Program(s) Available: B.A., B.A.S., B.S., Minor
Curious about the “why” behind how we act, think and feel – and eager to use that insight to help others? If so, consider a major in psychology at Northwest Missouri State University. Whether it’s hearing from true experts in the field or experiencing hands-on learning in your first semester, our program provides you with career-relevant skills you need to change lives.
The B.S. in psychology is a four-year degree with a focus on research and science, providing an excellent foundation for a wide range of careers or graduate school.
Courses include:
The B.A. in psychology is equivalent to the B.S. in psychology, but requires at least 9 credit hours of a modern language. This requirement is ideal if you want to work with speakers of other languages or gain exposure to global perspectives.
The B.A.S. in psychology is designed for transfer students who’ve completed a vocational, technical or associate degree. It allows you to apply prior courses toward your Northwest degree, shortening your time to graduation and providing you with a personalized, cost-effective path to a bachelor’s in psychology.
Looking for flexible psychology degrees that offer the same quality as on-campus programs? Explore Northwest’s online bachelor’s in psychology program. Designed for busy students, our program allows you to balance work, family or other commitments while still providing the same comprehensive coursework and practical learning experiences as Northwest’s on-campus major.
The psychology minor helps you understand human nature, behavior and decision-making, complementing majors like communications, human services, sociology, criminology, business, mass media, education and pre-law. It is also valuable if you’re a physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing or pre-med major, as it helps you better understand the mind-body connection.
Courses for the psychology minor include:
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Whether it’s participating in a research group in your first semester or building an interactive timeline showcasing the history of psychology, at Northwest, you’ll receive an education you can’t get anywhere else. Through collaborative learning, one-on-one advising and a focus on career readiness, the psychology major provides you with exceptional critical thinking, research, communication and interpersonal skills. Whether you want to help others work through an addiction, improve the lives of children or seniors, open a private practice or pursue an advanced degree, you’ll graduate ready to take the next step.
Build a board game. Present at national conferences. Assist with faculty research — in your first semester. These are just some of the experiences you can expect as a psych major Northwest. Whether you want to go straight into your career or apply to graduate school, your degree from Northwest sets you apart.
Go beyond traditional lecture-style courses and truly connect with professors and peers. Our small class sizes allow you to build strong relationships, receive individualized guidance and, ultimately, flourish. Professors and peers at Northwest want to see you thrive in every aspect of your life, and our classes pave the way for those connections.
Gain global perspectives on topics within psychology and set yourself apart in the field by studying abroad. Recent faculty-led programs have taken students to Ireland and Switzerland, where they explored topics such as childhood development, imagination and play.
Help fight stigmas around mental health by participating in “I Will Listen,” a community-wide event hosted by the Behavioral Science Association. This annual gathering connects you with the community, K-12 schools and local organizations to create open conversations about mental health and well-being.
A bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northwest prepares you for careers in fields ranging from healthcare to human resources. In the mental health field, our graduates go on to work in substance use treatment, children’s services, disability services and behavioral health. You’ll also be equipped to pursue graduate programs in counseling, psychology, social work or related fields.
Specific psychology careers include:
We understand that college is an investment, which is why we’re invested in you. In addition to including your laptop and textbooks in tuition (saving you $7,300 over four years), Northwest offers several ways to fund your psychology degree.
From our commitment to supporting every student to our dedication to promoting mental health awareness, Northwest empowers you to succeed – both in the bachelor’s in psychology program and after graduation.
Whether you want to join an organization focused on psychology (Psi Chi or the Behavioral Health Association), rally around a cause or compete in Esports, there’s an option for you at Northwest. Browse student organizations.
With the most national titles in DII football history, a wide range of sports teams and a community that cheers them on, you’ll feel Bearcat pride wherever you go – and experience a campus that truly feels like home.
“Northwest Health Science and Wellness program is amazing! Due to being a smaller school the department is pretty close knit - you really get to know and connect with all your peers and professors (who are great).”
Sada Irving | Psychology (2024) | Elsberry, Missouri
Focused on student success and nationally and internationally recognized for their contributions to the field, Northwest’s psychology faculty are part of what distinguishes our program from the rest. They specialize in a wide variety of disciplines, including behavioral science, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology and theoretical psychology. You’ll benefit from their commitment to student success with opportunities for student mentorship, applied learning, research and ongoing one-on-one advising.
Psychology can be a challenging major because it requires courses in the sciences and strong critical thinking, research and writing skills. However, Northwest’s small class sizes, supportive faculty and student success center will help you develop the skills you need to do well in the program.
A bachelor’s degree in psychology at Northwest typically takes four years to complete. If you are a transfer student, you may be able to finish sooner by pursuing the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) pathway.
A bachelor’s in psychology provides a foundation for numerous careers and for graduate study in psychology and related disciplines. Psychology majors can go on to work in fields like healthcare, education, criminal justice, marketing, communication, business or academia. Specific roles include community support specialists, behavioral health technicians, substance abuse counselors or patient advocates.
As a psych major at Northwest, you’ll complete several foundational courses in psychology in addition to your general education requirements and electives. These courses include Abnormal Psychology, Research Methods and Developmental Psychology. Additional courses include Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology and Biological Psychology. You’re also required to earn a minor in areas that match your career goals, such as pre-law (if you’re interested in criminal justice careers), communication, child and family studies, general business (if you want to open a private practice), art (if you’re interested in art therapy after graduation) or English.
If you choose the B.A. versus the B.S. in psychology at Northwest, you’ll also be required to take 9 credits of a modern language.
Learn more by viewing the full B.S. in psychology curriculum 
or the full B.A. in psychology curriculum .
The B.S. and B.A. in psychology at Northwest Missouri State University have the same general education and psychology coursework, but the B.A. in psychology requires 9 credits of a modern language such as Spanish or French. The B.A. in psychology is valuable if you’re interested in working with speakers of other languages or other diverse groups.
View the B.S. in psychology coursework or the B.A. in psychology coursework to learn more about the specific differences between the B.S. in psychology and B.A. in psychology at Northwest.
