Abstract graphic of head and brain

Psychology Major

As a psychology major you'll learn to think scientifically about behavior and mental processes, and develop critical-thinking skills as you seek to solve real-life problems utilizing a number of psychological theories.

Your path to your degree will include a variety of general liberal arts courses, relevant and applicable psychology classes, research opportunities, and multi-sensory experiences. This holistic approach is designed to help you apply knowledge, critical and creative thinking, and interpersonal awareness to your work both in and outside of the classroom.

The psychology program at WLC focuses on three goals:

  • Mastery of concepts
  • Research and critical thinking
  • Servant leadership
You'll experience immersive learning alongside expert faculty

At larger schools, students rarely interact directly with professors, especially in introductory courses; even fewer conduct meaningful research side-by-side with those same professors. Our expert faculty work directly with our psychology students, assisting them with all aspects of their undergraduate research - from research design and approval to study and analysis to the culminating written report and poster presentation. Some students even have their research published in academic journals!

The faculty in our psychology department hold doctorate degrees and have meaningful, real-world experience in the field. You’ll benefit from small classes and ample opportunities for one-on-one support.

Our psychology program prepares you for success

On November 12, 2024, 12 senior psychology majors participated in the Psychology ETS Major Field Test. WLC students achieved an outstanding overall score in the 99th percentile among 235 institutions nationwide!

In addition, for the last six years 44% of our psychology majors have presented their research at a regional conference, and 97% of our majors who choose to pursue graduate school get admitted to one of their top three choices.

You’ll graduate prepared to succeed in your post-WLC plans, whether they include graduate school or entering the job market. No matter which path you choose, you’ll carry with you a broad range of skills and experiences that encompass far more than explaining and treating mental illness.

The job outlook for careers within psychology fields is very positive, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting job growth of 7% for psychologists, 19% for mental health counselors, 4% for school counselors, and 16% for family therapists within the ten-year period between 2023 and 2033.

Spotlight on Research and Experiential Learning

Research is integral to our program. You’ll conduct at least two major research studies while you’re here. Psychology-sponsored Research Night usually hosts about 350 students and allows you to collect data from human participants. Each year, many of our students go on to present at regional conferences and some are even published! Students also have the opportunity to serve as a member of the WLC Institutional Review Board.

We believe the best ways for you to gain a better understanding of your interests, values, and skills are to expose you to diverse internships and professionals in various fields. Students are encouraged to engage in at least two internships during their time in the Psychology Department. These settings focus on our students interests and have included internships at the Medical College of Wisconsin helping to conduct concussion research, autism treatment programs implementing behavioral therapy with children, residential treatment programs working with high risk adolescents, birth to three programs, at Children’s Hospital helping to empirically evaluate the efficacy of programs, as well as at homeless shelters, hospitals, private practice settings, and schools.

Live your purpose as a Christian servant leader

Our psychology program is service oriented. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in service projects outside the classroom, including membership in the PSI CHI Honor Society and Psychology Club, attending area psychology conferences, becoming a tutor, volunteering at local foundations and non-profit organizations, serving on the WLC Institutional Review Board, and conducting mission work.

In addition to service opportunities outside of the classroom, our students regularly participate in graduate fairs, alumni networking events, psychology and neuroscience clubs and organizations, and study abroad opportunities with faculty.

Make an impact

Nearly 65% of our psychology majors continue their education in graduate school! A psychology degree from Wisconsin Lutheran College provides a solid educational foundation, broad overview of psychology, and background in appropriate research techniques upon which you’ll be able to succeed in graduate classes.

Areas of graduate study among WLC alumni are diverse and have included the following:

  • Public health
  • Marriage and family therapy
  • Social work
  • Occupational therapy
  • Clinical psychology
  • Rehabilitation psychology
  • School psychology and counseling
  • Art and music therapy
  • Psychometrics

At WLC, psychology is a fantastic liberal arts degree, incorporating elements of the humanities, biology, mathematics, health sciences, business, communication, education, and sociology. Students leave WLC with a broad range of skills and experiences that encompass far more than explaining and treating mental illness. In addition to traditional work in a psychological field, graduates of our program are finding success in the workplace in a variety of areas, such as: social and community service, government, civil service (e.g. police and FBI), clinical agencies, education, consulting, business and human resources, and public relations.

Psychology Advising Resources

Connect with Psychology Faculty