Preclinical Psychology Certificate Program

The Preclinical Psychology post-baccalaureate certificate program consists of nine psychology courses required for application to most graduate programs awarding either the doctor of psychology in clinical psychology (PsyD) or the doctor of philosophy in clinical psychology (PhD). While this program meets minimal requirements for application to clinical psychology graduate programs in the Chicago area, students are strongly advised to confirm the admission requirements of the graduate schools in which they are interested before enrolling to ensure that the SPS program will fulfill their needs. Students who need only some of these courses may meet with an advisor to discuss the Advanced Studies in Psychology certificate program or design a customized certificate, or consider courses as a Student-at-large. Please note that these options are not eligible for financial aid. 

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About the Preclinical Psychology Certificate Program

Preclinical Psychology Required Courses

All of the following courses are required:
  • PSYCH 110 Introduction to Psychology
  • PSYCH 201 Statistical Methods in Psychology
  • PSYCH 205 Research Methods in Psychology
  • PSYCH 215 Psychology of Personality
  • PSYCH 228 Cognitive Psychology
  • PSYCH 244 Developmental Psychology (was PSYCH 218)
  • PSYCH 303 Psychopathology
  • PSYCH 306 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
  • PSYCH 369 Psychological Tests & Measures (was PSYCH 375)

In addition to the program requirements, students have the option to take any of the courses offered at SPS to fulfill prerequisites. Elective courses are NOT eligible for financial aid, based upon federal financial aid requirements.

View Preclinical Psychology Courses

Transfer Credit Policy for Preclinical Psychology

Students in the Preclinical Psychology post-baccalaureate certificate program may transfer up to six semester hours, or nine quarter hours of academic credit. A transcript and grade of B or better are required for transferred courses in the program. Courses audited or taken with the pass/no credit option cannot be applied toward a certificate program. Courses earned for a bachelor's degree at SPS may not be applied retroactively toward certificate requirements. Required courses that have been completed in the past two years by students-at-large may be applied toward the completion of a certificate, subject to the approval of the admissions committee, and provided admission requirements for the program are met. All transfer credit must be approved before a student begins his or her course work at SPS.

Preclinical Psychology Tuition

Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, please visit the Tuition page.

Admission for Preclinical Psychology

In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found on the Admission page.

Preclinical Psychology Registration Information

Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found on the Registration Information page.

Preclinical Psychology Pre-Health Professional Student Group

Learn how students support one another through forums, resources and social networks on the Preclinical Psychology Pre-Health Professional Student Group page.

Find out more about the Preclinical Psychology Program


Program Courses:Course Detail
Intro to Psychology <> PSYCH 110-CN

Psychology is a science that seeks to answer a wide range of questions about how we think, feel, act and interact with others. This course will give a broad overview of the entire field of psychology, which students will learn about through in-class demonstrations, outside observations, discussions, and presentations. We will explore human behavior from a biological, psychological and socio-cultural perspective. We will discuss the history of psychology beginning with an overview of psychology's roots, observing how prevailing paradigms have shifted throughout the centuries. We'll then discuss how to think like a social scientist, with an attitude of open mindedness and skepticism, as we observe people in different social settings. Discussion will include the tools and methods that are used by social scientists to formulate their questions and propose answers. With the tools of neuroscience we will explore the biological underpinnings of mind and emotions and how they influence behavior. We will seek to understand and have empathy with individuals suffering from psychological disorders ranging from mild depression to severe psychosis. Discussion will cover ways to diagnose psychopathology and therapies that have been proposed to heal such internal suffering. Practical skills for coping with stress and emotions will also be explored. Finally, we try to uncover group dynamics that can give rise to pathological and sometimes destructive behavior as that observed in cults. The course will conclude with a theme of malleability that challenges assumptions about how we perceive, remember and think. Carries social science credit.

 


There is no available section.
Intro to Psychology <> PSYCH 110-CN

The purpose of this course is to present an overview of the field of psychology. Among the topics we will cover are: history of the field, methods in psychological research, biological bases of behavior, perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, social influences on behavior, and psychological disorders. Class lectures, readings, and discussions will convey a sense of some of the foundational questions and methods of the science of psychology. Ultimately, the goal of this course is to impart an initial understanding of some fundamentals of human nature and behavior, as well as instill a deeper appreciation for the science of psychology. The class will have weekly quizzes and a comprehensive final exam. Carries social science credit.


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Introduction to Psychology <> PSYCH 110-DL

The purpose of this course is to present an overview of the field of psychology. The topics we will cover include research methods, the biological bases of behavior, perception, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, social influences on behavior, health and well-being, and psychological disorders and treatment. A combination of lectures, readings, media sources, and participation in demonstrations of classic psychology experiments will convey a sense of the foundational questions and methods of the science of psychology. Ultimately, the goal of this course is to impart an initial understanding of some fundamentals of human nature and behavior, as well as instill knowledge of the science of psychology. Carries social science credit.

This course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition.

Note: This course is limited to School of Professional Studies students only. Undergraduate students in other schools at Northwestern are not permitted to enroll in this course.


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Statistical Methods in Psychology <> PSYCH 201-CN

This course explores techniques for describing the real world with numbers and for making educated guesses about how the world works by manipulating these numbers. Students acquire a knowledge of how to execute statistical tests, but more importantly when and why to execute these tests. Emphasis is placed on understanding and interpreting data as well as on techniques of statistical analysis. A secondary goal of this course is to provide a framework from which to think critically about statistical evidence presented in the media and research reports from journals in psychology. Classes will consist of lecture and problem-based group work. The assessments include in-class quizzes, exams, a series of in-class "team" problem sets, take home problem sets, and a short paper analyzing the use of statistical information in the media. May not be audited. Carries social science or science credit. Prerequisites: PSYCH 110 and high school algebra.


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Research Methods in Psychology <> PSYCH 205-CN

Methods of psychological research; experimental design; reliability and validity; review and application of statistics; execution and reporting of psychological research.

May not be audited. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 201.


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Psychology of Personality <> PSYCH 215-CN

This course covers the nature of personality and its development; modern theoretical interpretations; biological and social bases of individual differences. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent.


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Cognitive Psychology <> PSYCH 228-CN

This course is a survey of theories and research in cognitive psychology, covering topics such as perception, attention, memory, representation of knowledge, language, reasoning and problem solving, judgment and decision-making, and consciousness. Classes will consist of lectures, demonstrations and discussion. Students will be required to think critically about the assumptions and methods underlying research on class topics. Carries science or social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent.


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Developmental Psychology <> PSYCH 244-CN

This course focuses on the development of cognitive, social, and other psychological functions. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent.


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Psychopathology <> PSYCH 303-CN

This course introduces the study of psychopathology with an emphasis on the continuum between normal and abnormal patterns of behavior, emotional regulation, and thought processes. Students will learn about different types of psychological disorders including mood disorders, panic, anxiety, obsessions, personality disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, eating disorders, sexual dysfunctions, childhood-onset disorders, trauma, and neurocognitive disorders. We will consider biological, psychological, and societal causes of dysfunction. We will also explore how psychopathology has been understood throughout history, how those views have evolved to inform psychological treatments available today, and how culture continues to play a role in shaping our conceptualization of mental illness. Lastly, opportunities for prevention and organized efforts to promote mental health will be discussed. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent.


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Intro to Clinical Psychology <> PSYCH 306-CN

This course introduces major concepts and methods of clinical psychology. The course emphasizes four main areas relevant to clinical psychology: (1) fundamentals of clinical psychology with some discussion of the history of the field, (2) psychological assessment, (3) psychotherapy, and (4) research that has been used to investigate the efficacy of interventions in clinical psychology. Ethical issues as they relate to the field are also be considered. Course requirements include an annotated bibliography and research paper, two essay exams, and class attendance and participation. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent. Completion of PSYCH 303 is recommended for students enrolled in PSYCH 306, but not required.


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Psychological Tests & Measures PSYCH 369-CN

This course explores the science of psychological assessment, including its history, test construction and evaluation, and common measures of personality, psychopathology, and ability. Students create and evaluate their own psychological measures. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent.


View PSYCH 369-CN Sections