Program Overview

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Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology is an undergraduate program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and mental processes. This degree is offered on-campus at the Main Campus, Regional Campus - Kennett, and Regional Campus - Sikeston.

Degree Type

• Bachelor's Degree

Program Type

• Undergraduate

Location

• Main Campus - Cape
• Regional Campus - Kennett
• Regional Campus - Sikeston

College

• Education, Health & Human Studies

Department

• Psychology & Counseling

Program Overview

The psychology major is a gateway to understanding why people think, feel, and act the way they do. This degree is not just about studyingit's about discovering the secrets behind human behavior and using that knowledge to make a real difference. Students will explore everything from how the brain works to what drives human behavior, taking courses in areas like cognitive psychology, social psychology, and behavioral neuroscience.

Career Opportunities

With a degree in Psychology, the possibilities are wide open. Graduates can pursue careers in mental health, human resources, marketing, or even forensic psychology. This degree also sets students up perfectly for graduate studies in psychology, counseling, or medicine. Whether students want to work directly with people or behind the scenes in research, their psychology degree will equip them to succeed.

Internship and Employment Opportunities

Recent psychology degree graduates have found internship and employment opportunities at:

• Cottonwood Treatment Center
• Lutheran Child and Family Services
• American Red Cross
• Family Counseling Center
• Bootheel Counseling Center

Graduate Program Opportunities

Recent psychology degree graduates have been accepted into graduate programs at:

• University of Iowa
• University of Michigan
• Southern Illinois University
• University of South Florida

Program Requirements

To complete the Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, including general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

Required Core Courses

• PY101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
• PY103 Career Development in Psychology (3)
• PY230 Ethics and Diversity in Psychology (3)
• PY271 Introduction to Behavioral Statistics (3)
• PY370 Research Methods in Psychology (3)
• PY497 Historical Development of Psychology

Extended Core

Choose one course from each of the following areas:

Basic/Cognitive Processes

• PY362 Learning and Memory (3)
• PY460 Cognitive Processes (3)
• PY466 Introduction to Physiological Psychology (3)

Clinical/Personality

• PY432 Introduction to Personality (3)
• PY440 Psychopathology (3)

Developmental Psychology

• PY120 Psychological Development of the Child (3)
• PY220 Psychological Development Across the Life Span (3)
• PY222 Development of the Adolescent (3)

Social/Applied Psychology

• PY250 Applied Psychology (3)
• PY358 Social Psychology (3)

Psychology Electives

Choose 6 hours from the list below:

• PY250 Applied Psychology (3)
• PY251 Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3)
• PY301 Cross-Cultural Psychology (3)
• PY317 Psychology of Sex and Gender (3)
• PY329 Psychology of Grief and Loss (3)
• PY353 Social Cognition (3)
• PY358 Social Psychology (3)
• PY359 Psychology and the Law (3)
• PY362 Learning and Memory (3)
• PY366 Sensation and Perception (3)
• PY432 Personality Therapy (3)
• PY440 Psychopathology (3)
• PY441 Clinical Psychology (3)
• PY442 Psychotherapy (3)
• PY444 Childhood Psychopathology (3)
• PY460 Cognitive Processes (3)
• PY466 Biological Psychology (3)
• PY492 Independent Research/Readings in Psychology (1-3)
• PY495 Field Experience in Psychology (3)
• PY531 Psychological Testing (3)
• PY555 Health Psychology (3)

Optional Pre-Counseling Track

No minor is required if the track is chosen:

• CF209 Introduction to Family Theories (3)
• CF275 Resilience Across the Life Span (3)
• ED535 The Trauma-Informed Professional (3)
• PY440 Psychopathology (3)
• PY441 Clinical Psychology (3)
• PY442 Psychotherapy (3)
• PY444 Childhood Psychopathology (3)

Four-Year Sample Plan

A sample plan for completing the degree in four years is provided, outlining the courses to be taken each semester.

First Year

Fall Semester (16 Hours)

• UI100 (1)
• EN100 (3)
• PY101 (3)
• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)

Spring Semester (15 Hours)

• PY103 (3)
• PY230 (3)
• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)

Second Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

• PY271 (3)
• Developmental Category (3)
• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)

Spring Semester (15 Hours)

• Social/Applied Category (3)
• Basic/Cognitive Processes Category (3)
• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)

Third Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

• PY370 (3)
• Minor/Track course (3)
• Minor/Track course (3)
• Elective (3)
• Elective (3)

Spring Semester (15 Hours)

• Clinical/Personality Category (3)
• Psychology Elective (3)
• Minor/Track course (3)
• Minor/Track course (3)
• Elective (3)

Fourth Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

• Psychology Elective (3)
• Minor/Track Course (3)
• Track/Elective (3)
• Track/Elective (3)
• Elective (3)

Spring Semester (14 Hours)

• PY497 (3)
• Minor/Track Course (3)
• Track/Elective (3)
• Elective (3)
• Elective (2)

Outcomes and Careers

The mean annual salary for psychologists is $111,340, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Graduates of the psychology program can pursue a variety of careers, including:

• Psychologist: $111,340
• Clinical Psychologist: $106,850
• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist: $134,400

Related Programs

Other related programs offered by the university include:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
• Child & Family Studies: Child Development Major
• Child & Family Studies: Family Studies Degree