Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Psychology

Psychology Major: The Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Psychology

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Psychology is a great program for those interested in helping others and who want to understand why people behave the way they do. The BA program is suitable for those interested in pursuing specific career paths in psychology including clinical, counseling, and school as well as other related applied areas of psychology like forensic and sport psychology. The BA program offers students flexibility in their programs of study allowing them to select courses specific to their future interests that will make them more attractive to employers and graduate programs. The BA program also maintains a liberal arts focus by exposing students to coursework in related fields like Gerontology, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Philosophy. Ultimately, students pursuing the BA degree in Psychology develop objective and deep understanding of human behavior and mental processes as well as strong critical thinking and data analysis skills, all of which are valuable in any field one chooses to enter following graduation.

Optional Concentrations for the BA Degree in Psychology
The Department of Psychology Minor

Forensic Psychology Concentration

This concentration involves focusing your choices in the major on Forensic Psychology relevant courses and adding additional courses from other departments for a more comprehensive exposure to the field. An additional major or minor is required. It is of particular interest to those wanting

to work in fields involving criminal investigation and the legal system,
to pursue graduate study in Forensic Psychology, and/or
to conduct research in areas pertaining to Forensic Psychology.

Sport Psychology Concentration

This concentration will involve focusing your choices in the major on Sport Psychology relevant courses and adding additional courses from other departments for a more comprehensive exposure to the field. No additional major or minor needed. It is of particular interest to those wanting

to understand how psychology and sports interact
to pursue a career in Sport Psychology, Exercise Psychology, or Performance Coaching and/or
to conduct research in this area.

Psychology Minor

Our minor in Psychology

is a great complement to many other programs,
adds depth and scientific analysis skills, and
provides deeper understanding of human behavior across a variety of contexts.

If your future career path will involve working with people, then the minor can be a practical addition.

Clinical and Community Behavioral Health Minor

This minor is open to any major in the university, including Psychology majors. It is for those interested in careers in mental and behavioral health such as Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology; Social Work; and other fields in the human services sector. Those completing this minor will:

Be better prepared for careers in mental and behavioral health and human services.
Gain greater awareness of major psychological theories and paradigms of relevance in mental and behavioral health and human services.
Demonstrate understanding of different mental and behavioral health and human service organizations including roles of professionals, range of services offered, and organizational values.

Declaring a Major or Minor

Student Research Opportunities