Throughout Iowa, students can choose from many different programs offering a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. While many students who pursue an undergraduate psychology plan to pursue a career as a professional psychologist, many do not. A large number of people will earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and that degree will provide entrance into a number of related and unrelated fields. Students earning these degrees have gone on to pursue graduate training or immediately enter the workforce in many different areas. Some of these include:
- business
- law
- medicine
- human resources
- law enforcement
- management and many more
With the strong Liberal Arts background that makes up many psychology degree programs, students enrolled in these programs have an ideal basis for many different areas of study and employment.
Ashford University
College of Health, Human Services, and Science
Ashford University is a for-profit, coeducational university headquartered in San Diego, California with locations throughout the United States. It is the largest educational holding of a company called Bridgepoint Education and offers Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in more than 50 areas of study both on-campus and online. Throughout the many programs, a majority of the student population in almost every program is enrolled in some degree of online courses. There are almost 1,000 students enrolled at the main campus location in Clinton, Iowa. The mission of the College of Health, Human Services, and Science is to “develop responsible and effective leaders in their chosen professions, organizations, and communities”. The College promotes advanced critical thinking skills and offers students rigorous instruction in a “student-centered” and cooperative environment. There is a departmental contribution to the academic community through creative academics and scholarship, with a focus on:
- cultural competency
- social responsibility
- the health and well being of various populations
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology Degree Program is offered in an online format. The program focuses on the study of human behavior and mental processes. By earning this degree students begin to understand how human behavior influences the dynamics of a business or organization. The information gained through this curriculum allows students to offer companies the value and influence that most businesses are looking for in potential employees. The curriculum covers coursework in:
- physiology
- human development
- group dynamics
- research
- statistics
- current therapies and theories
Students who successfully complete this BA in Psychology degree program will be able to:
- Analyze human behavior and mental processes
- Analyze theories of continuing education in psychology and related fields
- Evaluate theories of personality development
- Evaluate psychology research methods
- Demonstrate communication behaviors consistent with the study and practice of psychology
- Acquire and use skills and concepts that are fundamental to the ethical application of psychology
To complete the program students must complete 120 credits with:
- 52 credits as General Education Requirements
- 36 Major Course Requirements
- 35 Elective credits
All students must complete 30 upper-division credits, 18 of which must be from the major program.
Accreditations
Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
Ashford University
College of Health, Human Services, and Science
The Department of Psychology
Clinton Campus
400 North Bluff Blvd.
Clinton, IA 52732
(866) 711-1700
E-Mail Form: http://www.ashford.edu/static/info/information.php
Program Website
Briar Cliff University
The Department of Psychology
Briar Cliff University (BCU) is a private, Franciscan, Roman Catholic, Liberal Arts University in Sioux City. The University is made up of a community of students, staff and faculty with a dedication to higher education within both a Liberal Arts and Catholic model. The entire University keeps with the original Franciscan tradition of service, caring, and openness to all students. Through the university, there is an emphasis on a top-notch education for students with a combined broad intellectual background and career development. The University challenges its students and faculty alike to further their self-awareness and their relationships to others and to God. The university focuses its academic curriculum around a liberal arts core. Each student must complete a course in seven unique intellectual areas in order to graduate. Each of these areas is designed to enhance a student’s base of knowledge in several, diverse areas of study. These areas of competency are known as foundations. The areas of foundations include:
- Aesthetic (the study of Arts and Humanities)
- Physical and Life Sciences
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Multicultural
- Historical Consciousness
- Religious and Ethical
- Global Learning
In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Briar Cliff as the 38th best college or university in the Midwestern Region of the United States.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The Psychology major at Briar Cliff combines a Liberal Arts undergraduate education, teaching, research, and service activities to advance the overall mission of the university in the Franciscan tradition. Students enrolled in BCU’s undergraduate psychology program typically choose one of three tracks:
- Prepping for graduate school
- Pursuing a specific, psychology-related job following graduation
- Obtaining a bachelor’s degree and entering the general workforce
The Psychology Department supports many exciting internship opportunities, offering students excellent experiential learning outside the classroom, including:
- local school districts
- hospitals
- non-profit organizations
- several other options
Students graduating with a BA in Psychology have advanced to entry-level positions as:
- counselors
- admissions representatives
- youth workers
- adolescent care technicians
- early childhood specialists
- group home counselors
- probation officers
Others graduating from this program have been accepted into graduate schools to pursue advanced degrees in the field of psychology.
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Briar Cliff University
The Department of Psychology
3303 Rebecca Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51104
(712) 279-5470
E-Mail Form: http://www.briarcliff.edu/academics/departments/psychology/contact/
Program Website
Buena Vista University
School of Social Science, Philosophy & Religion and the Department of Graduate Studies
Buena Vista University (BVU) is a private, coeducational university located in Storm Lake. In 1891 members of the Presbyterian Church founded the school as Buena Vista College (the school remains affiliated with the Presbyterian Church).
The academic programs offered at BVU maintain a balance between traditional Liberal Arts offerings and experiential learning opportunities, such as study abroad and internship opportunities. BVU awards its outstanding faculty member with the $30,000 George Wythe Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the largest faculty awards in the country. The student/faculty ratio is typically around 13:1, keeping faculty and students’ interactions personal. In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Buena Vista as the 11th best college or university in the Midwestern Region of the United States as well as the 3rd Best Value School in the country. Students at the School of Social Science, Philosophy & Religion learn how to:
- think critically
- arrive at comprehensive conclusions
- investigate alternative methods and interpretations
- communicate effectively
- solve complicated real-world problems
Students acquire skills that employers value while also becoming more socially responsible and engaged as a citizen. The Department of Graduate Studies supports a number of fully online undergraduate and graduate programs of study, including a 100% online undergraduate major in Psychology.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
All psychology majors at BVU, are given a combination of top-notch academics and practical experience. This gives students the chance to gain a significant advantage to pursue a career in or continue on to graduate school. The BA in Psychology Program views psychology as a science with several opportunities to evaluate the complexities of human behavior and the forces that motivate it. Students:
- create and investigate hypotheses using empirical research methods and statistical analyses
- conduct original research
- present findings at conferences
- learn to understand scientific journal articles
This degree program exposes students to various topics including:
- human development
- gender roles
- memory
- neurobiology
- industrial psychology
- behavior modification
Each student must complete a one-year course where they design an independent research project under the guidance of faculty. Many students also declare psychology as a second major or study psychology as a minor at BVU.
Online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The online Psychology Degree Program prepares students for:
- graduate training in psychology
- counseling
- school psychology
- social work
It is also the foundation for other advanced medical degrees. BVU’s online Psychology Program is supported by the Graduate & Professional Studies Department at various locations, including local community colleges throughout Iowa. Students enrolled in this psychology major program can complete course work online, hybrid and evening classes. The psychology program at Buena Vista University is ideal for returning adult students.
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Buena Vista University
School of Social Science, Philosophy & Religion
610 West 4th Street
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(800) 383-9600
E-Mail: admissions@bvu.edu
Program Website
Central College
The Department of Psychology
Central College is a private liberal arts college located in Pella. The college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. Central has an enrollment of just under 1,600 undergraduate. One of the major highlights of the college is its study abroad program. In 2015, US News &World Report ranked Central as the 139th best National Liberal Arts College. The Department of Psychology at Central supports an undergraduate Psychology major with ample opportunities for:
- research
- presentation and publication
- internships
- studying abroad
- Psychology Club
- Psi Chi
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The BS in Psychology program prepares students for successful careers in:
- psychology
- medicine
- law
- education
- ministry
- the corporate world
- private ownership
- other areas
When they complete the program, Psychology students are armed with empirically grounded information about:
- human behavior
- critical problem-solving skills
- strong human relations skills
- emotional intelligence skills
Through this thorough training program, graduates are highly qualified and better prepared for graduate school than the majority of their first-year colleagues from other universities. Graduates who choose to pursue graduate training have been admitted to a vast range of programs throughout the United States. Over 60 percent of BVU Psychology graduates have earned or are currently working on a Master’s degree (compared to 15% nationally). And 15 percent have earned or are working on doctoral degrees (compared to 1% nationally). In the last 10 years, graduates have been accepted into 59 different graduate programs at 37 universities in:
- 16 states
- the District of Columbia
- England
- Wales
BVU graduates are also typically ahead of most of their first-year colleagues from other colleges and universities.
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Central College
The Department of Psychology
812 University
Pella, Iowa 50219
(877) 462-3687
E-Mail: admission@central.edu
Program Website
Clarke University
The Department of Psychology
Clarke University is a four-year liberal arts college located in Dubuque. The school was founded in the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Dubuque and remains affiliated. The campus is located on a picturesque bluff overlooking the Mississippi River and the downtown area of Dubuque. Clarke offers broad undergraduate training in 19 academic departments with more than 40 majors and programs. The university also provides graduate Master’s and Doctoral degrees in several areas of study. It has a general enrollment of about 1,200 students. In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Clarke as the 17th best college or university in the Midwestern Region of the United States as well as the 9th Best Value School in the nation. The mission at The Department of Psychology is to “assist students in the development of lifelong professional, spiritual, scholarly and scientific talents”.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The psychology department at Clarke upholds a commitment to supporting a rigorous academic curriculum. The gives students information on behavior and cognitive processes, as well as an understanding of how this information is scientifically gathered and evaluated. The department emphasizes the development of analytic and expressive skills that underlie:
- investigation
- evaluation
- communication in the field
The curriculum in the BA Program prepares students for graduate and professional programs in:
- psychology
- medicine
- law
- social work
- ministry
It also prepares students for entry positions in:
- group homes
- other counseling settings
- business
- government
- industry
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Students in the BS Degree in Psychology program complete the same 33 hours of psychology courses required for the BA degree as well as additional courses in science and math. The mission of the psychology department is to “assist students in the development of lifelong professional, spiritual, scholarly and scientific talents”. The talents required for a career in psychology include the systematic study of behavior and mental processes. The BS program has adopted the American Psychological Association recommendations for learning goals and outcomes. In keeping with these guidelines, students will:
- Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology
- Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation
- Respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes
- Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social and organizational issues
- Be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline
- Demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes
- Be able to communicate effectively in a variety of formats
- Recognize, understand and respect the complexity of socio-cultural and international diversity
- Develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement
- Emerge from the major with realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Clarke University
The Department of Psychology
1550 Clarke Drive
Dubuque, IA 52001
(800) 383-2345
E-Mail: admissions@clarke.edu
Program Website
Coe College
The Department of Psychology
Coe College is a private, four-year, Liberal Arts College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The college was founded in 1851 and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). It is also home to one of the smallest universities, which supports a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Coe is also one of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest. In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Coe as the 120th best National Liberal Arts College. The Department of Psychology is one of the largest programs at Coe. Most courses offered by the department are offered every term. Those that are not are offered at least once a year.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Psychology majors at Coe are trained with a concrete foundation that helps graduates become successful regardless of where their interests take them. The BA in Psychology Degree program is based on the empirical, scientific approach to the field. Students can choose from courses in all of the fundamental areas in the field. They will learn both content matter in Psychology as well as a variety of research and technical skills, including research design and statistical analysis. Faculty and students work closely in both the classroom setting and the many independent study and research projects. Students have the chance to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to real-world problems. About 50 percent of Coe’s psychology majors enter graduate programs within five years of graduation. The curriculum prepares students for successful application to competitive graduate and professional programs, as well as for a wide variety of career opportunities.
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Coe College
The Department of Psychology
1220 First Avenue NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
(319) 399-8500
E-Mail: mbaker@coe.edu
Program Website
Iowa is full of accredited, top-notch colleges and universities. The many different Bachelor’s Degrees offered throughout the state allow students to adequately prepare for a number of career options as well as graduate training programs. An undergraduate psychology degree is a great start for many positions. Upon graduation from a psychology program students are ready for careers in:
- business
- nursing
- law
- human resources
- medicine
- counseling
An undergraduate psychology degree is obviously an excellent way to begin a career as a professional psychologist, although graduate training will be required. With so many options for earning an undergraduate psychology degree, a Bachelor’s Degree from one of Iowa’s many academic institutions is an excellent plan for many students.
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Iowa – C-G
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Iowa – G-L
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Iowa – L-S
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Iowa – S-U
For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Iowa – U-W