Psychology - B.A., B.S. Download to print

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology apply the science of understanding and explaining thoughts, emotions and behavior to solving real-world problems. Topics include stress, biological influences on behavior, growth and development of children and diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Elective courses may be used to specialize in a number of areas of psychology and to gain hands-on experience in research labs. The degree prepares students for graduate school and employment in a range of fields, including clinical, applied and experimental areas of psychology and related fields such as education, law, human resources and health care.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology is designed to prepare students for graduate study in psychology and related fields. Topics include stress and trauma, neural basis of learning and memory, social and biological influences on mental and physical health, growth and development of children, and diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. students evaluate and interpret data and gain hands-on experience conducting research. Elective courses may be used to specialize in a number of areas of psychology and related fields such as neuroscience. The degree prepares students for graduate study and employment in a range of fields, including clinical psychology, research and experimental areas of psychology such as cognitive science and behavioral neuroscience, and related fields such as medicine and neuroscience.
 

There are many career options for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with most employed in careers in social service and business settings. In business settings, psychology majors work in areas such as personnel, human resources, and marketing. In social services settings, psychology majors work as case workers, residential youth counselors, probation/parole officers, group home coordinators, and other related fields. With a liberal arts (B.A.) degree, psychology majors also are qualified to work in many other fields as well, such as working at colleges and universities in alumni relations, admissions, and other areas. With a B.S. degree, psychology majors are also qualified for careers in research.

Students who choose to pursue a graduate degree have many options open to them. School Psychologists and Industrial Psychologists hold at least a master’s degree. With a doctoral degree, students can pursue numerous careers in psychology, including clinical or counseling psychology, health psychology, behavioral neuroscience, cognitive psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and others. Many doctoral level psychologists are employed in research and/or teaching at educational institutions. However, about 21 percent are employed in healthcare, primarily in offices of mental health practitioners, hospitals, physicians' offices, and outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers. After several years of experience, some psychologists—usually those with doctoral degrees—enter private practice or set up private research or consulting firms. Many graduates also pursue graduate training in related fields such as community/mental health counseling and school counseling, which require a master’s degree, and careers in neuroscience and medicine. For more information about career options for psychology majors, you can visit the Department of Psychology website.

General Admissions for New Freshman:Students most likely to be admitted and succeed at the Kent Campus are those who have graduated with at least 16 units of the recommended college preparatory curriculum in high school, who have achieved a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), and whose composite ACT score is 21 or better (980 combined critical reading and math SAT score). For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.

General Admissions for Transfer Students:Generally, a transfer applicant who has taken 12 or more semester hours with a college cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted. An applicant who has taken fewer than 12 semester hours will be evaluated on both collegiate and high school records. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for transfer students.
 

Minimum 121 total credit hours  and  42 upper-division hours for graduation. Minimum 2.000 GPA overall and 2.000 GPA in major required for graduation with the B.A. degree; minimum 2.000 GPA overall and 2.500 GPA in the major required for graduation with the B.S. degree.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Describe the basic theoretical perspectives, principles, concepts, empirical findings and historical trends in psychology.

2. Understand and use fundamental data analysis techniques.

3. Understand and apply basic research methods/tools in psychology and evaluate the adequacy of research designs.

4. Write effectively in the discipline.

5. Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.

There are many Study Abroad/Away Opportunities, for more information contact the Office of Global Education.

Department of Psychology Multicultural and Diversity Committee; Psi Chi; Psychology Club
 

Clinical Psychology (M.A., Ph.D.), Counseling (Ed.S.), Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.Ed.),
Educational Psychology (M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D.), Experimental Psychology (M.A., Ph.D.), School Counseling (M.Ed.), School Psychology (M.Ed., Ed.S., Ph.D.)