Psychology (B.A.)

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Psychology (B.A.)

The Psychology program at the University of St. Francis provides students with a solid foundation in the discipline of scientific psychology that prepares student for successful career development—in graduate training or the workplace. As importantly, students experience personal growth that leads toward making a positive contribution to society.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of psychologists is expected to grow 14 percent by 2026—faster than the average for all occupations.

Designed in accordance with the recommended guidelines of the American Psychological Association, USF’s Psychology program offers students flexibility to enter a specified field for advanced post-graduate training. Students may individualize their studies according to their personal interests such as clinical, developmental or social psychology or gerontology. They can gain more experience through USF’s Psychology Club, which offers field trips, social gatherings, admission to psychology conferences and more. Study psychology at USFand you’ll be prepared for a successful future!

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USF has given me an unforgettable experience. Faculty members have allowed me to grow both intellectually and as a person. Each professor has supported me and my goals, and was more than willing to help me achieve anything I set my mind to. I was pushed and motivated to learn, grow, and become a better person. This incredible support system has surrounded me with an incredible group of colleagues, mentors, and friends.

— Autumn Lee

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS DEGREE?

Creative and innovative, psychologists work in a tremendously varied field. They conduct research, diagnose and treat people; test intelligence and personality and assess behavioral and mental functions. They study how human beings relate to one another and even how they relate to machines. Psychologists are health care providers, teachers and consultants to communities and organizations. Business executives, performers and athletes work with psychologists to improve performance. Lawyers often seek the advice of psychologists regarding jury selection or trial strategy. And after a disaster, psychologists work to help victims recover from trauma.

GROW THROUGH REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

USF students get hands-on learning opportunities through faculty-student research projects and internships, either in social service agencies/facilities and business settings or through teaching assistantships and research assistantships with USF faculty. Additionally, two capstone courses are required for the psychology major degree: Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences I gives hands-on experiences so that students learn how to use experimental designs to research and how to write reports in APA style. History and Systems of Psychology gives students experiences on how to do library-based research and synthesize the information according to different schools of thought in psychology.

The University of St. Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and is authorized to operate as a post-secondary institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (ibhe.org).