Bachelors’ Degrees in Psychology
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Bachelor of Science Degree (New in Spring, 2009)
The new B.S. degree in psychology emphasizes the research skills and experiences that prep our students for rigorous graduate programs in a variety of areas of psychology (e.g., clinical, social, developmental, industrial-organizational, etc.). Completion of the Program of Study for the B.S. degree entails completing at least two (associated with PSYC 4001, Measurement Lab, and PSYC 4080, Learning and Motivation), and preferably more, research projects that involve data collection, statistical analysis, and professional presentation of the project. Undergraduate research experience is a primary consideration in the admissions decisions of most graduate programs in psychology. Students work closely with the department’s faculty members to design, carry out, write up, present, and potentially publish their research projects. Students have the opportunity to present their research at conferences like the Carolinas Psychology Conference, Georgia Psychological Association, Southeastern Psychological Association, and Association for Psychological Science, amongst others.
Bachelor of Arts Degree (modified for Spring, 2009)
The modified B.A. degree in psychology aims to prepare students to enter the workforce soon after graduation. Students have opportunities to work in careers in business, including such areas as personnel management, sales, and marketing, and a variety of human service occupations such as academic advisor, case worker, child care worker, corrections officer, and director of volunteer services. In addition, the B.A. in psychology can help prepare students for careers in other professions, such as law, medicine, and nursing. In order to earn the B.A. in psychology, students need to complete an approved senior internship in the community so that they are exposed to at least one work setting for which their education has prepared them and also a sequence of two courses in either a foreign language or accounting, skills that would make the students even more marketable for many of the occupations for which the B.A. degree in psychology has prepared them to work. Indeed, surveys conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA)’s Research Office have found that “nearly 40% of psychology majors from four-year schools opt for immediate full-time employment.”
See the following pages for a list of the key differences between the current Program of Study in Psychology and the new B.S. degree program and the modified B.A. program.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have been following the current (pre-2009) Program of Study for the B.A. in Psychology. What do I need to do differently to graduate with the B.S. degree?
- take a total of two courses from amongst the following that was not taken for Area D of the core: ITEC 1050, CSCI 1150, ITEC 1310, or another approved course from CSCI/ITEC
- take two courses selected from the following:
- PSYC 3070 (Perception) or PSYC 3500 (Cognitive Psychology)
- PSYC 3080 (Evolution and Beh Sci) or PSYC 3190 (Animal Behavior)
- PSYC 5060U (Basic Behavior Principles and Behavior Modification)
- take six credit hours of approved electives in BIOL, CHEM, MATH, or PHYS that were not taken for Area D of the core
- need to take PSYC 4001 (Measurement Lab)
- do not need to take any foreign language classes
I have been following the current (pre-2009) Program of Study for the B.A. in Psychology. What do I need to do differently to graduate with the modified B.A. degree?
- need to take PSYC 2000 (Ethics and Values in Psyc), but not ANTH 1102
- need to take each of the following courses:
- PSYC 3000 (Human Resource Development Skills)
- PSYC 3400 (Introduction to Learning)
- PSYC 4130 (Senior Internship)
- PSYC 5060U (Basic Beh Principles and Beh Mod) or 5200U (I-O Psyc)
- need to take:
- Foreign Language 2001 and 2002 or ACCT 2101 and 2102 (Acct I and II)
- need to take six hours of BIOL (unless taken in Area D of the core)
- do not need to take PSYC 3090 (Physiological Psyc), PSYC 4001 (Measurement Lab), PSYC 4080 (Learning and Motivation), BIOL 1107 (Principles of Biology I), or BIOL 1108 (Principles of Biology II)
What are the key differences between the modified B.A. and the new B.S. Degree Programs?
- B.A. students would be required to take PSYC 2000 (Ethics and Values in Psychology) to prepare them better for employment in human services, human resources, or educational settings. B.S. students would be given the option of taking ANTH 1102 (Introduction to Anthropology), which would broaden their education in diverse research methodologies, or PSYC 2000 (Ethics and Values in Psychology) in Area F of the curriculum.
- B.S. students would be required to take two computer-related (i.e., ITEC or CSCI) courses, whereas B.A. students would be required to take only one such course.
- The following courses would be required of B.S. students, but not B.A. students:
- PSYC 3090 (Physiological Psychology)
- PSYC 4001 (Measurement Lab)
- PSYC 4080 (Learning and Motivation; includes an animal laboratory project)
- BIOL 1107 & L (Principles of Biology I) and BIOL 1108 & L (Principles of Biology II) or another sequence from CHEM 1211/1212 (Principles of Chemistry I and II), PHYS 1111/1112 (Introduction to Physics I and II), or PHYS 2211/2212 (Principles of Physics I and II) if BIOL 1107 and 1108 were taken to fulfill Area D
- Six credit hours of approved electives in BIOL, CHEM, MATH, or PHYS (beyond the science sequence listed above and the courses that are taken to fulfill Area D of the core)
- The following courses would be required of B.A. students, but not B.S. students:
- PSYC 3000 (Human Resource Development Skills) – new course
- PSYC 4130 (Senior Internship)
- PSYC 5060U (Basic Behavior Principles and Behavior Modification) or PSYC 5200 U (Industrial Organizational Psychology)
- PSYC 3400 (Introduction to Learning; does not include a laboratory component) – new course
- Foreign Language 1002
- One sequence from: Foreign Language 2001 and 2002 or ACCT 2101 and 2102 (Accounting I and II)
In summary, the proposed B.S. degree requires more courses in the basic areas of psychology, two more psychology laboratory psychology courses (PSYC 4001 and 4080), and more courses in the natural science and technology fields. The proposed B.A. degree requires more courses in the applied areas of psychology, successful completion of an internship, and a two course sequence from either a foreign language or Accounting. These differences in requirements reflect the difference in the goals of the respective degree programs – the B.S. aims to prepare students for graduate studies in psychology, whereas the B.A. aims to prepare students to work upon graduating or to pursue graduate studies in human service and related fields.
Can I still graduate with a B.A. by following the current (pre-2009) degree requirements?
Students who declare a major in psychology at AASU before January 1, 2009 and plan to graduate no later than December, 2009 could, if they wish, graduate with a B.A. by following the current (pre 2009) program of study for the B.A. degree in psychology. Students who declare a major in psychology after January 1, 2009 or plan to graduate after December, 2009 need to follow either the new B.A. or the new B.S. degree requirements.
I’m confused. What should I do?
Contact your Psychology Department faculty advisor or Dr. Wong for assistance.