Psychology Bachelor Degree
The B.A., or Bachelor of Arts, in Psychology is meant to prepare students for professional careers related to psychology. The B.A. often involves more elective requirements than the typical B.S. (Bachelor of Science), allowing students to focus on areas of study beyond general psychology.
psychology bachelor degree
Students seeking a B.A. in Psychology can take elective classes in a variety of fields, mostly centered around humanities and the social sciences. This allows for a greater breadth of knowledge in topics related to the psychology field and more freedom to pursue areas outside of psychology post-graduation.
While a B.S. might be best for students who already know they want to continue to a psychologygraduate program, both the B.A. and the B.S. in Psychology are suitable for entrance tograduate psychology programs.
Some schools, like The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, combine the best of each degree by offering required and elective courses that will expose students to a variety of topics in addition to building research and analytic skills.
At The Chicago School, the B.A. in Psychology program is specifically designed to prepare students for future careers and help build a bridge for undergraduate students to graduate programs in psychology. The Chicago School offers the following B.A. in Psychology programs:
Elective courses offer students a glimpse of available specialties, such as abnormal psychology or psychiatry, a degree that includes a medical component. Graduates possess a clear understanding of the duties of nearly all psychology professionals. Below are some major traits of a bachelor's in psychology, followed by the pros and cons associated with each trait.
To practice psychology clinically, you must earn at least a master's, but preferably a doctorate to practice counseling. Earning a master's in psychology or social work is the minimum for licensure in most states. A bachelor's degree in psychology prepares students for graduate education.
With a bachelor's degree in psychology, you can pursue some entry-level careers in the field. However, many psychology careers require a graduate degree. Many graduates of bachelor's programs in psychology go on to pursue a master's in the field to prepare for more advanced careers.
Bachelor's programs in psychology give graduates a range of versatile skills in communication and the social sciences, making them great candidates for several careers. Individuals may pursue careers in employment counseling, human resource advising, writing, or customer service.
Students can choose from a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS) in psychology at some schools. Both the BS and BA would be acceptable for master's programs in counseling, social work, or psychology. However, BS degrees emphasize studies in science, with more courses in topics such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics, and tend to prepare students who want to pursue psychiatry or clinical psychology.
Earning potential varies based on several factors, including location, employer, industry, and experience. According to Payscale in February 2023, those with a BA in psychology earn an average annual salary of $67,000.
Individuals can demonstrate their interest in psychology in many ways. Some students in bachelor's in psychology programs, particularly those pursuing or who have pursued employment in a relevant field, can participate in an internship with a licensed psychologist. An internship can be a favorable factor in admission to a bachelor's degree in psychology program. Aspiring psychologists can also subscribe to relevant psychological journals and join professional organizations in the field.
Professionals with a bachelor's in psychology degree often seek clinical practicums and may continue with their studies while interning or working. Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree in psychology can look forward not only to opportunities with outpatient services, schools, nonprofits, and hospitals, but also in private businesses, sales, and the judicial system.
If you want to help people, gain a greater understanding of the human mind, and challenge yourself with courses in both the arts and sciences, then you may find yourself well-suited to earn a psychology degree.
A bachelor's degree in psychology can benefit students hoping to enter the workforce directly after graduation as well as professionals who wish to pursue graduate training. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that psychology jobs will likely experience 8% growth between 2020 and 2030. These professionals earned an average median salary of $82,180 in 2020.
Graduates may also use their knowledge of human behavior to enter positions in sales, business, and other fields. Since the curriculum typically covers liberal arts topics and classes in statistics and science, psychology students gain a broad education applicable to many types of work environment.
UF Online's bachelor's in psychologyfeatures core and elective coursework. Learners complete courses in psychology, math, statistics, and biology. Enrollees conduct independent research or complete a community work project in their last year of study.
UCF's bachelor's in psychology runs fully online. Transfer students can earn the degree in two years. The curriculum offers six tracks, including clinical, general, and industrial/organizational psychology. Online enrollees complete independent research, fieldwork, and internships. They can also complete an optional capstone project.
FIU's bachelor's in psychology runs fully online. Enrollees can choose from five concentrations, including experimental and developmental psychology. Students can complete internships and independent research. Success coaches guide online learners through the program.
Charter Oak State is a public online institution serving nontraditional students. The school's bachelor's in psychology features four concentrations, including lifespan and general psychology. Online learners complete a minimum of 39 credits in the major, including a capstone course.
Excelsior's 33-credit online bachelor's in psychology includes core psychology courses and electives. Enrollees also complete intermediate and upper-level courses in biological and physiological foundations. Coursework covers developmental perspectives and social influences. Students complete 18 upper-division credits, including a capstone course.
Distance learners may transfer up to 113 credits toward their undergraduate degree. They may qualify for Credit for Prior Learning based on professional and military training, healthcare credentials, and other work-related certifications.
Liberty's online bachelor's in psychology program runs asynchronously with eight-week courses. Students can choose from several specializations. Options include general psychology, developmental psychology, and Christian counseling.
Transfer students can apply up to 75% of their previously earned credits to their degree. Online learners receive free electronic textbooks. Liberty offers flexible payment options and discounts for first responders, military, and small-business owners.
Trine's fully online bachelor's in psychology requires 48 hours in major courses. Enrollees complete a clinical internship or capstone demonstration. Students choose a concentration in areas such as clinical and social psychology.
Enrollees can apply up to 90 prior credits to their degree. The program offers start dates every eight weeks. Learners can enroll part time or full time. Qualified undergraduates may participate in accelerated bridge programs. These programs allow them to take graduate courses that count toward a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling, healthcare leadership, and organizational leadership.
Nontraditional female students can pursue several undergraduate degrees at Simmons, including an online bachelor's in psychology. The curriculum includes 20 credits in basic psychology and 12 credits in focus areas. These include basic processes, social and developmental psychology, and clinical and personality psychology. Learners also complete eight credits in capstone courses.
OU's fully online bachelor's in psychology program features courses in an accelerated eight-week format. The curriculum focuses on human physiological, mental, and social development. The major requires 35 hours, including a culminating senior project or exam.
If learning about human cognition, neurology, behavior, and developmental processes excites you, then you should consider earning a bachelor's in psychology. A psychology degree teaches students the skills needed to work with a variety of people, including in clinical, sales, counseling, and business settings. The combination of courses in science and humanities gives students a comprehensive education applicable to many psychology careers.
A bachelor's degree in psychology is a great option if you want to take challenging classes, master topics in the humanities and sciences, and study human behavior. Psychology students examine what makes people act the way they do.
A psychology degree can prepare you for a variety of positions in therapy, business, sales, medicine, social work, and counseling. You may take on an entry-level job directly after graduation, or apply to graduate school for more specialized training.
Substance use counselors assist clients who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. They create treatment plans to help their clients recover and provide emotional support through the process. A bachelor's degree typically fulfills the minimal requirement for certification, though some states require a graduate degree.
Mental health counselors address issues such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. They also help clients with difficult life events such as divorce or death. In some cases, mental health counselors may diagnose disorders in addition to providing treatment. All states require mental health counselors to earn a master's degree. 041b061a72