The state of Nebraska offers a variety of options for a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. There are fully online programs, designed to cater to the needs of all students. Students can also choose from fully online and hybrid programs also available. Students can also choose whether a Bachelor of Arts or Science is best for their needs and goals. Some of the colleges and universities throughout the state offer both degree options. Students can also choose whether a large university or a small college will be the best fit for their needs. There are schools of all sizes in Nebraska.
Doane College
The School of Arts and Sciences
Doane College is a private college established in 1872. It was the first liberal arts and sciences college in Nebraska. The undergraduate enrollment is about 1,000 students. The campus has been designated a Nebraska Statewide Arboretum site. Among the beautiful historic and contemporary buildings are three listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The school has a strong history, including a reputation for overall academic excellence.
Doane sits at the top of the list of the most distinguished liberal arts colleges in the Midwest and Great Plains. In 2016, US News & World Report ranked Doane College as the 158th best Liberal Arts College in the United States. The School of Arts and Sciences offers undergraduate, adult and graduate degree programs in the format of a world-class liberal arts and sciences education. This means that all majors in the college are provided with a well-rounded education that applies to real life. The motto is “More showing. Less telling.”
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Students pursuing a BA in psychology can choose from two emphases: general psychology and mental health. Both options prepare students for careers in a variety of human service settings, as well as graduate training in this or a related area. All psychology majors may participate in semester-long internships to gain hands-on for college credit. Courses are provided through 3 distinctive locations on the Crete Campus:
- Gaylord Hall – One of three Doane buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places
- Lied Science and Mathematics Building – A $10.2 million, 60,000 square-foot building which features high-tech science labs and general-purpose classrooms
- Communications Building – Home to offices, classrooms, computer labs, the library, and an art gallery.
All Psychology students are required to complete a senior seminar research project. They even have the chance to collaborate with faculty members in ongoing research projects. These are through the undergraduate summer research program, an honor lab or through individual work with a professor.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Doane College
The School of Arts and Sciences
1014 Boswell Avenue
Crete, NE 68333
(800) 333 6263
E-Mail: heather.lambert@doane.edu
Program Website
Grace University
The Department of Psychology
Grace University is a private Christian institution in Omaha. The university-wide goal is to “develop servant leaders for the home, the church, and the world through excellence in biblically-integrated education and through life change in a personal, discipling environment, all for the glory of God.”
All students at Grace University are expected to approach their training program from a strong Christian world view. The Psychology Department supports a number of unique degree programs in the realm of psychology. This enables students to pursue this fascinating area and push the boundaries of traditional psychology.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The Department of Psychology supports a number of excellent BS degree options in the field of psychology. Those currently available include:
- Business and Human Resources
- Christian Ministry
- Community Development and Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Drug & Alcohol Counseling
- General Psychology
- Intercultural Ministry
Students in apply the scientific method to the study of humans, their cognition, and their behavior. Psychology majors learn about the many fundamental theories and research. There is also an on-going examination of psychological knowledge from a Christian world-view perspective and how the two can be integrated. The 126 credit-hour program trains students for entrance into graduate psychology programs, as well as the workforce in areas such as:
- social work
- business
- Christian Ministry
- criminal justice
- drug and alcohol counseling and many others.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Grace University
The Department of Psychology
1311 S 9th Street
Omaha NE 68108
(800) 383–1422
E-Mail Form
Program Website
Hastings College
The Psychology Department
Hastings College is a small college located in Hastings. It’s a private four-year school with a Christian value system found throughout the school. All programs at Hastings are a unique blend of liberal arts with a Christian world-view.
In 2016, US News & World Report ranked Hastings College as the 14th best Midwestern Regional University and the 7th best value school in this region. The Psychology Department is home to faculty members interested in helping students succeed in their undergraduate training, as well as future endeavors. They work alongside students to create a customized training program for each student.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology degree program provides undergraduate students with the ability to explore human behavior alongside professors who have a range of specialties and interests. This means that each student gains exposure to a wide range of disciplines. They can tailor their coursework to areas they find most interesting. Even at the undergraduate level, students become actively involved in:
- writing research proposals
- conducting experiments
- analyzing research results
- writing up research for publication and presentation
All students will learn to use technology to its fullest, including multi-level modeling software. Upon graduation students have the skills to navigate the body of psychological knowledge and research design. Some of the most interesting recent research includes NFL statistics and work to change the experience of blindness. The psychology major consists of a minimum of 34 hours, including 16 hours of required courses and 18 hours of elective course work.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Hastings College
The Psychology Department
Office: Morrison-Reeves Science Center – Room #203
710 N. Turner Ave.
Hastings, Nebraska 68901
(800) 532-7642
E-Mail: jthompson@hastings.edu
Program Website
Midland University
The Psychology Department
Midland University is a private Lutheran college, located in Freemont. Midland is a vibrant university. It’s an ideal campus experience for a diverse range of students. The energetic campus life is continuously growing through the 1,200 active students who from 37 states and more than 11 countries. The school is home to the state of Nebraska’s largest athletic department and a performing arts program that is unrivaled in the state.
Midland offers a 4-year graduation guarantee for all students and customized academic advising. There are small class sizes throughout all programs and a high level of financial aid and scholarships. In 2016, US News & World Report ranked Midland as the 60th best Midwestern regional university.
The Psychology Department offers both a training program in general psychology and an optional minor in applied behavioral analysis.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The Psychology Department approaches the field of psychology as an academic discipline, a profession, and an empirical science. The program focuses on the scientific investigation of the causes of human and animal behavior. Students gain the fundamental information to enter various career paths, as well as a rigorous framework needed for graduate training in psychology. Students can do internships and many other experiential opportunities to earn clinical experience. All faculty members are doctoral degree holders in a range of specialized areas of psychology. Students are given customized attention so they get academic preparation and professional experience. Graduates of this program have a great deal of success in both master’s and doctorate graduate programs and various career positions.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Minor in Applied Behavioral Analysis
The Department also offers an innovative minor in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a quickly growing specialty field in psychology. ABA employs the scientific method to uncover the many environmental variables that influence behavior. This program trains behavior analysts for work with:
- individuals who have autism or other developmental disabilities
- children with behavioral issues
- adolescents with mental health concerns
- a wide range of other settings
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB) approved the course sequence to adhere to the coursework requirement for taking the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) examination. Midland is one of just a few colleges in the nation to provide this high level of undergraduate training for those seeking national certification as a BCaBA or for graduate study in behavior analysis.
Students pursuing the ABA minor have the unique chance to complete a yearlong internship at the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Interns help conduct research and deliver treatment in:
- the Early Intervention Program
- the Severe Behavior Disorders Clinic
- the Feeding Disorders Program
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Midland University
The Psychology Department
900 North Clarkson
Fremont, NE 68025
(800) 642-8382
E-Mail: taylor@midlandu.edu
Program Website
Nebraska Wesleyan University
The Psychology Department
Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) is the leading liberal arts university in the state of Nebraska. NWU upholds a university-wide dedication to “academic excellence in an environment of Christian concern.” The school has campuses in Lincoln and Omaha. There are just over 2,100 students from several states and countries, giving a small, intimate college feeling. The school was established in 1887 and now supports 106 majors, minors and pre-professional programs.
The student/faculty ratio is 13:1, with the average first to second-year retention rate of 79 percent. There are more than 40 active student organizations and 7 Greek chapters. One of the strongest benefits is the four-year graduation guarantee, minimizing and sometimes eliminating the need for student debt upon graduation. Sixty-six percent of graduates enter a graduate training program within five years.
In 2016, US News & World Report ranked Nebraska Wesleyan as the 143rd best Liberal Arts College in the United States. The Psychology Department supports both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Psychology majors at NWU can choose to pursue either a BA or BS degree. There is no major difference between a BA or BS in psychology in terms of the curricular requirements. Students planning to pursue a career in a field that involves the natural sciences, such as psychiatry, neurobiology, generally choose a Bachelor of Science.
The BA degree is more fitting for students planning a career in other areas of psychology, such as clinical, counseling, social, developmental. Both degrees combine biological, social, cultural and environmental perspectives. This gives students exposure to the ways individuals think and act. The curriculum offers students the chance to integrate information from biology and chemistry through the social sciences to the arts and humanities. Students learn about the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The mission is to provide “student-sensitive, evidenced-based educational experiences that produce psychologically literate individuals who value”:
- Curiosity as a way to engage the world
- Critical thinking as a way to understand the world
- Compassionate respect as a way to interact with others in the world
- Conscientiousness as a way to apply psychological methods and principles for the world
- Contribution as a way to transform the world
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Psychology Department
Dr. Marilyn Petro, Department Chair
Smith-Curtis, Room 340B
Lincoln, NE 68504
(402) 465-2429
E-Mail: mpetro@NebrWesleyan.edu
Program Website
Peru State College
The School of Professional Studies
Peru State is a public university in Peru, Nebraska. The school has a rich tradition of training students using traditional classroom formats, as well as experiential learning opportunities. The small school environment allows students to work closely with faculty and peers to customize their education. There are online and on-campus courses and an extremely flexible academic plan. All out-of-state students pay the same tuition rates as in-state students.
Another aspect that appeals to many students is that the college does not hold any classes on Fridays. This gives students the chance to work, study, socialize and have time to themselves. There are 13 undergraduate programs with:
- 47 options
- 8 fully online programs
- 2 graduate degree options
The School of Professional Studies offers programs to prepare students for a wide range of occupations in:
- business
- government
- nonprofit organizations
The programs are designed to provide marketable skills and knowledge, prepare for job advancement, and a lay a strong foundation for graduate study.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The BS in Psychology program prepares students for graduate study as well as for careers where human services skills are required. Students have the option to complete approved Provisional Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (PLADC) courses to customize their degree to this area of employment. In order to earn the PLADC credential, in addition to completing the required courses, students must complete 300 hours of supervised field experience and pass the required examination. PLADC classes are only offered on campus. All graduates of this program must be able to demonstrate the following:
- A knowledge base in psychology that includes key concepts, theories, findings and trends
- An understanding of research methods in psychology, including how to design studies and analyze and interpret data
- The use of critical thinking skills
- The ability to apply psychology to relevant personal and social issues
- An understanding of psychology’s values, including gaining comfort with ambiguity, considering evidence, and adhering to ethical principles in:
- teaching
- research
- practice
- The use of technology to evaluate the quality and credibility of information obtained from a variety of sources
- The ability to communicate effectively in writing using APA format
- An awareness of and sensitivity to multicultural issues
- The ability to use psychology to improve one’s self
- How to develop a realistic plan for how psychology will inform one’s future career plans
Accreditations
Contact
Peru State College
The School of Professional Studies
P.O Box 10
Peru, NE 68421-0010
Greg Galardi, D.B.A
(402) 872-2232
E-Mail: ggalardi@peru.edu
There are many options available to students in Nebraska. There are various Degree Programs, Learning Styles and Specializations to accommodate just about any need. With fully online and hybrid learning environments, more and more students can earn their degree. With these growing options, students with disabilities, military personnel overseas, parents with small children and full time working professionals now have the flexibility to earn their degree from home. There has never been a better time to pursue an undergraduate degree.