Psychology
Are you a creative problem solver? Passionate about research that teaches us about how humans work? Do you want a degree that can prepare you for careers as varied as social work and counseling, human resources and organizational leadership, or even consumer behavior analysis?
About the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Have you ever found yourself wondering what makes others do the things they do? Maybe you’re interested in learning about the vast theories of psychology or discovering the connection between human experiences and behavior. Making the decision to pursue the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology degree program allows you to identify meaningful components of human psychology, which lead to creative ways to solve problems in the workplace and your community.
As a major in this program at CBU, you will engage in a variety of courses that challenge your understanding of theory. These courses span subjects such as personality, biological and social psychology, human development, and even cultural anthropology, which all work collectively to grant you a well-rounded education.
Some of your days may be spent learning about the main structures of the human brain, while others may be spent collaborating with faculty and students to unlock correlational research methods in the Cognitive Neuroscience Lab. With a degree at CBU, you uncover a range of avenues that lead you to a career where you collaborate with others while putting your critical thinking skills to the test.
What You’ll Study
The degree program requires a total of 122 credit hours, consisting of general education and major courses. Additionally, you will enroll in Liberal Arts Core courses, which provide the foundation to develop critical thinking skills. These Liberal Arts Core courses provide insight into how each discipline affects one another, with the goal of students acknowledging and communicating the interconnectedness of the disciplines.
Majors in the program complete the following four areas of coursework:
- General Education – 25 credits
- Liberal Arts Core – 33 credits
- Major – 49 credits
- Major-Specific Electives – 15 credits
Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
CBU is internationally recognized for engaging undergraduate students in cognitive neuroscience training and research. Our Cognitive Neuroscience Lab is unique to the Tennessee region, providing you opportunities to design studies; analyze data; present research at regional, national, and international conferences; and co-author articles.
With support from the National Science Foundation, we’ve outfitted our lab with equipment such as the Brain Vision actiCHamp system, which allows us to learn about common physiological signals that can be used to study a subject’s health and well-being. Our psychology faculty members work to foster innovative lab work, embracing the difficulties students meet during research to empower them to lead change.
Psychology Minor
CBU offers non-majors the option to enroll in our 18-credit minor. Please note that this minor is not available for Applied Psychology majors.
Complementary Minors
The Rosa Deal School of Arts offers a multitude of minors for students looking to explore their education at CBU. Each of the minors below pair well with this degree program:
- Anthropology — 19 credits in anthropology, English, international communications, history, archaeology
- Cognitive Neuroscience — 18 credits in upper level coursework
- Criminology — 18 credits in sociology and criminal justice courses
- Engineering Psychology — 30 credits in psychology and engineering
- Sociology — 18 credits hours in anthropology and sociology
Applied Psychology Major
The Department of Behavioral Sciences also offers a BA in Applied Psychology, which focuses on how theories can be applied to real-world situations. This degree program is suited for students who seek to delve deeper in the endeavor of research. Additionally, the applied psychology major requires students to choose a criminal justice or industrial organizational psychology concentration.
Careers
Although the field primarily focuses on the study of the mind and behavior, your career options aren’t limited to treating individuals. The knowledge you gain is applicable to nearly every industry, allowing you to conceive new marketing strategies at your company, close a challenging business deal, or even serve as a mediator between coworkers.
While working as a counselor or psychologist will require graduate study along with certifications, a Bachelor of Arts provides the foundation for you to enter into graduate programs and work in the following entry-level positions:
- Career Counselor
- Case Manager
- Laboratory Assistant
- Psychiatric Technician
For majors seeking a role outside the realm of healthcare and therapy, you may find that education, management, research, and marketing all offer an array of opportunities. The knowledge of human behavior — of knowing why we do the things we do — is a highly valuable skill in all industries. You may find work within the following job titles:
- Copywriter
- HR Specialist
- Marketing Consultant
- Market Research Analyst
- Researcher
- Teacher
- UX Researcher
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the community and social service occupations are projected to grow 10 percent into 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.
Have questions about the field of psychology or the degree program? Reach out to us by requesting more information.
Meet the Faculty
Learn About Human Behavior with a BA in Psychology
Pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree at CBU unlocks doors to graduate study and work in a multitude of fields. As every organization needs individuals that are diligent, competent, and inquisitive, that might mean you’ll find yourself working toward analyzing the positive correlation in a case study or helping someone reach their full potential. Earning your Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is the first step to accomplishing your dreams.
