Complete Your Psychology Major with Simmons University

Are you ready to dive into the inner workings of the human mind? Earning a Psychology degree at Simmons University enables students to examine the intricacies of psychology from neurons to mental health.

Student smiling in class

Why pursue a bachelor’s degree in Psychology?

A Psychology degree from Simmons gives graduates an edge, regardless of their career path. Professionals across all fields benefit from an understanding of the human psyche, what motivates and shapes behavior, and social processes.

Why major in Psychology? Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program survey contemporary approaches to mental health and think critically about human behavior. Simmons’ psychology classes will also teach transferable writing, research and analytical skills. Upon graduation, psychology degree holders are able to apply their expertise to real-world quandaries.

Simmons University also offers a Psychology minor and an online Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology for adult learners. Learn more about the Psychology Department at Simmons.

What classes can you take in the BA in Psychology program?

Students pursuing a Psychology major at Simmons have the opportunity to create a versatile, highly customizable program of study. The Psychology degree consists of thirty-six (36) semester hours and four hours in statistics for a total of forty (40) credit hours.

Psychology major classes include the following five core courses:

  • Introduction to Psychological Science
  • Introductory Statistics OR Statistical Design and Analysis OR Regression Models
  • Biological Psychology
  • Research Methods in Psychology
  • History and Systems of Psychology

View all the Psychology major requirements for our Psychology degree.

Admission requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Students interested in applying to the undergraduate Psychology degree program must submit the following items to be considered for undergraduate admission:

  • Completed Application
  • High School Transcript
  • SAT or ACT Test Scores
  • TOEFL Scores (required if English is not your first language)
  • College Essay College Transcript (if applicable)
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (one teacher, one counselor)

Learn more about Simmons University’s first-year undergraduate application process for Psychology majors, including deadlines and what we look for in an applicant.

What can you do with a Psychology major?

Careers for Psychology majors aren’t limited to psychologists. Due to its versatility, careers in psychology with a bachelor’s degree can be tailored specifically to your passions. Our students are highly valued in all fields, including child development, research, human resources, clinical and counseling psychology, social work, hospital administration, law, public health and graduate studies.

Ultimately, Simmons’ Psychology degree program provides a well-rounded education for students pursuing roles in a wide variety of fields.

Psychology degree careers include:

  • Administrative Service Manager
  • Behavior Technician
  • Career Advisor
  • Community Service Manager
  • Counselor
  • Human Resources Specialist
  • Management Analyst
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Mental Health Technician
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Sales Representative or Manager

At Simmons, we believe in cultivating career skills to prepare our students for life’s work. The resources offered by our Career Education Center not only encourage students to unearth and nurture their passions, but to take steps toward turning their aspirations into action. Career coaches, job and internship fairs, and more await you at Simmons.

Learn more about our Psychology degree!

Students that are contemplating a variety of career paths should consider a bachelor’s in Psychology for a degree that provides both breadth and depth of knowledge. We encourage you to request more information about the Psychology major, schedule a campus tour, or find out how to apply today!

Every Psychology major must complete 36 semester hours in psychology and four hours in statistics.

The following five core courses are required:

PSYC101 Introduction to Psychological Science 4
 
STAT118 Introductory Statistics 4
OR
STAT227 Intermediate Statistics: Design & Analysis 4
OR
STAT229 Regression Models 4
 
PSYC201 Biological Psychology 4
PSYC203 Research Methods in Psychology 4
PSYC345 History & Systems of Psychology 4

In addition, to ensure sufficient breadth across substantive areas as well as depth in at least one area, every Psychology major must complete at least one course in each of the five following areas (Basic Processes, Social and Developmental, Clinical and

 

Basic Processes

PSYC243 Cognitive Psychology 4
PSYC244 Drugs and Behavior 4
PSYC245 Learning and Conditioning 4
PSYC246 Motivation and Emotion 4

Social and Developmental

PSYC235 Developmental Psychology 4
PSYC236 Psychology of Adolescence 4
PSYC239 Psychology of Aging 4
PSYC248 Social Psychology 4
PSYC220 The Psychology of Gender 4

Clinical and Personality

PSYC230 Theories of Personality 4
PSYC231 Psychopathology and Mental Health 4
PSYC232 Health Psychology 4

Capstone

Students fulfill the capstone requirement in the Department by completing two Courses: one Upper Level Theory and Application Course and one Upper Level Research Course (listed below).

Upper Level Theory and Application

PSYC331 Seminar in Clinical Psychology 4
PSYC335 Social & Emotional Development 4
PSYC336 Childhood Psychopathology 4

Upper Level Research

PSYC301 Research in Biopsychology 4
PSYC303 Research in Cognitive Processes 4
PSYC304 Research in Personality 4
PSYC305 Research in Child Development 4
PSYC308 Research in Social Psychology 4

Prerequisites:

PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychological Science is a prerequisite for all courses offered by the department except PSYC 220 (for which the prerequisite is PSYC 101 or WGST 100). Upper-level courses have additional prerequisites as detailed in the course descriptions. Students may use an AP psychology test score of 4 or 5 to replace the PSYC 101 course requirement, but they are still encouraged to take the course for the comprehensive background it provides.

Recommendations:

Students considering a major in psychology are advised to take PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychological Science and MATH 118 Introductory Statistics during their first year so that they can take PSYC 203 Research Methods in Psychology and PSYC 201 Biopsychology in their second year, as intended. Advisors and the Department Chair can help students plan individualized course sequences based on their interests and career goals. The following examples illustrate a variety of possibilities.

1. A student with career interests in the clinical and personality area should consider

PSYC230 Theories of Personality 4
PSYC231 Psychopathology and Mental Health 4
PSYC232 Health Psychology 4
PSYC304 Research in Personality 4
PSYC331 Seminar in Clinical Psychology 4
PSYC336 Childhood Psychopathology 4

2. A student planning a career working with children, such as early childhood education, counseling, child guidance, or school psychology, should consider

PSYC235 Developmental Psychology 4
PSYC236 Psychology of Adolescence 4
PSYC335 Social & Emotional Development 4
PSYC336 Childhood Psychopathology 4
PSYC305 Research in Child Development 4

3. A student planning a career in medical or neuroscience research should consider

PSYC232 Health Psychology 4
PSYC243 Cognitive Psychology 4
PSYC244 Drugs and Behavior 4
PSYC245 Learning and Conditioning 4
PSYC301 Research in Biopsychology 4

Relevant courses in biology, chemistry, and computer science are also recommended.

4. A student interested in a career in behavioral research, human factors, or computer-based instruction should consider

PSYC243 Cognitive Psychology 4
PSYC245 Learning and Conditioning 4
PSYC248 Social Psychology 4
PSYC303 Research in Cognitive Processes 4

Relevant areas of mathematics and/or computer science are also recommended.

5. A student planning a career in social service or human resources should consider

PSYC230 Theories of Personality 4
PSYC231 Psychopathology and Mental Health 4
PSYC232 Health Psychology 4
PSYC248 Social Psychology 4
PSYC308 Research in Social Psychology 4

Independent Learning in Psychology

Independent learning experiences enrich a student’s education in Psychology and can distinguish a student’s qualifications when applying for employment and admission to graduate school. Although not required for the Psychology degree, majors are strongly encouraged to speak with their advisors about integrating one or more of the following courses into their plan of study:

PSYC350 Independent Study 4
PSYC355 Thesis 4
PSYC380 Fieldwork in a Psychological Setting 0
PSYC381 Thesis in Psychology 4

PSYC 380: Note: Must apply in spring before senior year.  Students typically earn 8 credits of PSYC 380 across two consecutive semesters. 

The requirements of the Psychology Minor include PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychological Science, one course chosen from the Basic Processes area:

  • PSYC 243 Cognitive Psychology
  • PSYC 244 Drugs and Behavior
  • PSYC 245 Learning and Conditioning
  • PSYC 246 Motivation and Emotion

And three electives with the PSYC designation. Nursing students can count NURS 335 or NURS 348 as one of the three electives

Online Psychology Degree

The psychology program is also a possibility for students in our fully online program. Join us on our digital campus to study the science of the brain and behavior and explore the inner workings of the human mind.

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Adunni Slackman Anderson '73 on the Influence of Strong Leaders

Dr. Adunni Slackman Anderson '73 has spent her career as a leader in education. For over 20 years, she served as Principal for the Montclair Public Schools, and for 10 years as the Lower School Head/Primary School Director for Kent Place School, a private, independent school for girls. We spoke to Slackman Anderson about how Simmons shaped her career, and her advice for future leaders.


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