Southern charm isn’t the only benefit of attending college in the “Old North State;” there are several top-notch bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in North Carolina. Sitting along the Eastern Seaboard, North Carolina is the nation’s ninth most populous state with 10 million residents. Its two largest cities, Raleigh and Charlotte, rank among the top 10 fastest-growing in America. Rising population is making North Carolina’s booming health sector a popular draw for psychology students. According to SAMHSA, around 264,000 adults statewide are diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Approximately 5.2 percent of adults are also dependent on drugs and alcohol. Undergraduates studying psychology in North Carolina can develop the foundation for a lasting career. The BLS reports that North Carolina employs 3,010 clinical, counseling, and school psychologists with an average yearly salary of $65,040. Industrial/organizational psychologists earn even more at $80,390 on average. Chase your passion for helping others by checking out of first segment (A-C) of bachelor’s degrees in North Carolina for psychology.
Appalachian State University
College of Arts and Sciences
Educating approximately 19,000 students, Appalachian State University is the sixth largest public, co-educational master’s institution within the UNC system that’s been located on a spacious 1,300-acre rural campus in Boone among the Blue Ridge Mountains since 1899. Chosen for the Princeton Review’s “Guide to 353 Green Colleges,” App State is ranked the South’s 10th best college, third top public school, and fourth most innovative university by the U.S. News. Money magazine also crowned ASU the 231st best value nationwide. The College of Arts and Sciences houses 16 departments and one residential college to cultivate students’ lifelong learning journey.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Undergraduates attending Appalachian State have two degree options to study the human mind and behavior, one of which is the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. This liberal arts-infused program builds students’ general knowledge of psychological principles, data analysis skills, and communication abilities. Unlike the B.S., this 41-credit major requires completing a foreign language. Students must also select from 80 minors, including criminal justice, Africana studies, child development, gerontology, and nonprofit management. Entry into the program requires at least 30 credits and sophomore English. Campus internships are available at the ASU Counseling Center. Psychology students can also study abroad at England’s Keele University.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
App State employs 33 full-time, PhD-level faculty members to deliver a large Bachelor of Science in Psychology program to undergraduates intrigued by brain and behavior. This research-based degree is focused on teaching students the scientific methods to investigate solutions to everyday problems. A minor isn’t required, but B.S. students select from five concentration areas: Business, Health Studies, Human Services, Natural Science, and Social Science. The first is offered by the AACSB-accredited Walker College of Business for future I/O psychologists. Students participate in for-credit research and sometimes present at the Southeastern Psychological Association. The 46-credit major also features a capstone seminar.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Smith-Wright Hall Room 314
222 Joyce Lawrence Lane
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-2272
dennistonjc@appstate.edu
Program Link
Barton College
School of Sciences
Chartered in 1902 as Atlantic Christian College, Barton College is a private, nonprofit liberal arts institution affiliated with the Disciples of Christ and named for Barton Warren Stone to enlighten around 1,100 students on its quaint 76-acre urban campus in Wilson just 40 miles east of Raleigh. Named among the Princeton Review’s “Best Southeastern” schools, Barton is ranked the 22nd best regional college by the U.S. News. Victory Media also distinguished Barton College as being a “Military Friendly” choice. The School of Sciences awards 10 bachelor’s majors focused on supporting theory through practical application.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology
With the motto “Inspiring Futures,” the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology program at Barton gives undergraduates a solid, generalist background for becoming strong contenders in various job markets. The student-faculty of 11:1 lends to engaging, small class sizes where individual interests are fostered. Students can select double majors in biology, business, religion, social work, sport management, and more. The scientific curriculum includes independent research with guidance from PhD-level Barton professors. Students must also complete a 150-hour internship with hosts like the Wilson Recreation Center, Neurology Clinic, Toisnot Middle School, and Wesley Shelter. The 120-credit program features wide-ranging electives from health psychology to aging.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
103 Moye Science Hall
P.O. Box 5000
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-6467
knpennington@barton.edu
Program Link
Belmont Abbey College
Psychology Department
As North Carolina’s only private, nonprofit Roman Catholic liberal arts school, Belmont Abbey College proudly educates over 1,400 students atop a 650-acre suburban campus in Gaston Country on the southern end of the Piedmont region just 15 miles west of Charlotte. Selected for Cardinal Newman’s “Guide to Choosing a Catholic College,” BAC is ranked the South’s 39th best regional university by the U.S. News. Washington Monthly named Belmont Abbey as the 305th top baccalaureate college nationally for civic engagement. The Psychology Department strives to integrate the intellectual, behavioral, and spiritual aspects of learning to produce tomorrow’s leaders.
B.S. in Psychology
Available traditionally in Belmont or during evenings for adults in Charlotte, the B.S. in Psychology program allows BAC students to engage in the scientific study of behavior, mental processes, and emotion in a Benedictine framework. Students learn to conduct psychological research for promoting human well-being at the macro and micro levels. The 14-course major includes rigorous courses on statistics, cognition, personality, abnormal psychology, psychometric testing, and development. Beyond the core, B.S. students delve into biology and chemistry. Majors are welcome to join the Psychology Club, which sponsors events like Eating Disorder Awareness. Students may attend the Central Carolinas Conference in Psychology too.
B.A. in Applied Psychology
Undergraduates could also pursue the B.A. in Applied Psychology program where 63 percent of classes will have fewer than 20 peers. Devoted to individualized attention, this degree utilizes Catholic values to educate the whole person for ethically applying theory into human service practice. Unlike the B.S., this 12-course major requires at least nine credits from departments outside psychology. Students can then choose interests like school psychology, I/O psychology, sport psychology, and addiction counseling for specialization. At least one semester-long field practicum is required, but internships are encouraged too. The APA-aligned program could also be completed during evenings for working adults at the Charlotte Campus.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 461-6700
nathaliecote@bac.edu
Program Link
Bennett College
Division of Sciences and Mathematics
Endowed for $15 million, Bennett College is a private, historically black Methodist liberal arts institution serving approximately 780 women from a 60-acre urban campus in Greensboro’s East Market Street area. Honored as the #2 safest college in North Carolina by Niche, Bennett is crowned the nation’s 230rd best liberal arts school and 15th top historically black college in the U.S. News survey. Best Value Schools also included Bennett within its annual list of the “30 Most Affordable Women’s Colleges” in America. The Division of Sciences and Mathematics confers seven majors for biology, chemistry, computer science, information technology, mathematics, psychology, and political science.
B.S. in Psychology
With a high acceptance rate of 91 percent, the B.S. in Psychology program enrolls Bennett undergrads who show potential for increasing the percentage of female psychologists. Students lay the groundwork for creating culturally sensitive interventions that promote mental health in diverse populations. The 124-credit curriculum meets the APA’s guidelines for excellence in professional development. Students are admitted after the sophomore year with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA. Electives are tailored to suitable interests, including counseling, behavior analysis, animal behavior, memory, child development, and women’s studies. The Center for Global Studies offers study abroad options spanning from Costa Rica to Austria and Kenya.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
900 East Washington Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 370-8624
admiss@bennett.edu
Program Link
Brevard College
Social Sciences Division
Named for the leader of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, Brevard College is a private, nonprofit liberal arts institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1853 to educate approximately 700 students on its 120-acre rural campus near Pisgah National Forest. High school counselors surveyed by the U.S. News ranked Brevard as America’s 176th best liberal arts college. In Washington Monthly, Brevard College was crowned the 251st top baccalaureate school for social mobility, service, and research. Students enrolling in the Social Sciences Division choose from majors in criminal justice, gender studies, history, journalism, and psychology.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology
At Brevard College, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology program levels a solid academic foundation to foster compassionate, tolerant professionals capable of resolving individual or societal problems. Undergraduates are encouraged to take courses in various fields early to determine their vocational calling, whether it’s social work, advertising, teaching, or any other “people” profession. Students benefit from tutoring in the Academic Enrichment Center, mock interviews with the Office of Career Exploration, and community-oriented projects through the Institute for Women in Leadership. Completing the 120-credit program with Honors is possible with a minimum 3.5 GPA. Psychology is current Brevard’s third most popular major.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1 Brevard College Drive
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-8289
mooreds@brevard.edu
Program Link
Campbell University
School of Education
Affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Campbell University is a private, faith-based higher learning institution serving around 7,100 co-educational students from its beautiful 1,500-acre rural campus in the hamlet of Buies Creek just south of Raleigh. Picked as the nation’s 19th best Christian university by College Choice, Campbell is ranked the South’s 24th best regional college and 20th top school for military in the U.S. News survey. Niche also gave Campbell an A+ as the 20th most conservative college in America. The School of Education holds NCATE accreditation for teaching preparation, but also houses psychology, counseling, and social work degrees.
Major in Psychology
Campbell’s Major in Psychology attracts undergraduates seeking a bachelor’s degree with the intellectual ability to understand other people and oneself. Students develop the necessary skills to manage interpersonal relations and address society’s most pressing challenges. Emphasis is placed on studying the interaction between psychology and faith. Requiring 43 credits, the major builds upon the SACS-accredited core with tailored electives. For instance, those interested in personnel psychology can minor in business or labor economics. Upper-class students also complete a summer internship at a human services agency. The School of Education sponsors an international trip to Germany to visit the Carl Jung Institute and Museum of History of Psychology.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
116 T.T. Lanier Street
P.O. Box 369
Buies Creek, NC 27506
(910) 893-1630
soe@campbell.edu
Program Link
Catawba College
Hurley School of Arts & Sciences
Located on a 276-acre suburban campus in Rowan County’s seat of Salisbury less than 40 miles south of Winston-Salem, Catawba College is a private, co-educational liberal arts institution devoted to promoting “Scholarship, Character, and Service” in its nearly 1,500 students. Created by the Reformed Church in 1851, Catawba has grown to become the South’s 15th best college and 11th top educator of veterans according to the U.S. News. Forbes magazine listed Catawba as America’s 380th best private college with the 73rd most grateful grads. The Hurley School of Arts & Sciences offers cooperative learning experiences ranging from forestry and chemistry to philosophy and English.
B.A. in Psychology
Boasting a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, the B.A. in Psychology program at Catawba enables undergraduates to learn the basics of psychological thought on human behavior, emotion, and cognition. Students are equipped to secure entry-level employment or graduate school admission with this flexible liberal arts degree. Students scientifically unravel the mind to study personality, child development, clinical intervention, neuroscience, and social relations. The 30-credit major must include field experience. Popular placements are the Family Crisis Council, Community Care Clinic, and Hospice of Rowan County. Students can join the active Psi Chi Honor Society Chapter for networking. Catawba employs one of the “10 Must Take Psychology Professors in Charlotte” – Dr. Sheila Brownlow.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
2300 West Innes Street
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 637-4102
psychology@catawba.edu
Program Link
Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary
Division of Undergraduate Programs
Opened in 1996 as New Life University, Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary holds TRACS accreditation to function as a private, evangelical Christian religious institution following the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Enrolling approximately 120 students, CCCTS is located in Charlotte, North Carolina’s largest city, just southeast of Lake Norman. Listed as a “Yellow Ribbon” school for veterans, CCCTS is known for its flipped learning style and interactive classroom discussions. Within the Division of Undergraduate Programs, students can pursue associate and bachelor’s degrees from sacred music and youth ministry to theology and Bible.
Bachelor of Arts in Urban Christian Ministries – Concentration in Counseling
Blending psychology coursework with a firm foundation in faith is possible with CCCTS’s unique Concentration in Counseling for the Bachelor of Arts in Urban Christian Ministries. Students foster their own relationship with Christ through spiritual awakening while developing the skills to empower multicultural, urban communities. Containing 128 credits, the accredited program can be completed on-site in Charlotte or online from anywhere. Coursework delves into theology, Christian ethics, evangelism, community development, pastoral counseling, abnormal psychology, addiction, and marriage therapy. At least 16 credits of free electives are reserved for students’ unique interests. Online learners will use Populi, a Web-based discussion tool, with eight-week course sessions.
Accreditation
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
3117 Whiting Avenue
P.O. Box 790106
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 334-6882
hpicklesimer@charlottechristian.edu
Program Link
Chowan University
School of Arts & Sciences
Tracing its roots to Chowan Baptist Female Institute in 1848, Chowan University is a private, four-year baccalaureate institution affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina to accept over 1,500 students from all faith backgrounds. Located on a 300-acre rural campus in Murfreesboro with the historic Freeman House, Chowan is a second tier university with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. Forbes magazine gave Chowan a “C” in terms of private college financial health. Within the School of Arts & Sciences, programs infuse experiential learning into 36 majors to develop students’ intellectual curiosity and ethical judgment.
Psychology, Alcohol/Drug Studies B.S.
As an APS member, Chowan University has three tracks available for its Psychology B.S. program, including Alcohol/Drug Studies. This program fulfills the standards required by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board for certification. Students concentrate their undergraduate education on the human mind by studying the neurological and psychological factors influencing addiction. The 122-credit track integrates additional courses on biochemistry, abnormal psychology, personality, counseling, alcohol/drug addiction, group process, and clinical intervention. Courses are face-to-face in Murfreesboro to integrate demos for helping people conquer dependencies on substances from cocaine to heroin and opiates. This program is particularly growing because the demand for addiction counselors will spike by 22 percent through 2024.
Psychology, Counseling/Applied B.S.
Another option for the Psychology B.S. degree at Chowan University is the Counseling/Applied track, which feeds students’ passion for human services. Students grow emotionally, spiritually, and professionally to successfully gain admission into leading graduate schools. Great attention is devoted to the DSM-V manual and learning to diagnose the presence of abnormal mental disorders. Role-plays, group therapy sessions, and field practicum merge to ensure in-depth grounding in counseling theory application. This 122-credit track’s coursework explores cultural diversity, gender studies, developmental psychology, personality, group process, and mental health. Students can participate in Chowan’s Cyberbullying Research and Awareness Group. Service learning organizations also run Red Cross, Relay for Life, and Food Bank activities.
Psychology, General Experimental B.S.
Following a peer mentoring model, the Psychology B.S. with the General Experimental track features 122 credits to prepare students for directing the research process to expand science’s knowledge on brain and behavior. The science-intensive curriculum provides the perfect basis for graduate and medical school. Freshmen work with upperclassmen to forge their pathway towards generating research ideas and designing experiments. Seniors are required to present an independent study project and present at the Chowan Student Research Conference. The track includes courses on personality, cognitive psychology, research methods, statistics, developmental psychology, algebra, and biology. Those ranking in the top 35 percent of their class can join the Psi Chi Honor Society.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1 University Place
Murfreesboro, NC 27855
(252) 398-6265
placej@chowan.edu
Program Link
We’re only getting started on our expedition across the “Tar Heel State” for undergraduate majors embracing the conscious and unconscious mind. Continue perusing through the plethora of bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in North Carolina with our next installment (D-H) here.
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