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Three bachelor in psychology degree students studying together on a porch on the University of Cumberlands campus.

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

You have the gift of understanding those around you – hone it with a degree in psychology. Use it to help heal, mediate, and provide guidance for those in need.

A Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Psychology will help you prepare for entry-level positions in a variety of human-service fields as well as for graduate school. It can position you for graduate study in psychology, nursing, counseling, social work, business, law, education, medicine, and many other areas. If you aspire for a career in church ministry, the psychology courses at University of the Cumberlands can give you an understanding of the intricacies of working with others, and the counseling skills you will acquire will be invaluable to your work.

 

Mission and Goals 

The mission of the bachelor of science in psychology is to prepare students for a variety of careers, from marketing to management to clinical psychology, counseling and more.

The bachelor's in psychology program offers a wide range of courses reflecting the diversity of the discipline as well as the interests of the students and faculty.  Courses are designed to provide an educational background appropriate to a liberal arts program, prepare students for careers in areas that value a bachelor's in psychology, and provide a strong foundation for graduate study.

Earning a bachelor of science in psychology degree from University of the Cumberlands positions students well for professional study in business, law, education, medicine, mental health treatment, and numerous other areas. Students leave with an intricate understanding of how to work with others, having acquired counseling skills which will be invaluable to their work. Once students hit the workforce, the critical thinking and people skills they developed in the psychology program work to their advantage, granting them countless opportunities to expand their knowledge and impact those around them.

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What is a BA or BS in Psychology?

Our bachelor's in psychology faculty members share an interest in psychology and a dedication to teaching, but their backgrounds and their professional specializations differ greatly. When you major in psychology, you have the opportunity to learn from and interact with a dynamic group of people who not only bring fresh ideas but also real-world understanding to their teaching.

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Bachelor's in Psychology: Jobs & Outlook

With the solid foundation your Bachelor of Science in Psychology provides in critical thinking and people skills, you’ll be well prepared to pursue a variety of careers from marketing to management.  There are many career options for those wanting to start work after completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. For example, graduates could pursue careers in:

PSYCHOLOGIST1

A psychology degree from University of the Cumberlands can help you start your journey on a number of career paths, from psychotherapist to clinical psychologist. The need for qualified psychologists is expected to grow 8 percent by 2030. Currently, the median annual salary for these mental health professionals is $81,040.

POSTSECONDARY INSTRUCTOR2

Perhaps instead of practicing, you’re more interested in passing along what you’ve learned. With a median annual salary of $79,640, employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 12 percent over the next decade.

Or you could pursue a career in other fields altogether. With the solid foundation of critical thinking and people skills a psychology degree provides, you’ll be well prepared to pursue a variety of professional careers – from front-line sales to back-office management.

CAREERS

  • School Psychologist
  • Counseling Psychologist
  • Child Study Team Director
  • Early Intervention School Psychologist
  • Applied Behavior Specialist
  • Psychotherapist
  • Staff Psychologist
  • Neuropsychology Director
  • Psychology Instructor
  • Professor of Psychology
  • Case Management
  • Childcare Worker
  • Probation/ Parole Officer
  • Psychiatric Technician
  • Sales
  • Administration and Management
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing
  • Healthcare

$81,040   Median Annual Pay for Psychologists1

1Psychologists
2Postsecondary Teachers

What kind of salary and career prospects can you expect to earn with some of these options? It entirely depends on career path you follow and whether you choose to pursue further education, like a graduate or doctorate degree. Psychiatrist positions pay very well but require more than a bachelor’s degree. One of the highest paying career options for someone with a bachelor’s in psychology is marketing. Marketing managers can earn an average of over $140,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Our Bachelor of Science in Psychology Degree also prepares you to pursue graduate study.  Our graduates may pursue advanced degrees in areas like Clinical Psychology, Counseling, School Psychology, Social Work, Neuropsychology, Social Psychology, Sport Psychology, Education, Occupational Therapy, or Speech/Language Therapy. Some of our psychology graduates have also gone on to Medical or Law School.

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Degree Requirements for a Psychology Degree

Bachelor of Science in Psychology 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY—40 semester hours as follows: 

Required Core Psychology Courses—16 hours: 

Electives—24 hours selected from the following:

*Recommended for students planning to attend graduate school.

**Recommended for students planning to enter the clinical field

Bachelor of Arts in Pscyhology 

Completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree plus a world language through the intermediate level.

Minor in Psychology 

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY— 21 semester hours as follows: 

Required Core Psychology Courses—6 hours:

Five courses selected from the following: 15 hours 

*Students who choose to take BOTH PSYC 234 and 244 may take ONE additional 200-level psychology course to satisfy their minor electives. Also, students who take these two courses may also choose from additional courses for which PSYC 234 and 244 are prerequisites (PSYC 431, 436, 438).

Minor in Sport and Wellness Psychology 

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN SPORT AND WELLNESS PSYCHOLOGY— 21 semester hours as follows:

Note: Only core classes can be duplicated with a major or concentration.

Associate of Science with a Major in Psychology 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE WITHA MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY—18 semester hours as follows:

Required Core Courses—18 hours:

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Nursing School with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

Another potentially well-paying option for those who get an undergraduate degree in psychology is to go to nursing school. Nurses spend a lot of time with their patients, providing them comfort and care. Having a background in psychology can help you better serve your patients, both those with and without mental illness. Nurses can specialize in a variety of areas, including family medicine. Those who earn a Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner can further their knowledge and expertise of the field, increasing their earning potential. According to the BLS, demand for nurses is up, and they can expect an average salary of $115,000.

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More Information on Psychology Degree

TUITION

Costs for programs of study at University of the Cumberlands are competitive and affordable. Click here to view tuition rates and fees. 

ACCREDITATION 

Click here to view University of the Cumberlands' accreditation information. 

Faculty

You'll be rubbing shoulders with amazing faculty as you work to gain your degree in Psychology. Learn more about the Psychology faculty who will teach you through out your degree. 

Honor Society 

Learn more about the honor society for pyschology students. 

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Interested in pursuing a career in the psychology field, perhaps as a mental health counselor, psychiatric technician, or clinical psychologist? Want to learn more about how to earn a bachelor’s in psychology? Want to learn more about our test-optional college admissions process? We’re here to help. Wherever God guides you, make sure you have the tools to help His people with a Degree in Psychology from University of the Cumberlands!

Admissions Office

Contact Us

Phone:  606.539.4240
Toll-Free:  877.713.8767
Fax:  606.539.4303
Email:  admissions@ucumberlands.edu

Visit Us In Person

6178 College Station Drive
Williamsburg, KY 40769

Career Path

A University of the Cumberlands degree prepares you for the rigors of the professional world.  Click the button to learn more about the exciting career opportunities you can pursue with this program.