Offering hands-on training to prepare graduates for a rewarding career helping people in their community.
Program Information
Viterbo psychology students develop skills that prepare them for rewarding career opportunities from counseling to psychological research and work at universities or private research organizations. Students receive training in key areas of contemporary psychology, including clinical and counseling psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. The major includes an internship or advanced research project, which offers valuable hands-on experience that prepares students for employment or continued education after graduation. Students in this major also benefit from our digital video laboratory facilities, which allows them to participate in interviewing and mock counseling that provides training in communication and interpersonal skills. Our psychology degree also provides the option for students to complete coursework required to become a licensed substance abuse counselor.
Internships and research opportunities
4+2
Bachelor's to master's program
Hands-on learning in our interview labs
Psychology (BS)
Viterbo’s psychology program provides students with faculty mentors who teach a curriculum that includes development, emotions, social influences on behavior, the brain, cognitive processes, mental health, communication, and interpersonal skills. The coursework and experiences in this program prepare students to become licensed counselors or to pursue advanced degrees in a variety of medical, research, private, or nonprofit sectors.
Psychology (Minor)
Minors at Viterbo University generally require between 15–25 credits upon completion. Transfer courses and waivers and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.
Substance Abuse Counseling (Minor)
The Substance Abuse Counseling minor at Viterbo University develops the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to identify and treat substance abuse issues including utilizing resources and referrals, as well as delivering effective intervention and treatment services. This program uses evidence-based training practices incorporating digital video technology to provide students with immediate feedback on skill development. This minor is a good choice for interested students pursuing careers in psychology, nursing, social work, criminal justice, clergy, health care, or education. Per Wisconsin state regulations, students who wish to obtain a Wisconsin state Substance Abuse Counselor certification must complete both 360 hours of classroom education and 4,000 hours of patient counseling experience. The requirements of the Substance Abuse Counseling minor meet the 360 hours of classroom education requirement.
Kaitlin Babcock Leads Green Bandana Project
Kaitlin Babcock hopes to see as many people as possible sporting a green bandana in the coming months. The Green Bandana project is a mental illness awareness initiative in which participants tie a green bandana to their backpa...
Psychology Student Seizes the Moment
Allison Dunne has taken full advantage of the opportunities that have come her way since she started studying psychology at Viterbo University.
“I never thought I would be leading the psychology club or starting the Psi Chi ho...
Spotlight on…Nicole (Nikki) Miller ’98
Nikki Miller is a proud 22-year veteran of law enforcement. After graduating from Viterbo in 1998, Miller began working at the La Crosse County Juvenile Detention Facility. She later transferred to the La Crosse County Sheriff’...
Naomi Meinertz ’15
The psychology program at Viterbo was a wonderful program to be a part of because of the varied backgrounds of the professors. Everyone had their strengths and invited students to join in their interests. The psychology department at Viterbo was always welcoming and caring. The professors actually cared about the students and encouraged the students to engaging with the material and find individual interests. The professors always made time for students who had extra questions and presented opportunities for students that made them more marketable to potential employers and graduate schools.”
Hunter Nelson ’18
My favorite thing about the psychology program was how close we ended up getting. We all would have the same classes with the same professors so it helped to reach out when we needed help with things. Everyone was so helpful, students and professors alike, so it felt as if we were kind of a family. I also liked how we got realistic practice—the papers we typed, the interviews we simulated, and the presentations we gave were similar to the skills needed in the field.”
Erin (Mulcahy) Burns ’16
The psychology department at Viterbo felt more like a close group of friends and mentors than a group of peers and educators. Each faculty member took the time to get to know me not only as a student, but also as a human being. I feel that the faculty truly cared about my success and well being. The professors in the psychology department demonstrated how passionate they are about the field of mental health each and every day. I felt challenged to grow as a person and a professional under their guidance. The psychology department allowed me to make connections beyond my education that I will continue to rely on in a personal and professional manner throughout my career.”
Haley Lamprecht ’12
Case Manager, Family & Children's Center
My favorite thing about being a psychology major at Viterbo was the abundance of opportunities for growth as an individual and as a learner. The professors encouraged individual exploration and related this to our learning within the classroom.”
