PSYCHOLOGY
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Psychology explores human behavior, emotion and thought.
When you think of psychology, counseling might come to mind first; however, understanding how people think, feel and behave is valuable in many in-demand professions from human resources to financial planning.
A degree in psychology can lead to a variety of helping professions, as well as to careers in business and communications. The deep research, analysis and observation skills you gain from a major in psychology is also excellent preparation for the rigors of graduate study in areas like counseling, family therapy and school psychology.
Careers in health, community, and social services are on the rise, and emerging fields like neuromarketing are creating new and exciting opportunities for psychology majors.
CAN WE BRAG A LITTLE?
Nearly all of our recent majors are employed or in graduate school after earning their degree. (2020-2021)
Why study Psychology at UW-Whitewater?
Studying the science behind the human experience is excellent preparation for in-demand jobs. A major in psychology gives you a mix of qualitative and quantitative research and analysis experience, and students in our program also develop strong communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
In this decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects:
- 8% increase in demand for psychologists
- 16% growth in marriage and family therapy positions
- 23% growth for substance abuse and mental health counselors
- 22% jump in openings for market research analysts
- 10% growth in human resource specialists
At UW-Whitewater, psychology courses are taught by faculty members — never a graduate assistant, which is often the norm at some larger schools.
What our students do
Participate in undergraduate research
Get real-world experience in field placements
Attend regional, state, and national conferences
Hands-on learning experiences
As you pursue your degree in psychology at UW-Whitewater, you will gain hands-on experience in many ways, from practical classroom exercises to experiments in our perception lab.
Field training and experience
Apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations. Field placements allow you to practice skills and interact with professionals, and they also give you a glimpse into various career options. Placement sites include schools, human service agencies, correctional facilities, and crisis intervention programs. You may even participate in our successful Nursing Home Visitation Program.
Undergraduate Research
As a psychology major, you have the chance to participate in UW-Whitewater’s Undergraduate Research Program, which can lead to co-authoring a paper or co-presenting with a faculty mentor. Some students present at national conferences or even talk to legislators about their work at the state capitol.
Additional opportunities
Take an independent study course where you work under the direction of a faculty member on research topics that interest you. These hands-on experiences may include literature review, data collection, analysis or writing up papers or manuscripts. Or choose to complete a senior thesis project that involves a faculty advisor and a committee of faculty project reviewers.
Campus and community involvement
Our department is home to student organizations such as:
- PSYCH Club: open to any student interested in psychology
- Psi Chi: A national honor society for psychology majors
Other campus groups that might appeal to psychology majors could include:
- American Marketing Association
- Social Work Student Organization
- DREAM (Disability Rights, Education, Activism and Mentoring)
- Criminal Justice Organization
- Society for Human Resource Management
- Active Minds
What our graduates do
Behavioral therapy/behavioral support professionals
Mental health, legal and youth advocates
Program managers and directors
Psychology jobs: What can you do with a Psychology degree?
If you’re wondering what jobs require a psychology degree, you’ll be happy to know that a major in Psychology will prepare you for a variety of positions in mental health, health care, human services, education, marketing, human resources, recreation and other fields. Example job titles from a recent alumni survey include:
- Account manager
- Assisted living manager
- Behavioral support specialist
- Behavior therapist
- Campus safety officer
- Care advocate
- Case manager
- Claims specialist
- Data scientist
- Family support specialist
- Global partner manager
- Human resource generalist
- Intake specialist
- Legal advocate
- Residential counselor
- Teacher
- Volunteer and outreach coordinator
- Youth counselor
Recent UW-Whitewater psychology majors found these positions at companies and organizations such as:
- Achieve Brown County (Green Bay)
- Aurora Psychiatric Hospital (Wauwatosa)
- Behavioral Health Hospital (Milwaukee)
- Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
- Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
- Discovery Health Partners (Itasca, Illinois)
- Education Solutions Corp. (Brookfield)
- Florida Autism Center (Tallahassee, Florida)
- Genesee Community Services (Oconomowoc)
- George Williams College (Williams Bay)
- Leapwork
- Lutheran Social Services (Green Bay and Waukesha)
- Madison Department of Children and Families
- Mercy Hospital (Janesville)
- Milwaukee Center for Independence
- Mission Healthcare (San Diego, California)
- New England Center for Children (Southborough, Massachusetts)
- Rock County Human Services (Janesville)
- Sexual Assault Recovery Program (Janesville)
- Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (Menomonee Falls)
- Wisconsin Early Autism Project (Milwaukee)
- YMCA of Rock County (Janesville)
Graduate and professional school
About 20% of our psychology majors pursue graduate work in fields such as:
- Counseling
- School psychology
- Applied psychology
- Social work
- Business
Kirsten Anderson, from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, earned a B.S. in psychology and was hired as an applied behavior analysis therapist with the Wisconsin Early Autism Project in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Brenna Bongiorno, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, earned a B.A. in psychology and was accepted to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater pursuing a Master of Science in counselor education in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Taylor Gamez, from Hartland, Wisconsin, earned a B.S. in psychology and was hired as a behavioral specialist with Rogers Behavioral Health in West Allis, Wisconsin.
"My proudest achievements are returning to finish my degree after hard times and maintaining great relationships with my advisors. I'd like to acknowledge Heather Niemeier for believing in my abilities and motivating me."
Dane Crouse, from Streamwood, Illinois, earned a B.A. in psychology and was accepted to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater pursuing a degree in counseling with an emphasis on clinical mental health counseling in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Nia Mooney from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, earned a B.S. in psychology and was hired as a teacher with City Year and Center for Urban Teaching in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Our faculty
All faculty members in the UW-Whitewater Department of Psychology hold doctoral degrees from respected institutions, and their research interests are wide-ranging. Our faculty expertise includes:
- Behavior disorders of childhood and adulthood
- Cognition and cognitive development
- Health psychology
- Lifespan development
- Violence prevention in schools
- Physiological bases of motivation, emotion, cognition and perception
- Self-regulation of motivation
- Psychology and law, cognitive dissonance, and stereotyping
As teacher-scholars, we are committed to student engagement and success, while actively publishing in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to books and publications, and presenting at regional and national conferences.
Our faculty members also lend their knowledge as subject matter experts to the media through interviews and appearances with outlets like Mashable, Wisconsin Public Radio, Science Magazine and the Associated Press.
Want to learn more about earning a Psychology degree?
262-472-1026 | psychology@uww.edu
UW-Whitewater offers the following undergraduate Psychology degree options:
Teaching licensure:
Minors:
As a Psychology major, in addition to UW-Whitewater’s general education requirements, you’ll take a set of core and foundational courses, such as:
- Introductory Psychology
- Basic Statistical Methods
- Research Methods
- Intro to Behavioral Neuroscience
- Biological Basis of Emotion
- Learning and Conditioning
- Psychology of Personality
- Health Psychology
You’ll also get to choose electives and advanced courses based on your personal and professional interests, such as:
- Family Therapy
- School Violence and Crisis Management
- Psychology of Emotion and Motivation
- Psychological Tests and Measurements
Students pursuing the BSE will also complete the required education courses and teaching placements to fulfill licensing requirements.
To apply, you’ll complete the UW-Whitewater standard application for admission and indicate your interest in the Psychology major.
