Psychology

In fall 2014, psychology will move into the Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life, a 101,000-square-foot facility equipped with 30 state-of-the-art labs and technology-enhanced classrooms. Built to meet LEED-certification standards for environmental responsibility in construction and operation, the Johnson Center will be the hub of scientific life at North Park and a stunning addition to the campus community.

More about the Johnson Center

Why Study Psychology?

If you have a desire to understand human behavior and improve the health and well being of others, psychology will provide insight into mind and body while developing your skills in analytical thinking, effective oral and written communication, research and statistical proficiency, problem solving, and how to work independently.

Psychology will prepare you for graduate school or a career in counseling, advertising, community relations, advocacy, market research, and more.

Why North Park?

North Park focuses on the application of psychology as a science and a profession—providing rigorous training in scientific research techniques while teaching you to apply scientific principles and practices in the real world. Our diverse, urban setting complements the psychological concepts of understanding, serving, and improving the lives of others. Students will integrate hands-on learning, internship, and service opportunities with small group discussions that incorporate issues of faith, spirituality, and culture to provide a more holistic understanding of all individuals.

Careers and Graduate School

Many psychology majors pursue careers and graduate study in counseling, marriage and family counseling, social work, school psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. Recent North Park graduates have attended Boston College, Northwestern University, Washington University of St. Louis, University of Minnesota, Loyola University of Chicago, and University of Pittsburgh.

Internships

North Park partners with many Chicago nonprofits, businesses, and social service agencies to offer internship opportunities. Our students have worked and learned at organizations including Jumpstart, Chicago Public Schools, Swedish Covenant and Ravenswood Covenant Hospitals, Chicago Counseling Center, Lydia House, Cornerstone Counseling Center, Tuesdays Child, and Augustana Home.

Alumni Profile

The psychology program gave Anna Marshall C’07 freedom to explore different areas of the discipline and find out what was most interesting to her, along with training in practical, professional skills. She now uses her degree, along with a desire to help people, to work with autistic children.

Learn more about Anna.

Meet the Faculty

Dr. Elizabeth Gray

A strong proponent of good teaching and the liberal arts, Dr. Gray believes a psychology major at North Park will prepare students for a career and for life.

Learn more about Dr. Gray and the psychology faculty.

Ongoing Research

Psychology faculty conduct and direct various research on campus, including one project that looks at how infants and toddlers learn language.

Learn more about the Baby Lab.

Interesting Classes

Explore all the key psychology topics in small classes that allow you to get to know your professors, including:

Stress and Health
Behavioral Neuroscience
Developmental Psychology
Abnormal Psychology

Learn more about the psychology course offerings and major requirements.

Next Steps

Program Requirements

Major coursework:
36 (BA) or 52 (BS) credit hours
46 general education credits
120 total credits for graduation
Full program requirements