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Psychology (B.S.)

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IF YOU’RE FASCINATED by how and why humans behave in certain ways, you just might find yourself in demand in a dizzying array of industries. Think about it. The study of psychology offers unique career pathways, from the social sciences and services to education; from healthcare to business, finance, sales or industrial organization; or from human resources to criminalistics.*

While psychology is one of the three most likely majors to spur individuals to seek a graduate degree, according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, more than half of all psychology majors enter the workforce with options.

As a JWU psychology major, you’ll be able to experience our academic advantages. These include small classes; faculty who get to know you, mentor you, work with you to achieve success; experiential learning and clinical opportunities from early in your academic career; and access to valuable networks that our faculty — who bring their own practical experiences to the classroom — maintain.

Our curriculum also lets you select from a generous choice of free electives and minors, where you can explore additional interests and potential career tracks. Pursue an 8-course Counseling Psychology specialization to discover effective counseling practices in a supervised clinical environment, or choose to study the theories and techniques of group therapy, crisis management, marriage and family, addiction or case management.

*U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey

I love the idea of what makes people act the way they do. I loved the environment. It’s a smaller school with more chances of learning what I want and learning it well. JWU Psychology Major

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This program is available in Providence, Denver and Online. To view a full course listing for each on-campus location, see the JWU Catalog links below.

Featured Faculty

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Jonathan Mosko

Associate Professor

I am a Counseling Psychologist by training. Prior to joining the program at Johnson & Wales, I worked as a full time therapist at Ohio University + Virginia Tech.

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Allison Kramer

Associate Professor

I have presented research on ethics and best practices in counseling at numerous conferences, including the American Counseling Association and American Psychological Association.

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Mari Dias

Professor

In 2013, she traveled as a Fulbright Scholar Specialist to South Africa, where she trained students at the University of Zululand in counseling theories and techniques.

Sample Courses

  • Professional Issues and Ethics in Psychology
  • Cultural Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Personality
  • Research Seminar in Psychology
  • Psychology Internship

Explore the full JWU Catalog course listing for your respective campus:

Providence Denver Online

In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options such as Directed Experiential Education (DEE), internship, minor or study abroad. You are encouraged to contact an advisor before scheduling free elective credits.

Occupational Outlook*

Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.

Occupation Growth Median Salary
Child, family, and school social workers 14% $44,380
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists 14% $75,090
Education administrators, postsecondary 10% $92,360
Industrial-organizational psychologists 8% $87,100
Psychiatric Technicians 6% $31,670
Psychologists 14% $77,030
Psychology teachers, postsecondary 15% 73,770
School and career counselors 13% $55,410
Social and Human Service Assistants 16% $33,120
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary 10% $81,580
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors 23% $43,300

*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Job outlook: 2016-2026. Median salary: 2017.

Considering a graduate degree?

JWU Psychology student between classes

Earn your BS in Psychology and MS in Counseling in just 5 years

If you are eligible, you can apply for JWU’s 3+2 B.S. Psychology/M.S. Addiction Counseling or 3+2 Psychology/M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs.

Receive your bachelor’s degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Addiction Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling within five years, a year ahead of schedule — and start working toward your professional licensure one year sooner.

Pursue an Accelerated Master's degree in Organizational Psychology

While completing your B.S. degree at JWU, you can also begin work on an online M.S. Organizational Psychology through our College of Online Education. Deepen your understanding of how to positively shape workplace environments by studying team dynamics, talent development, organizational culture, and more. Then stand out from the competition with your expertise in the growing field of organizational psychology.

Outside the Classroom

Join the Psych Club or get active with groups addressing autism, dating violence, art therapy or veterans’ issues. Be a part of the Student Athlete Leadership Training (SALT) organization, where counseling students facilitate psycho-educational groups with student athletes on conflict resolution and leadership prep, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills as a group leader.


Fast Fact

Former students of Johnson & Wales University ranked 29th out of over 1,400 institutions in earnings after graduation relative to expected earnings, according to a variety of factors, such as academic preparation, identified in Ranking Your College: Where You Go and What You Make. (Source: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/college-rankings/)