Picking your ideal undergrad program fit from the immense number of bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in New York is challenging. Healthcare and mental health continues to be a vital economic sector for New York, encompassing over 12 percent of the state’s employment. Colleges have responded by broadening their psychology departments and educating more than 10,500 licensed psychologists. Here are the excellent bachelor’s degrees offered at psychology schools (Si-Sy), excluding the SUNY system.
Siena College
School of Liberal Arts
Standing upon a 174-acre suburban campus on the northern edge of Loudonville within New York’s Capital District, Siena College is a private, non-profit Catholic liberal arts institution maintaining its Franciscan tradition to educate over 3,200 students. Named a “College of Distinction,” Siena is ranked the 112nd best national liberal arts college and 79th best school for military veterans by the U.S. News. Forbes magazine also crowned Siena as America’s 213rd top private school with the 280th most grateful grads. The School of Liberal Arts houses 30 undergraduate majors from economics to nursing to provide “the education of a lifetime.”
B.A. in Psychology
Siena’s School of Liberal Arts provides a caring, accepting environment for undergraduates pursuing the B.A. in Psychology to share their opinions and experiences about human behavior. Students develop the analytical, research, communication, and micro-counseling skills required in today’s “helping” health professions. The 38-credit major spans the spectrum from child psychology to abnormal psychology and social perception. Students forge lasting connections with PhD-level faculty committed to their success. Field internships are scheduled for the senior year in placements like Hope House, Equinox Domestic Violence, and Northeast Health. Hands-on experiments are continually conducted in the Siena Research Institute. Students can also join Psychology Club meetings in Roger Bacon Hall.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Roger Bacon Hall 430
515 Loudon Road
Loudonville, NY 12211
(518) 782-6729
dburshteyn@siena.edu
Program Link
Skidmore College
Psychology Department
Established in 1903 as the Young Women’s Industrial Club, Skidmore College is a premier private, non-profit liberal arts institution carrying a $330 million endowment to serve over 2,600 bachelor’s students on an 890-acre suburban campus in Saratoga Springs. Ranked #7 among Forbes’ list of America’s most entrepreneurial colleges, Skidmore is the 38th best national liberal arts college and 25th top school for former military according to the U.S. News. Money magazine also honored Skidmore as a “school where a liberal arts degree can pay off big.” The Psychology Department integrates liberal arts into rigorous exploration of the traits that make individuals similar and unique.
Psychology B.A.
Attracting around 140 majors, the Psychology B.A. program at Skidmore offers a tight-knit learning community for undergraduates intrigued by the quickly evolving study of brain and behavior science. Upper-level courses have an average class size of 18 for interactive, personalized education. B.A. students learn the research methods used to understand the roots of human behavior and techniques to apply these findings. The 38-credit major offers four focus areas: Clinical, Developmental, Neuropsychology/Cognitive Neuroscience, and Social/Personality. Each option will tailor electives based on students’ projected interests. Juniors and seniors engage in clinical fieldwork at places like Saratoga Bridges and Four Winds Psychiatric Hospital. Students can also conduct research in the TLC’s 15 faculty laboratories.
Neuroscience B.A.
Psychology students could also pursue Skidmore’s relatively new Neuroscience B.A. program, which explores the central nervous system mechanisms that influence people’s motives, feelings, and actions. Coursework is interdisciplinary to blur lines between psychology, biology, genetics, physiology, and even animal behavior. After passing the gateway course, students must complete a 42-credit major and tutorial project. Available focus areas are Biobehavioral, Cellular/Molecular, Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, or Health Professions. The latter has a high placement rate in medical school. Independent research is infused into the Bachelor of Arts curriculum until the senior thesis. Students also join the Skidmore Summer Collaborative Research Program. Those with a minimum neuroscience GPA of 3.5 could pledge Nu Rho Psi.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Tisch Learning Center 139
815 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 580-5300
mrye@skidmore.edu
Program Link
St. Lawrence University
School of Natural Sciences
Historically linked to the Universalist Church, St. Lawrence University is a private, four-year liberal arts institution operating on a non-profit model to educate over 2,400 students on its sprawling 1,100-acre rural campus in Canton just 20 miles south of the Canadian border. Placed 10th nationally for best merit aid in Money magazine, SLU is distinguished as America’s 60th best liberal arts college and 45th top university for veterans by the U.S. News. With an 85 percent graduation rate, SLU is among the Princeton Review’s “Colleges That Create Futures.” The School of Natural Sciences is responsible for promoting discovery in biochemistry, biology, conservation biology, neuroscience, physics, psychology, and more.
Psychology Major
Restructured in 2014, the Psychology Major at St. Lawrence reflects the latest empirical-based psychological theories for undergraduates fascinated by studying the mind and behavior. The bachelor’s program teaches the scientific methods for discovering the factors underlying human experiences, including learning, sensation, and social interaction. Freshmen take Psych 101 their first semester with a hands-on lab to immediately begin their focused study. Upper-division majors can engage in faculty research through the SLU Tanner Fellowship Program. Students may spend their summers working with the university’s Camp Thorpe for developmentally disabled children. Some also complete teaching internships in Myanmar with the Minnmahaw Education Foundation. Experiential opportunities are limitless with this eight-course major.
Neuroscience Major
Offered collaboratively by the biology and psychology departments, the Neuroscience Major delivers a Bachelor of Science degree to SLU undergraduates seeking in-depth insight into the brain’s functioning. The program aims to develop students’ analytical and scientific inquiry skills for designing feasible research projects centered on the nervous system. The four-year program builds on general science education with 10 major courses. Students will delve into genetics, organic chemistry, statistics, neuropsychology, animal behavior, endocrinology, memory, immunology, cognition, and more. B.S. students may follow the Cellular Neuroscience Track or Behavioral Neuroscience Track for concentration. Graduates often find success in graduate schools like Northeastern University and SUNY Binghamton.
Environmental Studies-Psychology Combined Major
St. Lawrence University also grants a unique Environmental Studies-Psychology Combined Major for bachelor’s students to integrate knowledge of human behavior in addressing today’s pressing global environmental challenges. Ideally in New York’s lush North Country, the four-year program gives psychology students the ability to pioneer paths towards sustainability and stability. The 15-course dual major allows undergrads to progress through both interrelated content areas together. Specialization tracks are available for Sustainability, Pollution Science, and Ecosystem Management. Students benefit from learning on the 110-acre Ecological Sustainability Landscape (ESL) and working with the GardenShare project. Some classes create and design energy efficient technology on the Wight House too.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Flint Hall Room 110
23 Romoda Drive
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 229-5482
pthacher@stlawu.edu
Program Link
St. Francis College
Psychology Department
Located on a one-acre urban campus in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of New York City across the East River from Manhattan, St. Francis College is a private, co-educational Roman Catholic institution rooted in Franciscan values to educate over 2,700 students in 70+ majors. Ranked fourth regionally for campus ethnic diversity, SFC is named the North’s 21st best college and 16th top school for veterans by the U.S. News. Forbes magazine also lauded St. Francis as America’s 157th best liberal arts university with a “B” financial grade. The Psychology Department provides individualized attention from a tight-knit faculty to encourage vocational, spiritual, and personal growth.
B.A. in Psychology
Putting the scientific study of behavior in action, the B.A. in Psychology program equips SFC undergraduates to promote community welfare and mental health in applied careers. Students satisfy their curiosities about the human mind while building successful paths in counseling, social work, business, law, healthcare, and more. Requiring 128 total credits, the four-year program offers the general benefits of liberal arts education for social responsibility. Students can specialize their electives by declaring the 18-credit Cross-Cultural/Multicultural Psychology Minor. B.A. students can engage in research with the college’s Self-Awareness and Bonding Lab and present at the New York Behavioral Conference. The Psychology Department also sponsors an annual study trip to the Virgin Islands.
Five-Year B.A./M.A. in Applied Psychology
Ambitious students can open closed doors in gratifying human services careers by pursuing the accelerated Five-Year B.A./M.A. in Applied Psychology at SFC. Juniors who have completed at least 60 credits with a minimum 3.0 GPA and two references can be accepted. Undergraduates begin taking their master’s-level courses early and finish the 36-credit advanced degree quicker. Students build on the baccalaureate foundation with courses in behavioral analysis, clinical intervention, ethics, cognitive neuroscience, counseling theory, group therapy, and human diversity. In the final fifth year, students can complete a master’s thesis or field practicum. Past students have presented their research at the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Founders Hall Room 5202A
180 Remsen Street
Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
(718) 489-5323
jlancaster@sfc.edu
Program Link
St. John’s University
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Since its founding in 1870 by the Vincentian Fathers, St. John’s University has become a premier private, non-profit Catholic research institution enlightening more than 20,900 students annually from its main 105-acre urban campus in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Queens. Recognized by Business Insider as one of America’s 50 “Most Underrated Colleges,” SJU is ranked the 153rd best national university and 124th top school for veterans by the U.S. News. Washington Monthly crowned SJU the 82nd best liberal arts college in the United States for social mobility and service. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the oldest division housing 31 majors for the Queens and Staten Island campuses.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Consisting of 126 credits, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program at St. John’s is nationally acclaimed for providing extensive undergraduate training for exploring the intricate details of the human mind and behavior. Following the APA’s guidelines, the four-year degree applies a global approach to educating ethical, multicultural mental health professionals. Students make New York City their living classroom for unparalleled professional resources. The university even offers exchange programs at abroad campuses in Rome and Paris. Major courses will examine everything from psychometrics to child development and forensic psychology. Students can select from 180+ campus clubs, including Psi Chi and Roger Bacon Society. Clinical practicum in the Center for Psychological Services is also offered.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
St. John’s Queens Campus
Marillac Hall Room 409
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439
(718) 990-5541
chaplinw@stjohn.edu
St. John’s Staten Island Campus
Spellman Hall Room 101
300 Howard Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10301
(718) 390-4500
siadmhelp@stjohns.edu
Program Link
Stony Brook University
College of Arts & Sciences
Endowed for $247 million, Stony Brook University is a public, sea-grant and space-grant SUNY research institution enrolling more than 21,100 total students from its 1,364-acre suburban headquarters on eastern Long Island. Named among College Choice’s “Top 50 LGBTQ-Friendly Schools,” Stony Brook is ranked the 89th best university and 37th top public school nationwide by the U.S. News. According to the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), Stony Brook is the country’s seventh most racially diverse college ranked in the top 100. Employing the President Elect of the Association for Psychological Science (APS), the Department of Psychology has over 30 years of experience in delivering America’s fourth best clinical psychology and 46th top graduate psychology programs.
B.A. in Psychology
Boasting a 90 percent freshman retention rate, the B.A. in Psychology program at Stony Brook provides a broad overview of modern psychological principles to quench students’ thirst for knowledge on human and non-human behavior. Leading to a Bachelor of Arts, this flexible major grounds itself in the liberal arts for studying interpersonal relations. Undergraduates tailor their curriculum by choosing their five upper-division courses freely. Electives could survey anything from women’s studies to linguistics and politics. Those with a minimum 3.5 GPA can join the Honors Program in their junior year. B.A. majors are welcome to join the Psychology Student Alliance, Psi Chi Honor Society, and Neuroscience Axis. Internships are available at the Anxiety Disorders Clinic and Krasner Psychological Center.
B.S. in Psychology
Stony Brook’s B.S. in Psychology program is intended to complement undergraduates’ scientific study for uncovering the fundamentals of human needs, capabilities, and emotions. Within the 120-credit curriculum, majors place relatively more emphasis on inquisitive research to prepare for entry-level science jobs or graduate school. Students engage in an intensive series of math, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and biopsychology courses. Upper-division courses are more regimented with advanced statistics, research methods, and applied lab courses. B.S. majors can also declare Honors for a senior thesis with a minimum 3.5 GPA. Students can apply for research assistant (RA) positions with cutting-edge institutes like the Bioscience Industry Center and Center for Emerging Technologies. Graduates may continue into the four PhD programs.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Psychology B Building
100 Nicolls Road
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 632-7800
Arthur.Samuel@stonybrook.edu
Program Link
Syracuse University
College of Arts and Sciences
Initially established in 1831 as Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, Syracuse University has changed dramatically into a private, non-sectarian RU/VH research powerhouse endowed for $1.1 billion to educate over 21,200 selective students from a 683-acre urban campus on University Hill. Given a Forbes financial grade of “B,” Syracuse is ranked the 61st best national university, 45th top value, and 50th best college for veterans by the U.S. News. Globally, SU places in the top 300 universities according to the Times Higher Education. Within the College of Arts and Sciences, the Psych Department confers the 78th best psychology degrees in the United States.
Major in Psychology (B.A./B.S.)
Syracuse University grants a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science through its Major in Psychology program. The B.A. track is ideal for undergraduates seeking applied psychological principles for building lasting “people” careers in human resources, social welfare, marketing, child development, and more. The B.S. track is designed for other students who are pursuing advanced professional or research study with a broad scientific base. Academic advisors are available for one-on-one mentoring on track options. Psychology majors benefit from SU’s Allport Project for research experience in sophisticated lab groups. High-achieving students can even win the Allport Scholar Award. Clinical practice can also be attained through partnership with nearby SUNY Upstate Medical University.
Integrated Neuroscience Major
Offered jointly by the CAS, School of Education, and College of Engineering, the Integrated Neuroscience Major is a unique undergraduate option for SU students wishing to study diverse aspects of neural functioning. The 24-credit integrated learning major (ILM) requires taking coursework in three or more departments. Students design their curriculum with courses in biochemistry, bioengineering, computer science, linguistics, physics, public health, political science, psychology, and more. Leading to a Bachelor of Science, the program culminates with an capstone course for independent research. Students work with PhD-level professors to examine the physical basis for cognition and behavior. Each year, the seven-week PRIDE program occurs for minority students to participate in research. Syracuse has competitive admission with a 53 percent acceptance rate.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Huntington Hall Room 430
900 South Crouse Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244
(315) 443-2354
psychology@syr.edu
Program Link
We’ve buzzed across the Empire State from colleges in Lower Manhattan to the St. Lawrence, but we’re not quite finished yet. Continue your journey through the bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in New York (T-U) by clicking here.
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