Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois – E-I

Regardless of your career and academic goals, an undergraduate degree in psychology from one of Illinois’ many accredited universities is an excellent beginning step. Some students choose to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology because they hope to someday become a professional Psychologist. Others may choose to pursue a graduate degree or career in another field of study. An undergraduate degree in psychology can be a bridge to a career in:

  • medicine
  • law
  • social services
  • business
  • research, and many other areas

The curriculum in most undergraduate programs includes a strong plan of study. This prepares students for either entrance into a graduate program or immediate employment in one of these many professional fields. A psychology degree can be the beginning of many different careers.

Elmhurst College

The Department of Psychology

Elmhurst College is a comprehensive private liberal arts college in Elmhurst. The College is conveniently located outside of Chicago. There is a longstanding tradition of service-oriented learning throughout the college. The school also has an affiliation with the United Church of Christ. The mission of the college is to “inspire its students to form themselves intellectually and personally and to prepare for meaningful and ethical work in a multicultural, global society. Working together with passion and commitment, we foster learning, broaden knowledge and enrich culture through pedagogical innovation, scholarship and creative expression”. In 2014, US News & World Report ranked Elmhurst as the 11th best college or university in the Midwestern Region of the United States. The Department of Psychology at Elmhurst offers both undergraduate and graduate training programs. Students at both levels are encouraged to participate in:

  • research
  • fieldwork
  • other experiential learning opportunities

These opportunities are created to supplement the classroom curriculum.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Students in the BA in Psychology degree program are offered a solid understanding of psychological science in both research and experiential environments. All psychology majors have the ability to customize their coursework to some of the many specialty areas of psychology, including:

  • abnormal psychology
  • social psychology
  • cognition
  • personality studies or many others

Much of the curriculum covers practical knowledge in statistics and research methods. These help prepare psychology majors to enter the workforce as clinicians, teachers or to enter graduate school. Class sizes in this department are intentionally small, typically between eight and 30 students. Students participate in classroom projects and departmental presentations that give them the chance to apply psychological theory to describe, explain, predict and modify behavior.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The BS degree path is quite similar to the BA curriculum. All psychology majors must complete nine course credits for the major in psychology. Students must maintain a grade of C or better in their major classes. All students must take one 400-level lab course and one additional 400-level psychology course. In order to obtain the BS degree, students take an additional two courses in mathematics. Students in the BS program of study have the opportunity to:

  • participate in fieldwork
  • pursue research interests
  • work closely with the psychology department’s faculty

Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
Elmhurst College
The Department of Psychology
190 Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-3296
(630) 279-4100
E-Mail: admit@elmhurst.edu
Program Website: http://public.elmhurst.edu/psychology

Eureka College

The Division of Social Sciences and Business

Eureka College is a comprehensive Liberal Arts College in Eureka. The school is associated with the Disciples of Christ. With a strong focus on the “mutual development of intellect and character”, the college’s core values are:

  • learning
  • service
  • leadership

In addition to the traditional liberal arts curriculum, students are responsible for a variety of requirements designed to create “well-rounded, critical thinking leaders”. Historically, Eureka was the third United States College to admit men and women on an equal basis. Abraham Lincoln spoke on campus in 1856, before his presidency and Ronald Reagan is a Eureka alumnus. In 2010, the National Park Service designated Eureka College as a national historic district. In 2014, US News & World Report ranked Eureka as the 31st best college or university in the Midwestern Region of the United States. The Division of Social Sciences and Business promotes a rich educational experience.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The BA in Psychology Degree program offers a curriculum helps students understand an array of human behaviors. It also gives them an appreciation of the models and methodology used in the study of psychology. The psychology major program is appropriate for students who are preparing for careers in:

  • social welfare
  • personnel work
  • guidance
  • advertising
  • criminology
  • military and industrial counseling
  • other therapeutic occupations

It also prepares students for graduate study in psychology which would lead to careers in:

  • teaching at the junior or senior college-level
  • school psychology
  • tests and measurements
  • guidance and counseling
  • vocational guidance
  • clinical occupations
  • experimental research

Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
Eureka College
The Division of Social Sciences and Business
Burgess Hall
Division Chair – 
Dr. Junius Rodriguez
300 East College Avenue
Eureka, IL 61530-1500
(309) 467-3721
E-Mail: jrodrig@eureka.edu
Program Website: https://www.eureka.edu/academics/find-your-major/profile/psychology

Governors State University

The College of Education

Governors State University (GSU) is a comprehensive, public university located in University Park. The main campus is located about 30 miles south of Chicago. GSU offers undergraduate courses, as well as courses at the Master’s and Doctoral Levels. It has four colleges:

  • the College of Arts and Sciences
  • the College of Business and Public Administration
  • the College of Education
  • the College of Health and Human Services

The psychology department is housed in the College of Education. The College of Education offers undergraduate, graduate, cohort and non-degree certificate programs. It prepares students with the skills and information needed to be a successful education or mental health professional.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The BA in Psychology Degree curriculum is aligned with the American Psychological Association’s undergraduate psychology learning goals. This means that students receive ample opportunities to gain the “knowledge base, methods, values, skills and applications in psychology; technological literacy; communication skills; socio-cultural and international awareness and personal and professional growth”. In addition to the General Psychology major, students can select a concentration in one of the following areas:

  • Forensic Psychology – This concentration focuses on the application of the science and profession of psychology to the criminal justice and legal systems.
  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology – This concentration focuses on the study of psychological principles in business and industrial settings.
  • Mindfulness Studies – This concentration focuses on modern trends in empirical research and psychological practice that employs mindfulness as an approach to understand the human mind and to help people solve their problems.
  • Pre-Clinical Psychology – This concentration focuses on the preparation of students for graduate training in psychology, counseling, occupational therapy, law, human resources, and related fields.

Accreditations
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

Contact
Governors State University
The College of Education
1 University Parkway
University Park, IL 60484-0975
(708) 534-5000
E-Mail Form: http://www.govst.edu/Academics/Colleges_and_Programs/College_of_Education/Academic_Programs/Contact_Us/
Program Website: https://www.govst.edu/

Greenville College

The Psychology Department

Greenville College is a four-year, Liberal Arts college affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, a church with an evangelical foundation. The college is located in Greenville, 45 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri. All students enrolled in Greenville College are expected to obey the “lifestyle code” that asks all students to agree to certain principles that the school calls “Christ-honoring.” These principles are outlined in the document referred to as the Lifestyle Statement, and all students must sign this statement in order to attend the college. In 2014, US News & World Report ranked Greenville College as the 33rd best college or university in the Midwestern Region of the United States. The goal of the Psychology Department is to guide students toward a better understanding of themselves, their world, and their relationship with God within a liberal arts context and the field of psychology. The department emphasizes “the development of a foundation of knowledge, the capacity for critical thinking and scientific inquiry, the ability to communicate effectively, and the freedom to serve others through their chosen vocation”.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The BA in Psychology Degree Program is a 36 credit hour program with a minimum of 12 credit hours required from the Department of Philosophy and Religion and a minimum of 15 credit hours required from the Psychology Department. In addition to psychology and religion, psychology majors complete five or more elective courses drawn from:

  • communication
  • music
  • art
  • ministry
  • education

The Psychology major requires completion of 30 credits beyond General Psychology. The electives are chosen by the student and his/her advisor. Students must meet or exceed an 18-hour minimum. The election of courses should focus on the career aspirations of the student. Students can choose from one of the following emphases:

  • Adult Clinical Psychology Emphasis
  • Child/Adolescent Clinical Emphasis
  • Marriage & Family Emphasis
  • Organizational Psychology Emphasis
  • Pre-Physical or Occupational Therapy Emphasis: 
A student who wishes to pursue a career in physical therapy or occupational therapy can come to Greenville College to get a degree in biology or psychology and the necessary prerequisites for admission into a master’s program in PT or OT.
  • School Psychology Emphasis
  • The Teaching of Psychology Emphasis

Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
Greenville College
The Psychology Department
315 East College Avenue
Greenville, Illinois 62246-1145
(800) 345-4440
E-Mail Form: http://www.greenville.edu/contact/
Program Website: https://www.greenville.edu/programs/psychology-bs

Illinois College

The Department of Psychology

Illinois College is a private, liberal arts college, with affiliations to the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church. The school is located in Jacksonville and was the second college founded in Illinois. The Illinois Band was a group of students from Yale University who traveled westward to establish new colleges. They founded Illinois College in 1829. In 1835 Illinois College became the first academic institution in the state to confer a college degree. In 2014, US News & World Report ranked Illinois College as the 155th best Liberal Arts College in the United States. The main goal of the Department of Psychology is “to give students a broad background, a wide variety of concepts, self-awareness, and self-understanding”. Psychology majors in the department gain a solid framework through:

  • a rigorous curriculum
  • useful and practical field experiences
  • exposure to research and empirical processes

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Students enrolled in the BA in Psychology Degree program learn from a core of dedicated faculty members. In addition to the rigorous curriculum, students have the opportunity to work directly with the Psychology faculty on research projects. In some cases, students can enter into a professor’s ongoing research project. Over the past few years, students have conducted research in the following areas:

  • Cognitive Styles and Learning Behaviors
  • Relationship Attachment to Parents and Peers
  • Behavior Analysis
  • Preschoolers Point of View
  • Depression and Self-injurious Behavior
  • Tinnitus
  • Brain aging

Psychology majors can also benefit from the opportunity to join the Psychology Club or Psi Chi. Membership in the Psychology Club allows students of all majors to learn about the fascinating field of psychology. Members share ideas about prospective jobs, careers, and field studies in psychology. Psi Chi is the psychology national honors society with the goal of stimulating, maintaining, and encouraging excellence within the field of psychology. To be considered for membership a student must:

  1. Be a declared major or minor in the department of psychology
  2. Have a 3.0 grade point average in psychology classes
  3. Rank in the top 1/3 of his or her class

Students at Illinois College can also participate in the unique BreakAway program. Students experience different cultures, environments, and ideas through short-term, experiential learning trips. Participation in this program works to deepen students’ experiences in classes, labs, and textbooks while taking them on an experiential journey.

Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
Illinois College
The Department of Psychology
1101 West College Avenue
Jacksonville, Illinois 62650
(217) 245-3000
E-Mail: relling@mail.ic.edu
Program Website: http://www.ic.edu/psychology

Illinois Institute of Technology

The Lewis College of Human Sciences

Illinois Institute of Technology, commonly called Illinois Tech or IIT, is a comprehensive private research university located in Chicago. IIT offers programs at various levels in:

  • engineering
  • science
  • psychology
  • architecture
  • business
  • communications
  • industrial technology
  • information technology
  • design
  • law

In 2014, US News & World Report ranked Illinois Tech as the 116th best National University. The Lewis College of Human Sciences understands that technology is reshaping our society. They feel that Human sciences allow us to further explore and explain what is occurring as technology re-shapes the real and virtual places in our society. The college utilizes methods that are evidence-based, which help make sense of the data. Students enrolled at the College of Human Sciences are challenged to:

  1. Think deeply
  2. Examine our complex world through work on compelling human problems
  3. Join with our faculty who are dedicated to bridging the gap between theory and application, ideas and action
  4. Pursue careers that make a difference to others

Bachelor of Science in Applied Analytics

While many public research universities offer Applied Analytics at the graduate level, Lewis College is among the first to provide this program at the undergraduate level. The BS in Applied Analytics program teaches students how to gather, curate and analyze data. Students also learn how to develop a story defining the major implications of data samples for a range of audiences, from the general public to business leaders. This interdisciplinary program allows students to take classes in:

  • psychology
  • business
  • economics
  • communications

Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health and Wellness

As a growing portion of medical care deals with an individual’s behavioral health and lifestyle choices, doctors are not adequately trained to deal with the intricacies of psychological and behavioral health. Students in the BS in Behavioral Health and Wellness program in the Lewis College of Human Sciences develop their understanding of how lifestyle choices impact health over time. They understand how to design individualized programs to promote healthy living, most often related to:

  • nutrition
  • exercise
  • tobacco and alcohol use

The interdisciplinary behavioral health and wellness degree combines coursework in:

  • psychology
  • sociology
  • political science
  • nutritional science

Students can further personalize their program with an elected specialty track in either health psychology or nutrition.

Bachelor of Science in Consumer Research, Analytics, and Communication

The BS in Consumer Research, Analytics, and Communication program at IIT helps students take their academic preparation to the next level of business. Students are instructed from a cognitive perspective so they may better understand how people interpret new information and eventually make decisions. From a sociological perspective, students will learn how to measure an individual’s opinions, attitudes and beliefs. From a communications perspective, students will be able to customize a message about research findings to a particular audience. This degree program is best suited for students who desire the practicality of a business degree but will benefit from an understanding of human motivation and cognition.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

IIT has earned an excellent reputation in Psychology and a large percentage of undergraduates secure spots in either top graduate programs or find job opportunities even before graduation. Students receive a strong background in empirical thinking and will be able to apply psychological research and principles to the study of contemporary problems in a variety of areas. Graduates of this program have found employment in the following areas and many more:

  • Survey research
  • Market research
  • Social work
  • The nonprofit sector
  • Law
  • Public policy
  • Academic or health administration

Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Lewis College of Human Sciences
10 W. 35th Street
14th Floor
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 567-3956
E-Mail: humsci@iit.edu
Program Website: http://humansciences.iit.edu/psychology/programs/undergraduate-programs

Throughout the state, students can earn an accredited and respected degree from a college or university that offers flexibility. Upon graduation, students can continue studying psychology, begin their career as an entry-level psychology professional or continue on to one of many related fields of study or practice. Graduates of psychology undergraduate programs have gone into almost every area of employment. Some of the more common examples include:

  • legal practice
  • medicine
  • business
  • social services
  • human resources
  • management

Because the coursework for these degree programs are so strong, students are prepared for education and employment in many areas. Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree program in Illinois, students have nearly limitless opportunities for graduate study and employment.

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