Major in Psychology

By providing students with a solid understanding of psychological science in both laboratory and experiential environments, psychology majors are able to tailor their coursework to areas that include abnormal psychology, social psychology, cognition, personality or many other areas.

With classes that provide practical knowledge in statistics and research methods, psychology majors are prepared to entire the workforce as clinicians, teachers or continue on to graduate school.

Learning is active and personal. Classes are small: between eight and 30 students. Students engage in classroom projects and presentations that apply psychological theory to describe, explain, predict and modify behavior. They participate in field work, pursue their own research interests, and work closely with Elmhurst’s dynamic faculty.

Major Requirements

Ten courses are required for a major in psychology. A grade of C or better is necessary to satisfy major, minor and prerequisite requirements. All students must take one 400-level capstone option at Elmhurst University. All 400-level capstone options require that the student has already completed Statistics and Research Methods in Psychology.

Required Courses

• PSY 210 Introduction to Psychological Science
• PSY 355 Statistics for Scientific Research (or MTH 345 or MTH 346)
• PSY 356 Research Methods in Psychology

Core Psychological Perspectives

Four courses: Three from Perspective I and one from Perspective II.

Core Psychological Perspective I

Choose one from each of the areas below.

Cognitive and Biological Perspective

• PSY 313 Cognitive Neuroscience
• PSY 330 Cognitive Psychology
• PSY 423 Sensation and Perception
• PSY 424 Physiological Psychology

Developmental Perspective

• PSY 315* Lifespan Development
• PSY 317 Child Development
• PSY 318 Adolescent Development
• PSY 319 Adult Development and Aging

*Note: PSY 315 does not count toward ANY major requirements if any PSY 317, PSY 318 or PSY 319 are taken. Psychology majors are therefore encouraged to take PSY 317, PSY 318 or PSY 319. Psychology/Nursing double majors are encouraged to take PSY 315.

Sociocultural Perspectives

• PSY 303 Social Psychology
• PSY 325 Psychology and Culture
• PSY 333 Psychology of Human Sexuality

Core Psychological Perspective II

Choose one course from either area below.

Adaptive and Maladaptive Perspectives

• PSY 312 Personality Theory and Research
• PSY 327 Psychopathology
• PSY 328 Clinical and Counseling Psychology

Applied Perspectives

• PSY 326 Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• PSY 348 Health Psychology
• PSY 422 Psychological Testing

Elective Courses

Choose two additional courses, either from any of the areas listed above under Core Psychological Perspective I or II, or from the following lists:

300-Level Courses

• BID 300 PHL/PSY Neuroethics
• BID 335 PSY/POL Psychology and Political Philosophy of Gender
• KIN 323 Sport and Exercise Psychology
• PSY 311 Educational Psychology
• PSY 320 Special Topics in Psychology (.05-1.00 credit)
• PSY 322 Psychology of Religion

400-Level Courses

• BIO 411 Behavioral Genetics
• BIO 444 Neurobiology
• PSY 427 Child Psychopathology
• PSY 492 Readings in Psychology
• PSY 420 Special Topics in Psychology (.50-1.00 credit)

Note: Some or all of these courses have prerequisites.

Capstone Experience in Psychology

Choose one course. 

Psychology majors must take a senior capstone experience, in which they will focus in-depth on a particular topic in Psychology. Any of the following courses meet this requirement, but PSY 496 is the standard option for most students.

Standard Capstone Option

• PSY 496 Senior Capstone Seminar

Alternative Capstone Options

• PSY 497 Senior Thesis (Thesis/Independent Study options for students with research experience)
• PSY 498 Senior Capstone Independent Study
• PSY 495 Honors Independent Research (Simultaneous with PSY 497 Senior Thesis)

Graduate School Preparation

In addition to the courses required for the major in psychology, students who intend to study psychology at the graduate level are encouraged to take courses in one of the following concentrations.

Concentration in Experimental Psychology

One laboratory course chosen from:

Concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

This is the recommended list of courses for psychology majors who intend to pursue careers or graduate programs in business, human resources or management.

Suggested Courses:

Concentration in Clinical/Counseling Psychology

Suggested Courses:

Courses outside the major: communications, genetics, anatomy and physiology.

The Minor

A minor in psychology is a valuable asset for careers in a variety of fields, including law, nursing, theology, business, and teaching.

Minor Requirements

(Total of five courses.)

• PSY 210 Introduction to Psychological Science
• PSY 355 or MTH 345 Statistics
• Three elective psychology courses
  • KIN 323 Sport and Exercise Psychology may count as one of the elective courses

Transfer students must take three of the five courses required for a minor at Elmhurst University. Students may not count PSY 315 Lifespan Development and another development course (PSY 317, 318 or 319).