Bachelors in Psychology Programs
(found programs from 1394 schools)

A bachelor's degree in psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate degrees. It is also one of the most flexible. Understanding how the mind works is a skill that translates across many fields and functions.

Admissions requirements for psychology bachelor's program

Along with popularity comes competitiveness. It's no easy feat to get into the best degree programs. Having a high school diploma sometimes isn't enough. You need to have a high grade point average, score well on standardized tests, and submit a strong application overall. Most programs require a written essay, and some also require an in-person interview. You will help your chances greatly if you can prove your commitment to the field through extracurricular activities, volunteer work or a related part time job.

What are psychology bachelor's degree programs like?

Your bachelor's degree will generally require four years of study. You can shorten that time if you earn an associate degree first or attend classes year-round. Your first two years will be devoted to liberal arts courses with a few psychology electives. Your last two years will be focused on your major, with courses in social and behavioral psychology, mental illness, the biology of the mind, the role of emotion and logic on motivation, and research and statistical analysis. During these last years, you will also take more specialized courses, such as child development, organizational behavior or abnormal psychology. If you elect to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, you will gain a general liberal arts education, which includes languages and the arts. If you intend to make psychology a career, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology is a good choice, as your greater concentration on the life sciences will help you get into a master's program or transition to a career in medicine.

Career options with a bachelor's degree in psychology

If you plan to pursue psychology as a career, earning your bachelor's is a necessary step. The vast majority of people use the degree as a stepping stone to other options. Knowing how people think or what motivates action is helpful in careers from sales to teaching. Psychology degree holders also find rewarding work in human resources departments, organizational development, advertising, market research, writing, law and law enforcement and government. You also have options closer to the field of psychology including counseling, social work, drug rehabilitation and similar fields.

Some additional resources for psychology students

Pursuing your degree is a major financial commitment. Fortunately, many people find grants and scholarships that can help ease the burden. The National Honor Society of Psychology, Psi Chi (http://www.psichi.org/Awards/) offers national awards as well as local chapter scholarships and research grants - even for undergrads. The American Psychological Association (APA) has an online directory of funding options (http://www.apa.org/about/awards/index.aspx), which can help you research what funding is available and then help you apply. Smaller, focused organizations such as the Association of Black Psychologists (http://www.abpsi.org/) are another resource. Plus, don't overlook scholarship programs offered by your university and local organizations.

If you are planning a career in the field, it makes sense to start networking as soon as you start school. Many national organizations have local chapters where you can attend events and volunteer for programs and studies. One of the largest general organizations is the American Psychological Association (http://www.apa.org/).

What about online bachelors programs in psychology?

Because very little of typical psychology degree coursework requires you to be physically present on a campus, bachelor's of psychology degrees have been offered online for decades. You have many high quality programs from which to choose.

Your state university system is an excellent place to start your research as most now offer partially online or fully online programs. You can also consider a top program from another state. Penn State's World Campus is the standard in online learning. You get the benefit of a degree from a well-known brick and mortar institution at state school prices, with all the convenience of distance learning.

Private universities have also been innovators in online learning. You can earn your degree at Philadelphia's famed Drexel University without leaving home. This program gives you plenty of interaction with faculty and peers, all online. You earn the same degree online as that earned by on campus students. Drexel is also famous for its relationships with major employers.

State universities and most private institutions offer programs that let you transition to post-graduate studies. As you evaluate your options, start thinking about where you might like to go in the future. Choose a school that has master's and doctoral programs in your desired field of study. If you are planning to look for a job when you graduate, look for schools with active career offices.

Show me all the Bachelors in Psychology programs in:

In addition to the campus based programs, there are numerous online programs available for many of the common Psychology degree types (Associate, Bachelors, Masters, PhD) and specialties. Please feel free to use the links on the left-hand side of this page to explore some of the online degree programs available. Thanks for visiting!