Top Psych Degrees
Students who earn their bachelor's degree in psychology will have a range of options for their next academic or career step and a bright future ahead of them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for psychologists was $80,370 as of May 2019. Plus, the job outlook for the employment of psychologists is projected to grow by about 3% from 2019 to 2029.
If you hope to enter a career as a professional psychologist, counselor, or therapist, the next step after a bachelor's degree in psychology would be entrance into either a master's or doctoral program in the field. Other students may use their undergraduate psychology degree to enter graduate school or the workforce in a range of potential areas, including medicine, law enforcement, human resources, business, various legal professions, and many others. Regardless of how you will use this degree, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology from a top school will prepare you for a range of career and academic opportunities. Ready to get started? You can find some of the best undergraduate psychology programs you can pursue to kickstart your career below.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Ranking Top 50 Bachelor's Degree Programs in Psychology
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Degree Requirements
To graduate from an undergraduate psychology program, you will need to complete a certain amount of credit hours — including core classes and degree-specific courses — as part of your degree plan. This requirement is typically around 120 credit hours. You'll need to pass your basic psychology courses before you're able to start the meatier, higher-level classes you'll need to graduate. You may also be required to complete an internship or senior capstone, accompanied by an essay or portfolio on the experience.
Courses in Psychology Degree
Intro to Psychology You'll be introduced to many theories and the history of psychology in this course. You'll dive into topics such as social behaviors, motivation, and biopsychology. Classes like this will focus on studying the principles of psychology rather than application.
Research Methods In Research Methods you will learn the basic psychology research methods used to conduct research in this field. This course will prepare you and lay out the groundwork for future research projects you'll take on as an upperclassman, or when you choose to pursue your master's and or doctorate in this field.
Abnormal Psychology In an abnormal psychology course, you'll learn about the abnormalities in psychology, including behavior, what causes these types of behaviors, and how to assess and treat these types of issues when they arise. A course like this is especially useful if you're considering forensic psychology or clinical psychology as a career.
Human Sexuality When studying human sexuality, you'll explore the facets of human sexual behavior, including past studies and the implications of the subject matter at hand.You'll be exploring sexual deviance, patterns and behaviors in particular, as well as how to treat and assess these types of sexual issues.
Job Outlook & Salary
If you're wondering what the job outlook is for psychology majors, we have good news for you. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the projected growth rate for jobs in psychology is expected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029, which is an average projection for most careers. As a psychologist, you can expect to earn an average of $80,370, as of May 2019.
While BLS does indicate that the field of psychology offers a lot of opportunities, most well-positioned people in the industry have earned their doctoral degrees. That said, there are still many options for jobs for those who only wish to pursue their undergraduate or master's degrees in this field.
How Can a Master's Student Pay for College?
Finding the funds to continue your education beyond high school is a challenge many face. For some, it determines if and where they can attend college.
If you're looking for ways to fund your higher education, there are several scholarship opportunities you can explore if you find yourself needing an extra financial boost below. You can also learn more at the American Psychological Association (APA)website.
This award will go toward students in order to increase student representation at APA conventions
Amount: $4,000
Deadline: May 1, 2021
David L. Boren Scholarship Program
This scholarship goes toward undergraduate students who wish to study abroad in areas that are considered important to the interests of the U.S. To be eligible, you'll have to be a U.S. citizen and have at least a high school degree or GED.
Amount: Up to $20,000
Deadline: February 2, 2022
Div. 20 Undergraduate, Graduate and Postdoctoral Research Awards
This award goes toward undergraduate and graduate students who have submitted an APA proposal. To apply, you must include a copy of your APA proposal, a cover sheet, a biographical sketch, and a summary statement by a faculty sponsor.
Amount: $500
Deadline: April 15, 2021
Related Degrees
Neuroscience:
In the field of neuroscience, you'll need to combine chemistry and psychology to study the brain and nervous system. Should you pursue this degree, you may be able to snag a lucrative position in the fields of pharmaceuticals, medicine, or research.
Sociology:
Sociology is the study of the complexities that tie people groups together, and psychology plays a major role in this major. With this type of degree, you can expect to find jobs in urban planning, law enforcement, or a number of other fields.
Social work:
A social work degree will teach you how to best support the children, adolescents, and adults in your care. In this field, a working knowledge of psychology will come in handy, especially if you study a particular specialization like child or abnormal psychology. A social work degree can help you find work in healthcare, education, or as a social worker.
