Psychology Degree Program

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology Overview

Would you like to make a difference in the area of mental health? As a psychology major at SMWC, you will be prepared to combine knowledge about the human mind with the ability to collect, analyze and interpret data from a logical, problem-solving perspective. The versatility of psychology will add value to any major you pair it with — such as education, biology or nursing. The same goes for adding a minor, like chemistry or leadership. Our degree programs provide the flexibility to lead you to the career of your dreams. With your professional advisors helping you along the way, you can mix and match majors and minors to get the perfect degree tailored to you and your career aspirations.

This program provides the advantage of a well-balanced generalist program taught by faculty who are experienced teachers, researchers and practitioners. You will learn more about such topics as ethics and society, personality, and developmental and abnormal psychology while developing a deep understanding of the theories and methods used in this field. Our graduates merge seamlessly into entry-level health and human service careers or go on to earn advanced degrees.

Major curriculum – 43 credit hours

Minor curriculum – 21 credit hours

FAQs

What is psychology?
Psychology is the study of the mind and its functions. If you pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, you’ll learn how to collect data, analyze it and apply it to human behavior. If you’re looking for a good college for psychology, the small class sizes at SMWC make it easy to get one-on-one time with your professors and collaborate with other students. That intimate approach means richer learning for you.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is one of the best colleges for psychology because we also overlay a values-based curriculum with a strong foundation in leadership, so you aren’t just learning the basics of psychology — you’re learning to be a leader in your field.

Why get a degree in psychology?
Are you fascinated by the human brain and what makes people make decisions? Do you love working with people and helping them understand their own motivations? You will love a career in psychology. Psychology degree jobs are rewarding because they tap into the desire to help others, allowing them to help themselves.

And, if you are looking at other degrees, add a double major in psychology! Understanding human emotions, motivations and brain function are helpful in all jobs because every career path works with people on some level.

What can you do with a degree in psychology?
A bachelor’s degree in psychology allows you to go down many career paths based on your interests! You may choose to go on to graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in psychology to be a psychologist. A psychology degree from SMWC prepares the graduate to combine knowledge of human behavior with the ability to collect, analyze and interpret data from a logical, problem-solving perspective. Because of this, the career choices for a psychology major are numerous and varied:

• Mental health caseworker
• Social agency caseworker
• Consultant to other professionals
• Lawyers
• Educators
• Physicians
• Engineers
• Managers
• Policymakers

Places of employment for psychology majors may include:

• Laboratories
• Hospitals
• Courtrooms
• Schools and colleges
• Prisons
• Corporate offices
• Counseling centers
• Recreational centers

Check out our blog 8 careers you can have with a degree in psychology

What is the average annual salary of someone with a psychology degree?
As you look at starting salaries, keep in mind that the cost of living and opportunities to move with a career or industry sector should also factor into your decision. The average salary for a person with a bachelor’s degree in psychology is $92,378.

What support and resources are provided at SMWC?
The Learning Resource Center (LRC) provides exceptional, personalized learning resource services to encourage student success. The LRC offers help with a range of academic support services, including a writing center, tutoring, college success courses and more.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is routinely ranked by US News and World Report among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest and the Best Value Schools. Our departments are also routinely ranked for their individual degree programs.
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