psy.jpg

Psychology

Explore Human Behavior

Our psychology major will take you on an exploration of human behavior from biological, behavioral, cognitive, social and cultural viewpoints. Learn to conduct scientific research and to evaluate the research of others. Review philosophical issues and concepts important to psychologists. In your capstone course, you’ll develop a thesis and conduct independent research on a topic of interest to you.

What jobs can you take with a
psychology degree?

Traditional therapy practices or non-traditional therapies 

Music therapy

Sports psychology

Drama therapy
Teaching
Graduate school

What’s the Difference at DWU?

  • Develop grounded skills like scientific research methods, evaluation of research, critical thinking and higher-level writing for graduate program applications. 
  • Expand your experiences as a member of Psychology Club, Psi Chi and the American Psychology Association. 
  • Put your education into practice with an internship. 
  • Pair with Mitchell Technical College’s associate degree in Human Services for a 2+2 experience. 

Psychology Courses

Take classes that relate to your areas of interest in our comprehensive, diverse curriculum.

MTH 200 Statistical Methods I
3 Hours
This course is an introduction to descriptive statistics, including graphs, sampling distributions, measures of central tendency, probability theory, hypothesis testing through nonparametric tests, confidence intervals, correlation and regression. Statistical applications, hypothesis testing and the use of statistical software for graphing are emphasized. Prerequisite: MTH 125 or consent of instructor.
PSY 131 General Psychology
Hours
PSY 202 History of Psychology
3 Hours
This course is a study of the major people, movements and events in the evolution of the discipline. This course attempts to make connections between historical and current developments within the field.
PSY 237 Developmental Psychology
3 Hours
This course is a sequential study of the individual from conception to death. Students will study research regarding human physical, cognitive and social-emotional development, along with implications for parents, teachers and counselors.
PSY 333 Cognitive Psychology
3 Hours
This course is a study of the mental processes involved as a person acquires and uses knowledge. Students will explore historical and philosophical issues, including process models, information theory, artificial intelligence, visual and auditory cognition, psycholinguistics, memory, attention, problem solving and concept formation. Prerequisites: PSY 131 and PSY 237.
PSY 381 Psychology Of Personality
3 Hours
This course is a study of the major approaches to the field of personality development, including trait, biological, psychoanalytic, humanistic, behavioral and cognitive research paradigms.
PSY 435 Experimental Psychology
3 Hours
Students will study scientific methodology in general and the experimental method in particular. They will explore classical and contemporary studies in basic and applied psychology. Prerequisites: MTH 200 and PSY 131.
PSY 443 Abnormal Psychology
Hours
PSY 482 Senior Thesis
6 Hours
This course involves a year long research project planned and carried out by the student with guidance from a faculty member. It is an opportunity to exercise the methodological skills and to synthesize the knowledge gained in coursework through the student's program. The student must provide the structure. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours in psychology courses.
SOC 332 Social Psychology
3 Hours
Students will study individual attitudes, self-development and behavior as affected by group interaction. Attention is given to socio-biology, symbolic interactionism, Freudian psychology and experimental social psychology.

Get to Know Your Professors

Our low student-to-faculty ratio offers valuable one-on-one interaction with our professors.

Anne Kelly, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychology | Dean of the Ron and Sheilah Gates College of Business, Education and Social Science

Randy Sprung, M.S.

Associate Professor of Behavioral Sciences

Intern or Shadow

When you embark upon an internship, you put your education into practice with the support of faculty behind you. Talk to your adviser about internship or shadowing options.

Get Involved

Join Psychology Club, Psi Chi and the American Psychological Association with the help of your professors. Connect with professionals through these prestigious organizations. 

Psychology as a Minor

Explore and expand your base of academic and professional preparation by pairing a psychology minor with a major like business or criminal justice. Your adviser can show you how to put it all together. 

Related Majors & Minors

Communication

Excellent communication skills are sought by every employer, and it’s a true professional who elevates the skill of communicating to an art.

    Education

    You can have a profound impact on the next generation when you enroll in an education program at DWU.

      Allied Health

      Be ready for the positions that comprise over half the jobs in healthcare today, such as medical technologist, occupational therapist or physical therapist.

        Criminal Justice

        Discover ways to use your talents for law, law enforcement, juvenile support, corrections, court reporting or many other ways that are a part of the United States legal system.

          footer-banner-biology.jpg

          I'm a

          Please mail information about Dakota Wesleyan University.

          Name of High School *:
          High School Graduation Year *:
          Academic Interests *:
          Extracurricular Interests:
          Comments/Questions: