Psychology Minor

The minor in psychology is very useful for those in any major dealing with human or animal behavior, development, cognition, or perception. It is also an excellent minor for those wanting to pursue health-related fields, such as physical or occupational therapy. Students who minor in psychology often major in education, human resource development, biology, social work, justice studies, and philosophy.

Minor in Psychology Program Requirements (19 credit hours)
Required Courses

1. PSYC-200 General Psychology (4 credit hours)

2. PSYC-202 Statistics and Research Methods I (3 credit hours)

3. Select one course from each Core area (9 credit hours):

Core A (3 credit hours)

  • PSYC-350 Physiological Psychology, or
  • PSYC-370 Theories of Learning, or
  • PSYC 371 Neuropsychology, or
  • PSYC-373 Human Perception, or
  • PSYC-375 Cognitive Psychology

Core B (3 credit hours)

  • PSYC-330 Psychology of Personality, or
  • PSYC-340 Abnormal Psychology

Core C (3 credit hours)

  • PSYC-310 Developmental Psychology, or
  • PSYC-360 Social Psychology

4. One elective course in psychology (200 or 300 level) is also required (3 credit hours).

Gerontology Minor

Minor in Gerontology Program Requirements (18 credit hours)

The minor in gerontology is designed to help meet the need for trained professionals in the field of aging. Students gain theoretical knowledge about the process of aging as well as the practical knowledge needed to work with the aged. Courses focus on both middle-aged and older adults.

Required Courses:

  • PSYC 324 Geropsychology (3 credit hours)
  • PSYC 325 Psychosocial Development and Aging  (3 credit hours)
  • PSYC 202 Statistics and Research Methods I [Waived and replaced if PSYC major] (3 credit hours)
  • PSYC 328 Seminar in Aging (3 credit hours)
  • PSYC 391 Field Experience [Internship] (3 credit hours)
  • An interdisciplinary elective [200 or 300 level] (3 credit hours)

Transfer Courses

Transfer courses must be approved by the department before being applied to the major or minors. For transfer students at least one half of the coursework applied towards the completion of the major (22 semester hours) or minors (9 semester hours) must be completed at NEIU.

No more than two courses (6 semester hours) transferred in from junior/community colleges may be applied to the major or minors. Junior/community college courses will not replace 300-level NEIU Psychology courses, even in the event that they share the same name. Students who transfer in an approved 3 credit hour course equivalent to General Psychology may complete the major with 43 credit hours, or the psychology minor with 18 credit hours.

The same courses may not be used to fulfill requirements in two different programs within the department.  This applies to students who choose to major in Psychology and minor in Gerontology.