BA in Psychology

Follow a traditional path to earn your psychology bachelor’s degree that addresses the essentials of psychological science and thought. This degree provides a wide range of courses that focus on your specific interests. 

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Degree Overview

Earning your BA in Psychology will address a broad range of topics within psychology providing students with knowledge, skills and abilities across multiple fields. Choose a concentration in child psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, preparation for advanced study in counseling, or preparation for advanced study in psychology.

Courses are taught by scholar–practitioners with field experience, who provide guidance as you explore your various career options.

As a student you will:

  • Connect psychological theory to real-life applications.
  • Examine psychological principles of human behavior from a historical perspective.
  • Describe how diversity, inclusivity, and equity shape values and ethics across cultures.
  • Deconstruct the methodology and statistical techniques related to behavioral science research.
  • Apply appropriate methods of scientific writing in APA format.
  • Learn to understand and apply the major theories related to the entire lifespan.


Next Session

Summer I (Apr 29, 2024)

Estimated Tuition

$500/Credit

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Ways to Learn

Online

Program Benefits that Benefit You.

Customizable Degrees

Choose a concentration in advanced study in counseling, child psychology, or organizational psychology and apply your degree to a wide variety of career paths including human resources, research, management and more.

Program-Embedded Support

Our scholar-practitioner faculty will help guide you every step of the way. UMass Global’s Psychology Club and other student organizations provide additional resources and networking opportunities.

Direct MA in Psychology Transfer

Fast-track your journey toward a master’s degree with a program that prepares students for a graduate-level psychology education at UMass Global and beyond.

WSCUC

University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Imagine Your Future In Psychology

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    The professors realized I have a life and wanted to pursue my dreams. They didn’t make me feel like I had to choose between family and school. They made me feel like I could be successful in both.
    Dominique H.
    BA, Psychology
    The counseling program prepared me for my surprise career in behavioral health by providing me with a strong background and practical experience in counseling techniques and a strong skill set in research and critical thinking—key in building a leadership career.
    Robert P.
    MA, Professional Clinical Counseling
    All of my instructors inspired me. They were working in the field as well as teaching, so the stories they shared made it relatable and attainable. The staff and faculty are all very positive and provide motivation for the students.
    Quinton J.
    BA, Psychology

    Admission Requirements

    Applicants for this program must complete the formal application process and submit required documents. Documents required vary based on the number of transferable credits and include:

    0 - 11 TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

    • High school diploma or GED equivalent
    • Official high school transcript indicating the date of graduation

    12 OR MORE TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

    • A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
    • Provide official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended
    active military?

    Admissibility and minimum transfer credit awarded will be determined based on the Community College of the Air Force, SMART, AARTS or JST transcripts.

    Transcripts

    Only credits from regionally accredited institutions may be accepted in transfer. Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university may be considered a violation of academic integrity.

    HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT UNDERGRADUATE REQUIREMENTS? Request more information>

    BA in Psychology Program Curriculum

    • Bachelor degrees require students to complete a minimum of 120 semester units which include a combination of General Education requirements and program specific requirements. In the absence of sufficient transfer credit, students may need to take additional general electives to satisfy the 120 total units for the degree which a UMass Global Academic Advisor will help you evaluate.

       

      Code Course Name Credits
      Basic Skills 12
      ENGU103 Writing Communication I: Writing and Rhetoric 3
      ENGU 104 Written Communication II: Writing About Literature 3
      MATU 103 Applied Mathematics 3
      COMU 101 Public Speaking 1 3
      Quantitative reasoning 3
      Oral communication 3
      Breadth Requirements 24
      Humanities Select from 3 different areas: Communications, English, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, Humanities, Liberal Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies 9
      Natural Sciences Select 6 credits 6
      Social Sciences Select from 3 different areas: Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Economics, History, Marketing, Organizational Leadership, Political Science/Legal Studies, Psychology, Social Sciences, Social Work, Sociology 9
      Liberal Education Foundations 6
      LBSU 302 Information Fluency and Academic Integrity 3
      LBSU 304 Liberal Arts Core Foundations 3
      Total Credits 42
    • Code Course Name Credits
      PSYU 101 Introduction to Psychology

      3
      MATU 203 Introduction to Statistics

      3
      PSYU 301 Scientific Writing in Behavioral Social Sciences

      3
      PSYU 304 Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences

      3
      PSYU 306 Critical Thinking

      3
      PSYU 320 Human Development across the Lifespan

      3
      PSYU 328 Abnormal Psychology

      3
      PSYU 333 Physiological Psychology

      3
      PSYU 336 Social Psychology

      3
      PSYU 351 History and Systems of Psychology

      3
      PSYU 421 Cross-Cultural Psychology 3 
      PSYU 480 Psychology Capstone

      3
      Core Foundation in Psychological Science Subtotal

      36
      Concentration

      15
      Students will select a concentration from the options below. *

       
      Concentration Subtotal

      15
      Total Credits

      48

    • The General Psychology Concentration is designed for students who are interested in addressing a broad range of topics in psychology, without being tied to one particular focus. Students are able to select any psychology elective classes they desire in order to build a diverse basis of psychological theory and application, giving students the opportunity to explore multiple domains of psychology. A student who graduates with a general psychology concentration may consider careers that demand an understanding of human behavior and cognition. The general psychology concentration can offer a student a better understanding of various specialties that can be pursued at the graduate level if desired.

      Code Course Name Credits
      Select four courses from the following approved electives:  12
       PSYU 310 Psychology of Learning  3
       PSYU 317 Cognitive Psychology  3
       PSYU 322 Theories of Personality  3
       PSYU 323 Child Development  3
       PSYU 324 Adolescence  3
       PSYU 355 Media Psychology  3
       PSYU 398 Pediatric Neuropsychology  3
       PSYU 418 Community Mental Health  3
       PSYU 428 Introduction to Clinical Psychology   3
       PSYU 432 Introduction to Psychological Measurement

       3
       PSYU 437 Spirituality and Mental Health  3
       PSYU 450 Introduction to Counseling  3
       PSYU 455 Family Systems and Dynamics  3
       PSYU 460 Introduction to Career Development  3
      PSYU 462 Personnel Psychology   3
       PSYU 464 Applied Behavioral Analysis  3
       PSYU 466 Preferred Behavioral Enhancement  3
       PSYU 468 Case Management   3
       PSYU 470 Psychology of Aging  3
       PSYU 471 Issues in Aging   3
       PSYU 472 Health Care and Aging  3
       PSYU 473 Social Aspects of Aging  3

       PSYU 481 Organizational Psychology

      		  3
       PSYU 492 Intern Program: Fieldwork Practicum in Psychology  1-3
       PSYU 496: Survey of Forensic Psychology  3
       PSYU 499: Independent Study  1-3
      *Note Electives satisfied in transfer must be upper division or equivalent   

    • The child psychology concentration is designed for students interested in working with all children with a specific emphasis on children with various developmental challenges. The Child Psychology Concentration provides students with a greater depth of study in child development, learning, and current treatment options for children with autism and other disabilities. It addresses child development from biological, evolutionary, behavioral, psychoanalytic, cognitive, sociocultural, and humanistic perspectives and provides applied courses on how to enhance child development and learning.

      Code Course Name Credits
      PSYU 323 Child Development

      3
      PSYU 398 Pediatric Neuropsychology

      3
      PSYU 464 Applied Behavioral Analysis

      3
      PSYU 466 Preferred Behavior Enhancement

      3
      Total Credits

      12

    • Students who are interested in applying their psychology degree in a business setting will thrive in the Industrial/Organizational Concentration. This concentration gives students the ability to take theoretical perspectives and use them in a practical and applied manner in a variety of workplace settings. Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology is a high demand field designed to promote employee productivity and retention support organizations in dealing with diversity issues, job selection, training, performance feedback, coaching and other issues related to personnel in organizational settings.

      Code Course Name Credits
      PSYU 432 Introduction to Psychological Measurement

      3
      PSYU 460 Introduction to Career Development

      3
      PSYU 462 Personnel Psychology

      3
      PSYU 481 Organizational Psychology

      3
      Total Credits

      12
    • General Track
      Code Course Name Credits
      Requirements

       
      MATU 203 Introduction to Statistics

      3
      PSYU 101 Introduction to Psychology

      3
      PSYU 304 Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences

      3
      or SOCU 301

      Social Research Design
      Select three upper-division elective courses in Psychology

      9
      Total Credits

      18
      Applied Track
      Code Course Name Credits
      Requirements

       
      PSYU 101 Introduction to Psychology

      3
      Select five upper-division elective courses in Psychology

      15
      Total Credits

      18

    Ways to Get Started

    Meet Our Faculty

    Kathleen Ringenbach SAS

    arts-sciences

    Kathleen Ringenbach, Ph.D.

    Professor of Psychology

    Specialty
    Vanessa Holtgrave

    arts-sciences

    Dr. Vanessa Holtgrave, PsyD, MS, CPsychol, AFBPsS

    Assistant Professor

    Specialty

    Psychology
    Jennifer Good PsyD

    arts-sciences

    Dr. Jenny Good, Psy.D.

    Associate Professor of Psychology and Vice Chair of Psychology Programs

    Specialty

    Older Adults

    Life Stage Transitions
    Isa Ribadu SAS

    arts-sciences

    Isa Ribadu, Ph.D.

    Professor and Associate Dean/ Program Director

    Specialty
    All arts & sciences faculty

    Want More Information About Psychology and Counseling?

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Browse through frequently asked questions about psychology and counseling.

    Child Psychology

    Why is child psychology important?

    Child psychology helps serve the population who need help the most – our young people. ADHD, anxiety and behavior disorders are among the most common disorders that can be diagnosed during childhood, but not all children, or parents, have the resources to address them. See the stats and more.

    What is better: A BS or BA in Psychology?

    Both are useful but have different areas of focus. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology is very versatile and can open up career opportunities in fields like social work, criminal justice and child psychology, while a Bachelor of Science (BS) typically prepares you for more research-based and clinical work.  

    Mental Health Therapy

    How do you become a mental health therapist?

    The two most common fields of study are psychology and social work. You'll need a master's degree in a mental health-related field such as an MFT. Licensure can require 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, along with continuing education courses and specified exams. More info
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