dedicated faculty on their research projects or on projects you design to explore your specific interests and gain valuable hands-on experience. You can collect data on campus in our Schwab Psychology Research Center, and find the perfect off-campus internship – or two or three – among hundreds of nearby social service agencies and businesses.

You will study the breadth of psychology with an emphasis on several key areas within it – developmental, social, biological, and cognitive/learning. Then as a capstone experience, you will explore at least one topic in depth through a senior seminar, an independent study or an internship.

The mission of the Psychology Department is to prepare students to function as competent, ethical individuals in their personal and professional lives. We expect the study of psychology to enhance our students’ ability to think critically, to communicate effectively and to appreciate the scientific approach to understanding behavior.

The Psychology Department is also the home of North Central’s Neuroscience program. For more information about Neuroscience, click here.

For information on the Neuroscience Majors and the Neuroscience Minor requirements, click here.

Psychology, B.A.

As a member of the social sciences, psychology seeks to understand the causes and consequences of human and animal behavior by employing the methods of scientific inquiry. Given this general orientation, the psychology program at North Central College provides students with a sound background in the methods used to understand behavior. Students receive an overview of several key areas within the discipline: Developmental, Biological, Cognitive/Learning, Personality/Abnormal, Social/Cultural Diversity and Applied. In addition, students explore at least one topic in depth through a capstone experience: senior seminar, senior thesis, internship or community engagement project. 

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Psychology and Neuroscience.

Perspectives

One course from each of the following:

Developmental

Biological

Learning/Cognitive

Personality/Abnormal

Social/Cultural Diversity

Applied

Capstone

Four credit hours from one of the following:

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

   

 

Psychology, B.S.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Psychology and Neuroscience.

Perspectives

One course from each of the following:

Developmental

Biological

Learning/Cognitive

Personality/Abnormal

Social/Cultural Diversity

Capstone

Four credit hours from one of the following:

    

Psychology Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Psychology and Neuroscience.

A minimum of 24 credit hours, including:

Perspectives

Two courses from two different perspective categories:

Developmental

Biological

Learning/Cognitive

Personality/Abnormal

Exploration

A minimum of eight additional credit hours of Psychology at the 300- or 400-level. 

    

Industrial/Organizational Psychology Minor

This interdisciplinary minor is designed to help students prepare for careers in Human Resources, management and other business-related areas.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Psychology and Neuroscience.

Core Courses

One of the following:

Electives

One course from two of the three following categories:

Communication

Business

Leadership, Ethics and Values

As a psychology or neuroscience student, you will have many opportunities to enhance your academic experience, apply your knowledge, and engage with your faculty and fellow students.

Research - create new knowledge

  • Enroll in a research practicum to assist a faculty member with his or her own research projects.
  • Work with a faculty member to design and execute your own independent study.
  • Present your original research at regional and national psychology conferences.
  • Apply for a Richter Grant to finance travel anywhere in the world your studies take you.

Internships - apply knowledge outside the classroom

  • Explore one or more different career paths in psychology before committing to a particular direction.
  • Examine a possible career path in more depth by applying theories and concepts to broader social issues and systems.
  • Engage in a pre-professional learning experience and link it to important issues and trends in the field.
  • For more information, contact Dr. Nicole Rivera.

Special Course Offerings - enhance your academic experience

  • Learn about the many career paths for psychology and neuroscience majors in our Careers in Psychology course.
  • Determine if graduate school is for you, begin the process of identifying possible degrees and programs, and start working on your graduate school applications in our Professional Psychology seminar.
  • Enroll in a senior seminar to explore topics such as eating disorders, bullying, illusions, memory disorders, psychology and the law, and military psychology.

Student Organizations - engage with your psychology peers to make a difference

  • Psychology Club - open to all majors and minors in psychology. Psychology club provides an environment for students interested to gain exposure to the field outside of the classroom and establish a network among students with various degrees of interest in psychology. Psychology club holds events such as the Psych Panel with Professors from the Psychology department to discuss opportunities in Psychology and interests. The club will have meetings every other week to discuss topics of psychology such as clinical, abnormal, health, counseling, and child psychology. Faculty Advisor: Nicole Rivera.

  • Psi Chi - the international honor society in psychology. Psi Chi hopes to help to prepare and inform students for graduate school and future careers through internship opportunities, alumni connections, and informational meetings. Additionally, we expand students overall knowledge of the field of psychology and the many possibilities of careers after graduation. Faculty Advisor: Liana Peter-Hagene.

  • PHAME - dedicated to reducing the stigma of mental illness. We empower students to speak openly and encourage help-seeking by raising awereness and reducing stigma surrounding mental health issues through events, programming, and advocacy training for North Central College. Advisor: Nicole Musni.

  • Neuroscience Club - provides enriching experiences outside of the classroom for those interested in the sciences and neuroscience at North Central College. Members are provided with support and connections. Faculty Advisor: Margaret Gill.

  • Neuroscience Honor Society (Nu Rho Psi) - Faculty Advisor: Margaret Gill.

Study Abroad -- expand your horizons. Learn more.
Dr. Nicole Rivera and her students conduct research at the DuPage Children's Museum.

Department Statement of Inclusivity

The NCC Department of Psychology and Neuroscience embraces the idea that our individual differences can deepen our understanding of one another and the world around us, rather than divide us. We are firmly committed to making our classrooms and laboratories inclusive learning communities that support diverse thoughts, perspectives, experiences, and identities. We encourage people of all ethnicities, genders and gender identities, religions, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, regions, and nationalities to share their rich array of perspectives and experiences, and to work to honor and respect all members of the community. Let us all work together to create a safe and equitable campus community. If you do not feel that the environment is inclusive at any time, please contact one of members of the department, and we will work with you to address the situation.