Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Program Overview

The bachelor’s degree in psychology program at the University of Providence prepares students for lifelong learning and advanced study in the field of psychology. This four-year program is delivered in person at our Montana campus and online, providing added flexibility for working students.

Offering a comprehensive curriculum, the B.A. in Psychology program allows students to pursue their academic and career interests with six concentrations. Whether you want to work in forensics or want to become a mental health counselor, the University of Providence’s psychology major has it covered! 

Program Highlights

• Tailor Your Education to Your Interests

At UP, your education will reflect your interests. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology can choose between six concentrations, each of which will allow them to nurture their career goals and hone their skills in a particular subject area. 

• Online Option

Delivered both online and on campus in Montana, students gain greater flexibility in fulfilling their educational needs. An online psychology degree at UP doesn’t mean your education will be any less personal than our in-person program. Our professors are dedicated to getting to know you and supporting you through your educational journey.

• Psychology Internship Opportunities

Psychology majors can pursue internship opportunities and will receive school credit for completed internship hours. In the past, psychology students have interned at AWARE, Alliance for Youth and YWCA Mercy Home. Out-of-state opportunities can be approved through the organization and your advisor.

Program Curriculum

The bachelor’s degree in psychology is a 52-54 credit hour program consisting of 41 credits in major coursework and 11-13 credits in concentration courses. The program follows the American Psychological Association Guidelines for undergraduate psychology major programs.

While students can choose between six unique concentrations, the core psychology classes in the major will also introduce students to a wide variety of topics in the field such as personality theory, developmental psychology and ethics in human services. With a solid foundation in the basics of psychology, students will be empowered to delve further into their niche interests through the specialized areas of study offered in our concentrations.

Concentrations within the major allow students to focus their studies in a particular area of interest and hone skills that they can put to use in the workplace or graduate school. Concentration offerings include general psychology, helping skills, social services, forensic psychology, sports psychology or physiological psychology.

Psychology Degree Curriculum

Psychology Concentrations

General Psychology 

Designed to empower students to learn about psychology across many disciplines, students who choose to pursue the generalist concentration will take one course from the helping skills, social services, forensic psychology and physiological psychology concentrations. 

Helping Skills 

Students in this concentration will delve into theories and methods of helping systems in a variety of settings. Courses in the helping skills concentration include Theories of Helping (PSY 241), Helping Skills (PSY 340), Group Theories and Processes (PSY 498), Physiological Psychology II (PSY 451) and the internship (PSY 495).

Social Services 

This concentration provides students interested in social service work with the competencies needed for success in the industry. Courses in the social services concentration include Casework Methods & Practices (PSY 394), Sociology of the Family (SOC 201), Child Abuse and Neglect (PSY 396), Sociology of Deviant Behavior (SOC 304) and Juvenile Justice (CRJ 401).

Forensic Psychology

For students interested in careers within the forensic sciences, this concentration will provide a solid foundation in forensic psychology. The concentration offers courses in Child Abuse and Neglect (PSY 396), Forensic Psychology (PSY 480), Sociology of Deviant Behavior (SOC 304), Juvenile Justice (CRJ 401) and Victimology (CRJ 446).

Physiological Psychology 

With courses in biology, this concentration is an ideal pathway for students interested in laboratory psychology, graduate school or medical school. Students in the physiological psychology concentration will take General Biology I and II (BIO 151, 152) and Physiological Psychology II (PSY 451). 

Sports Psychology 

The sports psychology concentration allows students with an interest in the intersection of psychology and athletics to gain a deeper understanding of the connections between these fields. Courses in this concentration include Sociology of Sport (EXS 233), Sports Psychology (EXS 260), Theories of Helping (PSY 241) and Helping Skills (PSY 340).

Skills You’ll Learn

Students who earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Providence will learn these skills and more:

• Critical thinking
• Effective oral and written communication
• Self-awareness and self-management skills
• Interpersonal relationship tools
• Research tools
• Understanding human behavior

Careers With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

The University of Providence’s B.A. in psychology degree program provides students with the opportunity to obtain a liberal arts education that facilitates their making a living with the perspective, tools and skills in the field of psychology. 

Those who hold a B.A. in psychology can pursue careers in:

• Mental health and counseling
• Welfare
• Legal and corrections fields
• Entrance into graduate programs:
  • • Psychology
    • Counseling
    • Law
    • Business Administration
    • Healthcare fields

   

Psychology bachelor’s degree holders can expect to make $37,500–$60,000 annually, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that the median annual salary for those in the psychology field is $50,000.

Application and Admission Requirements

Program Application: Applicants must complete an online undergraduate application.

Official Transcripts: Official high school transcripts can be sent directly from your high school to: University of Providence | Admissions | 1301 20th Street South | Great Falls, MT 59405 or may be submitted electronically. Students should include transcripts from any dual enrollment or other pre-college programs they have attended and results of any AP tests taken.

Testing Scores: Official ACT or SAT score reports should be sent if your score with test date is not recorded on your high school transcript. Our ACT code is 2410, SAT is 4058. While providing official test scores is not required, it is strongly recommended, and if you have taken either test, it is best to have your scores sent to the University of Providence.

Study What You’re Passionate About in UP’s Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology Program

With six unique concentrations and the option to complete your degree online, the B.A. in psychology program at the University of Providence has courses that allow you to pursue your interests and expand your skill set. Psychology internship opportunities will help you hone those skills through real-world experience in the field. Whether you choose to study online or at our Montana campus, at UP you’ll have the ability to tailor your education to your interests and prepare for a career in psychology.

Cost   How to Apply   Contact an Admissions Counselor