Bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in South Carolina offer the ideal starting point for “helping” professions on the East Coast and beyond. As the 23rd most populous state, South Carolina is inhabited by over 4.96 million people from Greenville to Charleston. Approximately 11.8 percent of South Carolina’s $183 billion economy is devoted to health and human services. Psychology students can gain real-world experience with NAMI South Carolina, SpringBrook Behavioral Health, Palmetto Health Richland, and many more agencies. The BLS reports that South Carolina’s 870 clinical, counseling, and school psychologists earn an average salary of $58,720 yearly. If you’re devoted to nurturing the emotional, social, and spiritual wellness of others, begin your training search with these undergraduate psychology majors in South Carolina (A-D).
Anderson University
College of Arts and Sciences
Affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, Anderson University is a private, nonprofit Level V institution selectively admitting 3,400 Trojans on its 270-acre urban campus in Southern Appalachia just 120 miles from Atlanta. Honored as an Apple Distinguished School, Anderson is ranked the South’s 67th best college and 27th top value by the USNWR. Niche also proclaimed Anderson the 12th “Most Conservative College in America.” The College of Arts and Sciences boasts a 91 percent job placement rate in fields from biochemistry to history.
Psychology Major
Maintaining a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, Anderson’s Psychology Major builds upon liberal arts education for fundamental understanding in behavioral and cognitive science. The upper-division, 40-credit major begins in the junior year for undergrads holding a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students benefit from taking diverse electives like lifetime wellness, completing a senior project or internship, sparking discovery in the Center for Cancer Research, and studying abroad in 30+ worldwide locations.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
316 Boulevard
Anderson, SC 29621
(864) 231-2030
pslaughter@andersonuniversity.edu
Benedict College
School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Occupying a 110-acre urban campus in South Carolina’s capital of Columbia near the Saluda River, Benedict College is a private, historically black Baptist institution endowed for $23 million to educate over 2,400 Tigers. Rated America’s 67th “Best HBCU” on Niche, Benedict lands in Diverse magazine’s top 100 colleges for African American scholars. Four President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll Awards have been received too. The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences has an average freshman retention of 58 percent.
B.A. in Psychology
As Benedict’s eighth most popular major, the B.A. in Psychology provides the necessary academic, civic, and social preparation for students pursuing “people” professions with in-depth human behavior knowledge. The 128-credit curriculum integrates coursework from statistics to personality and African American psychology before the senior internship. Transfers could utilize the Bridge Program with Midlands Technical College.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1600 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 705-4642
marcel.barber@benedict.edu
Bob Jones University
Division of Ministries
Established by a Christian evangelist in 1927, Bob Jones University serves over 2,800 Bruins as a private, non-denominational liberal arts institution with TRACS accreditation and a 210-acre suburban campus in Greenville, one of CNN Money’s “Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities.” Niche recognized BJU as the 44th best U.S. university without an application fee. In 2014, the ETC Index also placed Bob Jones 15th for economic value. The Division of Ministries explores Biblical doctrines to apply God’s Word for improving daily life.
Biblical Counseling, BA
For a Christ-centered alternative to bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in South Carolina, consider the Biblical Counseling, BA from Bob Jones University. The 120-credit, Gospel-saturated program nurtures undergrads’ ability to evaluate DSM psychological diagnoses for therapeutic intervention. Majors join Missions Advance for weekly outreach ministries across Greenville. Alumni have excelled at Wilds Christian Camp, Piedmont Women’s Center, Brilliant Beginnings, and more.
Accreditation
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) – Candidacy
Contact
1700 Wade Hampton Blvd.
Greenville, SC 29614
(864) 242-5100
gmazak@bju.edu
Charleston Southern University
Behavioral Sciences Department
Located on 300 suburban acres in North Charleston at Interstate 26’s Exit 205B, Charleston Southern University is a private, nonprofit Baptist institution devoted to “Integrating Faith in Learning and Serving” for around 3,600 students. Graded A for location, CSU was deemed America’s 244th best Christian college on Niche. According to the U.S. News, CSU is the 98th top Southern school with the 21st best online bachelor’s education. The Behavioral Sciences Department offers psychology and sociology majors with a 59 percent admission rate.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Requiring a minor like Christian studies or health promotion, CSU’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology is grounded in liberal arts to teach Buccaneers the basics of human behavior and mental processes. The 40-credit major includes one semester-long directed research project within the Strom Thurmond Center. Other opportunities include interning at the Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health, joining Psi Chi, adding the Human Resource Management Certificate, or participating in the Army ROTC.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
9200 University Blvd.
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 863-7138
csmedley@csuniv.edu
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Department of Psychology
Endowed for $254.3 million, The Citadel Military College of South Carolina is one of America’s six public, military institutions enrolling over 3,500 cadets upon a 300-acre urban campus in Charleston along the Ashley River. The U.S. News honored Citadel as the South’s third best college and top public school. Forbes magazine picked Citadel for the 50th best national value. With a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, the Department of Psychology was applauded by the SC Council on Higher Education for the best service learning statewide in 2006.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Cadets within The Citadel’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program learn the empirical methods utilized to analyze human behavior and motivation for service application. Ranging from cognitive to developmental psychology, the 41-credit, multifaceted major includes significant fieldwork. Students could serve as Peer Mentors, intern with the Air Force Behavioral Sciences Division, and participate in the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) Meeting. Some continue for the CACREP-accredited M.A. in Clinical Counseling.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
171 Moultrie Street
Charleston, SC 29409
(843) 953-5320
will.johnson@citadel.edu
Claflin University
School of Professional & Continuing Studies
Following the motto “The World Needs Visionaries,” Claflin University is a private, historically black liberal arts institution founded by Methodists in 1869 that’s serving over 1,900 Panthers upon 40 urban acres in Orangeburg and online. According to Niche, Claflin has A- professors as America’s 21st top HBCU. Washington Monthly also crowned Claflin the 24th best bang for the buck. The School of Professional & Continuing Studies has six online degrees for attending HBCU Digest’s 2015 School of the Year more convenient.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Available online only, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Claflin features an interdisciplinary, 120-credit curriculum for developing fundamental knowledge on the human condition. Career-focused teaching unlocks doors in counseling, advertising, human services, sales, education, and social work. Currently charging $530 per hour, eight-week asynchronous courses are delivered via Moodle for flexible work-life balance. Associate degree holders can graduate within 18 months full-time.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
400 Magnolia Street
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 535-5742
abagasra@claflin.edu
Clemson University
College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
Founded in 1838 by Thomas Green Clemson, John C. Calhoun’s son-in-law, Clemson University is a public, land-grant and sea-grant RU/VH powerhouse enrolling around 22,600 scholars on its sprawling 17,000-acre rural campus just 27 miles from Greenville. The USNWR ranked Clemson as America’s 66th best university, 23rd top college, and 41st most veteran-friendly school. The Princeton Review placed Clemson #11 for “Happiest Students” too. The College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences houses the country’s 141st best psychology education.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology
One of Clemson’s two bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in South Carolina leads to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) to emphasize the liberal arts and humanities. Requiring more foreign language classes and field practicum, the 120-credit curriculum provides professional preparation for human services careers. Students could also participate in the Calhoun Honors College, join Psych Club, intern at Redfern Health Center, or study abroad in Scotland.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology
Built around a math and science emphasis, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology prepares Clemson Tigers to conduct rigorous research on the underlying causes of behavioral patterns. Within the 120-credit curriculum, students join Creative Inquiry teams for experience in state-of-the-art labs, including the Human Factors Institute. Graduates have been accepted at Temple, Emory, Winthrop, UNC Charlotte, and other top-notch schools.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Brackett Hall Room 418
Clemson, SC 29634
(864) 656-3210
ts@clemson.edu
Coastal Carolina University
Department of Psychology
Positioned on 630 suburban acres in Conway just eight miles west of Myrtle Beach with a research extension on Waties Island, Coastal Carolina University is a public, sea-grant liberal arts institution with enrollment surpassing 10,200 learners. The U.S. News recognized CCU as the South’s 62nd best regional university, 21st top public college, and 36th best for vets school. On Niche, Coastal stands out for the 147th “Best College Athletics” nationally. The Department of Psychology employs 13 PhD-level faculty trained at Virginia Tech, South Florida, Clemson, and more.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Coastal Carolina’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology achieves a 93 percent placement rate by equipping its approximately 500 undergrad Chanticleers with extensive knowledge on how people think and act. The 32-credit major can be specialized with the Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration or Gerontology Certificate. Students may also present research at the APS Conference, volunteer at YMCA Camp Arrowhead, attend Psych Club meetings, and intern abroad with ImmerQi.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
P.O. Box 261954
Conway, SC 29528
(843) 349-2275
pettijohn@coastal.edu
Coker College
Department of Behavioral & Social Science
Named after Sonoco founder James Lide Coker in 1908, Coker College is a private, co-educational baccalaureate institution with SACS accreditation to educate 1,200 Cobras in Hartsville, Florence, and Marion. Coker is deemed the South’s sixth best college and 14th top value by the U.S. News. In Washington Monthly, Coker jumped to America’s 73rd best college for “contribution to the public good.” The Department of Behavioral & Social Science has an average class size of 12 for studying criminology, history, politics, psychology, and sociology.
Psychology Major
At the Hartsville campus, Coker’s Psychology Major offers roundtable discussions to develop undergrads’ ability to turn empirical-based findings into meaningful answers about human experiences. The 120-credit curriculum’s courses are delivered in traditional, 16-week or adult-friendly, eight-week sessions for content from social interaction to cognitive science. Students could also declare the Counseling Concentration, Forensic Studies Specialization, or Pre-Law track.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
300 East College Avenue
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-8044
twelborn@coker.edu
College of Charleston
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Chartered in 1785 as the United States’ 13th higher learning institution, the College of Charleston holds sea-grant and space-grant status with a $71.7 million endowment to educate over 11,800 students from 52 urban acres in “Holy City.” Named to Parade magazine’s College A-List, Charleston is ranked the South’s 10th best college and fourth top public school by the USNWR. On Niche, CofC is lauded for the 10th “Best College Location in America.” The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers student-centered learning in 12 majors.
Psychology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
CofC Cougars are afforded two options for bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in South Carolina, including a research-based Bachelor of Science (B.S.). This 63-credit major blends math and science requirements with in-depth exploration of the human mind and behavior. Students pursue hands-on training with PhD-level faculty whose interests span from operant conditioning to social perception. There’s also the Neuroscience Minor available.
Psychology, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Capitalizing on the 15:1 student-faculty ratio, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) engages Charleston psychology majors in discussing the real-world applications of behavioral theory in human and social services. This 47-credit major offers greater flexibility for customizing courses beyond the liberal arts and foreign language requirements. Students could also intern at Roper Hospital, volunteer with Best Buddies, travel to Munich or Phnom Penh, and compete for the HSS Scholars Award.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
57 Coming Street Office 102
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 953-5590
principeg@cofc.edu
Columbia College
Behavioral Studies and Human Inquiry Division
Affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1854, Columbia College is a private, women’s liberal arts institution retaining 70 percent of its 1,200 undergrad Koalas on a 53-acre urban campus in “Paradise City” within South Carolina’s Midlands region. Graded B+ for diversity, Columbia was declared America’s 106th safest college on Niche. Columbia was also selected the 47th best regional college in the South by the U.S. News. The Behavioral Studies and Human Inquiry Division offers 11 majors and 13 minors for the helping professions.
Psychology, B.A. or B.S.
Women attending daytime classes at Columbia could obtain a Psychology B.A. or B.S. for exciting opportunities to study individual and social behaviors. Based in the Wil Lou Gray Building, the 127-credit program either emphasizes the liberal arts or scientific modes of inquiry while investigating human dynamics. Majors are encouraged to join the Association for Mindful Psychology Students (AMPS), intern at Epworth Early Invention Center, take a Washington Semester, and pursue an Honors thesis.
Behavioral Science, B.A.
Adults needing flexibility within bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in South Carolina should consider Columbia’s Behavioral Science B.A. Available to women and men, this evening program teaches strategies for expanding understanding on behavior and promoting positive change. Transfers can apply up to 94 previous, accredited credits toward the 127-credit degree. Courses spanning psychology, sociology, anthropology, biology, and mathematics will meet after 5 pm Monday through Thursday.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1301 Columbia College Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 786-3687
kthompson@columbiasc.edu
Columbia International University
Division of Undergraduate Studies
Enrolling over 1,250 Rams, Columbia International University is a selective private, Christian multidenominational institution holding ABHE to train students’ “Head, Heart, and Hands” from a 400-acre suburban campus in South Carolina’s capital near Fort Jackson. Washington Monthly recognized CIU as the #6 best Southeastern bang for the buck. Graded A+ for dorms on Niche, Columbia also landed 43rd among regional universities for the U.S. News survey. The Division of Undergraduate Studies has a 47 percent four-year graduation rate across 22 majors.
Psychology Major
As CIU’s #1 largest undergraduate option, the Psychology Major trains students to evaluate behavioral paradigms through a Scriptural lens for fostering therapeutic growth in themselves and others. The 120-credit curriculum includes at least 200 hours of field practicum at human services agencies, such as Camp Spearhead or Columbia Area Mental Health. Students also become spiritually charged at the Victory Prayer Towers and through mission trips to Costa Rica.
Accreditation
Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
7435 Monticello Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 807-5125
yesciu@ciu.edu
Converse College
School of Humanities, Sciences & Education
Opened by industrialist Dexter Edgar Converse in 1889, Converse College is a private, nonprofit women’s baccalaureate institution endowed for $78 million to educate 1,300 Valkyries on 70 urban acres in Spartanburg just 80 miles west of Charlotte. Ranked America’s 17th “Best Women’s College” on Niche, Converse was recognized by the USNWR as the 31st best Southern school and seventh top value. College Choice also placed Converse 18th for females nationally. The School of Humanities, Sciences & Education has 25 diverse majors from German to medical technology.
B.A. in Psychology
Nearly 87 percent of Converse courses within the B.A. in Psychology program have under 20 students to promote individualized training while exploring the operant and respondent laws of behavior. The four-year curriculum integrates fascinating content from stress management to gender studies and workplace behavior. Study goes beyond the classroom for majors who join the Psychology Book Club, intern at the Charles Lea Center, and complete the Nisbet Honors thesis research.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
580 East Main Street
Spartanburg, SC 29302
(864) 596-9040
info@converse.edu
We’ve only scratched the surface of undergraduate majors available in the “Palmetto State” for promising psychologists. Continue on our journey for bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in South Carolina here.
Related resource:
Top 20 Graduate Degree Programs in Marriage and Family Therapy