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Department of Psychology
WIU Home > CAS > Psychology > Undergraduate Major In Psychology
A Powerful Undergraduate Major
The bachelor of science degree with a major in psychology requires three courses of all students, and eight additional courses selected from electives such as abnormal, physiological, cognitive, and child development. Most classes are small. Class size in the required statistics and research courses is limited to just 20 students.
Required Courses
- introductory psychology
- statistics
- research methods
Specific requirements and course descriptions are listed in the WIU undergraduate catalog.
The Minors
Because the study of psychology leads to a greater understanding of people, a psychology minor is an excellent complement to many majors.
There are four minors available.
The six courses required for a minor may be selected from courses that are consistent with your major, interests, and career plans.
Certificate Programs
The department offers six courses required for CADC certification. Please contact the department for additional information on required course work and practicum experience. The program is open to both psychology and other majors.
Field Experience / Hotline
As a major you will have the opportunity to earn credit for work in such agencies as community mental health or rehabilitation centers. Majors and minors can also earn credit for participation in HOTLINE, a student-run crisis intervention telephone service.
Career Opportunities
Western's graduates are employed in a variety of social services areas such as counseling, child care, case work at public and private agencies. Others work in such areas of business as personnel, sales, public relations, human resources, and management. If you plan further study, your psychology degree from WIU will prepare you for graduate programs in clinical, school, industrial, or other branches of psychology. An undergraduate concentration in psychology also provides valuable preparation for professional schools of medicine or law.
Student Organizations
Psychology students can join the Psychology club or its companion organization Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in psychology. These organizations sponsor educational events such as lectures and field trips, and programs on such topics as careers and graduate school, and publish a newsletter, The Freudian Slip.
