Program Overview

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Psychology Program

College of Humanities and Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology curriculum reflects the discipline's major functions: scientific research, teaching, acting as a healing profession, and raising philosophical questions about the assumptions, values, and ideals of human beings and their societies. This reflects psychology's origin in philosophy. Through a core set of requirements, students systematically develop understanding and skill in scientific methods of inquiry, focusing on the human mind and behavior.

Concentrations

• Addiction Studies
• Applied Psychology
• Life Science
• Pre-Graduate School
• Urban Psychology

Program Description

The program allows students to pursue the standard curriculum by selecting courses from four content areas that introduce students to the healing and philosophical sides of psychology and provide a broad understanding of the field as a whole. Alternatively, students may apply to one of several more focused concentrations that draw upon the special strengths of the VCU Department of Psychology.

Career Opportunities

Some students may choose to study psychology because they enjoy the subject and wish to pursue careers requiring "any major." In this scenario, it is critical to develop desirable skills through internships, part-time or summer jobs, or volunteer experiences. Skills valued most by employers include communication, interpersonal leadership, teamwork, and computer skills. Other students may major in psychology because they want to work in a related field. Many entry-level helping positions are available; however, the amount of direct client contact is limited for those who only have a bachelor's degree. Students may wish to pursue graduate education in psychology, social work, counseling, college student personnel, or other fields to increase opportunities and earning potential.

Bachelor-Level Job Titles

• Adult Learning and Instruction
• Human Resources Specialist
• Market Research Analyst
• Marketing Specialist
• Public Relations Specialist
• Recruiter
• Sales Representative
• Social and Human Services Assistant
• Social Science Research Assistant
• Training and Development Specialist

Graduate and Professional Level Job Titles

• Attorney
• Counselor
• Higher Education Administrator
• Psychologist
• Researcher
• Therapist

Professional Associations and Resources

• American Psychological Association
• Association for Psychological Science
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Degree Requirements

The highest level of math required is STAT 210. Natural Sciences requirement only applies for science requirements. There are foreign language requirements. No additional tuition or fees are required. A 2.0+ cumulative GPA and 2.0+ major GPA are required to progress and graduate in the major.

Plan of Study

The plan of study includes various courses and concentrations such as Psychology, accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's (Counselor Education), Psychology with concentrations in Addiction Studies, Applied Psychology, Life Science, Pre-Graduate School, and Urban Psychology.

Yearly Plans

Year 1: Explore

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING: Schedule an appointment with the academic advisor, sharpen study skills, meet with a writing consultant, take a virtual library tour, map out a 4-year course plan, enroll in a student success course, complete PSYC 101 and STAT 210, and complete BIOL 101 and BIOZ 101.
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY: Get involved in student clubs, participate in RAM CAMP, register to vote, connect with the Resident Assistant, consider applying to the Honors College, apply to live in a program-in-residence, and use the Student Opportunity Center platform.
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY: Join RAMmalogues, check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, connect with the Global Education Office, visit a study abroad fair, explore funding for international opportunities, and complete Rams Abroad 101.
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Complete the Handshake profile, set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center, consider applying for a federal work-study job, seek research opportunities, apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader, and review weekly PSYUGRAD eBlasts.
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE: Explore "What Can I Do With This Major," build a resume and LinkedIn profile, join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow, access the free credit report, make a 4-year affordability plan, and practice independent living skills.

Year 2: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING: Schedule an appointment with the advisor, get familiar with the research process, talk to professors, explore innovation and business classes, explore minors and certificates, begin the PSYC 214 and PSYC 317 sequence.
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY: Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty, take a service-learning class, volunteer, learn about the Sophomore Year Experience, join the Residence Hall Association, attend public talks.
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY: Make friends with diverse perspectives, explore social issues, investigate globally-focused courses, apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship, attend an event sponsored by OMSA.
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Complete a gap analysis, seek practical experience, explore global career options, organize examples of academic and professional experiences, attend career fairs, pursue a digital badge.
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE: Connect with alumni, conduct informational interviews, ask for mentorship, meet with a coach at The Money Spot, research certification requirements, attend panels about life after the B.S. in Psychology.

Year 3: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING: See academic and career advisors, enhance business and technology skills, complete the PSYC 214 and PSYC 317 sequence, discuss taking PSYC 494 and PSYC 493.
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY: Design a community-engaged research project, attend civic meetings, make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office, motivate peers, attend a Wellness Resource Center program.
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY: Build language proficiency, get required REAL experience, explore new cultures, prepare for future work on multidisciplinary teams, review weekly PSYUGRAD eBlasts, take on a leadership role.
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Take advantage of mock interviews, update the ePortfolio, apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program, consider taking a psychology service learning course, develop career-related skills.
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE: Make a plan for applying to graduate school, study for standardized exams, prepare for job offer negotiation, join job listserv sites, revisit the gap analysis assessment.

Year 4: Excel

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING: Schedule an appointment with the academic advisor, choose REAL electives, complete PSYC 451 History of Psychology.
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY: Serve in a leadership role, apply for post-graduation programs, attend professional association conferences, consider jobs in the nonprofit sector.
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY: Carry out globally-oriented research projects, read scholarly articles, master answers to interview questions, plan for growing cultural agility, consider becoming a Diversity Ambassador.
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Meet with the academic or professional mentor, publish original research, consider becoming an educator, gain practical experience, join a professional organization.
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE: Prepare for graduation, single out prospective employers, have a personal statement reviewed, connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations, review PSYC eBlast for job positions.