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Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

Is a Bachelor's in Psychology Program For You?

A bachelor’s in psychology degree is the best fit for students who have little or no college-level education and who are seeking a strong foundational curriculum in psychology.

Elective courses taken while pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology offer students a glimpse of some specialties available to study, such as abnormal psychology or psychiatry (a degree that also includes a medical component). By the time these students graduate with their bachelor's in psychology degree in this exciting field, they will have a clear understanding of the duties nearly all psychology professionals have. Listed below are a few of the major traits of a bachelor's in psychology, followed by the pros and cons associated with each trait.

Pros | Cons

  • Many Employers in Psychology Insist That Applicants Hold A Bachelor's in Psychology

    Once students have earned a bachelor's in psychology, a number of competitive career opportunities become available.

    • A diversity of careers to choose from, especially when compared to associate in psychology degree holders.
    • The bachelor's in psychology may be the minimum degree required by an employer, meaning applicants with more advanced degrees or specializations will be favored.

  • It's a Flexible Degree

    Earning a bachelor’s in psychology degree grants an overview of psychology topics and specialties that encourages the development of career goals and pathways. The bachelor's degree in psychology students earn gives students a strong basis to progress to either a career or further educational pursuits.

    • Prepared for further education, bachelor's in psychology holders can enter workforce in a variety of career paths
    • Often need more education to pursue licensure in clinical fields

  • The Degree Has Predictable Costs

    Because four-year bachelor's degrees are so common, there are plenty of pathways and options to fund your bachelor's in psychology degree. Scholarships are also very prevalent due the popularity of the bachelor's in psychology degree. See our psychology scholarship database for more information.

    • Numerous payment plans, options and psychology scholarships
    • Despite financial support, a recent Hamilton Project report stated that graduates of a bachelor's degree in psychology program tend to have a disproportionately high "early repayment burden."

What are the admissions requirements for a bachelor's in psychology program?

  • Minimum Education Level
    High school diploma or GED
  • Transcripts
    High School
  • Recommendations
    2-5
  • Writing Sample
    Personal statement of intent, writing sample
  • Standardized Tests
    ACT/SAT
  • Additional Required Materials
    Immunization records

How Can I Guarantee My Acceptance Into a Bachelor's in Psychology Program?

There are a handful of simple ways to demonstrate an existing interest in psychology. 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 in anticipation of their acceptance into a bachelor's degree in psychology program. Subscribing to relevant psychological journals is another good idea, as well as joining any professional organizations open to psychologists interested in networking and building associations.

What Should I Expect in a Bachelor's in Psychology Program?

Degree Completion Specifics

  • Number of Required Credits
    160
  • Typical Length of Program
    4 years
  • Culminating Experience Project/Paper/Exam
    Program dependent
  • Practicums/Internships
    Program dependent

Core Concepts

  • Essential Skills
    Students in a bachelor's in psychology program can expect to build skills that, as psychologists, they will use on a day-to-day basis, such as social development, interpersonal effectiveness, critical-thinking, collaboration, trust-building interaction with clients and effective oral/written communication.
  • Common Issues/Addictions/Themes
    These lessons can focus on counseling strategies, prevention and treatment of a number of disorders, addictions and hurdles.
  • Research
    Research strategies are the theme of such courses; here, students will develop skills and strategies that, as psychologists, they will needs to effectively analyze and treat adults and children.
  • Developmental Psychology
    Students in these classes will explore how the body and brain change as individuals age.
  • Organization Psychology
    This subfield gives special attention to the way social involvement impacts a person’s feelings, decision-making, sense of self and general development.

Concentrations

  • Mental Health/History of Psychology
    A look at mental health over the course of the past century, as well as how psychology has evolved throughout major social and cultural shifts. Treatment, prevention and diagnosis are also examined.
  • Abnormal Psychology
    Abnormal psychology is, as the name suggests, a look at psychopathology and an overview of abnormal, antisocial behavior.
  • Child/Developmental Psychology
    This concentration focuses on childhood developmental psychology, covering topics such as cognitive skills in infants, toddlers, children, juveniles and young adults. This topic can often include the psychology of sexual development.
  • Industrial / Organization Psychology
    Workplace psychology offers students a glimpse into the psychology behind group functions, working together and industrial conventions, which can be a very useful skill to have for business-minded students.
  • Exercise/Sports Psychology
    These courses emphasize research and promotion of exercise science, as well as the role psychology plays in the regular maintenance of the body. Injuries, eating disorders and the characteristics of a successful athlete are often a focus of such courses.

What Kinds of Psychology Careers Can I Pursue with Bachelor's Degree in Psychology?

Professionals holding a bachelor’s in psychology degree often go on to seek out clinical practicum, and may decide to continue with their studies while interning or working in some capacity in the field of their choice. Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree in psychology can look forward not only to opportunities with outpatient services, schools, non-profit organizations and hospitals, but also in the arenas of business, sales and the judicial system, among other occupations.

Some of the roles that suit someone with a bachelor’s degree in psychology are covered below, along with the averages salaries for each position as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Career Options

  • Case Management

    Average Annual Salary
    $59,970

  • Human Resource Specialists

    Average Annual Salary
    $55,640

  • Rehabilitation Specialist

    Average Annual Salary
    $38,520

  • Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides

    Average Annual Salary
    $48,940

What Do Higher Education and Career Advancement Opportunities Look Like After a Bachelor's in Psychology?

Other Wages and Careers in Psychology by Degree Level

  • Master'sDegree Page

    Typical Duration
    2 - 3 years
    Median Annual Wage
    $58,563
    Sample Careers
    Mental Health Counselors
    Marriage and Family Therapists
    School Counselors
    Probation Officers/Correction Specialists
    Geriatric Clinical Psychologist
    Sports Psychologist
    Licensed Counselor
    Learn More

  • PhDDegree Page

    Typical Duration
    4 - 7 years
    Median Annual Wage
    $77,017
    Sample Careers
    Clinical Psychologist
    Counseling Psychologist
    Research Psychologist
    Learning Disabilities Specialist
    University Clinical Psychologist
    School Psychologist
    Forensic Psychologists
    Human Factors/Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
    Criminal Psychologist
    Learn More

Information for wages are an average of all careers that require either a bachelor's in psychology, master's or doctorate degree in psychology, according to Payscale.com.

Find the Right Bachelor's in Psychology Program

Our database of accredited bachelor's in psychology programs is one of the most comprehensive online. Use it to find the material differences between bachelor's in psychology programs with relatively equal merits and appeal.

Program Database

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