Bachelor of Science (BS): Psychology Degree Overview
A Bachelor of Science in Psychology program provides students with general education in theoretical perspectives related to the field; it does not offer professional training. Students who obtain a B.S. degree in psychology may work in mental health facilities, government or business, but they will not be qualified for jobs as professional psychologists without further education.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Undergraduate psychology programs are generally designed to teach students about the brain, human behavior and social interactions through scientific approaches. Many schools offer both Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) programs in psychology; B.S. programs often include more coursework and labs related to math and science, such as neurobiological processes and the mechanics of the brain. Some B.S. in Psychology programs allow students to focus their studies in a subfield of psychology, such as mental health, forensic psychology or developmental psychology. Students can acquire an understanding about the ethics of psychology, especially in regard to interacting with clients.
Throughout this program, students may participate in research, practicum or clinical hours, as well as independent studies or capstone projects related to an area of interest, such as human behavior or development. Students may also have the opportunity to become members of Psi Chi (the National Honor Society in Psychology) or student chapters of the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society.
Education Prerequisites
Students applying to a bachelor's degree program need to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some colleges may also ask applicants to submit an activity resume or an essay.
Course Topics
Bachelor of Science in Psychology programs offer students foundational knowledge in analytical reasoning, cognition, statistics and subfields of psychology. Furthermore, students can improve their skills in technical writing, critical thinking and research. Students may encounter course topics such as:
- Abnormal psychology
- Clinical psychology
- Aging and adulthood
- Social development and psychology
- Personality theories
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
Students who complete a B.S. in Psychology may pursue entry-level positions in psychology-related careers. Individuals may find work in mental health facilities, halfway houses, crisis center hospitals, detention centers or psychiatric hospitals. Some graduates may find positions as psychiatric assistants, assistant directors or administrators. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychiatric aides earned an average salary of $26,710 in May 2010 (www.bls.gov).
Continuing Education Information
Students who want to become professional psychologists must enter a graduate program in psychology, usually a Doctor of Psychology or a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology. At the graduate level, students can focus their studies on one specific area, such as clinical psychology, developmental psychology or health psychology. Some graduate programs offer a dual program that combine the Doctor of Philosophy program with a master's degree in a different field, such as public policy. Psychologists who plan to work with clients are also required to earn state licensure, according to the BLS.
Related to Bachelor of Science (BS): Psychology Degree Overview
- Related
- Recently Updated
- Popular
OCL Psychology Student Diary: Lessons Learned
Have you ever wondered what taking an online college course might be like? So did we, so we took one! But the course...
OCL Psychology Student Diary: The Last Test
Well, it's all come down to this. The studying is done, the practice test is complete and the lessons are finished....
OCL Psychology Student Diary: The Home Stretch
Things are coming down to the home stretch now. Time to step up the studying and really make these last lessons count!...
OCL Psychology Student Diary: The Breaking Point
For the last few weeks, we've been taking advantage of free college course material online thanks to the Open Course...
OCL Psychology Student Diary: Old Habits Die Hard
- Organizational Psychology: Career Options and Job Duties
- Geriatric Psychology: Career Options, Job Duties and Requirements
- Positive Psychology: Career Options, Job Duties and Requirements
- Top University for Degrees in Human Resource Management - Houston, TX
- Top Ranked Culinary School - New York, NY
- Top Ranked School for Healthcare Management - Chicago, IL
- Top Ranked Business School - Atlanta, GA
18 Popular Schools
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Psychology
- BS in Psychology - Human Development, Education and Health
-
- BS in Psychology - Organizational Studies
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Human Services - Psychology
- BS in Psychology - General Psychology
- BS in Psychology - Psychology Preparation for Graduate Schools
-
- BS in Human Services - Child and Adolescent Development
- BS in Human Services - Self-Designed
- BS in Psychology - Addictions
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in General Psychology
- BS in Psychology
- BS in Applied Psychology
-
- BS in Forensic Psychology
- BS in Psychology of Religion
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have completed 12 college credits
School locations:
- Online Learning
- California (18 campuses)
- Washington (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arkansas (2 campuses)
- Arizona (4)
- California (17)
- Colorado (3)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (3)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho (1)
- Indiana (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Missouri (3)
- Mississippi (1)
- Nevada (2)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Oregon (1)
- Tennessee (3)
- Texas (8)
- Utah (2)
- Virginia (2)
- Wisconsin (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Bachelor
