Career Exploration Center (CEC)
Explore the next steps in your academic and career journey

Psychology

Psychology, College of Letters and Science
Jenny Saffran, second from right in tan shirt, professor of psychology, talks with mother Rebecca Cuningham and her 15-month-old daughter, Arella Wedell-Cuningham, at the Infant Learning Lab in the Waisman Center. (Photo by: Jeff Miller)

Advising: 

  • If you are a transfer students or your last names begins with A-E, meet with Melanie Jones
  • If your last name begins with F-Z, meet with Valerie Johnson
  • If you are a student in the Honors program (Honors in the Liberal Arts or Honors in the Major) or on probationary status, meet with Stephanie Osborn.
  • All students are also encouraged to utilize weekly drop-in hours.

Departmental Office: 1202 W. Johnson St. Advising offices are in 426, 428, 430 Psychology; 608-262-2077 and 608-262-8766; http://glial.psych.wisc.edu/index.php/psychsplashundergrads

Field of Study: The science of behavior (both human and other animals). Includ

es analysis from genetic, physiological, developmental, learning, cognitive, social, and clinical perspectives. The department emphasizes biological approaches to the study of behavior.

Possible Careers: College professor; research scientist; neuropsychologist; clinical psychologist; consultant to business and industry in management, marketing and human factors; physician; veterinarian, lawyer.

Special Opportunities & Additional Information

  • Psychology Club, the club is intended for all students interested in the field of psychology and you do not have to be a Psychology major to be involved
  • Psi Chi, a national honors society for psychology majors and Psychology Club, open to all students
  • Majors with a 3.0 or better grade point average may register for research credits with a department faculty member (authorization required).
  • Awards for Best Paper in Psychology 225 (Experimental Psychology), Community Service, Research & Travel, Promising Students, and more
  • Psychology majors have entered the best programs in the mental health professions, education, and medical, law and business schools.
  • Although jobs are available with a bachelors degree, a graduate degree is needed for professional positions.
  • Many students have double majors with Biology, Zoology, Anthropology, or Biological Aspects of Conservation.
  • Honors in the Major option
Selected Required Courses
  • Intro Biology: Zoology 101-102; or Biology 151-152; or Biocore; or score of 4 or 5 on AP Biology
  • Calculus: Not required, but Calculus may be helpful for advanced statistics
  • General Chemistry: Not required, but recommended for students with an interest in Neuroscience
  • Organic Chemistry: Recommended, but recommended for students with an interest in Neuroscience
  • Physics: Not required, but recommended for students with an interest in Neuroscience
    Statistics: Psych 210; or Stats 371; or Soc 360; or Gen Bus 303