Bachelor in Psychology

Psychology majors at Northwest learn the scientific study of a person’s thoughts and behaviors. Northwest faculty help students understand three core areas: scientific research methods that enhance critical thinking skills, evidence and claims knowledge; insight of an individual’s personal behavior, motives and thought processes; and the understanding of the biological and social factors that contribute to human development, cognitive skills, relationships, and personality.

Career Opportunities

More than 94% of students who graduated with a degree in psychology obtained employment or continued their education within six months after graduation. Below is a list of possible job titles:

• Crisis Counselor
• Family Counselor
• Social Worker
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Youth Counselor

*Based on self-reported data in recent years.

Study Abroad

Study Abroad is an opportunity for students to apply hands-on international experience to their own academic development. Faculty members supervise short-term study abroad programs that prepare students before, during and after the program. Two types of study abroad programs are available – faculty-led and traditional study abroad.

The traditional program may be a semester, summer or year-long program and is taught by Northwest’s international partner institutions. Students from the business school have recently traveled and studied in China, Africa and Eastern Europe including Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Internships

Although internships are not required in the psychology major, they are highly encouraged to gain hands-on, real-world experience.

Requirements

Psychology Major, 36 hours: B.S.—Minor Required

Students choosing a major in Psychology must take the following courses:

Psychology Major, 30 hours: B.A.—Minor Required Students choosing a major in Psychology must take the following courses:

Established in 1905, Northwest Missouri State University is a state-assisted, comprehensive four-year regional university that also offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus as well as its Northwest-Kansas City location at the Northland Innovation Center and through Northwest Online.

Northwest offers 127 undergraduate programs and 40 graduate programs. Career Services offers an "Exploring Majors" fair where students may learn about different majors and find a major that is the perfect fit for them. Northwest advocates for profession-based experience in every area of study. At Northwest's Horace Mann Laboratory School, students majoring in education begin observing and practicing in the teaching profession immediately. Other profession-based experiences include work at Northwest's R.T. Wright Farm, radio and television stations, and a variety of internships.