The state of Massachusetts is home to many highly respected bachelor’s degree programs in psychology. Whether you are hoping to earn your degree in a traditional, on-campus program or you need the flexibility offered by online and hybrid programs, Massachusetts’s colleges and universities offer something for everyone. You can choose from large universities with a rich historic tradition or you can find a small, Liberal Arts Colleges if that better suits your needs and academic goals. Students in Massachusetts have a wide variety of academic settings to choose from making it easier than ever to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Simmons College
College of the Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
Founded in 1899, Simmons College is a private coeducational women’s college located in Boston. The school is home to more than 50 undergraduate majors, several co-ed graduate programs in and the only MBA program in the United States designed exclusively for women. Simmons College includes:
- the Undergraduate College
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Graduate Studies
- School of Library and Information Science
- School of Nursing and Health Sciences
- School of Social Work
The mission as stated by the college is “providing transformative learning that links passion with lifelong purpose”. In 2016, US News and World Report ranked Simmons College as the 16th best Regional Northern College.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Student in the BA in Psychology degree program gain the skills they will need to understand contemporary approaches to mental health and to think critically about human behavior. The program allows versatility because careers in psychology can be diverse. Programs can be tailored to meet specific career or future educational needs. Every psychology major must complete 36 semester hours in psychology, as well as four hours in statistics.
Students have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research projects, including co-authoring papers and conference presentations. Through internship programs, students are provided with mentoring and real-world experience at local hospitals, schools, and other institutions. Psychology majors are highly valued in all fields, including:
- development
- research
- human resources
- clinical and counseling psychology
- social work
- hospital administration
- law
- public health
- graduate studies
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Simmons College
College of the Arts and Sciences
Department of Psychology
300 The Fenway
Room C-209
Boston, MA 02115
Phone (617) 521-2091
E-Mail: john.reeder@simmons.edu
Program Website
Smith College
Name of College or school
Founded in 1871, Smith College is a private college and one of the largest liberal arts schools for women in the country. The college is located in Northampton, two hours from Boston. It’s the largest member of the Seven Sisters colleges, a group of seven northeastern liberal arts schools that were originally for women.
In 2016, US News and World Report ranked Smith College as the 14th best National Liberal Arts Colleges. The mission of Smith College is “educating women of promise for lives of distinction, striving to prepare them in multiple ways for a world in which knowledge of psychology will be useful”. All undergraduate students at Smith are part of the Student Government Association supporting more than 130 student organizations. Smith is a residential college, and students are expected to reside on campus during their academic studies at Smith. Students live in 34 residence buildings with capacities of 12 to 100 students. The mission of the Psychology Department is “educating students broadly in contemporary psychology”.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology program allows a study of psychology in a broad spectrum of disciplines, providing students with multi-perspectives. Curriculum is structured as follows:
- Offer a comprehensive set of course offerings covering major lines of contemporary work within the field of psychology
- Establish clear connections between psychology and other fields and the world outside to facilitate community-based learning
- Broaden students’ perspective from an individual and cultural point of view to gain an appreciation of behavioral diversity and understand a wide range of approaches to personal and social reality
Students in the program will develop skills in psychology that can also be applied to other important areas of life. It also promotes a deeper development of requisite writing, quantitative, and communication skills in the discipline. It provides hands-on training in evaluating and conducting research in the field of psychology. The curriculum facilitates learning the content, methods, and theories of the discipline in both its academic and applied forms. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in psychology-related fields or to enter graduate school.
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Smith College
Department of Psychology
7 College Lane
Bass 218
Northampton, Massachusetts 01063
(413) 585-4399
E-Mail: ryoumans@smith.edu
Program Website
Springfield College
The Psychology Department
Founded in 1885 as the Young Men’s Christian Association, Springfield College is a private coeducational four-year college located in Springfield. Springfield offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a full range of disciplines in:
- the arts and sciences
- health sciences and rehabilitation studies
- education
- business administration
- human services
- social work
- physical education
- sport
Doctoral programs are offered in:
- physical education
- physical therapy
- counseling psychology
The mission of Springfield College is “educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others”. In 2016, US News and World Report ranked Springfield College as the 29th best Northern Regional Colleges. The school is known as the “Birthplace of Basketball”. Graduate student and gym teacher, James Naismith, invented the sport in the school’s gymnasium in 1891. The 100-acre main campus has 10 residence halls and the East Campus encompasses 82 acres of forest ecosystem located about one mile from the main campus.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Curriculum for the BS in Psychology program provides students with an introduction to core areas of psychology to prepare them for future career opportunities. Students explore diversified topics including:
- child psychology
- motivation and learning
- abnormal psychology
- social psychology
- interviewing and counseling
Graduates of the program enter the workplace as broadly trained, practically experienced professionals. Areas of career opportunity include:
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Stress Management Programs
- Employee Relations
- Mental Health Agencies
- Therapeutic childcare assistance
- Mental Health Services in Hospital Facilities
- Residential Treatment Centers
- Nursing Homes
- The program requires a minimum of 120 credit hours for completion.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Curriculum for the BS program explores areas of psychology including:
- abnormal psychology
- child psychology
- motivation and learning
- educational psychology
- interviewing and counseling
Students graduate from the program as well trained and practically experienced professionals. The curriculum of the BA program is similar to that in the BS program. Students in the BS program will complete a minimum of 38-43 credit hours and are required to take science, lab and math courses.
Accreditation
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Springfield College
Psychology Department
Dr. Allison Cumming-McCann
263 Alden Street
Springfield, Massachusetts 01109-3797
Phone (413) 748-3000
E-Mail: acumming@springfieldcollege.edu
Program Website
Stonehill College
The Department of Psychology
Founded in 1948 by the Congregation of Holy Cross, Stonehill College is a Catholic liberal arts college located in Easton, 22 miles south of Boston. The mission of the college is “providing education where students grow into global citizens who value knowledge, integrity, and compassion as they seek to create a more just society”.
Stonehill awards Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 39 majors and 49 minors in:
- the humanities
- natural and social sciences
- business
- education
- pre-professional advising programs
Students at Stonehill have the flexibility to explore:
- other coursework
- study abroad
- internships
- independent research
- other experiences unique to their own educational plans
In 2016, US News and World Report ranked Stonehill College as the 116th best National Liberal Arts Colleges. The 375-acres campus is on the original estate of Frederick Lothrop Ames.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology degree program allows students to establish a strong foundation in the discipline of psychology. Coursework emphasis is examining research contributing to the current understanding of:
- human behavior
- mental processes,
- emotional experience
In addition to basic principles in the core courses, psychology students can become involved in:
- designing and conducting research
- analyzing data
- presenting findings
Students have an opportunity to pursue individual interests through elective courses. The core courses and electives prepare students for a variety of career paths as well as pursuing graduate work. Learning outcomes include:
- Knowledge of basic psychological perspectives including psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, socio-cultural, neuro-scientific and evolutionary
- Demonstrate the ability to design research and conduct appropriate tests of hypotheses
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Stonehill College
Psychology Department
Shields Science Center
203
Michael E. Tirrell
Department Chair
320 Washington Street
South Easton, Massachusetts 02357
(508) 565-1210
E-Mail: mtirrell@stonehill.edu
Program Website
Suffolk University
The College of Arts and Sciences, Psychology Department
Founded in 1906, Suffolk University is a private coed university located in downtown Boston. It is the 8th largest university in the Boston metro area with a current enrollment of more than 9,200 students. Founded as a law school, Suffolk awards a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences, Sawyer Business School and Law School.
Suffolk also has an international campus in Madrid Spain. The Suffolk Rams are members of the NCAA Division III Great Northeast Athletic Conference and the Eastern College Athletic Conference. In 2016, US News and World Report ranked Suffolk University as the 58th best Regional Northern College in the US. The College of Arts and Sciences upholds the mission of “preparing students of all ages and backgrounds to live more fulfilling lives, to appreciate and contribute to communities of which they are members and to reach their ethical, personal, intellectual and financial goals”.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Curriculum for the BA in Psychology examines mental processes and behavior, including:
- cognition
- emotion
- motivation
- learning
- memory
Students of the program will better understand the causes of normal and abnormal patterns in individuals and groups. The psychology curriculum at Suffolk University encourages students to examine the brain, the person, and the cultural context of individual development. The primary objectives of the BA in Psychology include:
- Knowledge in theory and research that defines the field of psychology
- Knowledge from the various sub-fields within the discipline including neurological, biological, social, cultural, and developmental
- Oral and written communication skills
- Analytical and critical thinking skills
- Experiential and applied skills applicable to the field of psychology and the community at large
- Better understanding of individual differences and diversity
- Increased understanding of professional ethics and an appreciation of social responsibility
The program is designed to maximize both exposure to core disciplines in the field of psychology and individual student choices through elective courses. Students are encouraged to explore their own interests with other disciplines such as:
- law
- education
- management
- social work
A Senior Capstone is required during the senior year and 126 credit hours are required for completion of the degree.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The study of psychology encompasses a broad range of human experience. The BS in Psychology curriculum provides students with a comprehensive survey of the field. Students can select an area of specialization to meet specific career goals including human development and social-organizational and personality. Students are able to study with department faculty who are engaged in the field as researchers and/or clinicians. The BS in Psychology requires 126 credit hours for completion and 10 Psychology courses are required for the major including:
- Core requirements (three courses)
- Distribution requirements (three courses, one from each bases group)
- Elective courses (two courses, may be taken to complete your 10-course requirement)
- An experiential course requirement (one course)
- A senior capstone requirement
The BS in Psychology prepares students to pursue a range of career paths within the field or to pursue graduate studies.
Accreditations
The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
American Psychological Association
Contact
Suffolk University
College of Arts and Sciences
Psychology Department
8 Ashburton Place
Donahue Building, Sixth Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02108-2770
(617) 573-8293
Email: psychdepartment@suffolk.edu
Program Website
Tufts University
The School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
Tufts University is a private coed university with the main campus in Medford/Somerville near Boston. The university has additional campuses in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood and the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton, Massachusetts, as well as a location in Talloires, France. It has an undergraduate enrollment of 5,177 students. The university is comprised of 10 schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions. Tufts mission is providing a “student-centered research university dedicated to the creation and application of knowledge”.
In 2016, US News and World Report ranked Tufts University as the 27th best National University in the United States. All freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus in dorms, suites or university-owned houses or apartments. The Department of Psychology at Tufts University exposes students to cutting-edge research. This helps provide them with an understanding of the causes and consequences of mental processes and behavior.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology provides students with a study into the processes and principles of human behavior for a deeper understanding of themselves and others. The diversity of the psychology curriculum includes the biological bases to the social determinants of behavior. Students learn the core elements of psychology and can choose to specialize in specific areas in the field. Coursework focuses on developing evaluating and analytic skills, essential to advanced study in experimental, clinical, and applied psychology. Combined with the knowledge of factors that influence individual and group behavior, these skills are essential for careers in:
- public health
- engineering
- medicine
- business
- administration
- law
- politics
- education
Students can choose the following specializations:
- Biopsychology – An interdepartmental major for students interested in neurobiology and behavior. Five courses in Biology and five in Psychology are required for this specialization.
- Clinical Psychology – For students interested in entering graduate, professional, or medical school in mental health or human services and those wanting to work with psychiatric patients after graduation
- Engineering Psychology – A joint program offered by the Departments of Engineering Design and Psychology. Engineering Psychology, also known as “Human Factors,” applies knowledge of human behavior to the design of web sites, software, electronics, and other equipment.
- Cognitive and Brain Science – An interdisciplinary specialization utilizing psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy of mind, computer science, and biology. A Cognitive and Brain Science degree prepares graduates for careers in:
- the sciences
- computer fields
- health professions
- law
- education
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The BS in Psychology prepares students for science-based questions about human and animal behavior by providing a study of data, theories, and research methods from different areas of psychology. These include:
- biological
- clinical
- cognitive
- developmental
- social
Competencies for graduates of the program:
- Understanding the core psychology concepts and processes including evidence, hypothetical constructs, operational definitions, and inferences
- Critical examination of the theories and empirical findings in subfields of psychology (biological, clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social)
- Ability tosynthesize empirical and theoretical perspectives in relation to a study of behavior and thought using evidence-based reasoning
- Read and evaluate critically – original journal articles related to psychological topics
- Apply theoretical models of behavior and thought to real-life settings and skills
- Have a familiarity of the American Psychological Association (APA) ethics guidelines
- Advance experience with submitting research proposals to the Institutional Review Board
- Initiate, design, implement, control, and analyze original empirical research studies regarding relevant psychological issues
- Display competency in core quantitative and analytic methods used for scientific investigation in psychology using:
- probability
- tests of frequency
- correlation
- t-tests.
- Gain oral and visual communication skills for reporting empirical research findings
- Acquire writing, graphic, and verbal skills needed for communicating empirical data in an appropriate scientific format
Accreditations
The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
American Psychological Association
Contact
Tufts University
The School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
490 Boston Avenue
Medford, Massachusetts 02155
(617) 627-3523
E-Mail Form
Program Website
Throughout the state of Massachusetts, students can choose from many different undergraduate psychology programs. There are fully online, hybrid and fully on-campus options to choose from. Students can choose whether a degree in general psychology or a specialized psychology degree is the best fit for their specific goals. Students can also choose whether a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science will help them achieve their goals.
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