Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology Guide
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Contributing Writer
Editor & Writer
Reviewer & Writer
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Earning a degree in psychology can be a launchpad to fulfilling careers as a clinical psychologist, counselor, or organizational psychologist. While more advanced positions require a master's degree, with a bachelor's you can also pursue diverse careers such as a psychological stress evaluator, correctional treatment specialist, or social worker.
Psychology is a growing career, with a slightly higher-than-average increase in psychology positions in the next 10 years. In this article, you'll find an overview of program types, popular courses, and the application process to decide if a psychology degree is right for you.
What Is Psychology?
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. It examines the behavior of both humans and nonhumans. Psychology also studies mental processes such as thoughts, feelings, and motives.
Psychology can be a good career path if you're interested in the human mind, what governs behavior, and how we interact with the environment. Psychologists actively study and work to understand mental processes, brain functions, and behavior.
Psychology can encompass diverse fields such as behavioral neuroscience, cognitive psychology, clinical psychology, developmental psychology, intellectual and developmental disabilities, social psychology, organizational psychology, and quantitative psychology.
Psychologists apply research to the prevention and management of disease, the identification of psychological factors that contribute to physical illness, and even for the improvement of organizations or healthcare systems.
Featured Online Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Reasons to Pursue a Bachelor's in Psychology
Earning a bachelor's degree in psychology can open up interesting career paths in social work, counseling, organizations, or healthcare.
According to the BLS, the projected growth rate for psychologists is 6%. With a median salary of $85,330, psychologists earn more than the national average. Below is an overview of the pros and cons of a bachelor's in psychology.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Bachelor's in Psychology
Pros
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A bachelor's in psychology can help you launch a career in a growing field. -
You can earn a higher-than-average median salary with growth opportunities. -
You can use a bachelor's in psychology as a launchpad for diverse careers, from social work to a psychologist or counselor to an organizational psychologist.
Cons
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You'll need a master's degree or Ph.D. for many psychology careers. -
Education costs can add up, with careers after just a bachelor's degrees -
Many psychology careers can be stressful as you help people work through challenging situations.
How to Choose a Psychology Program
When choosing a psychology program, it's essential to choose a program that's right for you. For that, you'll want to consider the program type, whether it's synchronous or asynchronous, admissions requirements, costs, and concentrations. The right fit will have a concentration that matches your career goals and meets other criteria.
Program Type
There are so many program types to choose from, including online or in-person courses. You can also choose between synchronous or asynchronous courses, potentially opting for greater flexibility. Finally, you'll want to examine the professors, student services, internship opportunities, and unique college offerings.
It can be helpful to check specific course offerings and student placement or graduation rates to narrow down the programs you would like to consider attending.
Cost
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the average cost of tuition for an undergraduate degree at a public four-year college was $9,700 in 2021-2022. For a private college, that tuition jumps to $38,800 for the same year.
When multiplied by the average four years it takes to complete a degree, tuition ranges from $38,800 to $155,200. In addition, you'll need to account for room and board, health expenses, and personal expenses.
You can apply for scholarships, grants, and other financial aid to reduce the costs of earning a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for a bachelor's degree in psychology program vary by college. Most colleges require a high school diploma or equivalent, essays, and letters of recommendation. Many schools also have a minimum stated GPA for acceptance. Some, but not all, universities require standardized test scores from the SAT or ACT.
The best psychology degree programs typically require an average GPA of 3.0, though some accept a 2.5 or 2.0. Other schools may admit students with low GPAs on probationary status. You can check specific admissions requirements at your chosen colleges to prepare for any college-specific requirements.
Concentrations
There are different concentrations you can take when choosing a bachelor's in psychology degree program. For example, you can choose degrees with a concentration in forensic psychology, organizational psychology, clinical psychology, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, addiction, childhood development, mental health, or social psychology.
Here are more details about a few of these options:
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Organizational psychology
Industrial and organizational psychology looks at individuals' and organizations' effectiveness, health, and well-being to optimize performance and growth. -
Childhood development
Developmental psychology is the scientific study examining how and why humans grow, change, and adapt. The field extends from infants and children to adolescence, adult development, aging, and the human lifespan. -
Forensic psychology
Forensic psychology applies scientific knowledge and methods to answer legal questions arising in criminal, civil, or contractual proceedings. -
Social psychology
Social psychology looks at an individuals' relationship with the world around them. This includes the study of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.
Popular Psychology Courses
Psychology courses give you the foundational knowledge necessary in diverse psychological fields. If you're undecided on a psychology concentration, they can also give you direct experience of different fields to choose a subspecialization.
Here is an overview of popular psychology courses at most universities.
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Social Psychology
Social psychology looks at why people do what they do. Understanding social psychology can give students a glimpse into the latest research from social psychology and its applications to individuals, communities, and businesses. -
Behavioral Neuroscience
Behavioral neuroscience examines the connection between the brain (neuroscience) and behavior. It looks at how behavior is expressed neurologically. You'll learn how to assess brain trigger mechanisms of learning and memory, the neurological control of physical movements, and other mind-body connections related to common behaviors like eating and drinking. -
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology offers an overview of the causes and treatments of psychological disorders. Whether you're considering pursuing clinical psychology or not, this course can be foundational to psychological understanding. Coursework explores how social, psychological, and biological factors overlap. -
Cognitive Development
Cognitive development courses look at the early development of infants and children. It examines how children form memories, learn new things, and become socially aware of their surroundings. This course can be the foundation for a career as a child psychologist or behavioral therapist. -
Abnormal Psychology
Courses on abnormal psychology examine deviant behaviors, psychopathologies, and diagnostic categories. You'll have a chance to examine the root causes of many of these behaviors and understand how professionals treat clients. This is typically a required course for all psychology students.
The Application Process
You will need a high school diploma, GED, or the equivalent to apply for a bachelor's degree in psychology. The application process for psychology programs is similar to other bachelor's degree programs. You'll need to meet the university's minimum GPA requirements and typically submit your full high school transcripts.
Other requirements include:
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Application
You'll need to complete a school-specific application. However, some colleges accept the Common Application. The application will usually ask about your GPA, extracurriculars, and test scores. -
Personal Essays
Colleges typically require one or more essays with diverse prompts to determine whether you could be a good fit for their program. -
Letters of Recommendation
Most schools require letters of recommendation from one or two of your teachers. Some also allow you to ask supervisors or family friends to write a letter of recommendation. -
Test Scores
If the college requires test scores, you must submit either SAT or ACT scores. -
Application Fee
Most colleges charge an application fee from $25 to $90, though some waive this fee for students with financial needs.
What Jobs Can You Get with a Psychology Degree?
If you plan to pursue a career as a psychologist or a counselor, you'll usually need to earn a master's degree in psychology. However, there are many careers you can pursue with a bachelor's degree in psychology while pursuing a bachelor's degree or as a long-term career.
Here are a few options:
Addiction Counselor
An addiction or substance abuse counselor will be able to assist clients who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. This can include creating treatment plans to help clients recover while providing emotional support through the recovery process.
Usually, only a bachelor's degree in psychology is required to fulfill the minimal certification requirements, although some states require a graduate degree.
Social Worker
As a social worker, you can help people cope with everyday problems, including emotional, behavioral, familial, and professional issues. To be a credentialed social worker in your state, you must have a bachelor's degree.
Human Resources Management
In human resources, you can plan, coordinate, and direct personnel and administration within companies and organizations. With that role, you can oversee recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff, create strategic planning, and more.
Public Relations Representative
As a public relations specialist, you will create and maintain a positive public image for your clients. You can work for a company or offer consultant services. A bachelor's degree is sufficient for a career in public relations, and a psychology degree offers insight into your marketing strategy.
Is Psychology Right for Me?
Psychology is foundational to so much of human life that a degree in psychology can prepare you with unique insights for any career. Choosing a bachelor's degree in psychology can be the first step towards many fulfilling career paths.
With a bachelor's in psychology, you can continue your graduate education and earn a master's or doctoral degree before building a career as a clinical psychologist or counselor. Or, you can pursue careers as diverse as organizational psychology, human resource management, social work, or addiction counseling.
Research and preparation can help you to make an informed decision about pursuing psychology. Before pursuing a degree in organizational psychology, carefully consider your career goals and interests, program costs, admission requirements, and specializations to find a program that best prepares you for your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology Degrees
Can I take psychology classes online?
Yes, you can take psychology classes online. You can take online psychology degrees at every level, from associate to doctoral. These can be a great option for earning a degree while working or accessing an excellent program in another part of the country without moving.
Should I get a master's in psychology?
Getting a master's in psychology can lead to faster career advancement. With a master's degree, you could pursue clinical psychology, counseling, or organizational psychology. Earning a master's degree can make you a more competitive candidate for diverse career paths.
What degree is best for psychology?
Which psychology degree is best for you depends on your interests and career goals. A bachelor of science in psychology can give you a solid foundation for pursuing diverse careers in psychology. You'll gain the fundamentals and skills to consider careers in social services, counseling, or business.
What do you need to be a school psychologist?
According to the National Association of School Psychologists, school psychologists usually need to complete a master's or doctoral degree. These degrees require 60-90 graduate semester hours and take 3-6 years to complete. You'll usually need to complete a year-long, 1,200- to 1,500-hour supervised internship.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 27, 2024.
