Psychology

Prepare for a rewarding career helping others in your community.
Psychology Class
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Internships and research opportunities
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Bachelor's to master's program
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Hands-on learning in our interview labs

Explore the Science of Human Behavior With a Minor or BS Degree in Psychology

If you are interested in the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes, a psychology major or minor may be for you. In a psychology degree program, you will explore:

  • Emotions
  • Human development
  • Memory
  • Mental health
  • Social influences on behavior
  • The brain

At Viterbo University, you will gain strong communication, critical thinking, data visualization, and research skills, preparing you for graduate school or diverse careers.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Our psychology majors pursue their unique interests and learn from faculty with fascinating research interests like:

  • Belonging
  • Conspiracy theories
  • Mental health counselor training

Upon completing your BS degree in psychology, you can enroll in an advanced degree program or pursue any number of careers. The critical thinking skills and insights into human behavior you gain in our psychology degree program can be applied to many fields.

Psychology Minor

A minor in psychology allows you to supplement your major with valuable insights into the human mind. This minor would benefit business, criminal justice, education, and nursing students, among others.

Substance Abuse Counseling Minor

According to American Addiction Centers, 48.5 million Americans battled a substance use disorder in the last year. Because of the widespread addiction epidemic, there is a strong demand for substance abuse counselors.

A substance abuse counseling minor helps you address the growing challenges of addiction and recovery to make a positive impact on individuals and communities. This program meets the education requirement for obtaining a Wisconsin Substance Abuse Counselor certification. 

Psychology Major Highlights

When you choose Viterbo for your Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree, you will learn from experienced faculty members, receive experiential training in the classroom and through internships, and strengthen your interviewing and counseling skills.

  • Campus facilities. Psychology majors have access to our digital video laboratory facilities, allowing you to participate in interviewing and mock counseling, enhancing your communication and interpersonal skills. The labs are near faculty offices and classrooms, making it easy to stay connected to the psychology department.
  • Expert faculty. Our faculty are leaders in their fields, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise to the psychology degree program. With small class sizes and one-on-one mentoring, you will have the opportunity to form a close working relationship with your instructors, with the option to collaborate on independent research projects.
  • Hands-on learning. The psychology major includes an internship or advanced research project, which offers valuable real-world experience, preparing you for employment or continued education after graduation. Internships are offered through local service agencies.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology Degree?

Earning your BS degree in psychology opens doors to many opportunities. Many students pursue careers in counseling and work with children, adolescents, or adults with mental health and substance abuse issues. Others pursue psychological research and work at universities or private research organizations. You can also use your background in psychology as a pathway into the business world or nonprofit agencies.

Our alumni have gone on to work as:

  • Behavioral specialists
  • Psychometrists
  • Substance abuse counselors (when they complete our minor)

We also prepare you to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees, with many of our psychology majors advancing to graduate school.

Financial Aid for Psychology Degree Programs

We are committed to providing an affordable private education to all. Viterbo offers many scholarships for all students, and psychology majors may qualify for national scholarships offered by organizations like the Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarship and the Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarship.

My favorite thing about being a student at Viterbo is my ability to grow in any direction. At Viterbo, there have been endless opportunities for me and countless resources and faculty to help me along the way. I enjoy the sense of community and relationships I have gained throughout my time here.”

—Ahna Henrickson

Examples of Psychology Degree Program Courses

We offer classes in key areas of contemporary psychology, including:

  • Behavioral neuroscience
  • Clinical and counseling psychology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Social psychology

As a psychology major you will also complete two research courses in which you can explore an area of interest and present a poster on your findings. Unique to our psychology degree program, we also require an interview course that prepares you for graduate school and many careers.

Related Programs at Viterbo University

You can also explore human behavior in programs like:

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Naomi Meinertz’15

Naomi Meinertz ’15

The psychology program at Viterbo was a wonderful program to be a part of because of the varied backgrounds of the professors. Everyone had their strengths and invited students to join in their interests. The psychology department at Viterbo was always welcoming and caring. The professors actually cared about the students and encouraged the students to engaging with the material and find individual interests. The professors always made time for students who had extra questions and presented opportunities for students that made them more marketable to potential employers and graduate schools.”
Hunter Nelson

Hunter Nelson ’18

My favorite thing about the psychology program was how close we ended up getting. We all would have the same classes with the same professors so it helped to reach out when we needed help with things. Everyone was so helpful, students and professors alike, so it felt as if we were kind of a family. I also liked how we got realistic practice—the papers we typed, the interviews we simulated, and the presentations we gave were similar to the skills needed in the field.”
Erin (Mulcahy) Burns ’16

Erin (Mulcahy) Burns ’16

The psychology department at Viterbo felt more like a close group of friends and mentors than a group of peers and educators. Each faculty member took the time to get to know me not only as a student, but also as a human being. I feel that the faculty truly cared about my success and well being. The professors in the psychology department demonstrated how passionate they are about the field of mental health each and every day. I felt challenged to grow as a person and a professional under their guidance. The psychology department allowed me to make connections beyond my education that I will continue to rely on in a personal and professional manner throughout my career.”
Haley Lamprecht

Haley Lamprecht ’12

Case Manager, Family & Children's Center

My favorite thing about being a psychology major at Viterbo was the abundance of opportunities for growth as an individual and as a learner. The professors encouraged individual exploration and related this to our learning within the classroom.”