Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Psychology Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
An undergraduate bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology is usually the route to jobs working with people or a stepping stone to a graduate degree (MA or MS) and even a doctoral degree (PhD) in psychology. To gain a psychology bachelor\u2019s degree, you will need to fulfill the GER\u2019s (general education requirements) of your chosen college.
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An undergraduate degree in psychology will typically take four to six years to complete, full-time. You can choose between a bachelor of arts (BA in Psychology) or a bachelor of science (BS in Psychology). Which one does not usually make too big of a difference. However, do some research into your specific career goals and what might be preferable.
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General Education Requirements<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first two years of your bachelor\u2019s degree will consist of general education, meaning you will study a range of topics, including classes in departments such as social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities. You can also do this at a community college and then transfer to a college or university.
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Skills You Will Gain<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Academic writing <\/li>
- Critical thinking<\/li>
- Communication\/ interpersonal <\/li>
- Research<\/li>
- Knowledge of psychological methods and history<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
There is a wider pool of careers for those who pursue further studies in psychology, such as completing a master\u2019s degree, PhD, or PsyD. However, with a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Psychology, you will still gain the skills and credentials needed to fill jobs as case managers, psychiatric technicians, career counselors, and rehabilitation specialists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Psychology Education Path and Admission Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The path to getting your Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Psychology can begin in high school. If you are in high school, then consider taking the following classes:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n- AP Psychology<\/li>
- Social Sciences<\/li>
- Algebra and Statistics<\/li>
- English<\/li>
- Biology<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Even if your school does not offer AP psychology, taking life sciences, social science, math, and communication can give you the knowledge you need for success in your psychology degree program.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce students have their high school diploma or their GED, then they can complete an associate degree, most of which require a minimum GPA. An Associate Degree<\/a> in Psychology is typically two years and is an undergraduate-level degree. To be frank, there are not many career prospects within a psychological field for someone with just an associate degree in psychology. However, it is a great option for someone preparing for their bachelor\u2019s degree.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor an associate degree, around 60 credits are usually required to graduate. Courses will vary from college to college, but coursework may include:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Introduction to Psychology<\/li>
- Substance Abuse<\/li>
- Introduction to Sociology<\/li>
- Social Science Elective<\/li>
- Psychopathology\/Abnormal Psychology<\/li>
- Experimental Research Methods in Psychology<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Next, it is time to enroll in your bachelor\u2019s degree program in psychology, which you can transfer to after your associate degree (or you can go straight into after high school). You will require a high school diploma or GED equivalent and an average GPA of 3.0 (check your individual school admissions).
<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo gain your bachelor\u2019s degree, you will need to complete 120 to 130 credit hours, with 30 to 36 of those credits being courses in psychology. This will prepare you for entry-level jobs or moving on to a psychology master\u2019s degree program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Psychology Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your first two years will be in general studies. Some lower division classes in psychology cover learning how people process information, memory, how language is learned, and what motivates people.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nGeneral biological-based psychology courses cover how the brain functions and the human senses. General cognitive-based psychology courses introduce you to science and neurology with regard to topics such as human thought. Furthermore, you will have classes on general behavior-based psychology, which will teach you about conditioning and behavior modification.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve completed your two years of general studies, you will have learned how to write academically, think critically, and communicate efficiently. Next, you will turn to your psychology major courses in the last two years of your bachelor\u2019s degree. You will gain more in-depth knowledge of the emotional, cognitive, and social facets of behavior. In many psychology degree programs, students are likely to learn about the following.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Clinical Psychology: <\/strong>This generally focuses on the diagnosis and treatment methods of psychological disorders.<\/li>
- Developmental Psychology: <\/strong>This will focus on development factors like learning language and cognition.<\/li>
- Social Psychology: <\/strong>Here you will learn more about the historical findings of previous psychologists, human perception and social influences on these perceptions.<\/li>
- Cognitive Psychology<\/strong>: This is about how people communicate their thoughts and ideas, perceive their environment, and solve problems.<\/li>
- Psychological Assessment: <\/strong>This will show you how to identify and assess an individual’s mental health, personality traits, and more.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How Much Does it Cost to Get Your Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Psychology?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The cost of a psychology bachelor\u2019s degree depends on what school you attend. The price varies and there are other factors such as scholarships and financial aid to factor in. However, as an example, the leading graduate psychology programs in the nation, as ranked by the US News & World Report<\/a>, range in annual tuition costs from $10,000+ (residents) to $35,000 (non-residents) for public schools and roughly $40,000+ for private institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Top Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Psychology Programs <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As psychology is one of the most popular degree programs, there are plenty of top schools to chose from to pursue this career field. We have compiled a list of some of the top psychology programs below to help you in your search for the best psychology university.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nStanford University<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stanford, CA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bachelor of Science in Psychology<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\nStanford University\u2019s BS in Psychology offers excellent teachings in the study of aging, achievement, child development, cognitive processes, conflict, culture, decision making, emotion, group behavior, health, identity, infancy, language, morality, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harvard University<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cambridge, MA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bachelor of Science in Psychology<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\nAt Harvard University, observing, experimenting, and analyzing the human and animal mind is the focus. Most of the research conducted in Harvard\u2019s Department of Psychology concerns basic psychological processes such as attention, perception, memory, categorization, reasoning, decision-making, language, cognitive and social development, social cognition, intergroup relations, and morality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Princeton University<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Princeton, NJ<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe psychology concentration at Princeton is within the Division of Natural Sciences. Therefore, it provides foundational and advanced undergraduate courses on sensation, perception, movement, language, reasoning, decision making, social sciences, and social interaction. Plus, students will be working with large and complex datasets, and learning basic statistical methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
University of California – Berkeley<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Berkley, CA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe University of California views psychology as a scientific discipline that aims to describe, understand, and predict the behavior of living organisms. You will study multifaceted topics from sensory experience to complex cognition to the role of genetics and also the processes that explain behavior in early childhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
University of Pennsylvania <\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Philadelphia, PA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsychology at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on how we perceive information in the world and how we process that information, respond to it emotionally and cognitively, learn about it, and how our mental processes change over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Duke University<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Durham, NC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
BA or BS in Psychology<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\nStudents who pursue a psychology degree at Duke University will be immersed in the origins, processes, and consequences of human and animal behavior. The study of behavior and its determinants lies at the heart of our understanding of numerous systems ranging from the biological to the economic and social.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indiana University Bloomington <\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bloomington, IN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
BA or BS in Psychology<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis program seeks to understand the mechanisms of perception, sensation, emotion, and learning by examining the biological and evolutionary foundations of animal and human behavior. You will gain skills in analytic reasoning, problem-solving, statistics, and dealing with people. At Indiana University Bloomington, you can complete a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience. You can also pursue a minor in psychology, or choose from a variety of certificate programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
University of Chicago<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Chicago, IL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bachelor of Science in Psychology<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis program seeks to understand the fundamental mechanisms and functions of perception, cognition, emotion, and attitudes in guiding behavior. It also encompasses a broad set of topics that overlap with a number of disciplines across social and biological sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
University of Colorado Boulder <\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Boulder, CO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis psychology major provides a fundamental understanding of the principles of human cognition, emotion, behavior, social interactions, and mind-brain relationships. It also includes specialized, upper-division courses in behavioral genetics, neuroscience, cognitive psychology, clinical psychology, child development, social psychology, and judgment and decision making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Psychology Career Prospects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A bachelor\u2019s degree is a wonderful entry-level start to your psychology career. Keep in mind that you will most likely need a master\u2019s degree and even a doctorate to go into perhaps more exciting and better-paid specialties, such as psychiatry. Nonetheless, below are some great entry-level jobs you can pursue with just a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Psychology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marketing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Median Salary: <\/strong>$132,230<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re a market research analyst or marketing manager, you\u2019ll aim to analyze customers\u2019 behavior and create brand awareness so customers buy a company’s products. The use of organizational psychology is handy in these marketing campaigns and data analysis. You would only require a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Psychology for this role and could do further study or work experience in marketing, brand management, advertising, or sales to advance your career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caseworker<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Median salary<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> $50,470<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A caseworker is a broad term in the social services industry. They usually do social work<\/a> and help individuals change their attitudes and behaviors by increasing their understanding of self, personal problems, and the individual\u2019s part in creating them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Correctional Counselor <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Median salary<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>$54,290<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main job of a correctional counselor<\/a> is to help provide mental health treatment to inmates and aid them to make the transition from prison back into society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
School and Employment Counselor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Median salary<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> $57,040<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An employment counselor seeks to provide information and guidance to those seeking school or career direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Psychologist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Median salary<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> $80,370<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Developmental Psychology: <\/strong>This will focus on development factors like learning language and cognition.<\/li>
- Clinical Psychology: <\/strong>This generally focuses on the diagnosis and treatment methods of psychological disorders.<\/li>
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