B.A. in Psychology: What It Is and How It Can Advance Your Career

The B.A. in Psychology degree is an undergraduate degree. A B.A. in Psychology program, such as the one offered by National Louis University's Undergraduate College, introduces students to the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Most undergraduate psychology programs cover several major areas of psychology. The core of any Psychology program is the research methods and statistics that allow students to read and understand research in Psychology. A Psychology major is one of the most popular undergraduate majors for several reasons. Not only can it provide direct entry to many helping professions, but it can also provide a great deal of breadth for students who are not yet sure of a particular career path.

What Is a B.A. in Psychology?

A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology can be a very diverse program. Often, students take a variety of classes to learn about the many different areas of psychology. In addition to learning about the various subdisciplines of psychology, many programs focus on research in the field. Therefore, in addition to learning about many different areas of psychology, students will learn the core research skills needed for graduate study in psychology, including research methods, statistics, and psychological assessment.

In National Louis University’s Undergraduate College, the B.A. in Psychology students can earn 130 quarter hours of college credit and then proceed to graduate studies in fields such as clinical psychology, counseling, social work, and child development. If a student chooses the General Psychology concentration, they can participate in a unique, two-year Cohort (blended online/on-campus). They take the Psychology classes in a predetermined order over about 5 years. There are always 20-30 students in each of the two Cohorts. The purpose of this structure is to provide a support system for its members. In addition, the Cohort design and Psychology classes provide for a learning environment and experiences that are useful for career choices in Human Service fields.

Why Pursue a B.A. in Psychology?

The B.A. in Psychology degree is useful in so many ways. Not only does it provide direct preparation for entry-level positions in the helping professions and for graduate school in Psychology or Counseling, but it is also broad enough to serve students unsure of which career they would like to pursue. The degree provides a broad foundation in the study of human behavior and is useful in many different careers, including business, education, healthcare, and social services.

Also, the Psychology major can be very appealing to those curious about why people behave the way they do. There are many ways in which an individual can gain insight into people by taking Psychology courses. In contrast to many other majors, students can gain valuable insight into people by taking Psychology courses, rather than relying solely on an intuitive approach. Instead, the student will adopt a more rigorous, evidence-based approach to their studies of people.

Why is the B.A. in Psychology such a popular degree? There are several reasons. For one, it is a very versatile degree, which means that in addition to being able to pursue graduate school in clinical psychology, there are also many other paths to take, such as pursuing a Master’s degree in counseling, an MBA with a focus on managing people, or even entering into a career in business, in education, or in the social services. As for why so many students choose to pursue this degree, the reasons are numerous, but most importantly, because of the wide array of possibilities available to students who pursue it.

Key Questions About This Degree

What concentrations are typically available?

Concentrations of study: Developmental Psychology, Organizational/Community Psychology, General Psychology (most basic concentration). There are several ways a student could organize their coursework in Psychology. Of course, some students will want to organize their Psychology courses around one specific area of interest. Other students will be looking for ways to organize their Psychology studies to aid preparation for a variety of careers and/or graduate school in Psychology.

Does this degree prepare students for graduate school?

For those wanting to go on to graduate school, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology is the typical route. Undergraduate study in psychology prepares students for graduate studies in fields such as psychology, counseling, and social work.

What non-psychology careers is this degree useful for?

Most psychology graduates go on to work in roles related to their major, such as human resources, sales and marketing, education, and social services. Because of the extensive research and the many types of data used in the field of psychology, many psychology graduates go on to work in research and analytics roles.

Career Outcomes

Jobs that psychology majors can get are Human Resources Assistant/Specialist, Case Manager, Research Assistant, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Sales and Marketing positions. Psychologists and related workers will experience varying rates of employment growth depending on specialty. Still, they will face increased demand due to an aging population and growing numbers of veterans, trauma survivors, and individuals with autism and other developmental disorders. For more information, go to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, and the current data for employment projections and wages.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists.

While many psychology majors go on to graduate school to become counselors, therapists, or psychologists, there are many direct entry-level positions in the mental health field that a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology can qualify you for. However, these positions are often case management, support, or paraprofessional in nature, not typically clinical. Thus, students who plan to stop their education at the Bachelor’s level should focus on gaining skills that can be applied to many different types of work and on accumulating experience through internships, part-time jobs, and research assistantships, for example, that can be applied to non-mental health-related careers.

B.A. in Psychology at National Louis University

The Undergraduate College at National Louis University awards a B.A. in Psychology. The Psychology program is offered with three concentrations in Developmental Psychology, Organizational/Community Psychology, and General Psychology. This degree requires 180 quarter hours of study across the General Education, Core Psychology Courses, and Concentration. The General Psychology concentration is currently offered in a cohort-based, blended format for students who wish to have a fixed schedule and the opportunity to be part of a peer group.