When students consider an undergraduate degree in psychology many will question whether their long-term goal is to become a psychologist. Most students have heard the complaint that in order to become a psychologist there is a great deal of schooling required. So many potential psychology majors will ask themselves “what happens if I earn my undergraduate psychology degree and don’t want to go to grad school in this field?” Will that degree have been a waste of the students time? The answer is no. An undergraduate psychology degree is an excellent stepping stone to a number of educational and employment opportunities. Upon completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology a student is well qualified to apply to a graduate psychology program. However, they will also be equally qualified to make the switch to a number of other areas of study and practice. Some of these areas include:
- human resources
- law
- medicine
- business
- education and others.
University of Kansas
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university founded in 1866. It is the largest university in the state of Kansas with campus locations in Lawrence (main Campus), Wichita, Overland Park and Kansas City. KU has a total undergraduate enrollment of 19,217 students and offers 139 undergraduate and 228 masters and doctorate degree programs. The University of Kansas ranked 106th for National Universities in the 2015 edition of US News & World Report’s Best Colleges List. Some of the highlights of the university include:
- Home to top ranked programs in:
- education
- public administration
- occupational therapy
- special education
- Excellent programs in law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social welfare
- More than 100 international study abroad and cooperative undergraduate research programs are available
- Service opportunities throughout the university involve students with the community
The mission for College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is to “allow students the opportunity to learn without boundaries. Through our innovative research and teaching, we emphasize interdisciplinary education, global awareness, and experiential learning. This ensures our graduates are engaged, socially responsible citizens who are empowered to build their futures in Kansas and the world”.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The Department of Psychology trains psychology majors in important areas of study and practice, including:
- research methodology
- critical analysis
- data and statistic collections and assessments
- Information and Communication Technology skills
- project management
The undergraduate curriculum has been designed as part of a general education for students:
- preparing for careers in various fields of psychology
- those who seek general professional positions
- those who want to pursue a graduate degree
Coursework for the program includes completing the following:
- 37 hours of courses in Major
- Minimum of 15 credit hours of KU resident credit in the major
- Minimum of 21 credit hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major
- Requires four semesters of a second language
Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology
The overall university mission is “to further the understanding of human behavior, thinking, and emotion through teaching, research, and service by allowing students to be equipped with knowledge and skills for careers in the psychological disciplines in the twenty first century”.
Coursework for the Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology program includes:
- critical analysis
- methods for research
- collection of data and statistics assessments
- ICT skills
- project management
The curriculum used for this unique program is designed as part of a general education for:
- students entering careers in various fields of psychology
- students seeking general professional positions,
- students who will pursue graduate level degrees
This program requires that all students pursue both a major and a minor.
Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience
A new major at the University of Kansas, the (BS) in Behavioral Neuroscience is for students interested in the biological study of behavior and thought. This specialization provides students the needed skills for professional or research careers in:
- medicine
- pharmacology
- veterinarian medicine
- animal science
- neurology
- neurobiology
- neuroscience
The program is an excellent preparation for those entering other health-related fields or graduate school in other areas of psychology. Behavioral neuroscience majors take courses in a variety of departments to explore the neural basis of behavior in preparation for entry into the neuroscience research field. Graduates of the program acquire knowledge in:
- chemistry
- biology
- psychology
- statistics
- computer science
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
University of Kansas
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Department of Psychology
Ruth Ann Atchley, Chair
Fraser Hall – Room 426
1415 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7540
(785) 864-4131
E-Mail: ratchley@ku.edu
Program Website
University of Saint Mary
The Undergraduate Psychology Department
The University of St. Mary is a private liberal arts university founded in 1923 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. It has an undergraduate enrollment of more than 1,200 students. It offers 26 Bachelor’s Degree Programs and six Master’s Degree Programs, including:
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Arts in Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Education
- Adaptive Special Education
- Teaching
The University offers Traditional, evening, degree completion, and online classes. The University is ranked as a Tier 2 University among Midwest Region Universities in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges. The University of Saint Mary’s mission is “to educate students of diverse backgrounds to realize their God-given potential and prepare them for value-centered lives and careers that contribute to the well being of our global society.” The Princeton Review has also named the University a Best Value College.
Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology
The BA in Applied Psychology Degree Program offers students an introduction to better understanding human behavior. The USM adult degree program is designed to meet the needs of busy individuals balancing work and family commitments. It’s for those students who have already completed roughly two years of college (about 60 credit hours). Students in the Applied Psychology major are introduced to the required theories, techniques, skills, and ethics involved in solving real world problems using a variety of psychological methods. The 128 credit hour program is offered through a variety of learning formats including evening classes that primarily meet one night a week. Students engage in accelerated 8-week sessions. They have the option of attending full-time or part-time. Competencies for graduates of the program include:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the field of psychology by presenting ideas, raising relevant questions, and engaging in meaningful discussion of concepts
- Show the ability to apply psychological concepts, solve problems using a variety of psychological methods, and connect psychological theory and practice
- Apply psychological concepts and understanding to assess the quality of personal performance in academic and professional roles.
Accreditations
Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE)
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
University of Saint Mary
Overland Park Campus
Les Hemphill, Ph.D. – Director of Undergraduate and Graduate
11413 Pflumm Road
Overland Park, KS 66215
(913) 319-3015
E-mail: hemphill48@stmary.edu
Program Website
Washburn University
The College of Arts and Sciences
Located in Topeka, Washburn University is a public coed university founded in 1865. In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Washburn University as the 91st Best College or University in the Midwestern Region of the United States. The campus is located in the center of Topeka, the capital of Kansas. Total undergraduate enrollment is over 6,000 students. The university offers over 200 programs leading to:
- Certification
- Associate’s
- Bachelor’s
- Master’s
- Juris doctor
More than 1,000 Washburn students participate in an internship each year. The Student/Faculty ratio is 15:1 and 40 percent of undergraduate courses have fewer than 20 students. The College of Arts and Sciences’ mission to “engage students in a principled search for intellectual growth and development. In the same progressive spirit that motivated its founders, the College strives to provide all students an education in the liberal arts, so they may acquire, create, communicate, and integrate knowledge to enrich their own lives and be prepared for positions of responsibility and usefulness as active citizens of their local communities and our global society”.
Bachelor of in Psychology
The Mission statement for the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is to “promote the value of psychological science through a personalized, quality education that helps students to create a more fulfilling life, prepare them for future careers, and build stronger communities”. Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the program include the ability to:
- Display a knowledge and understanding that’s representative of the depth in the major content areas of psychology
- Use of critical thinking, skeptical inquiry and use of the scientific approach in solving problems that are related to behavior and mental processes.
- Abilities to articulate the application of the peer-reviewed literature to a specific issue or situation.
- Apply basic research methods in psychology to include research design, data analysis and interpretation.
- Identify the necessity for ethical behavior in all aspects of the practice of psychology.
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCACS)
Contact
Washburn University
College of Arts & Sciences
211 Henderson
1700 SW College Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66621
(785) 670.1010
E-Mail: cas@washburn.edu
Program Website
Wichita State University
The Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Founded in 1895, Wichita State University (WSU) is a public institution located in northeast Wichita. The University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 11,787 students. WSU offers more than 60 undergraduate degree programs in more than 200 areas of study throughout six colleges.
The Graduate School offers 44 Master’s Degrees in more than 100 areas and a specialist in education degree. The school offers Doctoral Degrees in:
- applied mathematics
- audiology
- chemistry
- communicative disorders and sciences
- nursing practice
- physical therapy
- psychology and more
US News & World Report ranked Wichita State as a Tier 2 National Universities in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges. In addition to the main campus, the University hosts classes at four satellite locations throughout the state. The Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Science offers undergraduate majors in:
- the liberal arts
- natural sciences and mathematics
- social and behavioral sciences; humanities
- programs of professional training
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology degree program at Wichita State University is designed to allow students exposure to research orientation in experimental design and analysis. The focus is on the basic psychological processes, including:
- learning
- cognition
- perception
- motivation
- emotion
- consciousness
- physiology
Also included are:
- social/cultural dimensions (social, developmental, personality, developmental, etc.)
- applied issues and perspectives (clinical, community, substance abuse, testing & measurement, etc.)
Students in the BA in Psychology program take four required courses including:
- General
- Statistics
- Research Methods
- Systems & Theories
Students also take two electives from each of the basic, social/cultural, and applied areas. Students are encouraged to mix undergraduate majors into the research life of the department. There are opportunities for involvement as active and contributing members of the research programs led by faculty and doctoral students.
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCACS)
Contact
Wichita State University
The Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The Social and Behavioral Sciences
Psychology Department
Alex Chaparro, Ph.D. – Department Head
1845 Fairmount
Box 34
Wichita, Kansas S 67260-0034
316-978-3170
E-Mail: alex.chaparro@wichita.edu
Program Website
A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology is excellent preparation for a number of areas of study and careers. Most people think of an undergraduate psychology degree as being geared to people who want to become professional psychologists, which is not the case. Psychology is generally considered the study of the mind and behavior. This type of education is applicable to a large number of career options. Individuals who will later pursue law enforcement, teaching, career counseling and a number of other areas will greatly benefit from a psychology degree. Students graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology can apply to graduate training in many areas or immediately enter the work force. An undergraduate degree in Psychology from one of Kansas’ many accredited colleges and universities is an excellent start to an exciting career in many different areas.
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