Psychology

Why Study Psychology?

As a student in the Wheaton College undergraduate psychology program, you’ll learn the traditional theoretical, empirical, and applied areas of psychology and clinical psychology and gain insights into how to understand human behavior. We’ll teach you how to conduct psychological research and how to evaluate the important theories and presuppositions in psychology from a Christian perspective. You’ll be prepared to meet academic standards required for graduate work in any number of areas, including psychology, neuroscience, medicine, law, theology, etc. You’ll also be exposed to principles of human behavior that promote success in any area of life, from the job market, to parenting and beyond!


Why Study Psychology at Wheaton?

What Will I Learn?

Consult the course catalog for full listing of current courses available in this field.

PCFT Sona Recruitment
Are you an undergraduate interested in participating in a research study for extra credit in your psychology course? 

Amy Sparks '19 Spotlight Image Square
Amy Sparks '19
PhD student in Clinical Psychology program at University of Central Florida
A Supportive Department
"What makes the psychology department at Wheaton so excellent is the many relationships you foster with professors... They always had the door open for me."
Daniel Omura '19 Spotlight Image Square
Daniel Omura '19
student at IUPUI's(Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis) addiction neuroscience PhD program
Lessons in Christian Psychology
"[The psychology department faculty and staff] gave me the tools necessary to not only be successful in the areas of psychology and neuroscience but also to navigate those fields and other life situations with nuanced Christian world view."
HyeRim Ryu '19 Spotlight Image Square
HyeRim Ryu '19
student in MS in Marriage and Family Therapy program at Northwestern University
Psychology and Philosophy
"In particular, my experience as a psychology major has helped develop my conviction that relationships, among other things, are at the core of an individual’s well-being."
Kayley Goertzen '19 Spotlight Image Square
Kayley Goertzen '19
student in the two-year Masters in Occupational Therapy program at Colorado State University
Seeking Restoration
"The professors helped me look at the world through lenses of multi-causality, hope, lament, and deep compassion."
Lindsey Freier '19 Spotlight Image Square
Lindsey Freier '19
Student in Industrial Organizational Ph.D. program at Bowling Green State University
Strong Relationships
"Wheaton professors want to invest in students as individuals, not only on an intellectual level, but also on a personal and spiritual level."

Possible Careers for Psychologists

Overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Center for Vocation and Career will be happy to partner with you in exploring the many options available to you with this flexible major.

A psychology education may be applied to a wide variety of endeavors such as retail management, human resource management, teaching, or law enforcement.

Many community agencies (police departments, community mental health facilities, halfway houses, etc.) need people with training in psychology to work as staff or assistants. Employment also is available within psychiatric divisions of general hospitals or in mental health institutions. The Center for Vocation and Career will be happy to partner with you to explore all the career options available to you with this flexible degree.

The curriculum in the School of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy provided me the freedom to explore the many facets of the world of psychology, while also being able to hone in on my specific areas of interest — family psychology. The faculty are some of the best examples of servant leaders on campus. I feel prepared for the next step because of the constant encouragement from the department to chase after my goals. — Bornell Nicholson '15
My internship allowed me to experience residential treatment of addiction in teens . . . instilled in me an appreciation for the courage of those seeking recovery . . . and prepared me for my first full-time job in a community mental health organization after graduation. — James Entner '04
The research opportunities in the department were among the most helpful experiences at Wheaton for preparing me for graduate school in psychology. The opportunity to work closely with experienced faculty on interesting research sparked my interest in the field and prepared me well for where I am now. — Doug Addleman '15
Without a doubt, the faculty at Wheaton have significantly helped my development as a young psychologist. Wheaton faculty have helped foster spaces where I was encouraged to grow into my best person, to strive towards excellence, and to foster charitable communities. . . . The curriculum encouraged me to think deeply and critically about the world, and to prayerfully engage it to create growth. — Jon Tsen '16

School of Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy