A bachelor’s degree in psychology from one of Maine’s many colleges and universities gives students an opportunity to pursue a career in many areas. Graduates with this degree will be able to seek employment in psychology or many related fields. They will also be prepared for graduate studies in several areas of study. With a predicted rise in jobs of 12 percent, a psychology bachelor’s degree offers graduates excellent career options. In addition to careers in psychology, this psychology degree can be applied to a future career in:
- social service
- governmental agencies
- advocacy groups
- human resources
- politics
- case management
- business
- law
- medicine, and many others
Bates College
The Psychology Department
Bates College is a private liberal arts college located in Lewiston. The school was established in 1855 by abolitionists and is among the first colleges in the United States to be coeducational from its inception. Bates is the oldest continuously operating coeducational institution in New England. The college is included on the list as one of 30 “Hidden Ivies” and one of the “Little Ivies”.
There are 32 departmental and interdisciplinary program majors and 25 secondary concentrations, culminating in either the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or the Bachelor of Science (BS). Enrolled are currently almost 1,800 undergraduates and the school maintains a student/faculty ratio of 10:1. Bates is one of the leading schools in the “SAT Optional Movement” for undergraduate admission. Admissions uses a test-optional process for all incoming students. In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Bates College as the 19th best National Liberal Arts College as well as the 22nd best value school. The Psychology Department at Bates offers a well-balanced curriculum that incorporates many areas of emphasis within the field of psychology. All students are exposed to a wide variety of topics and methods in the field of psychology. They also complete additional courses in one of several focus areas.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The bachelor’s in psychology degree program at Bates offers excellent preparation for students who plan to pursue graduate training in the field as well as students hoping to enter the workforce. All students must complete a senior thesis under the guidance of one of the faculty members. Students have the option of choosing from three focus areas including: Empirical Research, Community-Based Research, or Theoretical Review and Integration. The learning goals put forth by the Psychology Department have been generated out of guidelines developed by the American Psychological Association. The first five goals are part of a category of “knowledge, skills, and values consistent with the science and application of psychology.” These include:
- Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
- Goal 2: Research Methods in Psychology
- Goal 3: Critical Thinking in Psychology
- Goal 4: Application of Psychology
- Goal 5: Values in Psychology
The remaining goals are part of a category of “knowledge, skills, and values consistent with a liberal arts education that are further developed in psychology.” These include:
- Goal 6: Information and Technological Literacy
- Goal 7: Communication Skills
- Goal 8: Sociocultural and International Awareness
- Goal 9: Personal Development
- Goal 10: Career Planning and Development
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Bates College
The Psychology Department
355 Pettengill Hall
2 Andrews Road
Lewiston, Maine 04240
(207) 786-8297
E-Mail: cmoran@bates.edu
Program Website
Bowdoin College
Name of College or school
Bowdoin College is a private liberal arts college located in Brunswick. The setting is a scenic coastal village situated on the shores of Casco Bay and the Androscoggin River, just 28 miles north of Portland, Maine. The college is home to a coastal studies center on Orr’s Island as well as a science field station on Kent Island. The school was founded in 1794 and currently enrolls 1,839 students. Bowdoin offers 33 majors and four optional minors, with a student/faculty ratio of just 9:1. In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Bowdoin as the 5th best National Liberal Arts College as well as the 8th best value school. Bowdoin is a highly selective liberal arts school, with an acceptance rate of 15 percent for the class of 2019. US News & World Report classifies Bowdoin as “most selective” as 89 percent of students accepted are in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology degree program at Bowdoin shows students how to investigate modern perspectives on the underlying principles of human behavior, in a wide range of . areas. The school began offering psychology courses in 1904. Since that time psychology has seen tremendous growth and evolution. The focus in the field has shifted toward a close relationship with natural sciences and humanities, and this is a central theme of Bowdoin’s liberal arts core curriculum. The Department of Psychology offers courses in subject areas such as:
- animal neurophysiology
- human language
- basic perceptual processes
- developmental and clinical psychology
The curriculum emphasizes empirically based methods of study and analysis. The Department also co-sponsors a Neuroscience Program. It studies the relationships between biological processes and behaviors, in both human and animal studies. Psychology majors can participate in independent study courses. Here, the student has the opportunity to create and complete out a research project under the supervision of a professor.
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Bowdoin College
The Psychology Department
Kanbar Hall
255 Maine Street
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 725-3339
E-Mail: dtrout@bowdoin.edu
Program Website
Colby College
The Psychology Department
Colby College is a private liberal arts college located in Waterville. The school was opened in 1813, making it the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the country. Colby was the first all-male college in the New England region to begin accepting female students in 1871. There are more than 1,800 students enrolled at Colby, coming from over 60 countries. Colby offers 54 majors and 30 minors. One of the strengths of the school is that over two-thirds of enrolled students participate in study abroad programs.
In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Colby as the 15th best National Liberal Arts College as well as the 14th best value school in the country. The Psychology Department at Colby offers training programs in both Psychology and Neuroscience. Qualified students may also be invited to participate in the honors program in either psychology or psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Students enrolled in the BA in Psychology program learn from a rigorous curriculum which covers a wide range of psychological topics. It is expected that upon graduation, students will have mastered the following:
- Understand behavior by learning about influential theories and research in multiple sub-disciplines of psychology, and making connections among these sub-disciplines.
- Understand the scientific foundation of psychology and conduct original research by
- finding previous research in a topic area
- identifying an original empirical question and designing a study to answer it
- conducting statistical analyses to draw conclusions from data
- working collaboratively in a scientific context.
- Effectively communicate psychological concepts and findings in written, oral, and visual forms.
- Apply scientific knowledge to real-world contexts.
- Work with humans and animals following the principles and standards of the field.
This program is centered in research, with research experiences at all levels of the program, starting with the first introductory course. Students work with their professors to collaborate through course work and lab experiences to investigate relevant topics such as:
- cognition
- development
- emotion
- health
- language
- motivation
- neuroscience
- perception
- personality
- psychopathology
- social psychology
There are additional options for more focused study through upper-level courses, access to cutting edge research equipment, and faculty mentors who possess a wide range of expertise.
Honors Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
As psychology majors approach the end of their junior year, some qualified students may be invited by members of the department to enroll in the honors program. In order to be invited students must:
- maintain a specified major GPA
- complete at least one seminar and collaborative research paired course by the end of the junior year
- actively participate in research
- find a compatible area of interest to pair with a faculty mentor
Students must fulfill all basic elements of the core curriculum as well as the honors research sequence.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Neuroscience Concentration
Students interested in pursuing a career in the growing field of neuroscience have the option of earning their psychology degree with a specialization in neuroscience. Psychology majors in this specialization must complete a number of additional courses in the various areas of neuroscience, in addition to the general psychology curriculum. Students must also complete at least one course in biology. Students may not double major in biology with a concentration in neuroscience and psychology: neuroscience.
Honors Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Neuroscience Concentration
Just like the honors program for the generalist psychology degree, students pursuing a neuroscience specialization also may be invited to participate in the honors program. At the end of the junior year, qualified students will receive an invitation from the Psychology Department. Upon completion of the program, students will be awarded a degree reading with “Honors in Psychology: Neuroscience.”
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Colby College
The Psychology Department
5550 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, Maine 04901
(207) 859-5550
E-Mail Form
Program Website
Husson University
The School of Science and Humanities
Husson University is a private university located in Bangor. The school confers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Current enrollment is about 3,100 students. In addition to the main campus in Bangor, there are satellite campus locations in Westbrook and Presque Isle. Bangor has earned the distinction of having the largest “physical footprint” of any private university in the state. The School of Science and Humanities is the collegiate home for the core science and humanities courses. The goal is to broaden students’ exposure to:
- knowledge
- values
- learning
- the art of communication
Students can choose to major in the following areas of study as well as pursue a degree as an undeclared student:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- Environmental Science
- Health Sciences
- Healthcare Studies
- Liberal Studies
- Psychology
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The BS in Psychology degree program offers students important experience in introductory content, which will give them opportunities to develop a better understanding of human behavior. This program also prepares students for the Maine State Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community certification (MHRT/C), as well as several entry-level positions. Students who plan to complete the courses required by the State of Maine to fulfill the Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician Certification (MHRT/C) have the ability to apply for this certificate upon graduation. This credential is necessary for entry-level employment in mental health agencies throughout the state of Maine.
Dual Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology
Students interested in exploring the intersection of criminal justice and psychology have the unique opportunity to pursue both degrees simultaneously. The dual degree program in criminal justice and psychology offers students the opportunity to pursue foundational training in the practical and theoretical areas of both criminal justice and psychology. This fundamental framework across both disciplines allows students to learn the important relationship and interplay between criminal behavior and psychological factors.
In order to find success in the field of law enforcement, professionals need to understand the forensic application of psychology to the investigation of crime. Students in the interdisciplinary degree program are exposed to coursework that prepares them for careers in both clinical and law enforcement professions. This curriculum is also an excellent fit for students seeking graduate-level training in:
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology
- Forensic Psychology.
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Husson University
The School of Science and Humanities
1 College Circle
Bangor, ME 04401
E-Mail: admit@husson.edu
Psychology Program Website
Criminal Justice / Psychology Program Website
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
The Department of Psychology
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Standish. The college grants bachelor’s degrees in an on-campus format, as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees fully online. The campus in southern Maine along the shores of Sebago Lake, about 18 miles from Portland. Saint Joseph’s is the only Catholic college in the state of Maine. The college was established in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy as an academic institution for women. In 1970, Saint Joseph’s began admitting men and six years later the distance education program for working adults was created.
Saint Joseph’s College Online offers excellent, fully-accredited online programs to more than 2,400 students from 50 states and nine countries. Students pursuing a psychology degree from the Department of Psychology can choose to earn an online psychology degree as well as the more traditional, on-campus degree format.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology degree program is strongly grounded in the guidelines set forth by the American Psychological Association for undergraduate psychology training. The interdisciplinary curriculum integrates academics and real-world applications. It’s presented by dedicated faculty coming from broad backgrounds. Students have the ability to secure an internship in a facility that will help boost their career options. The focus on the APA guidelines have led to a curriculum with a strong focus on the following elements:
- Providing students with a broad understanding of psychology’s core areas, including:
- learning
- cognition
- personality
- social processes
- human development
- Teaching students to understand and apply scientific thinking and research methods to psychological questions, and to extend these critical thinking skills to other areas of endeavor.
- Introducing students to applied areas of:
- psychology
- clinical
- counseling
- health
- educational psychology.
- Instilling in students the values of:
- scientific psychology
- intellectual curiosity
- respect for empirical evidence
- ethical action
- appreciation of human diversity
- social responsibility.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Clinical/Counseling Concentration
The Clinical/Counseling Concentration is for students with a strong interest in pursuing a career in clinical or counseling psychology, as well as several other areas of mental health and human services. The concentration offers students a strong framework for graduate training or employment in these fields.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration
The Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration focuses on the “biological determinants of human behavior, and is for students with a particular interest in the complex interactions between the brain and the environment and their impact on behavior”. This concentration is a good fit for students with an interest in careers in:
- research in academics
- government
- industry
- other areas of mental health.
Bachelor of Science in General Studies with a Psychology Specialization
The general studies program with a specialization in psychology is students who have previous college credits and would like to apply those credits towards their degree. This program takes less time and costs less money than many other Bachelor’s degree programs with greater core course requirements. The psychology specialization offers students the opportunity to train in the broad field of human services.
The curriculum prepares students for a number of career fields, including work as:
- social workers
- salespeople
- race and community relations specialists
- human resources specialists
- teachers
- counselors
- psychology and medical professionals
This specialization allows students the opportunity to build a broader knowledge and understanding of human behavior. The curriculum includes the study of behavior and mental processes as well as theoretical applications. The courses offer content that pairs with each student’s professional experience, allowing for immediate application in your work setting. There is an excellent credit-transfer policy to allow maximum credit for both traditional and non-traditional learning experiences. The fully online, flexible format allows students to study at their own pace, with no on-campus residency required.
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
The Department of Psychology
278 Whites Bridge Road
Standish, ME 04084
(800) 752-4723
General Studies Program Website
BA Program Website
Maine offers residents and non-residents ample opportunities for a top-notch psychology education. Both on-campus and online, students can earn their degree in typical four-year plans, accelerated plans or part-time options. With many degrees being offered fully or partially online, more and more students have a chance to earn their college diploma.
For More Bachelor’s Degrees in Maine – T-U