Bachelor of Arts and Science in Psychology

This program helps you better understand the behavior and processes of organisms, and to learn to appreciate psychology as a discipline, a science, and a profession. Our unique program offers two tracks within the degree:

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

This track is if you plan to pursue employment immediately following completion of your undergraduate degree. It is available both in-seat and online.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

This track is if you plan to pursue an advanced degree in psychology or related fields, such as social work.

In large part, students in the BS and BA tracks complete the same sequences of courses to achieve their degrees. Students pursuing the BS track typically follow a curriculum that includes more math and science courses, while those seeking a BA track will take courses that focus on more traditional liberal arts courses.

Strong program emphasis on quantitative and qualitative research methods and
experimental design prepares students for successful graduate study
? Opportunities to present student research to state, regional, and national audiences
? Internships and service-learning experiences with non-profit, medical, and law
enforcement agencies, including YWCA Sojourners Shelter, Family Services of
the Kanawha Valley, Charleston Area Medical Center, Habitat for Humanity, and
the Kanawha County Public Defender’s Office
? Program structured to encourage students who want a double major in History or
Political Science
From the Faculty
“The Psychology program helps students understand the operation of behavior and
mental processes of organisms, appreciate psychology as a discipline, a science, and a
profession, and acquire skills necessary for advanced study or work within the
discipline.”
Program Outcomes
At the conclusion of this course of study:
? Graduates will demonstrate the ability to understand, use, and apply the
scientific method.
? Graduates will demonstrate mastery of the core fields, paradigms, and theories
of psychology.
? Graduates will demonstrate innovation and expertise in the skills that are
representative of academic and applied psychology that will culminate in the
production of an undergraduate thesis project that is appropriate to their degree.
? Graduates will demonstrate innovation and mastery of the written and oral
communication skill standards of the American Psychological Association that
will culminate in the production and presentation of a professional
undergraduate thesis.
? Graduates will demonstrate understanding and appreciation of the ethical
standards in academic and applied psychology through the integration of ethics
in their collective works.
What You Will Study
The Psychology major consists of two tracks, the Bachelor of Sciences (BS) and the
Bachelor of Arts (BA). Overwhelmingly, students in the BS and BA tracks will complete
the same sequences of courses to achieve their respective degrees. The primary
distinction between the two tracks is that the BS track is intended for students who plan
to pursue an advanced degree in psychology or related fields, such as social work. The
BA track is primarily intended for students who plan to pursue employment immediately
following completion of their undergraduate degree. Students following both tracks are
required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, including 24 credits of Psychology
courses and 12 credits of Research Methods core courses. Distinctions between the two 
tracks will be discussed below. Finally, it is highly recommended that all psychology
majors work closely with their program advisor to plan how to best attain their
educational goals.
The Psychology BS Track
As indicated, the BS track is intended for students who plan to continue their
education beyond the bachelor’s degree. It is structured to prepare students with the
required skills in research methods, design, and analysis that most graduate programs
desire in their new students. Additionally, students will develop a firm foundation in the
natural sciences. The BS track culminates in an independent, data-driven human
participant research project that the student will present at the UC Innovation Showcase
and/or at a regional psychology conference