Psychology is consistently one of the most popular undergraduate degrees. A degree in Psychology spans a wide-variety of topics, ranging from Social Science to Research Methods to Drug Effects and Behavior. This varied coursework appeals to many students, and sets them up for success in a wide array of careers. For those students who want to pursue a career as a therapist or counselor, a bachelor’s degree in Psychology can be a stepping stone on a longer academic journey. If you’re considering a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, read on to learn about the requirements expected of students in this exciting program of study, and future career field.
Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Options
Before beginning your college degree, it’s important to know what your options for programs are. Here are the bachelor’s degree offerings in Psychology at University of Bridgeport.
Psychology BS
A traditional bachelor’s degree in Psychology is a four-year college degree, ideal for students who have no college, or very little college, experience. This program is completed in-person and on a full-time basis. This degree prepares students with a wide variety of career options, which will be discussed later, and helps them meet the basic degree requirements for a psychology career.
Psychology BS Online
The online Psychology BS is a flexible option for students who would like to complete their degree from the comfort of their home. Online students often have jobs, families, or other obligations, and prefer a more convenient learning format. Students in this degree program can take their courses online, whenever and from wherever they’d like. Both core and elective courses in Psychology can be taken online. The BS in Psychology online also makes students eligible for a variety of psychology careers after graduation.
Human Services and Psychology BS
A bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Psychology is a double major degree that provides students with a strong foundation in psychological, social, and developmental theory. Students in this program can complete courses in the evening, on the weekend, and online, making this a highly flexible program. This degree meets the requirements for many entry-level social service positions, as well as for graduate coursework.
Psychology Degree Requirements
In order to earn their degree in Psychology, students must complete a variety of general education courses, core major classes, and electives. The required curriculum is as follows:
General Education Requirements
Students in the Psychology program must complete 43 credits of general education courses. These classes include:
- Academic Writing
- Humanities Core
- Social Science
- Natural Science
- Fine Arts
- Capstone Seminar
The BS in Psychology requires students to complete 13 Psychology-specific classes. These courses include:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Child Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Personality Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Research Methods
- Statistical Methods
In addition to their core, required Psychology coursework, students must complete 15 Psychology electives. Students may choose from a variety of classes, including:
- Adolescence
- Maturity and Aging
- Educational Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Animal Behavior
- Psychology of Women
- Sports Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
Psychology Degree Admission Requirements
Admission to the bachelor’s degree in Psychology can vary from program to program. First-year applicants to the University of Bridgeport should submit the following to be considered for admission:
- An official copy of high school transcripts
- ACT and/or SAT scores (optional for freshmen students; not required for transfer applications)
- An application for admission
We’ve mentioned that a bachelor’s degree in Psychology can prepare you for a variety of diverse careers. Through the comprehensive curriculum above, psychology students gain a holistic education, with a strong foundation of general liberal arts credits, as well as science and mathematics. This training makes psychology graduates uniquely qualified to fill roles in fields such as marketing, social services, sales, personnel management, and more. Here are just a few positions that you might pursue with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology:
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Human Resource Specialist
- Technical Writer
- Marketing Consultant
- Criminal Investigator
Students who want to pursue a career in counseling or therapy must pursue a graduate degree. A bachelor’s degree in Psychology is needed to take this next step, and can prepare you for a master’s degree in Counseling.
In addition, prospective counselors are required to complete supervised clinical work. Depending on the state in which they wish to practice, they may have to complete anywhere between 2,000 and 4,000 supervised hours. In the state of Connecticut, future therapists are required to complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience. Following this training, they must complete and pass the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE).
Of course, many psychology and social service careers do not require a master’s degree. With a bachelor’s in Psychology on its own, you can meet the requirements for careers like a Human Resource Specialist, Community Organizer, Preschool Teacher, Criminal Investigator, Community Service Manager, and more.
When researching potential college majors, degree requirements are, naturally, an area of consideration. How long is the program? How many classes will you have to take? Is the degree mostly liberal arts focused, or are STEM classes foundational to the program? Now that you’ve become more familiar with the Psychology degree requirements, continue your exploration of this flexible and versatile degree, here!
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