Psychology program

MUndergrad major mUndergrad minor

Are you interested in human emotion, memory, motivation and personality?

Psychology is an exploration of the mind, mental processes and behaviors of both humans and non-human animals. While some psychology majors continue on to earn advanced degrees and become psychologists, undergraduate study in psychology can be applied in a wide variety of careers or graduate programs in areas from social services to business management to education.

Psychology is one of the most popular majors at UWL with about 750 declared majors and 400 psychology minors. The major provides a strong grounding in both liberal arts and the scientific method. Psychology students are encouraged to pursue fieldwork, internships and research.

Thank you La Crosse for shaping me into the individual I am today. Between the quaint campus, amazing professors, and wonderful students, I have officially fallen in love with this university, and I am so proud to say that I am an alumnus from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse!

Skyler Bohn

Psychology jobs

In order to be a psychologist, an advanced degree is required. However, many careers are available to students with bachelor's degrees. The growth in jobs with a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in psychology is moderate; it is strong in most fields requiring a graduate degree. Although psychology majors tend to make less money upon graduation than other majors do, their earnings are similar to other liberal arts majors. Additionally, the difference tends to be mainly because many psychology majors work in human service fields that tend to pay less.  Learn more on the Psychology Department career page.

Psychology careers

  • Social worker
  • Community program director
  • Volunteer coordinator
  • Employee development and training
  • Residential care for elderly or other groups
  • Banking
  • Customer service and sales
  • Public relations
  • Student affairs
  • Alumni development
  • Corrections officer
  • Juvenile intake worker
  • Parole officer
  • Child care worker
  • Peace Corps
  • Teacher’s aide
  • Marketing research
  • Opinion survey research
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Psychology definition

Psychology is vast area of study with many sub-disciplines. All share the common goal of better understanding the mind and behaviors. UWL offers courses in several subfields including developmental, educational, experimental, social, clinical, counseling and cross-cultural.

What distinguishes UWL's Psychology program?

Faculty come from diverse fields

The Psychology Department has 26 full-time instructors, and 23 hold doctoral degrees. The faculty represent a variety of psychology-related fields including experimental, educational, developmental, social, school, cross-cultural, clinical and counseling.
Research and other hands-on experiences available

Psychology students are encouraged to pursue fieldwork, internships and research experience. Faculty are highly encouraged to involve undergraduates in their research. Every year, a select number of advanced students present independent research projects at regional conferences.
Experimental laboratory and research spaces

The Psychology Department has access to facilities including an experimental laboratory, research and testing rooms and a computer laboratory with statistical software available.
Student involvement opportunities

Two student clubs are active, the Psychology Club, which is open to all interested students, and Psi Chi, an honors association for psychology majors. Also, the two primary professional organizations related to psychology offer student memberships. They are the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science. 
Choose your path

The Psychology Department offers both a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science major in psychology. Minors are also available in psychology, as well as a variety of related minors: Psychology Education Minor, Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Minor, At-Risk Child & Youth Care Minor and a Gerontology Emphasis. View Psychology Department majors and minors.
Students are encouraged to explore diverse disciplines

The department encourages students to take courses in other departments and/or pursue minors or emphases. Popular programs to combine with psychology include:

  • Sociology (including the minor in criminal justice)
  • Political Science
  • Public Administration
  • Communication Studies
  • Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
  • Environmental Studies
  • Ethnic and Racial Studies
  • At-Risk Child and Youth Care
  • Neuroscience
  • Professional Writing
  • Spanish.
  • Interdisciplinary "make-your-own-minor," or CASSH program option

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