A Bachelor’s Degree from one of the many accredited colleges and universities in Illinois can be the start of a rewarding career. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Handbook, professional psychologists earn a median salary of $69,280 per year (which equates to approximately $33.30 per hour). In 2012, there were 160,200 positions in this field and the BLS predicts an increase of 12 percent. Employment opportunities are most readily available to those individuals who hold graduate degrees, however a Bachelor’s Degree is a necessary step on the path to becoming a professional psychologist. Illinois offers a wide range of educational opportunities to those interested in this career choice.
Illinois State University
The College of Arts and Sciences
Illinois State University (ISU) was founded in 1857 and is the oldest public university in Illinois. The University is located in the town of Normal and grants a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees. The school places an emphasis on teaching and conducts a moderate amount of research. ISU is also recognized as one of the top 10 highest producers of teachers in the country according to the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. In 2014, US News & World Report ranked ISU as the 142nd best National University. The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at ISU is among the most important of all Colleges and Departments. In addition to being the largest College at ISU, CAS houses such disciplines as:
- humanities
- natural sciences
- social sciences
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The Major in Psychology at ISU is made up of a number of core psychology courses as well as additional courses in related disciplines that complement psychology. All students in this department are required to complete 37-41 credit hours of psychology curriculum. Additional courses in English prepare students to write reports. Courses in Mathematics prepare students for data analysis. Philosophy and the lab sciences courses enhance students’ analytic reasoning skills essential in the field of psychology. The department has identified 10 objectives for psychology courses to enhance the teaching of psychology. These include:
- Theory and Content of Psychology
- Research Methods
- Application of Psychology
- Values in Psychology
- Career Planning and Development
- Information Competence, Technology, and Computers
- Critical and Creative Thinking, Reasoning, and Problem Solving
- Sociocultural and International Awareness
- Communication Skills
- Personal Development and Relationship Building
All Psychology majors are required to complete a capstone experience. It offers students the unique opportunity to apply their acquired knowledge of psychology to:
- research
- teaching
- practice endeavors
Students have the ability to work alongside faculty in the classroom or research labs, or study specific topics of the student’s interest. The Psychology Department also established an extensive internship program that provides students with opportunities to apply their skills in a work setting in the local community. Finally, the Research Apprenticeship Program, Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship Program, and Internship Program give students practical experiences beyond their academic coursework.
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Illinois State University
The College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Psychology
Campus Box 4620
Normal, IL 61790-4620
(309) 438-8651
Departmental E-Mail Form:
Program Website: http://psychology.illinoisstate.edu/
Illinois Wesleyan University
The Department of Psychology
Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) is an independent undergraduate Liberal Arts College located in Bloomington. The school was founded in 1850 and a large portion of the campus was acquired in 1854 with the first building erected in 1856. It is made up of 17 independent academic departments offering 50 majors and 476 courses. The University’s mission is to foster the traditional liberal arts of creativity, character, and knowledge. In 2014, US News & World Report ranked IWU as the 73rd Best Liberal Arts College in the United States. The Department of Psychology approaches Psychology as the “study of the human and animal mind, thought processes, and behavior”. Students at the undergraduate level study psychological history and theory. They use observational methods to gather insight into cognition and behavior in different contexts. They also conduct behavioral and clinical research.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Graduates of this program often continue on to graduate or professional school, while others put their knowledge to use in:
- business
- education
- related careers
The Psychology Department at Illinois Wesleyan has a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and to basic and applied research. The faculty’s involvement in research aids in advances in the field and incorporates modern psychology practices into classroom instruction. Psychology majors have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty members to conduct research that is published in scientific journals and presented at professional conferences. In addition, psychology majors gain experiential learning in the field through a practicum or internship. Each semester students can choose from a variety of unique courses. A sample of these courses includes:
- Psychology of Adolescence
- Psychology of Gender
- Psychology of Racism
- Experimental Research in Cognitive Psychology
- Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience
- Neuropsychopharmacology
- Social and Personality Development
- Experimental Research in Cognitive Psychology
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Illinois Wesleyan University
The Department of Psychology
Jason Themanson – Chair and Associate Professor of Psychology
P.O. Box 2900
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
(309) 556-3109
E-Mail: jthemans@iwu.edu
Program Website: https://www.iwu.edu/psych/
Judson University
The Department of Social Sciences
Judson University is an evangelical Christian Liberal Arts University located in Elgin, Illinois. The university was founded in 1913. The university currently has campuses in Elgin and Rockford, Illinois, and a student body of approximately 1,300 students. In 2014, US News & World Report ranked Judson as the 36th best college or university in the Midwestern Region of the United States. The Department of Social Sciences at Judson offers degree programs in:
- psychology
- sociology
- criminal justice
A degree from the Social Sciences Department is versatile, preparing graduates for immediate employment or graduate study. Common careers for these graduates include:
- social work and human services
- the business world
- government and public service
- law enforcement
- vocational ministry
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The objectives for the Department of Psychology include:
Articulate and use the clinical and research methods used to study behavior, emotion, and thought, rather than the uncritical acceptance of intuitive feelings or personal experience as ways of knowing.
- Apply and critically evaluate the ideas, theories and research findings within psychology.
- Develop and practice oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Prepare students for graduate study and/or entry-level work in the social services.
- Prepare students for professions, other than psychology and the social services, that require an understanding of human behavior.
- Learn to integrate psychology theories and research findings with the Christian faith, both professionally and personally.
Students pursuing their undergraduate Psychology degree can also choose from the following concentration areas:
- Criminal Justice Concentration – Students in this concentration area must complete the required 18 credit hour Criminal Justice Curriculum. This includes completion of:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Introduction to Criminology, Law Enforcement Ethics
- Morality
- the choice of two of the following courses: Introduction to Criminal Investigation, Introduction to Corrections and Criminal Law and Procedure.
- Child and Family Concentration – Students in this concentration area must complete the required 21 credit hour Child and Family Curriculum. This includes completion of Child Development or Adolescent Development as well as the following courses:
- Marriage and the Family
- Introduction to Child Advocacy
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Gender, Self, and Society
- Christian Values/Human Sexuality
- Family Theories.
- Pre-Clinical/Counseling Concentration – Students in this concentration area must complete the required 22 credit hour Pre-Clinical / Counseling Curriculum. This includes completion of:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychological Tests/Measurement or Research Methods/Social Sciences
- Exceptional Child or Adolescent Culture
- Health Aspects/Chemical Dependency
- Crisis Intervention with At-Risk Adolescents
- Counseling Theories
- Basic Helping Skills.
- Pre-Social Services Concentration – Students in this concentration area must complete the required 21 credit hour Pre-Social Services Curriculum. This includes completion of:
- Social Problems
- Cultural Diversity
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Introduction to Child Advocacy
- Principles and Practice of Human Services
- Counseling Theories
- Basic Helping Techniques
Online Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology
Judson University offers a unique, faith-based Applied Psychology major that prepares students to apply psychological theories and methodologies to solve everyday problems of human behavior as well as manage people in a variety of occupational settings. The Applied Psychology major offers foundational knowledge for students planning to pursue graduate studies. Students learn to:
- conduct, evaluate, and present research projects
- develop assessments
- initiate counseling
- gain intervention skills,
- examine how individuals and groups behave in different social settings
Students will also engage in experiential learning by participating in an internship in an organization of their choosing.
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Judson University
The Department of Social Sciences
1151 North State Street
Elgin, IL 60123
(847) 628-2500
E-Mail: susan.wesner@judsonu.edu
Psychology Program Website:
Applied Psychology Program Website: http://www.judsonu.edu/Adult/Bachelor_Degrees/Applied_Psychology/
Knox College
The Department of Psychology
Knox College is a four-year, private, coeducational Liberal Arts College located in Galesburg. The Carnegie Foundation classifies Knox as a “More Selective Institution” for the Advancement of Teaching. In 2014, US News & World Report ranked Knox as the 81st best Liberal Arts College in the United States. They were also ranked as the 39th Best Value School in the country. Knox College works “to increase access to all qualified students of varied backgrounds, races and conditions, regardless of financial means”. In order to graduate, all students must be able to:
- Engage with the central questions and methods used within the broad areas of liberal arts learning: arts, humanities, social sciences, science.
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of at least one academic field.
- Use technology appropriate to the major field.
- Locate, assess, and synthesize a wide range of sources of information.
- Reason quantitatively.
- Communicate effectively through writing and speaking.
- Read, speak, and/or write in a second language.
- Engage intellectually and empathetically with cultural and social diversity.
- Initiate and carry out independent, self-directed learning.
The Department of Psychology offers students training in both the study and practice of psychology. In addition to traditional classroom learning, students gain experiential learning through:
- research
- internships
- studies abroad
- other hands-on opportunities
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Students enrolled in the BA Program at Knox study the mind, the brain, and behavior– the way in which humans and other animals work. Students and faculty conduct ongoing research related to topics that can be considered both theoretical and practical. The psychology department offers a n extensive array of internships and study abroad opportunities. Some of these include:
- working with local schools
- helping destitute women at a residential home in India
- taking specialized classes in neuroscience at the University of Aberdeen
The Department also runs Clinical Psychology Term, which is one of Knox’s specially designed immersive terms. Psychology majors have the ability to:
- publish articles in major journals
- attend national conferences
- work with on-campus research facilities for biofeedback and brain activity
- function more like younger colleagues of lthe faculty
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Knox College
The Department of Psychology
Heather Hoffmann – Professor and Chair of Psychology
2 East South Street
Galesburg, IL 61401-4999
(309) 341-7267
E-Mail: hhoffman@ knox.edu
Program Website: http://www.knox.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/psychology
Lake Forest College
The Department of Psychology
Lake Forest College is a four-year coeducational private Liberal Arts College in Lake Forest. The College has over 1,500 students representing 47 states and 78 countries. It’s also a member of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest. In 2014, US News & World Report ranked Lake Forest as the 120th best Liberal Arts College in the United States. Forbes Magazine lists Lake Forest in the top 7% of colleges and universities in the number of alumni with the highest salaries, in 2012. The Department of Psychology offers training in psychology as both a major and a minor. The flexible curriculum allows students to double major or minor to better customize their college experience. Students may declare up to two majors and one minor or one major and two minors.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology Degree program, through empirical investigation, helps \students to understand the building blocks of behavior at all levels. Students will study a wide variety of topics from neural networks and sensory systems to more integrated dimensions, such as:
- personality
- life span development
- psychopathology
- social interaction
Students learn in the classroom, in labs, and in the field. The professors in this department guide students through the empirical approach to the study of the mind. Graduates of this program have entered careers in the following varied fields:
- Counseling/Therapy
- College/K-12 Education
- Social Work
- Health Professions
- Law
- Business & Marketing
- Public Policy
- Occupational Therapy
- Neuroscience
- Human Resources
- Consulting
Students in this department aid faculty with and conduct their own original psychological research, from brains and robots to learning languages. Students are given strong preparation in various research methods. Upon graduation, students are prepared for graduate school and careers in fields like:
- business
- communication
- health professions
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Lake Forest College
The Department of Psychology
Hotchkiss Hall
555 North Sheridan Road
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
E-Mail: guglielm@lakeforest.edu
Program Website: https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/programs/psychology/
With expected growth in both employment opportunities and potential salary, psychology is an excellent career choice. The BLS projects that by 2022, there will be an additional almost 20,000 positions available for psychologists. Some areas of psychology, such as Industrial / Organizational Psychology and Gerontology, will see even larger increases. While most professional psychologists have a graduate degree, an undergraduate degree is the first step toward this career. Students earning their Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology will have many options upon graduation. They may continue their academics and enter into a graduate program in psychology. They may opt for graduate studies, but choose a different path, such as medicine, business or law. They may also choose to immediately enter the work force. It depends upon their individual career aspirations. Regardless of your career and academic goals, an undergraduate degree from one of Illinois’ many accredited colleges and universities is a step in the right direction.
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois – A-B
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois – C-E
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois – E-I
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois – L-M
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois –Na-No
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois –O-S
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois –S-U
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois –U
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois –U-W