Psychology

This page covers:

Psychology Programs

Note:

  • Study Abroad programs and Northwestern may have specific prerequisites, including language prerequisites, for admission. Click on the program name, below, to view prerequisites and other details.
  • Northwestern has a number of requirements that students must adhere to while they are abroad. View these requirements.
  • This is a list of affiliated study abroad programs specializing in psychology; other affiliated programs that offer courses in this field.
  • In the UK and Australia, psychology is often more scientific. First year students often take yearlong sequences in quantitative skills; subsequent courses often include a lab component involving quantitative research and mathematical analysis. Students with little math or lab report writing skills often find it challenging and should be careful selecting courses.

English Language Programs

Program Location Coursework NU Terms Abroad
University of Melbourne Melbourne, Australia
  • Undergraduate classes are practical (laboratory) classes designed to give students experience in specific areas of psychology and research.
  • An Insight Lectures series teaches students about different careers and opportunities within psychology.
  • The Psych Society offers special events for psychology students.
  • For more information, see: Department of Psychology's Prospective International Students web site.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
University of Queensland Brisbane, Australia
  • This is the largest Psychology Department in Australia.
  • It offers diverse courses, research opportunities and practical experiences in traditional areas of psychology, including clinical, organizational, developmental, social, health, cognitive, perceptual and experimental psychology, as well as emerging areas such as sports psychology. A strong neurosciences focus encompasses neuropsychology and evolutionary psychology.
  • Students can work in active research programs as volunteer Research Assistants. All courses help students strengthen their scientific writing and methodology skills.
  • Lecturers use multimedia and guest speakers to enrich the classroom experience. Small tutorial groups foster interaction. Full-time tenured staff teaches the vast majority of courses.
  • The department offers bi-weekly seminar forums for formal presentations by academics, PhDs, and Honors students.
  • The department houses many renowned specialist centers.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
University of Sydney Sydney, Australia
  • First established School of Psychology in Australia and currently one of the most prestigious.
  • A range of courses in behavioral, clinical and abnormal psychology taught with a combination of lectures and tutorials.
  • The PSYCHE society offers a variety of lectures and social events for students in the School of Psychology.
  • Visit the School of Psychology's website for specific information for International Students.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Victoria University Wellington, New Zealand
  • The School of Psychology offers more than 20 undergraduate courses in many different areas of psychology.
  • Current research in the School focuses on topics in social, behavioral, developmental, cognitive, biological, cross-cultural, forensic, and clinical psychology.
  • The School offers a variety of seminars and social events throughout the year.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Goldsmiths College, University of London New Cross, England
  • Psychology courses deal with the broad themes of cognition, individual differences, biological and evolutionary issues, social functioning, and life-span development.
  • Various psychology courses offered at all levels.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Oxford University Oxford, England
  • Psychology studies are included in the Experimental Psychology and Psychology, Philosophy, and Physiology (PPP) department.
  • Students engage in Oxford's unique tutorial style of learning and design courses with tutors upon arrival.
  • Applicants should have completed 3-5 courses at NU in the subjects they plan to take at Oxford and have a 3.6 GPA.
 Full Year
University College London, University of London London, England
  • UCL is especially strong in cognitive neuroscience.
  • Various psychology courses offered including: Memory & Decision, Developmental Psychology, and Topics in Clinical Psychology.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
University of Stirling Stirling, Scotland
  • Several psychology courses offered including: Cognition, Social Psychology, & Learning and the Brain.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
University of Edinburgh Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Several psychology courses offered including: Memory & Perception, Developmental Psychology & Biological Psychology.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Swansea University Swansea, Wales Various psychology courses offered including: Statistics & Experiemental Psychology, Perception, Thinking & Reasoning and Forensic Psychology. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
University College Cork Cork, Ireland Numerous psychology courses offered including: Occupational Psychology, Cognition & Culture, and Learning and Behavior. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland School of Psychology offers several courses including: Cognition, Behavioral Neuroscience, & Rationality and Reasoning. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
American University in Cairo Cairo, Egypt Several elective courses are available, with an emphasis on the physical, cognitive, emotional, personal, and social development from infancy to adulthood. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Danish Institute for Study Abroad
 Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Specialized programs in "Child Diversity & Development" and "Psychology" are open to students majoring in psychology or a related field.
  • Elective courses are also offered in psychology.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Collegium Heironymi Pragensis Prague, Czech Republic Past course offerings have included Topics of Clinical Psychology. Check website for current offerings. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters
Ewha Womans University Seoul, Korea
  • Sub-disciplines within the Psychology department include developmental psychology, counseling psychology, cognitive psychology, consumer and advertising psychology, and psychological measurement.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year

Foreign Language Programs
Program Location Coursework

NU Terms Abroad
Consortium for Advanced Studies in Barcelona (Northwestern Program) Barcelona, Spain A variety of Psychology courses taught in Spanish or Catalan available at the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona and Universitat de Barcelona. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
IFSA-Argentine Universities Program Buenos Aires, Argentina

A variety of psychology courses are available at the partner institutions Universidad de Buenos Aires, Universidad del Salvador and Universidad Cátolica Argentina.

 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
IFSA-Chilean Universities Program Santiago, Chile A variety of psychology courses are available at the partner institution Universidad de Chile. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
IFSA-Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán Mérida, Mexico A variety of psychology courses are available at the partner institution Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Madrid Language and Liberal Arts Program Madrid, Spain Advanced language students who attend for the full year or spring semester can enroll in psychology courses at the partner institution Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Montpellier Integrated Studies Montpellier, France The University of Montpellier offers Psychology courses in social, clinical, early adolescence, children, statistics, cognitive, experimental, and fundamental psychology.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
IES Abroad Berlin Berlin, Germany
  • German-taught classes in Psychology available at Humboldt University and Freie University.
  • Language prerequisite: FQ, FY: 2 years of college level German or the equivalent. WSQ: 2.5 years.


 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
IES Abroad Freiburg Freiburg, Germany
  • German-taught classes in Psychology available at Albert Ludwigs University.
  • Language prerequisite: FQ, FY: 2 years of college level German or the equivalent. WSQ: 2.5 years.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year

Tips for Earning Major/Minor Psychology Credit Abroad

  • The Psychology Department will accept up to 4 credits from abroad for major requirements and up to 3 credits for minor requirements from students studying abroad for a full academic year. A student studying abroad for less than a full year can generally count a maximum of 2 credits towards a psychology major or minor. Additional psychology classes beyond those counted toward the major/minor can generally count as WCAS electives.
  • Meet with Joan Linsenmeier to receive approval for studying abroad and also for advice on abroad classes that will fit into your requirements.
  • Inform your psychology department advisor that you will be abroad.
  • It is often an excellent idea to take a course that interests you and is not taught at NU. However, while such courses often count as 300-level courses for the major, they are much less likely to count toward your Column A (social/personality/clinical), Column B (cognitive/neuroscience), or research requirements.
  • If you are a psychology major who will be abroad for all of your junior year, then you should complete Psychology 201 and 205 before you go, and you should at least get started on your Column A and Column B requirements. This will make it much easier for you to complete your major requirements when you return.
  • Many psychology students become involved in 399-Independent Study or 397-Advanced Supervised Research during their junior year. If you are not at Northwestern during your junior year, then you will miss out on some opportunities to take part in these hands-on research activities. What you gain through study abroad may certainly more than make up for what you miss, but you should be aware of the fact that this is one of the drawbacks.
  • Selection for the Honors Program in Psychology takes place in spring quarter of the junior year. If you will be studying abroad at this time and you would like to be considered for the Honors Program, be sure to talk with Professor Barbara Havlik O'Brien, the Director of the Honors Program, before you go.

Northwestern Contacts for Studying Psychology Abroad

  • Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies Joan Linsenmeier, Phone: 847-491-7834, Location: 2029 Sheridan Road # 311
  • Assistant Chair (Director of Honors Program) Barbara Havlik O'Brien, Phone: 847-467-1839, Location: 2029 Sheridan Road #102
  • Undergraduate Secretary Ginger Gilmore, Phone: 847-491-5190, Location: 2029 Sheridan Road #102