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Psychology

Psychology is the study of the human mind and behavior. If you’re interested in how human beings operate, a psychology degree can grant you key insights into these questions. You’ll learn what motivates human behavior by developing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills through a multi-faceted approach to learning. Through this psychology degree, you’ll amplify your ability to conduct rigorous research, help others, and also manage people. So, the principles of psychology have applications in a variety of fields. 

Why Study Psychology?

Most employers value the skills that are developed through studying psychology. These skills include the ability to offer analytical insights, skilled reasoning, and effective communication. Even if you choose not to pursue a career as a practicing psychologist, employers will always be interested in employees with these skill sets. For instance, many people with psychology degrees find successful careers in healthcare, human resources, management, or marketing.

Psychology can also open the doors to more specialized education. Many of those with psychology degrees can choose from a range of graduate training opportunities: 

  • Clinical psychology 
  • Counseling psychology 
  • Educational psychology 
  • Forensic psychology 
  • Organization psychology 

While a degree can act as a road map for your chosen career path, the value of your degree does not solely lie in how quickly it takes you to your eventual employers. This is especially true with the study of psychology. 

Humans are a complex species with wants, needs, and behaviors that differentiate and integrate us with other animals. We can make good choices for bad reasons and bad choices for good reasons. We use language to both convince and deter, and the way we interact with each other can often define who we are as individuals. 

Psychology helps you understand this. It won’t partner every interaction you have with absolute clarity, but it can give you a window into behavior, motivations, and perceptions. It grants you perspective, which can allow you to develop closer relationships with practically everyone you meet. 

Of course, you can’t remove yourself from the psychological equation, either. Through the study of psychology and its principles, you’ll be able to identify your own hidden influences and motivations. This can make you a better communicator to friends, family, employers, and with yourself.  

What Can You do With a Psychology Degree?

A degree in psychology opens the door to a multitude of opportunities. Even if you choose not to pursue a master’s degree or more specialist education, you’ll find any number of careers are available to you: 

  • Behavioral disorder counselors 
  • Community service operations 
  • Correctional treatment specialists 
  • Family or marriage therapists 
  • Mental health counselors 
  • Probation officers 
  • Rehabilitation counselors 
  • Social services operations 
  • Social workers 
  • Substance abuse counselors 

With such a wide range of possible careers, you’ll find that your future earning potential will vary. Marriage and family therapists earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 according to 2019 survey data conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, according to the BLS, industrial-occupational psychologists earn a median annual salary of around $93,000.

As stated above, a psychology degree allows for more specialized education at the master’s and doctorate levels. As you progress through these advanced degrees, you’ll find an increased earning potential along with the increased odds of reaching high levels of your chosen career path. 

Careers and Internships

Students who major in Psychology or Human Development acquire the skills needed to enter into successful careers after finishing their undergraduate degree. Common career opportunities include school counseling; case management in child welfare or human services; human resources; aging and memory care; community support services; forensic psychology; probation and court services; juvenile justice system support, law enforcement; as well as the option to pursue graduate school.

Students also have the opportunity to complete one or more internships before graduating. The Psychology Department collaborates with several Rockford-area organizations to provide our students with the opportunity to build their professional skills prior to graduation. Below is a list of community partners where our students routinely complete internships.

  • Rockford Public School District #205
  • Harlem Public School District #122
  • Youth Services Network
  • Rosecrance: Behavioral Health and Addiction
  • Winnebago County Adult Probation
  • Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center
  • Rockford Park District
  • UW-Health Carbone Cancer Center, Rockford
  • Gigi’s Playhouse
  • Easter Seals Academy

Where Are They Now?

Rylie Johnson, Class of 2024

Rylie graduated from RU with a B.S. in Psychology and went on to earn her MSc in Clinical Mental Health Sciences at University College London in 2025. During her master’s program, she was accepted into the British Psychological Society. She is currently living and working in London, UK as a clinical research assistant with Imperial College Health Care NHS Trust. She is working on global clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease through the Imperial Memory Unit at Charing Cross Hospital. She is planning on continuing gaining experience within clinical research and assistant psychologist roles before starting a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology program in the United Kingdom. 

Ciara (Elliott) Staley, Class of 2017

Stahly lives in Rockford, Illinois, where she serves as Director of Fund Development for Rockford Promise. She relies on her background in Psychology and Human Development to lead fundraising and community engagement efforts that expand access to higher education tuition free for local students. Ciara was recognized as one of the region’s 40 Under 40 leaders (2025) and selected for the Rockford University’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2025.

Kaleb Price, Class of 2015

Kaleb serves as the Northern Illinois Community Engagement Specialist for i3 Broadband, leading outreach and partnership efforts to expand digital equity across the region. Drawing on his psychology background, he builds meaningful community relationships and drives initiatives that promote connection, inclusion, and belonging. Recognized as Volunteer of the Year (2025) and one of Rockford’s 40 Under 40 Leaders (2025), Price continues to advance his passion for organizational development and inclusive leadership within his community.

Jessie Norman, Class of 2011

Jessie earned her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Human Development from Rockford University in 2011. She went on to complete a M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy at Edgewood College in Madison, WI, graduating in 2013. Currently, she serves as the Staff Education Supervisor at Rosecrance Behavioral Health. Norman began her career at Rosecrance in 2013 as a counselor and has since moved into a leadership position in the Learning Department. In her current role, she designs and facilitates training programs to support both new and experienced counselors, as well as staff members who are pursuing higher education in the behavioral health field.

Damir Utrzan, Class of 2011

Dr. Utrzan holds degrees from Rockford University (B.S.), Northwestern University (M.S.) , and University of Minnesota (Ph.D. ). He currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Horowitz Health, a Minnesota-based behavioral health organization that operates multiple Intensive Residential Treatment Services facilities and an outpatient mental health clinic. Under his leadership, Horowitz Health has become a model for trauma-informed, evidence-based, and ethically driven care—serving individuals with complex co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. He also serves on the University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee for the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. He has also been appointed by Governor Waltz of Minnesota to the Mental Health Advisory Council and serves on the Department of Human Services Performance Management Council.

Why Rockford University?

At Rockford University, we take a cross-discipline approach to education. We combine classroom learning from world-class educators with real-life experience alongside experts in the field. Our diverse student body also gives students the ability to learn from each other and gain an additional perspective. 

To see all that Rockford University can offer, schedule a personal visit today. You can also request additional information through our website. 

Students in the Psychology Department develop an understanding of human thought and behavior through active learning. Our interdisciplinary approach, grounded in science, research and reflection, encourages self-exploration and engagement with the community. This challenging course of study empowers students to develop to their fullest potential socially, emotionally and intellectually.

Scholarships and Awards

Harriet Rheingold Outstanding Psychology Major Award

This award is given annually to a graduating senior student majoring in Psychology to recognize service to the department and the community, as well as a commitment to learning and excellence.

Outstanding Major in Human Development Award

This award is given annually to a graduating senior student majoring in Human Development to recognize service to the department and the community, as well as a commitment to learning and excellence.

Psi Chi Honor Society

Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, founded for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Open to psychology and Human Development majors or minors who meet the qualifications, Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College and University Honor Societies and is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science. Psi Chi members regularly present research at regional and national conferences.

Honors in Psychology

For more information on scholarships relevant to this department, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Psychology
Starr Science Building
5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4172
Fax:815-394-5166

Joel Lynch, Ph.D.
JLynch@rockford.edu