Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Iowa

The state of Iowa has many options for students looking to begin the path to a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Throughout the state there are all varieties of learning opportunities ranging from small intimate colleges, to middle sized Liberal Arts Schools to large research universities. This means that whether you are looking for a small town college school or prefer the backing of a larger university system, you can find the right fit for your needs. Students also have the flexibility of choosing from a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. Traditionally the Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a great fit for students who may not plan to use their undergraduate psychology degree to pursue graduate training in psychology. The Bachelor of Science (BS) typically includes the mathematical, science and research training needed to apply to graduate school. No matter what your preference, there is a school that is right for you.

Simpson College

Division of Education and Social Science

Simpson College is a four-year, coeducational Liberal Arts College located in Indianola. The school was founded on the teachings of the United Methodist Church and remains affiliated. Simpson is a small college with less than 1,500 full-time students and 500 part-time students. In addition to the main campus in Indianola, the college has satellite classroom locations in West Des Moines and Ankeny. Simpson’s main campus is located 12 miles south of Des Moines, giving students direct access to various attractions, resources, and internship opportunities in the Greater Des Moines area. Simpson was named by a National Initiative of the John Templeton Foundation as one of 60 colleges that offer students an exemplary first-year program. Peterson’s Competitive Colleges guide features Simpson as one of approximately 440 colleges and universities that the top students in the nation attend. In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Simpson as the 139th best National Liberal Arts College. Division of Education and Social Science is comprised of the Departments of:

Education
Sports Science and Health Education
Psychology
Social Sciences and Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The BA in Psychology Degree Program at Simpson offers students an interdisciplinary program of study that includes:

Featured Programs

social processes
learning
memory
personality
human development
psychological disorders

Psychology Majors are able to participate in hands-on experiential learning opportunities, ranging from work on a research project to completing an internship. It is these experiences that contribute to the fact that Simpson has a 100 percent placement rate in student applications to ongoing research at the annual Midwestern Psychological Association Conference. Over 40 percent of psychology majors go on to graduate school at schools such as:

Penn State University
University of Illinois
University of Northern Iowa
University of Minnesota
University of Iowa

The BA in psychology program trains students for a range of career options or graduate study in fields like:

education
counseling
business
mental health

The major in psychology is designed with four purposes in mind:

Preparation for graduate study and a career in psychology
Preparation for vocations where extensive background in psychology is necessary, such as general counseling and some careers in human services
General preparation for related vocations, such as:
- business
- education
- law
- advertising
- nursing
A broadening educational experience, which will contribute to the understanding of self and others

Outside of the classroom, students are encouraged to participate in the Psychology Club, a student group that provides educational and volunteer opportunities, as well as Psi Chi, a national psychology honors society.

Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience

The Neuroscience major at Simpson prepares students for the growing opportunities in:

psychology
medicine
science

The multidisciplinary program in Neuroscience includes coursework in:

psychology
biology
chemistry
physics
mathematics
philosophy

The course work will outline how signals in the brain influence important processes such as memory, learning, and sensory perception. It will lead to the understanding of pathologies such as schizophrenia, dementia, and developmental disorders. Upon completion of the Neuroscience major, students are qualified for advanced study in graduate programs and medical school. The quickly evolving technology involved in neuroscience enables researchers to come up with new questions and make distinct progress in understanding brain function and related disorders. Students enrolled in this program are active in conducting research with faculty in Psychology and Biology. Some of the recent research experiences include:

the use of cellular and molecular methods
electroencephalographic (EEG) techniques
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
a wide variety of psychophysiology measures to investigate:
- neural development
- language
- attention
- sensory perception
- pain management

Students also have opportunities to use their knowledge and skills at internship opportunities throughout a variety of clinical settings.

Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
Simpson College
Division of Education and Social Science
Department of Psychology
Mary Berry Hall
701 North C Street
Indianola, Iowa 50125
(515) 961-1591
E-Mail: don.evans@simpson.edu
Program Website

University of Dubuque

The School of Liberal Arts

The University of Dubuque is a private, Presbyterian University located in Dubuque. The University offers both undergraduate and graduate training to the about 1,600 students. It is one of three four-year post-secondary institutions in the City of Dubuque. As a community of faculty, scholars and students, the University upholds its Christian faith by training students and pursuing excellence in scholarship. Therefore, the University of Dubuque is committed to:

The Presbyterian tradition
Excellence in academic inquiry and professional preparation
Relationships that encourage intellectual, spiritual, and moral development
Community where diversity is appreciated and Christian love is practiced
Stewardship of all God’s human and natural resources
Zeal for life-long learning and service

The School of Liberal Arts is home to the Departments of:

Communication
Natural and Applied Science
English
Philosophy
Psychology
Religion
Sociology

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The BS in Psychology Degree Program at the University of Dubuque is designed to help students better understand how psychologists derive and investigate questions. It also gives them a broad foundation in psychological theory and findings. The curriculum is based in the empirical scientific method to influence the questions psychologists ask. It also includes how they collect data and how they evaluate the information that has been collected. Psychology majors will learn to think critically about scientific theory and evidence. The curriculum covers the full range of human experience, including:

learning
adjustment
child development
personality
creativity
stress
persuasion
aging
intelligence
cognition
mental and behavioral disorders, and more

The Department of Psychology offers courses for all students with the objectives of helping them:

Think scientifically about behavior and mental processes
Develop an appreciation of the basic theories and findings of psychology
Respect the diversity of behavior and experience, and appreciate the rich opportunities for science and social relationships that such differences provide
Understand themselves and their relationships with others
Understand how the study of psychology enables individuals to make informed judgments that strengthen the community, and build public policy

Accreditations
Association of Theological Schools in North America (ATSNA)
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
University of Dubuque
The School of Liberal Arts
The Department of Psychology
2000 University Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 589-3000
E-Mail Form: http://www.dbq.edu/admission/first-year-students/request-information/
Program Website

University of Iowa

The College of Liberal Arts

The University of Iowa (UI or Iowa) is a flagship public research university located in Iowa City. The school was founded in 1847, making Iowa the oldest university in the state. IU is considered a Public Ivy, meaning students enrolled receive an Ivy League education at a Public University price tag. The University of Iowa is organized into 11 colleges offering more than 200 areas of study and seven professional degrees. The main Iowa campus sits upon 1,700 picturesque acres nestled along the banks of the Iowa River. The university campus includes the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, which has been named one of “America’s Best Hospitals”. The university was the creator of the Master of Fine Arts degree and students can still enroll in the internationally recognized Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Iowa is considered to be a university with very high research activity, and is a member of several research coalitions, including:

the Association of American Universities
the Universities Research Association
the Committee on Institutional Cooperation

The network of Iowa alumni exceeds 250,000. In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Iowa as the 71st Best College, 27th Top Public School and the 121st Best Global University. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest of the 11 colleges that make up the University of Iowa. There are 39 separate departments including:

the visual, performing, and cinematic arts
humanities
natural and mathematical sciences
social and behavioral sciences
communication

Over 16,500 undergraduates are enrolled as the CLAS, and more than 2,300 graduate students are enrolled in programs offered by these departments. The College annually awards approximately 70 percent of the University’s undergraduate degrees, and 45 percent of the University’s graduate degrees are awarded to students studying in CLAS departments.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The BA in Psychology program requires the completion of 29 credit hours in psychology. It’s for students who are pursuing a broad undergraduate education with a special emphasis in psychology. This program is ideal for students who plan to enter a graduate program in a field of study that emphasizes applied practice more than research training. These students should consider enhancing their degree plan with additional statistics and research methods courses.

The BA program can be combined with specialized work in one or more other disciplines such as:

education
social work
business
journalism
nursing

This psychology major involves an introductory psychology course, a biological psychology course, a course in statistical methods, and a course on research methods. There are also lower and upper level elective courses in psychology. Students in the BA program must complete either a second statistics course or a computer science course and at least 9 semester hours of course work in a second area of concentration.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The BSe in Psychology Degree program requires 36 credit hours in psychology. It’s for students who plan to pursue graduate training in psychology or a closely related discipline. Students with strengths in the natural sciences and mathematics are encouraged to choose the BS program. This program requires:

an introductory psychology course
a biological psychology course
a course in statistical methods
a course on research methods

It also includes lower and upper level elective courses in psychology. Additionally, the BS program requires students to complete a laboratory course in experimental psychology, senior seminar, as and other courses. In order to be eligible for admission to the BS program, students must have completed 30 semester hours of college course work (excluding any credit by exam), and have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.67 or higher.

Accreditations
The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
University of Iowa
The College of Liberal Arts
Department of Psychology
E11 Seashore Hall
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1407
319-335-2406
E-Mail: psychology@uiowa.edu
Program W

ebsite

Iowa is a state full of academic opportunities for a variety of students. Obviously students planning to become a professional psychologist will want to begin their college career with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. However, there are many other kinds of students who will benefit from this plan of study. These include students who hope to find entry-level positions in the field or those who want to pursue other areas of study or professional such as: