May 04, 2026  
2026-2027 Credit Course Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Credit Course Catalog

University Center | Northern Illinois University, Bachelor in Psychology (AA to BA)



By studying psychology, you’ll gain insight into people’s thoughts and behaviors to help improve their lives.

We’re thrilled you’ve chosen to study close to home and learn from NIU faculty who are active researchers in a rapidly evolving field that influences society widely.

Our psychology program offers a wide field of focus that includes child/development psychology, clinical psychology, social psychology and more.

The average mid-career salary for graduates of this program is $77,177.*
Our alumni work in diverse settings such as schools, hospitals, businesses,
government, mental health organizations, labs and nonprofits.

Completing an undergraduate psychology major provides:

  • A strong liberal arts education.
  • Preparation for entry-level employment in a variety of careers.
  • Qualifications for graduate training in mental health fields such as counseling, clinical or school psychology.

 

Reach out to the University Center at McHenry County College (UC MCC) at ucenter@mchenry.edu or 815-479-7600 to make your academic plan.
Apply to NIU as a UC MCC transfer student at niu.edu/apply. Email transfercenter@niu.edu with questions about your application or next steps.
Explore financial aid options at niu.edu/financial-aid and complete your FAFSA at fafsa.gov using NIU school code 001737.

 

You have future plans. We’ll help you achieve them.

NIU Office of Admissions:

transfercenter@niu.edu

815-753-0446

Mandy Wescott
NIU Undergraduate Advisor:
mandy@niu.edu
815-753-0114

NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Office:
clas_advising@niu.edu
815-753-0114

University Center at McHenry County College:

ucenter@mchenry.edu

815-479-7600

Learn more

about this program:

go.niu.edu/ug-psychology

 

A.A. to B.A. in Psychology from Northern Illinois University at the University Center at McHenry County College

Year One - Semester I(16 Hours)

MCC NIU
ENG 151 - Composition I (3)   ENGL 103 Rhetoric and Composition I (3)
MAT 120 - General Education Statistics (3)   STAT 100 Basic Statistics (3)
SPA 151 - Beginner Spanish I (4)‡   FLSP 101 Beginning
Spanish I (3)
PSY 151 - Introduction to Psychology (3)   PSYC 102 Introduction
to Psychology (3)
IAI Humanities/Fine Arts** (3)†   General Education Elective


Year One - Semester II(16 Hours)

MCC NIU
ENG 152 - Composition II (3)   ENGL 203 Rhetoric
and Composition II (3)
COM 151 - Introduction to Speech (3)   COMS 100 Fundamentals of
Oral Communication (3)
PSY 250 - Human Development Over the Life Span (3)   PSYC 225 Lifespan
Development: Child-Adult (3)
IAI Humanities/Fine Arts (3)†    General Education Elective
SPA 152 - Beginner Spanish II (4)‡   FLSP 102 Beginning
Spanish II (3)

Year Two - Semester I(16-17 Hours)

MCC NIU
PSY 265 - Social Psychology (3)   SOCI 260 Intro to
Social Psychology (3)
IAI Social/Behavioral Science (3)    General Education Elective
IAI Humanities/Fine Arts (3)†    General Education Elective
SPA 251 - Intermediate Spanish I (4)‡   FLSP 201 Intermediate
Spanish I (3)
IAI Physical Science/ Life Science (3-4)**    General Education Elective


Year Two - Semester II(16-17 Hours)

MCC NIU
PSY 251 - Child Psychology (3)   HDFS 230 Child
Development (3)
PSY 275 - Abnormal Psychology (3)  
Major Elective
IAI Social/Behavioral Science (3)    General Education Elective
IAI Physical Science/ Life Science (3-4)**   General Education Elective
  FLSP 202 Intermediate
Spanish II (3)

 

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS COMPLETED AT MCC (64-66)

 

Year Three - Semester I(13 Hours)

NIU
PSYC 101 University Experience in Psychology (1)
PSYC 300 Brain and Behavior or
PSYC 345 Cognitive Psychology (3)
PSYC 332 Personality or
PSYC 316 Introduction to Psychopathology (3)
University Baccalaureate 100-400 Electives (online) (6)^


Year Three - Semester II(12 Hours)

NIU
PSYC 315 Developmental Psychopathology or
PSYC 324 Child Development (3)
PSYC 305 Research Methods (3)^^
University Baccalaureate 100-400 Electives (online) (6)^

 

Year Four - Semester I(15 Hours)

NIU
PSYC 300 Brain and Behavior or
PSYC 345 Cognitive Psychology (3)
PSYC 332 Personality or
PSYC 316 Introduction to Psychopathology (3)
PSYC 306 Advanced Research Methods (3)
University Baccalaureate 100-400 Electives (online) (6)


Year Four - Semester II(15 Hours)

NIU
PSYC 315 Developmental Psychopathology or
PSYC 324 Child Development (3)
PSYC 413/433 Research Laboratory (3)
University Baccalaureate 300-400 Electives (online) (9)

 

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS COMPLETED AT NIU (55)
TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS FOR A B.S. DEGREE (120)

 

*Data source: Steppingblocks, 2023.

**Seven to eight total credits required for physical and life sciences with one lab.

†See MCC catalog for course options.

‡B.A. degree requirement: Two years of college-level work in the same foreign language or equivalent.

^A minimum of 40 hours must be in courses at the 300 and/or 400 level.
^^Prerequisite course. Must be passed with a grade of C or better.

Disclaimer: You’re encouraged to use this transfer guide when planning your progress toward degree completion. Following a transfer guide does
not guarantee admission into the listed program. Information was updated December 2024. However, any curriculum changes reflected in our
Undergraduate Catalog override the information on this guide. Contact your MCC academic advisor for assistance interpreting this guide.

 

Northern Illinois University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Printed by authority of the state of Illinois. niu.edu 56362 12/24