General Psychology
The general psychology major is excellent preparation for either clinical/counseling work or nonclinical work in such areas as industrial organization, higher education, and/or laboratory research work. It also provides solid undergraduate preparation for future graduate studies in psychology or related social sciences like the field of social work. Through this major, students will not only learn content material in psychology, but will also acquire critical thinking and problem-solving skills in interactive classroom experiences with professors and experiential learning opportunities in the community.
Program Details
Program Overview
If you are interested in working in a non-clinical work area such as research, higher education or industrial organization, the psychology major with an emphasis in non-clinical theory and practice is for you. The program will prepare you for graduate studies in psychology.
Program Concentrations
This program is made up of the following concentrations. Learn more about concentrations.Concentration Overview
This concentration includes foundational classes in psychological theory, research, and content areas.
Concentration Overview
This concentration enhances students’ general knowledge of the various disciplines within the field of psychology, including human development and identity, and issues surrounding health and wellness.
Courses in this Concentration
Concentrations on this page are required for this program. Additional courses or concentrations may need to be added to meet program or credit requirements.
Program Coursework
- Applied Statistics
- General Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Psychological Research Methods and Advanced Statistics
- Applied Research
- History and Systems of Psychology
- Life Span Human Development
- Drugs and Behavior
- Health Psychology
- Personality Theory
- Women, Gender and Sexualities
The specific degree requirements on the website are for illustrative purposes and may change at any time. Please contact the Registrar's Office, Academic Advising or refer to the course catalog for detailed program requirements.
Program Outcomes
- Students demonstrate knowledge and understanding in selected content areas of psychology including (1) developmental changes in behavior and mental processes across the life span, (2) clinical/counseling psychology, (3) biological bases of behavior and mental processes, and (4) diversity issues in psychology.
- Students are able to explain, compare and contrast, and describe advantages and limitations of the major perspectives of psychology (e.g., behavioral, biological, cognitive, evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural).
- Students are able to design and/or conduct basic research studies to explore psychological questions.
- Students develop and use critical thinking skills to verify psychological concepts and to challenge claims that arise from myths, stereotypes, or untested assumptions. Students recognize the necessity of ethical behavior in all aspects of psychology.
- Students learn to recognize and respect human diversity.
Liberal Arts Core
LEADERSHIP: 4 credits
- Freshman Seminar (1 cr.)
- Spiritual & Ethical Literacy (3 cr.)
- Personal Branding Communication (3 cr.)
- Writing for the 21st Century (3 cr.)*
- Quantitative Problem Solving (3 cr.)*
- Language & Culture (3 cr.)
CORE LITERACIES: 15 credits – Choose one (1) course from each broad theme. Course options can be found in the course catalog or on the academic advising page. Broad themes are:
- Narratives of Identity (3 cr.)
- Science, Environment & Culture (3 cr.)
- Social Tensions (3 cr.)
- The American Experience (3 cr.)
- Approving the Better Things (3 cr.)
Professional Core
Culminating Experience
- Pre-Internship
- Internship
- Capstone
Internship Insights
- Autism Intervention Milwaukee
- Pediatric Psychology Associates
- The Walker's Point Youth and Family Center
- Port Washington School District
- Milwaukee Mind-Body Wellness
- Ozaukee Community Therapies
Psychology at Stritch
Hear from Carole Hetzel and Gal Dahan about our Psychology program
Stritch Students Presented at 2022 MPA Conference
Psychology students Tricia Zimmerman, Gal Dahan and Sabhia Uyaner were invited to the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago on April 21 to present at the 2022 Midwestern Psychology Association Conference. They presented their research project, "Students Inadequately Trained and Less Engaged in Online Courses Due to Covid-19" from their Research Methods course.
Midwestern Psychological Association
The Midwestern Psychological Association hosts annual meetings that provide insights and opportunities to share psychological research findings throughout various areas of psychology. The meeting brings together leading psychologists from around the world to present topics in current psychological science, workshops with teachings of psychology, research methods, statistics, and discussion groups to share ideas and interests.
Psi Chi Chapter at Stritch
Cardinal Stritch University is one of the many institutions to offer a Psi Chi Chapter. Members of Psi Chi use this opportunity to build relationships between faculty and students outside of the classroom- throughout involvement in the community and support each other’s educational journeys.
What can you do with a psychology degree?
Employment for individuals with degrees in psychology is expected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth for clinical, counselling, and school psychologists is projected to grow 20 percent from 2014-2024, and 19 percent for industrial-organizational psychologists (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).
This is good news for those who plan to pursue graduate school in psychology. For those who are interested in beginning their careers immediately after completing their four-year degree, psychology is a versatile major regarding employability in occupations such as Human Resource specialists. Law enforcement personnel, victim advocacy, research assistants, college admission counselors, and registered behavior technicians (RBT).
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Learn more about what having a psychology degree has to offer at the American Psychological Association website.
Contact admissions or the program faculty with questions about this program.
Allison Rulseh
Chair - Social Sciences|Faculty - Psychology