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College of Arts & Sciences

Psychology

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Why pursue a psychology degree at North Central College?

Psychologists are experts in learning, human behavior and mental health. They diagnose and provide treatments for mental health issues, select and train employees for businesses and organizations, collect and analyze data for government and not-for-profit agencies and explore questions about the human condition. Our program is designed to prepare you to understand and explain thoughts, emotions, feelings and behaviors. Psychology offers a wide range of career paths with a broad curriculum. At North Central, you will have access to our Schwab Psychology Research Center, treadmill lab and sleep lab to collect data. We facilitate hands-on learning and encourage working with dedicated faculty on individualized projects. A career in psychology can lead you to many areas including counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, research, consumer psychology and more.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

  • Understanding human behavior
  • Analyzing emotions
  • Solving organizational problems with psychology concepts

then a degree in PSYCHOLOGY might be for you.

Why study psychology at North Central College?

In the Classroom

Coursework topics:

  • Child development
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Cultural psychology
  • Drugs and behavior
  • Educational psychology
  • Health psychology
  • Industrial psychology
  • Learning
  • Research design and experimentation
  • Psychological assessment
  • Psychology of adolescence
  • Psychopathology of the child
  • Social psychology
  • Statistics

Beyond the Classroom

As a psychology major, you can:

  • Present findings of your original research at regional and national psychology conferences.
  • Apply for a Richter Grant and explore topics such as eating disorders, bullying, memory disorders, persuasion and humor.
  • Join Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology.
  • Join the Psychology Club open to all majors and minors in psychology.
  • Engage in paid internships or co-ops, working side-by-side with professionals while you complete your degree.

More Department information

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, 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 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

Ethics

Psychology Internships and Career Options

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge and skills in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead. Our undergraduate programs have groomed psychologists, social workers, therapists and more to pursue their passions and excel in their field of psychology.

Internships

Recent psychology graduates have interned at:

  • Youth services, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, Chicago
  • Child and family programming, DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville
  • School operations, school district 45, Villa Park, Ill.
  • Occupational therapy, Easter Seals DuPage & Fox Valley Region, IL
  • Human resources, WeatherTech, Bolingbrook, Ill.
  • Juvenile investigations, DuPage County Dept. of Probation & Court Services, Wheaton, Ill.
  • Mental health services, DuPage County, Wheaton, Ill.
  • Adult bereavement, Fox Valley Hospice, Geneva, Ill.
  • Respite services, Metropolitan Family Services, Wheaton, Ill.

Graduate Schools

Recent psychology graduates have been accepted at:

  • Northwestern University
  • Emory University
  • University of New Hampshire
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Rosalind Franklin University
  • University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • Loyola University, Chicago
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Central Florida University
  • Claremont University
  • University of Illinois at Chicago • Depaul University

Careers

Recent psychology graduates have been accepted at:

  • Counselor
  • Social worker
  • School psychologist
  • Clinical psychologist
  • Family therapist
  • Human resources specialist
  • Recruiter
  • Community recreational programmer

Recent psychology graduates have entered the fields of:

  • Counseling
  • Social Work
  • School Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Family Therapy
  • Human Resources
  • Recruiting
  • Community Recreational Programming

Invest in your future

Choosing the right college is a big decision. Don’t make it alone. North Central’s admission and financial aid team is here to help you design a financial aid solution that works best for you and your family.

Merit scholarships, grants, loans, campus employment - these are just some of the resources available to you. Over 95 percent of students and 100 percent of all eligible students receive aid. Let our team partner with you in finding the best value for your education.

Learn more about financial aid and costs for North Central College

Apply to North Central College

The first step to becoming a North Central student is reading the application instructions specific to you. Find out everything you need to know about applying by selecting the group you belong to below.

Psychology Student Profile

Lukas Gallo '24

Embark with Lukas Gallo on his journey from Oslo, Norway, to North Central College, where he seeks not just an education but a world of new experiences. As a psychology major, he finds solace in open discussions, thanks to the supportive atmosphere fostered by professors like Dr. Timothy Woods. In a community where diversity is celebrated, Gallo thrives, feeling embraced and encouraged to share his unique perspective. Explore the welcoming environment of North Central College's psychology program alongside Gallo's story.