Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois – U-W

The state of Illinois has a wide variety of colleges and universities offering undergraduate psychology degree programs. While some  are offered in the traditional on-campus format, more and more of these schools are offering some degree of online course work. This is due, in large part, to the busy schedules and hectic lives that so many of us lead. With online learning more students can make time for school on their own schedule. Students throughout Illinois have many other options for pursuing their undergraduate psychology degree. Through the many colleges and universities, they can choose whether a large university or a small college setting is right for their needs. They can also choose whether a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science is best for their academic and career goals. There are programs offering a general psychology degree, while others offer areas of specialization or concentration. With so many options there is an ideal degree program for every student.

University of St Francis

The College of Arts & Sciences

The University of St. Francis (USF) is a Catholic, Franciscan university with over 3,300 students at locations throughout the United States. USF’s main campus is located in Joliet, about 35 miles southwest of Chicago in a residential neighborhood. The main campus  has an enrollment of just over 1,300 students. The campus of the University of St. Francis is in the Cathedral Areas Preservation District, in the middle of some of the city’s most elegant and historic homes, within easy walking distance of the Cathedral of St. Raymond. In 2014, US News & World Report ranked the University of St. Francis as the 39th best college or university in the Midwestern Region of the United States. The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) is home to the liberal arts curriculum, the leaders in undergraduate scientific and historical research at USF. The College houses:

  • the Rialto Art and Design Complex
  • Moser Arts Series
  • Joliet Symphony Orchestra
  • Music Ensembles
  • Digital Audio Recording
  • Radio and TV Media
  • the Humanities and Social Sciences
  • the English Language and Literature program
  • Interdisciplinary Majors

The CAS is dedicated to keeping with the Catholic Franciscan teachings to “inspire in its students a love of knowledge and truth. CAS provides a rich core of general education, as well as specific disciplines of study for all students designed to promote the zeal to live and proclaim their discoveries”.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Students enrolled in the psychology major program will approach psychology as the intersection of two critical relationships:

  • Between brain function and behavior
  • Between the environment and behavior

The curriculum was created to outline for students how tremendously varied the field of psychology is. Students learn to:

  • conduct research
  • diagnose and treat people
  • test intelligence and personality
  • assess behavioral and mental functions

Psychology majors will also study how human beings relate to one another and even how they relate to machines. Graduates of this program have gone on to become:

  • Professional Psychologists
  • Lawyers
  • Teachers
  • Business Executives and more

As a Psychology major in this program, students can expect to develop the following:

  • Theoretical knowledge of the major subdivisions in the discipline of psychology
  • Basics in the research methodology
  • Professional ethics
  • Awareness and understanding of diversity
  • Skills in the areas of locating valid information, using technology, reading comprehension, oral and written expression, conducting scientific inquiry, and critical thinking
  • Healthy personal growth
  • Services to others

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

Contact
University of St Francis
The College of Arts & Sciences
500 Wilcox Street
Joliet, Illinois 60435
Dr. Ling-Yi Zhou – Department Chair
(815) 740-3594
Email: lzhou@stfrancis.edu
Program Website: http://www.stfrancis.edu/academics/psychology/#.VGZX1yiRYSo

Western Illinois University

The Department of Psychology

Western Illinois University (WIU) is a public university located in Macomb. The university was established in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School.  Western Illinois State Normal School focused specifically on training teachers for the relatively small body of available students. As the school expanded and enrollment went up, it evolved into Western Illinois State Teachers College. Since that time, Western Illinois University has grown tremendously and is composed of two campuses providing a wide range of academic programs and degree options. In addition to the main campus in Macomb, the satellite campus of Western Illinois University – Quad Cities is located in Moline, Illinois. In 2014, US News and World Report ranked WIU as the 39th best college or university in the Midwestern Region of the United States. The Department of Psychology offers both undergraduate and graduate degree training in psychology. Students can choose from General Psychology training or one of several areas of concentration.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology Degree Program requires all students to complete four specific courses, and an additional eight additional courses selected from electives such as:

  • abnormal
  • physiological
  • cognitive
  • child development

The Psychology Department keeps most class sizes small for better interaction between students and teachers. For instance, class size in the required course of statistics and research is limited to a maximum of 20 students. All students seeking the BS in Psychology Degree must complete the following courses:

  • Introductory psychology
  • Statistics
  • Research methods
  • Senior comprehensive exam

Psychology students can join the school supported Psychology club or its companion organization Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology. These organizations hold educational events such as lectures and field trips. They have programs on such topics as careers and graduate school. They also publish a newsletter, The Freudian Slip.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Concentration in Substance Abuse Counseling

Students enrolled in the BS with a concentration in Substance Abuse counseling must complete all courses required for graduation with a Bachelor of Science, as well as additional courses to fulfill the concentration. The Substance Abuse Counseling Concentration allows interested students to pursue collegiate training in preparation for certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in Illinois and a possible career in the field of addictions.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Related Minor

Because the study of psychology leads to a greater understanding of people, a psychology minor is an excellent complement to the psychology majors. There are four minors available:

  • Psychology – Students seeking to understand why people behave and think as they do should consider a minor in psychology. Anyone whose future involves interacting with others will find the study and exploration of psychological principles fascinating and valuable.
  • Neuroscience – The minor in Neuroscience is for students interested in pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in any of the life sciences or planning to attend medical school. It is particularly useful to students interested in academic or professional careers in:
    • biopsychology
    • neurobiology
    • neurology
    • psychiatry
  • Gerontology – The Gerontology Minor is intended to complement and enhance career opportunities for students across a variety of majors by providing a broad multidisciplinary understanding of aging processes and issues. Beyond the core course, students are able to individualize their studies to fit their career goals or personal needs. This includes a personalized experiential or service-learning component.
  • Forensic Psychology – The forensic psychology minor is open to all non-psychology majors. Students must make an appointment to see an advisor for the forensic psychology program.

The six courses required for a minor may be selected from courses that are consistent with your major, interests, and career plans.

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 Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

Contact
Western Illinois University
Department of Psychology
Waggoner Hall
100
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 298-1593
E-Mail: Psychology@wiu.edu
Program Website: http://www.wiu.edu/cas/psychology/undergrad.php

Wheaton College

The School of Liberal Arts

Wheaton College is a private four-year Christian liberal arts college in Wheaton, a suburb of Chicago. The college was founded in 1860 by prominent abolitionist and pastor Jonathan Blanchard. The school enrolls 2,500 undergraduates from all 50 states, 50 different countries, and over 55 church denominations. Wheaton offers 40 majors in:

  • the arts
  • humanities
  • literature
  • foreign languages
  • social sciences
  • natural sciences

Wheaton has been acclaimed for its “twin traditions of quality academics and deep faith,” according to Time magazine and is ranked 20th among all national liberal arts colleges in the number of alumni who go on to earn PhDs. Wheaton was included in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives. http://www.ctcl.org/ In 2014, US News and World Report ranked Wheaton College as the 15th best in the category “Best Undergraduate Teaching” and 56th overall among national liberal arts colleges. Forbes lists Wheaton among the Top 100 Colleges and Universities in its 2014 rankings.  The School of Liberal Arts offers students a Christ-centered liberal arts education with many practical benefits that can be seen over a lifetime of service and gospel witness. These include but are not limited to:

  • Marketable skills that lead the list for prospective employers, such as:
    • analytical reading
    • critical thinking
    • persuasive oral communication
    • effective writing
    • innovative, collaborative problem solving
  • Strong academic credentials that open doors to top graduate programs.
  • A strong foundation in moral virtue and ethical reasoning that:
    • builds character
    • fosters integrity
    • strengthens relationships
    • promotes stewardship
    • earns respect outside as well as inside the church
  • A breadth of preparation that gives graduates the versatility to excel in a wide variety of callings over a lifetime of work and ministry, including their service in jobs that have yet to be created
  • Whole person development that enables graduates to maximize their God-given talents and provide exceptional leadership

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Students enrolled in the BA in Psychology Degree Program are provided with a comprehensive training program with carefully chosen academic requirements that support the needs of all students. This includes both students planning to pursue graduate training as well as students planning to enter the broader employment market. The curriculum includes specific course requirements, varied electives, opportunities for research experience in the classroom, through:

  • faculty collaboration
  • the Honors Program
  • internship experiences

The Psychology Department also serves the greater student body by offering a number of courses for general education credit including:

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Psychology

Because psychology is an interdisciplinary field of study, the department strives to reflect this in the various courses that are offered. As a psychology major, students will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn about the traditional empirical areas of psychology and clinical psychology,
  • Learn how to conduct psychological research
  • Learn how to evaluate the important theories and presuppositions in psychology from a Christian perspective.

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

Contact
Wheaton College
The School of Liberal Arts
The Psychology Department
Billy Graham Center – Mezzanine level
501 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 752-5104
E-Mail: psychology@wheaton.edu
Program Website: https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/programs/psychology/

Across the state, students have options to find a program that meets their needs and will help them accomplish their goals. Each student has the flexibility to find an undergraduate psychology degree program that checks all of his or her boxes. Do you hope to earn their degree on campus or online? Would a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science be the best fit for your career goals? Do you want to pursue a General Psychology Degree or are you looking for specialization in one of the many specialty areas of psychology? Do you prefer the research backing of a large university system or is a smaller college campus a more ideal fit for you? By taking some time and evaluating these questions you can find the perfect fit. Fortunately, with such a wide variety of academic institutions throughout the state of Illinois, there is an undergraduate psychology degree program for every need and every person.

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