The first step toward helping others is understanding them.
With a psychology degree, you can make a positive impact on the world in countless ways. Gain a strong foundation in psychology and unlock numerous career opportunities in fields such as clinical psychology, counseling, education, and even marketing and business management. At Cumberlands, you will experience a diverse range of courses that reflect the discipline's breadth and cater to your interests. With faculty members bringing real-world understanding and fresh ideas to their teaching, you'll receive a dynamic education that combines theory with practical knowledge.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.
To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
You have the gift of understanding those around you; hone it with a degree in psychology. Use your talent to help heal, mediate, and provide guidance for those in need. A Bachelor of Science in Psychology will prepare you for entry-level positions in a variety of human service fields as well as for graduate school. It can position you well for graduate study in psychology, nursing, counseling, social work, business, law, education, medicine, and many other areas. Or, if you aspire to a career in counseling, the psychology courses at University of the Cumberlands can give you an understanding of the intricacies of working with others, and the skills you acquire will be invaluable to your work.
Course Requirements
PSYC 131 Basic Psychology
PSYC 234 Research Design and Statistics I
PSYC 244 Research Design and Statistics II
PSYC 438 History and Systems in Psychology
PSYC 499 Senior Seminar
Select 24 credit hours (6 courses) from the following:
PSYC 231 Introduction to the Psychology Major
PSYC 232 Child and Adolescent Development
PSYC 238 Educational Psychology
PSYC 330 Introduction to Counseling**
PSYC 331 Physiological Psychology*
PSYC 332 Adult Development
PSYC 333 Psychology of Personality**
PSYC 334 Social Psychology
PSYC 335 Behavior Modification
PSYC 336 Positive Psychology
PSYC 337 Cognitive Psychology *
PSYC 338 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
PSYC 339 Learning and Memory*
PSYC 402 Psychology of Religion
PSYC 403 Behavior Change for Lifestyle Wellness (also listed in catalog as HESS 403)
PSYC 431 Psychological Testing**
PSYC 432 Sports Psychology
PSYC 433 Counseling Psychology**
PSYC 434 Forensic Psychology
PSYC 435 Abnormal Psychology**
PSYC 490 Directed Study-Special Topics
PSYC 491 Directed Study-Research or Readings*
*Recommended for students planning to attend graduate school.
**Recommended for students planning to enter the clinical field
A Bachelor of Arts degree requires completing the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of completing one foreign language sequence through the intermediate level.
FREN 131 Elementary French I
FREN 132 Elementary French II
FREN 231 Intermediate French I
FREN 232 Intermediate French II
SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I
SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II
SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
Psychology Minors
You don’t need to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology in order to hone your gift of understanding and helping others. The knowledge and skills you learn through a minor in psychology program will help you use your gift to help heal, mediate, and provide guidance for those in need. A minor in psychology complements many major degree programs and is sure to help you succeed not only in the workforce but in other areas of life as well.
Course Requirements
These two courses (6 credit hours) are required:
PSYC 131 Basic Psychology
PSYC 232 Child and Adolescent Development
Select five courses (15 credit hours) from the following:
PSYC 234 Research Design & Statistics I*
PSYC 238 Educational Psychology
PSYC 244 Research Design & Statistics II*
PSYC 330 Introduction to Counseling**
PSYC 331 Physiological Psychology
PSYC 332 Adult Development
PSYC 333 Psychology of Personality
PSYC 334 Social Psychology
PSYC 338 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
PSYC 402 Psychology of Religion
PSYC 403 Behavior Change for Lifestyle Wellness (or HESS 403)
PSYC 433 Counseling Psychology
PSYC 434 Forensic Psychology
PSYC 435 Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 490 Directed Study–Special Topics
*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).
PSYC 131 Basic Psychology
PSYC 334 Social Psychology
PSYC 335 Behavior Modification
PSYC 336 Positive Psychology
PSYC 432 Sport Psychology
HLTH 236 Health and Wellness
HSRV 436 Human Diversity and Ethics
Note: Only core classes can be duplicated with a major or concentration.
Associate of Science with a Major in Psychology
At Cumberlands, you have the option to complete an Associate of Science (A.S.) or an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree entirely online, at an affordable rate, and in as little as one year. These degree programs are designed to offer a broad understanding of psychology that helps prepare graduates for entry level work in a related career or continued studies through a future bachelor's degree program.
Course Requirements
Note: To view requirements for the online Associate of Applied Science in Psychology program, visit our Applied Science page.
PSYC 131 Basic Psychology
PSYC 232 Child and Adolescent Development
PSYC 234 Research Design & Statistics I
PSYC 330 Introduction to Counseling
PSYC 333 Psychology of Personality
PSYC 334 Social Psychology
A Music Therapy pathway for Music and Psychology students who plan to eventually pursue a graduate degree in Music Therapy.
Music Therapy Pathway for Psychology Minors
- PSYC131 Basic Psychology
- PSYC232 Child and Adolescent Development
- PSYC238 Educational Psychology
- PSYC332 Adult Development
- PSYC330 Introduction to Counseling
- PSYC331 Physiological Psychology
- PSYC433 Counseling Psychology
- PSCY435 Abnormal Psychology
Additional courses required to complete the Music Therapy Pathway are found under the Department of Music under the Music Therapy Pathway.
The following classes are also recommended from the Department of Biology for the Music Therapy Pathway:
- BIOL243 Introduction to Human Anatomy
- BIOL244 Human Physiology
Psychology majors must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in prerequisite courses.
Transfer students may have the pattern of prerequisites altered at the discretion of the Department Chair.
Take the Next Step
Program Mission
The mission of the bachelor's degree in psychology program is to prepare students for diverse careers in fields such as marketing, management, clinical psychology, counseling, and more.
Psychology Careers & Outcomes
All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Psychologist: $81,040
Psychologist: $81,040
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments.
Career Counselor: $60,510
Career Counselor: $60,510
School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment.
Mental Health Counselor: $48,520
Mental Health Counselor: $48,520
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression.
Professor: $79,640
Professor: $79,640
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.
Case Manager: $74,000
Case Manager: $74,000
Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.
Probation Officer: $60,250
Probation Officer: $60,250
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitating law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.
Common Questions
Yes, our professors are experienced in the psychology field, though their experiences are from diverse backgrounds. When you major in psychology at University of the Cumberlands, you learn from and interact with a dynamic group of people who not only bring fresh ideas but also real-world understanding to their teaching. Our faculty members share an interest in psychology and a dedication to teaching, but their backgrounds and their professional specializations differ greatly.
Since virtually every industry values workers who know how to listen and communicate well, research and analyze data, and think critically, a degree in psychology can benefit you in any number of fields. Some more typical examples include:
- School Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Applied Behavior Specialist
- Psychotherapist
- Professor of Psychology
- Case Management
- Childcare Worker
- Probation/ Parole Officer
- Psychiatric Technician
- Sales or Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Healthcare
Though salaries vary by specialization, experience level, and geographic location, among other factors, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that the median annual wage of a psychologist in the U.S. is approximately $81,000.
It all depends on the kind of occupation you’re looking for. Many jobs in the psychology field require additional schooling beyond a bachelor’s degree, but not all. You might want to do some research into potential careers to learn more about what they would entail day-by-day, their average salaries, and what level of schooling is required for them.
Great question! University of the Cumberlands offers a minor in psychology so that you can dive deeper into the field while still pursuing other interests. Or, if you’re on the fence about pursuing a full bachelor’s degree in the first place, you may consider our associate degree programs, which take half the time to complete as a bachelor’s while still teaching you the same psychology essentials.
All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.
Faculty Experts in Psychology
Learn more about the psychology professors you will interact with.
Lindsey Cockrum
Lindsey Cockrum
Contact Information
Roni Beth Mulcahy
Dr. Katherine Urquhart
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Have any questions? Let us know!