Psychological Science (B.S.)
People skills like you wouldn't believe: interrogate human behavior with scientific rigor at Chicago's only tech-focused university. Optimize individual and organizational decision making through data-driven behavioral research.
How we perceive our world, interact with our neighbors, make decisions on a daily basis, view our role in society—these are all better understood using psychology.
As a psychological science major, you will learn:
- How people perceive and process information, and how this informs their choices
- Psychological theories in a variety of fields including social, cognitive, clinical, industrial/organizational, development, and neuroscience
- How to apply psychological theories to real-world problems
- How to design research studies, analyze results, and communicate results to a variety of communities
Our psychological science program utilizes the scientist-practitioner model of teaching. This means you will take research-based courses and conduct independent research projects with the guidance of our faculty, which will give you a strong background in scientific thinking. You'll also be able to apply psychological research and principles to the study of contemporary problems in a variety of fields.
Why Study Psychology at a Technology-Focused University?
Studying psychology at Illinois Tech uniquely prepares students to launch their careers. Psychology majors are working alongside computer and data scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and researchers every day, applying their insights in a project-based environment. By understanding how and why people do what they do, Illinois Tech psychology students are helping build a more inclusive, human-focused future.
Program Overview
Connect and collaborate with peers to learn psychological theories and apply them to real-world problems, ranging from healthcare to community safety to human-computer interaction at Chicago's only tech-focused university.
Career Opportunities
Upon graduation, you'll be prepared to step into exciting roles in technology, business, community organizations, and health services with organizations including Meta, TikTok, Nordstrom, Nestle, Bank of America, Northwestern Mutual, the City of Chicago, the Department of Homeland Security, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, SC Johnson, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and many more.
Some common jobs that graduates pursue include:
- Market research analyst
- Human resources manager
- Diversity and inclusion coordinator
- Training/development specialist
- Social worker
- Career counselor
- Gifts officer
- Public relations associate
Want to take your education even further? Our students are primed for postgraduate study; graduates have gone on to pursue advanced study in psychology, medicine, business, law, public health, and public policy at top programs including Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Chicago, Indiana University, and right here at Illinois Tech. Consider an accelerated master’s, completing both B.S. and M.S. in just 5 years. Or, consider our Honors Law Program, which combines study at Illinois Tech with the J.D. program at the Chicago-Kent College of Law, allowing students to graduate earlier and launch their careers. STEM majors can also pursue a master’s of arts in teaching (M.A.T.) and teaching license through our partnership with National Louis University.
A flexible curriculum allows the degree to be customized. You can elect to specialize in clinical, culture and diversity, industrial/organizational, behavioral health and wellness, and rehabilitation services. You will work with a faculty mentor to craft a program of study that supports your interests and career goals.
Your program will also include a capstone project designed to integrate and apply the concepts and skills learned throughout the curriculum. The capstone will be an individually tailored project defined in collaboration with a faculty advisor, which will typically involve either a field placement or research component.
If you have curriculum questions, feel free to contact undergraduate program director Dr. Nicole Legate at nlegate@iit.edu
Students in this program must be admitted to Illinois Tech. Students who are interested in transferring into this program should consult their academic adviser.
From Post-Its to Publication
Associate Professor of Psychology and clinical psychologist Steff Du Bois began to write down therapeutic strategies—often with “punny” names—that he discussed with clients on Post-it notes. In compiling all of these strategies, which Du Bois calls microskills, his book was born.
Learn More
Not Just Fun and Games
Associate Professor of Psychology Arlen Moller is trying to change the way that consumers and game publishers alike view video games.
Learn More“While at Illinois Tech I conducted multiple research studies for my Research Methods and Capstone classes, but also as a research assistant. Dr. Nicole Legate taught the Research Methods class in an innovative, hands-on manner: students were paired in groups of four and worked together during the entire semester to conduct a replication study. This was my very first research experience, and it deeply impacted me as it generated a long-term passion for research. Both the capstone and my research assistant experience prepared me to take on a position as a research specialist right after my graduation from Illinois Tech.”
Featured Faculty
Nicole Legate
Arlen C. Moller
Robert Keating
Jonathon E. Larson
Steff Du Bois
Lindsay Sheehan
Alissa Haedt-Matt
