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A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (BA/BS) is an undergraduate degree conferred upon a student who has met all the graduation prerequisites at a degree-granting college or university. Typically, a BA in Psychology will take 4 years to earn; however, if the college permits, it may be completed in less or more time. The general range of completion of degree requirements is 3-5 years. Students who major in psychology are desirous of a greater understanding of the human mind, emotions and behaviors. Some utilize the bachelor’s degree as the foundation for graduate degrees in psychology or other disciplines; others use its benefits to enter the workforce in areas involving substantial amounts of human interaction.
What Kinds of Classes Will I Be Taking?
Transferring Credits from a Community College or Other Institution
What Psychology Classes Will I Take?
Once you have met your general education requirements (or at some colleges before), you will be able to take classes solely from the Psychology Department. A portion of these classes will be “lower division” and others will be “upper division.” The lower division courses serve as an introduction to more complicated topics covered in the upper division classes. Many times a student will be required to successfully pass particular lower division courses to be able to enroll in a higher division counterpart. Each college determines the requirements of the major; typically a mixture of both upper and lower division choices. While classes vary from college to college, there are a few that can be found at most universities. Here is a sampling of courses which are common to most higher learning institutions.
4 Lower Division Psychology Course Examples (Typically available for all students.)
4 Upper Division Psychology Course Examples(Typically enrollment is reserved for psychology majors, students with upper division standing or those who have completed prerequisite courses.)
Where Do I Get my BA in Psychology?
One of the most exciting decisions you will make as a student is what onsite university or online college you will attend. Many factors will influence your consideration processes: the location, convenience, reputation of the institution, family input, affordability and likelihood of acceptance; to name of few. While these are important, personal and unique elements of your decision making process, one of the most important questions you can ask is:“Is this college accredited?“The answer is vitally important because in order for you to succeed in the field of psychology (or many other fields as well) you must have attended an institution, college or university which has been accredited.
(1) TheCouncil for Higher Education Accreditation(CHEA)
(2) TheUnited States Department of Education(USDE)
Learn more aboutpsychology schoolsand anonline psychology degree.
What Can I Do With My BA in Psychology?
Thepsychology careersavailable to one with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology are as diversified and creative as the person who holds it. Typically, there are two reasons students choose to major in psychology: they want to go further in the field of psychology or they want an educational foundation which affords them an understanding of human behavior and cognitive processes for a job in business, sales etc.
Ways to Use a BA in Psychology Outside of the Field
Using a BA in Psychology for other careers need not be as challenging as one might assume. A solid understanding of human motivation and behavior can provide an excellent foundation for a plethora of meaningful careers. In fact, human resource experts agree that applicants with a BA in Psychology are extremely desirable in the hiring process for a variety of positions, as well as viable candidates for a careerinthe HR department itself. We had the opportunity to consult with one of the world’s most prominent HR experts about how employers perceive applicants with a BA in Psychology and how the field of HR might as well be an employment option.
Mikaela Kiner:One of the leading-edge experts in the field of Human Resources is Mikaela Kiner who spent almost two decades in corporate HR and now heads an HR consulting firm in Seattle. Ms. Kiner’s prestigious HR leadership roles include being Senior HR Manager at Microsoft; Partner Resource Manager at Starbucks; Director, HR at Amazon and currently the Founder and CEO of “uniquelyHR.”
She expressed to us the value of a BA in Psychology; “During my time at large companies including Microsoft, Amazon and Starbucks, I saw these employers looking for psychology degrees. Knowledge of psychology is an advantage when working with senior leaders, or trying to boost employee engagement and morale.” Ms. Kiner also shared that a BA in psychology can lead to a future in Human Resources, “Historically, people came into HR from all walks of life. Often it was their experience vs. education that made candidates successful in HR roles. While HR is about business and analytics, it is equally important to understand people’s thought processes and styles. Knowledge of psychology is an advantage when working with senior leaders, or trying to boost employee engagement and morale.” Her advice to someone with a BA in Psychology considering a career in Human Resources is, “The job seeker should understand and be able to articulate the value of that degree relative to the job he/she is applying for. Candidates should in no way be apologetic - Psychology is as related to HR as a degree in HR, Business or Finance. Learn about the role, tailor your resume, and be prepared to talk about how your education, skills and experience make you the right candidate for the role.”
A “Sweet” Success Story
Brandon Baker, a markedly successful entrepreneur and Founder of the Loveletter Cakeshop on 5th Avenue in New York City, is one example of how a BA in Psychology led to success in an unrelated field. He shares, “In 2010 I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with an undergraduate degree in Psychology. I applied to Penn wanting to major in business at Wharton, but quickly changed paths and fell in love with the human mind. I realized how many human problems and achievements both came as a simple result of attitude and perseverance, and I wanted to understand how these came about from a scientific perspective. Naturally, given my new found love of Psychology and science in general, I wanted to become a professor. Fast forward five years and I chose a different path, but the application is the same. The beauty of a psychology degree is its wide breadth of application. Sure, if you’re interested in teaching others about the power and limitations of the human brain, you become a professor. But applying that power and understanding those limitations will help you navigate whichever career path you choose. If you’re a college student looking to major in Psychology, and your interest in it stems from a genuine love of the human mind, your choice will deliver value again and again, regardless of your chosen career later in life.
Staying in the Field of Psychology
In order tobecome a psychologist, counselor, therapist or social worker; a student must progress beyond the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Those wanting a professional career in the field of psychology will have to pursue the applicable Masters Degrees and/or a Ph.D./Psy.D., in order to qualify for work in a clinical setting. Scholars who aspire to be a recognized and funded researcher in the field, or a professor at an institution of higher learning will eventually want to consider the Doctorate in Psychology.
Dr. Katherine Loflin is an award-winning international expert, speaker, global leader in placemaking, consultant and two-time TEDx speaker. Having been featured in prominent print, radio and television exposés, Dr. Loflin (also known as the “City Doctor”) is the founder of Loflin Solutions and the author of the upcoming, “Place Match: The City Doctor’s Guide to Finding Where You Belong.”
Dr. Loflin is one example of someone who entered the collegiate world and realized that she would need to move beyond the BA in Psychology if she were to reach her goals. She reflects upon her time as an undergraduate; “I entered college as undesignated, but soon moved into a psychology major. I was interested in the subject and thought it would hold my attention throughout college. I also hoped to do something with the degree but realized with just an undergraduate degree in psychology it would likely not be enough to base a career. As I went through the program, I learned what a solid orientation it gave me for a variety of disciplines and careers I could pursue. “ She advises those interested in an advanced psychology career; “Realize that a BA will likely not be enough to do what you want to do as a career. Graduate school may be necessary, especially if you intend to stay in the human services field. Think broadly about how you can use your degree to do the thing you most want. Remember there are new jobs being developed everyday that didn’t exist 10 years ago. Mine didn’t! With a psych degree, you can start to create the career you want.”
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Summary
Choosing a Bachelor’s Degree Program in Psychology
People with an interest in human behavior and the mind tend to pursue abachelor’s degree program in psychologyas a way to enhance their knowledge and prepare to enter a career field related to the subject. In addition to assuming a range of entry-level positions related to the field, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology often apply to jobs pertaining to social work and human resources, such as psychiatric technicians, caseworkers, public relations officers, and probation officers.
Psychology Bachelor’s Education Prerequisites
Graduates of an associate degree program in psychology are equipped with medical terminology knowledge and the basic skills (such as patient care, patient communication, general psychology, human relation, clinical procedure, and diagnostic abilities) that make it easier to obtain a bachelor’s in psychology. Many times, credits earned with an associate degree in psychology can be used toward the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.
To apply to a bachelor’s degree program in psychology, schools typically require high school transcripts, SAT test scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay.
Below is the complete educational path for the Psychologists:Psychologist Educational TrackSchool ProgramsAverage Education LengthChoosing Online or Campus1.Earn a Bachelor’s DegreeView Programs4 YearsOnlineorCampus2.Earn A Master’s DegreeView Programs2 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus3.Earn a PHD or PsyDView Programs2-4 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus
Psychologist Educational TrackSchool ProgramsAverage Education LengthChoosing Online or Campus1.Earn a Bachelor’s DegreeView Programs4 YearsOnlineorCampus2.Earn A Master’s DegreeView Programs2 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus3.Earn a PHD or PsyDView Programs2-4 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus
Bachelor’s in Psychology Coursework
A bachelor’s degree in psychology provides an undergraduate-level course of study that generally takes four years to complete. Most programs require students to complete a specific number of designated courses, such as core psychology classes and psychology electives. Depending on the school, a program may have requirements for students, such as taking general psychology, statistics, experimental psychology, and personality psychology.
The coursework of a bachelor’s degree in psychology aims to strengthen a student’s critical thinking, communication, and organizational skills. A student often gains research experience, and also sharpens his or her abilities to analyze data. In addition to intro-, math and life science classes, common courses in a psychology B.A. degree program include:
The coursework for a psychology degree program not only prepares students to enter entry-level job positions, but to also pursue advanced studies, which may include other fields, such as medicine and law. A student also takes clinical practicum courses before graduating from his or her program.
Factors to Consider
One of the first things to consider when pursing a bachelor’s degree in psychology is whether a student wants to obtain a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in the field. A B.A. in Psychology tackles a greater range of issues relating to the field, while a B.S. in Psychology focuses more on the scientific aspect of the subject, and heavily concentrates on neuroscience,clinical psychology, clinical social work, behavioralneuroscience, as well asdevelopmentalorcognitive psychology.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor’s in psychology is one of the most popular degrees in colleges and universities across the United States. It is also one of the most sought-after degrees regarding online learning programs. Since many students have an interest in obtaining a psychology degree, competition for applying to school programs is high.
Other factors to consider when applying to a bachelor’s degree program in psychology include:
Options for Psychology Continuing Education
With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a student qualifies to fill administration and management positions on the corporate and government level, and can work in sales, social work, and in marketing. The next step to furthering an education is to pursue a master’s degree in psychology, which creates more opportunities to obtain higher-paying employment, or to obtain a Ph.D. in psychology if they have an interest in teaching on the academic level, or wish to conduct psychology research.
To learn more about the many different options available to students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, consider the following selections:
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