Bachelor in Psychology
Bolivar, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 28,656 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* total including room, board, and fees will be $40,342
Introduction
A bachelor's degree in psychology from SBU gives you a scientifically based exploration of the behavioral and mental processes of individuals, preparing you for a variety of career paths. SBU's psych major is people-focused and emphasizes applied, hands-on learning opportunities.
Unique course offerings provide a wide range from which to choose, allowing you to add breadth and depth to your program while choosing courses that best fit your needs and interests. In addition to your psychology major, you also can choose to add a minor in counseling, criminal justice, gerontology, psychology with sports performance, or sociology. A certificate in child care work is also available.
The SBU Advantage
- Learn from faculty with a wide range of first-hand real-world experiences in multiple careers.
- Small class sizes provide opportunities for personalized instruction and quality relationships.
- SBU's people-focused approach to psychology equips students with the interpersonal and servant leadership skills that will prepare them for endless career opportunities.
- Put your learning into action by completing an internship for a local community agency during your junior and/or senior year.
Curriculum
Psychology Four-Year Plan
Freshman
Fall Semester
- ENG 1113 English Composition I 3
- PSY 1013 General Psychology 3
- BIB 1013 Old Testament History 3
- CIS 1103 Computer and Information Management 3
- MAT 1243 Algebraic Reasoning and Modeling 3
- UNI 1111 University Seminar 1
Total hours 16
Spring Semester
- ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
- SOC 1003 Introduction to Sociology 3
- BIB 1023 New Testament History 3
- FAR 10_3 Intro. to Art, Fine Arts, Music or Theatre 3
- HIS 2213/2223 U.S. History I or II 3
- UNI 1121 Critical Thinking 1
Total hours 16
Sophomore
Fall Semester
- PSY 2063 Systems of Psychology 3
- BEH 2001 Writing for the Behavioral Sciences 1
- COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
- BIO 1004 Principles of Biology 4
- KIN 1162 Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness 2
- POL 1113 American Government and Politics 3
Total hours 16
Spring Semester
- PHS 1004 Physical Science or Earth Science 4
- PSY 3063 Human Growth and Development 3
- ECO 2003 LIFE Economics 3
- BEH 2233 Introduction to Research 3
- SPF 2012 Introduction to Spiritual Formation 2
- General elective 3
Total hours 15
Junior
Fall Semester
- SOC 2012 Human Diversity 2
- PSY 3033 Abnormal Psychology 3
- Upper-Level Research Core 3
- Upper-Level Developmental Core 3
- Upper-Level Psychology Core 3
- General Electives 3
Total hours 17
Spring Semester
- BEH 3243 Elementary Statistics 3
- BEH 3001 Career Exploration and Preparation 1
- Upper-Level Applied Core 3
- Upper Psychology Electives 3
- Electives in minor 6
Total hours 16
Senior
Fall Semester
- BEH 4001 Professional Ethics in Behavioral Sciences 1
- Electives in minor 6
- General Electives 9
Total hours 16
Spring Semester
- Internship (Elective) 6
- Electives in minor 3
- General Electives 6-9
Total hours 15-18
The B.A. degree in Psychology requires (1) Two semesters of a foreign language (6-8 hours), and (2) Thirty-six hours in Psychology. The B.S. degree in Psychology requires the completion of 36 hours in Psychology and completion of one of the following three options: (1) 8-9 hours of upper-level sociology or 8-9 hours of upper-level natural science; OR (2) Complete the requirements for a minor within the department OR (3) Complete the requirements for a second major as listed in the catalog. Note: The approved second major from this department would be either Social Work or Criminal Justice.
Career Opportunities
Internship Opportunities for SBU Psychology Students
- Working with the developmentally disabled: Arc of the Ozarks, First Serve, Mashburn, Nova Center of the Ozarks
- Working with kids: Early Intervention Services, high school counselor interns, various camps, therapeutic camps for at-risk kids
- Working with older adults: Polk County Senior Center, various nursing homes
- Working in psychoeducation: Polk County Health Department
- Working with people with mental illness: Polk County Mental Health Court, Cox Hospital inpatient mental health units, Mercy Hospital's Marion Center, Freedom Counseling
- Working with troubled teens: Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, Lakeland, Regional Girls Shelter
- Working with people in crisis: Alpha House Pregnancy Resource Center, House of Hope domestic violence shelter, Polk County Drug Court, refugee work in the Middle East
Careers
Psychology graduates are prepared for a variety of careers including:
- Clinical and counseling psychology*
- Group home workers
- Human resources
- Industrial-organizational psychology
- Mental health care workers
- Ministry and mission work
- Nonprofit organizational work
- Physical therapy*
- Social service workers
- Sports psychology
*Additional graduate school work required for these careers
Graduate Schools
Many graduates go on to pursue further education at schools such as:
- SBU's own Doctor of Physical Therapy program
- Baylor University
- Biola University
- Roberts Wesleyan University
- University of Missouri
- University of Oklahoma
- Virginia Commonwealth University
Student Testimonials
Scholarships and Funding
Psychology majors have the opportunity to apply for several privately funded scholarships including:
- Autry and Irene Brown Scholarship
- Joe B. Shelton Scholarship
- Parsons Scholarship
- Rose E. Ray Scholarship
- Sara McGaha Memorial Scholarship
Admissions
Gallery
English Language Requirements
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