Psychology

Explore the mysteries of the mind

Are you fascinated by what makes people tick? As an Alverno psychology major, you’ll study the science of how we think, feel and behave.

The broad scope of the Alverno psychology program, paired with our unique training in careful analysis, will prepare you for community health, organizational consulting, academic research and/or clinical practice.

Best of all, you’ll be ready to make a positive impact on each individual you meet, on your community, and your world.

The Alverno difference

Psychology is one of the most popular college majors. In most places, that means taking classes with a few hundred other students at a time, and potentially never interacting directly with your professor. Here, from day 1, you’re in a small group environment, and that lets you have learning experiences that aren’t possible in most places. Your classmates and professors know you as a name, not a number, and will cheer you on every step of the way.

At Alverno, you’ll build both knowledge and skills and apply what you’re learning to real life. So when you leave the classroom for an academic conference or your internship, people will be amazed at your ability to answer questions thoughtfully, think critically, synthesize information, and integrate diverse perspectives. Employers so value these skills that many of our students are hired before graduation!

If you are interested in becoming a licensed professional counselor, Alverno offers an accelerated bachelor's + master's program in psychology that will allow you to earn two degrees in less than six years. Click here to learn more.

As an Alverno psychology student, you will learn to:

• Self-reflect: It’s difficult it is to see our own biases and blind spots, so we reflect on ways to improve in our analysis, communication or interaction with others. We listen to feedback and attempt to minimize any defensiveness that could prevent growth.
• Engage in theoretical reasoning: The study of human behavior is complex, so psychologists carefully evaluate potential explanations. The better we can work with theory, the better we can understand why people do what they do.
• Study human beings in a way that minimizes complications (for example, people behave differently when they know they’re being observed) and interpret study results accurately.
• Be professional in any context, whether you’re interacting with someone as a co-worker, client, research participant, or research consumer.
• Be ethical not only in the pursuit of knowledge but also in its application. We want to use what we know to make life better for other people.

“Alverno presents students with so many great resources to better understand what you can do in the field you have chosen. Alverno helped further by giving me opportunities, like my internship with Wisconsin Early Autism Project, to use the skills I learned in class.”

— Jawahara, psychology major, class of 2021

Alverno psychology graduates are ready to become:

• Licensed professional counselors (with graduate studies)
• School psychologists
• Grant writers
• Training specialists
• Victim/witness advocates
• And more!