Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology
Psychology is a great college major for anyone who's interested in studying the human brain or behavior. After earning a degree, some choose to study psychology in hopes of becoming a licensed psychologist or counselor, both of which are positions that require a Ph.D. to earn a practicing license. Consequently, if this is the career path you want to follow, you'll need to look into further education through a master's then doctoral degree in psychology.
However, many students who earn their bachelor's degree in psychology go onto find quality jobs and develop successful careers. If you have just earned this degree, you may be wondering, "What can you do with a bachelors degree in psychology?"
Jobs for Graduates with a Bachelor's in Psychology
Although some of the most popular jobs in psychology require an advanced degree, graduates with a bachelor's in psychology have many career options in fields ranging from social service to customer service. Available jobs that require, at most, a bachelor's in psychology include:
- business careers: A bachelor's degree in psychology can help students develop their interpersonal, professional communication skills. These skills are extremely marketable and can open doors to careers in human resources, sales, corporate training, customer service or management. Because the degree program is so well balanced and comprehensive, psychology majors are in high demand for these types of positions.
- psychology: While therapist and counseling positions typically require a more advanced degree, graduates with a bachelor's degree can work as assistants for professionals in mental-health centers, vocational rehabilitation offices and correctional programs.
The federal government also has entry-level positions in psychology that require only 24 hours of psychology coursework and one course in statistics. However, given the number of psychology graduates who choose not to pursue higher education, these jobs are extremely competitive. - research-based careers: Psychology students get a lot of experience researching and writing, which can lead to entry-level jobs as library assistants, probation officers, business managers and caseworkers.
- social services and healthcare: Most students who graduate with a bachelors degree in psychology choose to go into social services or heath care. Available jobs include case managers, career counselors, rehabilitation specialists and psychiatric technicians.
- teaching: Graduates with a bachelors degree who meet state certification requirements may be qualified to teach psychology at the high-school level.
Coursework for a Bachelor' s in Psychology
Degree requirements vary by college, but students pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology should expect to take a wide variety of courses. Most degree programs require a broad general-education foundation, with classes in:
- arts
- history
- literature
- math
- science
- social science.
Additionally, the actual psychology major includes courses in:
- cognitive psychology
- developmental psychology
- general psychology
- research
- social psychology
- statistics.
Online Psychology Bachelors Degree Programs
Students with busy lifestyles or family obligations may want to consider pursing their bachelor's in psychology online, as opposed to at a traditional university. Through online degree programs, students can continue to work full-time and take classes via the Internet, studying and doing coursework whenever it's most convenient for them.
When choosing between various online degree programs, make sure that the program is offered through an accredited university. If you are having trouble determining whether a particular school's program is accredited, consult the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education.
Costs of Degree Programs
Tuition costs for bachelor's programs for psychology vary between schools and geographic regions. Generally, attending a public university in your own state is the least expensive option for earning your bachelor's in psychology. If you attend a public university in a different state, you'll pay out-of-state fees on top of your normal tuition. The most expensive option is going to a private college or university. Given this range, a four-year psychology program can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 or more per year.