We’re ready to conclude our trek across the “Palmetto State” for bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in South Carolina. The following are regionally accredited psychology schools at the end of the alphabet (S-Z) that suit careers improving others’ well-being and social functioning.
South Carolina State University
College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences
Belonging to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), South Carolina State University is a public, space-grant historically black institution founded in 1872 within Claflin College that’s now enrolling 3,000 undergraduates on its 160-acre urban campus in Orangeburg. Noted for America’s 94th “Best Greek Life” on Niche, SCSU was deemed the 44th top HBCU by the U.S. News. Washington Monthly also ranked South Carolina State #1 for social mobility three times. The College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences retains 60 percent of freshmen with 30+ majors from French to political science.
Psychology Major (B.S.)
Focused on “Bringing Ideas to Light,” SCSU’s Psychology Major (B.S.) develops students scientific literacy to make significant contributions to our knowledge of the brain and behavior. Undergrads sharpen their reasoning and analytical skills in a 126-credit program rooted in natural sciences like biology. Diverse electives from psychological testing to industrial-organizational psychology allow for specialization. Other valuable opportunities include interning at the Child Development Learning Center, entering the TRIO Program, pursuing an Honors thesis, and networking with fellow Bulldogs in Psychology and Sociology Club. Admission isn’t selective with an acceptance rate of 95 percent.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
300 College Street NE
Orangeburg, SC 29117
(803) 536-7127
bjua@scsu.edu
South University-Columbia
College of Health Professions
Owned by Education Management Corporation, South University a private, for-profit higher learning institution tracing back to 1899 that’s enrolling over 18,300 students from 15 U.S. campuses, including one in South Carolina’s capital near Fort Jackson. According to Niche, South is America’s 117th “Best Online College” with a net price of $21,347 annually. Keep in mind Washington Monthly deemed South the country’s 20th worst university though. The College of Health Professions offers five degrees in Columbia, including medical assisting, psychology, and occupational therapy assistant.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Available face-to-face in Columbia or 100 percent online, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology lets South undergraduates examine interpersonal behavioral processes like persuasion and self-esteem. Rooted in the humanities, the 120-credit program qualifying students for practical theory application in entry-level social services jobs. Three concentrations are offered: General, Behavioral Health, or Experimental/Research. Transfers can obtain credit for experience and CLEP exams too for accelerated learning. Online courses are authorized nationwide, excluding Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington DC, for convenience. Graduates can excel as case managers, counselor aides, addiction counselors, HR specialists, academic advisors, etc.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
9 Science Court
Columbia, SC 29203
(866) 629-3031
materialsreview@southuniversity.edu
Southern Wesleyan University
Division of Social Science
Occupying a 350-acre main campus in Central with three extensions, Southern Wesleyan University is a private, nonprofit Christian teaching institution opened in 1906 that’s now enlightening over 1,850 Warriors in 35 majors. Graded B+ as America’s 104th “Safest College” on Niche, SWU is ranked the 96th best regional university in the South by the U.S. News. In Washington Monthly, Southern Wesleyan claimed the 278th spot for best master’s-level school nationwide. The Division of Social Science admits 63 percent of applicants for faith-based majors in criminal justice, human services, psychology, and outdoor recreation.
B.S. in Psychology
Giving a diverse liberal arts experience beyond the 45-credit major, the B.S. in Psychology inspires SWU students to become more familiar with what makes people “tick.” Starting the first semester, undergraduates test key theories firsthand in Folger Hall’s Psych Lab. With a 18:1 student-faculty ratio, courses address animal behavior, human growth, abnormal psychology, personality, statistics, social psychology, and more. For capstone, seniors select a research thesis or social science practicum. Past internship placements have included The Charleston Center, Pickens County DSS, and Carolina Center for Behavioral Health. Paid teaching assistantships are also available.
B.S. in Human Services
Offered in hybrid and online formats, the B.S. in Human Services is another of SMU’s bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in South Carolina. This flexible option allows non-traditional students to take in-depth social science courses from a Christian worldview to enter helping professions. Start dates begin often in Central, Greenville, Columbia, and North Augusta for convenience. The 33-credit major covers courses from community development to racial relations and social psychology before a capstone project. Currently charging $425 per credit, the SACS-accredited program segues into careers like rehabilitative therapy, social welfare, and counseling. Over 92 percent of graduates are employed in two years.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
907 Wesleyan Drive
Central, SC 29630
(864) 644-5291
dcouch@swu.edu
University of South Carolina-Aiken
College of Sciences and Engineering
Attracting more than 3,200 Pacers, the University of South Carolina-Aiken is a public, co-educational master’s institution chartered in 1972 upon 453 urban acres in Aiken, an All-America City Award winner, just 20 miles northeast of Augusta, Georgia. Included in The Princeton Review’s “Guide to 361 Green Colleges,” USCA is ranked the South’s fifth best university, top public school, and second best for vets college by the U.S. News. Niche also recognized USCA as South Carolina’s #9 top value. The College of Sciences and Engineering upholds a 68 percent retention rate in six majors from geology to exercise science.
B.A/B.S. in Psychology
Housed in the Penland Building, the B.A./B.S. in Psychology provides an engaging atmosphere for USCA undergrads to learn basic and applied perspectives of human behavior. Within the 120-credit curriculum, B.A. majors will take more humanities and social sciences courses than natural sciences and math courses like B.S. majors. Achieving a minimum 2.85 GPA overall qualifies students for the Honors Program. Students could also join the Brains Neuroscience Club, intern within the Aiken Psychology Clinic, pursue the $3,000 Magellan Scholarship, conduct EEG studies with PhD-level faculty, or study abroad in France. Several graduates continue into the MPCAC-accredited M.S. in Clinical Psychology.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
471 University Parkway
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 641-3218
EdC@usca.edu
University of South Carolina-Beaufort
Department of Social Sciences
Established in 1795 as Beaufort College, the University of South Carolina-Beaufort occupies a historic, 208-acre campus in the rural Lowcountry town of Bluffton near Hilton Head Island to provide public education to over 1,800 undergraduates. Recognized for America’s 64th “Best College Dorms” on Niche, USCB is ranked the 37th best university and sixth top public school in the South by the U.S. News. Washington Monthly honored USC-Beaufort as the 194th best baccalaureate institution nationally. The Department of Social Sciences has a 20:1 student-faculty ratio with PhD-level professors trained at Brandeis, Central Michigan, SUNY Albany, and more.
Psychology (B.A.)
USCB’s Psychology (B.A.) program immerses Sand Sharks in the empirical-based study of fascinating psychological phenomena like memory, anxiety, sexuality, violence, and addiction. Students obtain valuable “people” skills for stepping into diverse careers from healthcare to business and law. The 120-credit curriculum includes foreign language proficiency, excluding Latin and Ancient Greek. Students must declare an 18-credit minor in anything from Data Science to Anthropology. Coursework culminates with taking the ETS Major Field Test in Psychology. Majors are encouraged to join the Psychology Club, conduct research in the Magellan Scholar Program, and study abroad in Panama or Costa Rica.
Human Services (B.S.)
Since 2013, the Human Services (B.S.) at USCB has been a flexible alternative to bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in South Carolina. Whether taken face-to-face in Bluffton or online via Palmetto College, the curriculum will emphasize a strengths-based approach for serving individuals and communities in need. Online students must already hold 60+ transfer credits before entering the two-year sequence of accelerated, eight-week courses. The traditional, 120-credit program spans courses from developmental psychology to deviant behavior and gerontology. Supervised field internships are integrated at agencies like the Boys & Girls Club or Child Abuse Prevention Association.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1 University Blvd.
Bluffton, SC 29909
(843) 208-8000
clahar@uscb.edu
University of South Carolina-Columbia
College of Arts and Sciences
Endowed for $625 million, the University of South Carolina-Columbia is the system’s flagship public, sea-grant RU/VH institution with enrollment surpassing 33,500 Gamecocks upon its 359-acre urban campus near the South Carolina State House. Noted for America’s 25th “Best College Athletics” on Niche, USC is ranked the 107th best national university, 49th top public college, and 69th most veteran-friendly college by the U.S. News. According to Livability.com, Columbia is the #3 best college town in the United States. In particular, the College of Arts and Sciences houses the country’s 132nd top psychology degrees.
Undergraduate Psychology Program
Attracting nearly 1,000 majors, the Undergraduate Psychology Program at USC feeds students’ curiosity about the human mind’s inner workings and behavioral effects. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is practitioner-oriented to lay the groundwork for “people” professions. Meanwhile, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) is research-oriented with advanced lab work for graduate school preparation. Both 120-credit options could be specialized with the Neuroscience Minor. Students can benefit from performing brain imaging studies in the McCausland Center, interning at the Psychology Services Center (PSC), pursuing the M. Kershaw Walsh Award, and choosing from 1,500+ overseas programs.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Barnwell College Room 208
1244 Blossom Street
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-7674
psychugo@mailbox.sc.edu
University of South Carolina-Upstate
College of Arts & Sciences
Boasting a living alumni base of over 25,000, the University of South Carolina-Upstate is a public, state-related teaching institution founded by Dr. G.B. Hodge in 1967 that’s now serving nearly 6,000 Spartans from 280 suburban acres within “Sparkle City.” Ranked the South’s 10th best college, second top public school, and fourth best for vets college by the U.S. News, USC-Upstate is South Carolina’s #2 best value. On Niche, USC-Upstate also placed as America’s 282nd “Most Liberal College.” The College of Arts & Sciences comprises four departments from fine arts to natural sciences with 69 percent freshman retention.
Psychology Major (B.A./B.S.)
Founded in 1976, the Psychology Major (B.A./B.S.) at USC-Upstate has extensive experience instilling the fundamental knowledge and skills for studying the diverse facets of human action and inaction. The 120-credit program features a 16:1 student-faculty ratio for engaging classes on neuroscience, lifespan development, cognitive psychology, counseling, and more. Students could add the Child Advocacy Studies Minor for social welfare positions. Experiential opportunities include conducting research in the Personality Assessment Lab, joining the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, interning at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, and declaring the Pre-Medical Track. The program’s placement rate is 91 percent with median earnings at $36,100.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
800 University Way
Spartanburg, SC 29303
(864) 503-5779
kpurdy@uscupstate.edu
Voorhees College
Department of Business and Professional Studies
Affiliated with the Episcopal Church, Voorhees College is a private, nonprofit historically black institution opened in 1897 as Denmark Industrial School that’s grown to enroll 600 diverse scholars off Route 78 in Bamberg County just eight miles from Blackville. Graded B+ for professors on Niche, Voorhees is ranked as the 87th top HBCU nationally. According to Best Value Schools, Voorhees is also South Carolina’s 15th best bargain with a net price of $15,136 yearly. The ACBSP-accredited Department of Business and Professional Studies accepts 50 percent of applicants interested in accounting, business administration, organizational management, and psychology.
Psychology, B.S.
Introduced in Fall 2016, the Psychology B.S. program allows Voorhees Tigers to dive deep into the human mind and study the conscious or unconscious causes of behavioral patterns. The 120-credit program emphasizes the scientific skills for conducting exemplary research on how people process everyday decisions. Courses evaluate interconnected psychology branches from social and personality to developmental and clinical. Majors who sustain a 3.0 major GPA or better are accepted into the Psi Chi Honor Society. Students can gain hands-on experience in the on-campus Center of Excellence in Rural and Minority Health.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
213 Wiggins Drive
P.O. Box 678
Denmark, SC 29042
(803) 780-1191
mfreeman@voorhees.edu
Winthrop University
Department of Psychology
Named after philanthropist Robert C. Winthrop in 1886, Winthrop University is a public, co-educational liberal arts institution carrying a $43.6 million endowment to serve over 6,100 scholars from 425 suburban acres in York County’s largest city, Rock Hill. Crowned America’s 196th “Top Public University” on Niche, Winthrop is the 26th best regional college and 19th most veteran-friendly school in the South according to the USNWR. College Choice also placed Winthrop as the Southeast’s 23rd best educator. The Department of Psychology employs 14 full-time, doctoral faculty trained at Georgia Southern, Texas Tech, James Madison, and more.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Built around a 36-credit major, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Winthrop equips young practitioners with the basic skills to resolve questions about human behavioral or mental processes. Adhering to the APA’s learning goals, the curriculum requires courses in research methods, cognition, biological psychology, abnormal behavior, and developmental psychology. During the final year, Eagles tackle a capstone project, seminar, or internship. Previous placements have included York Catawba Mental Health, Carolina Pediatric Therapy, Piedmont Medical Systems, and Sexual Assault Resource Center. Students can also get involved in Psi Chi, study abroad in Chile, and publish research in the Psych E-Newsletter.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Kinard Hall Room 135
701 Oakland Avenue
Rock Hill, SC 29733
(803) 323-2217
psychology@winthrop.edu
Wofford College
Department of Psychology
Devoted to “Shining with Untarnished Honor,” Wofford College is a private, nonprofit Methodist liberal arts institution endowed for $184.7 million that’s enlightening over 1,500 faithful Terriers from 175 urban acres in Spartanburg just 80 miles west of Charlotte. Graded A- for America’s 134th best value on Forbes, Wofford is ranked the 77th best national liberal arts college by the USNWR. The Institute of International Education placed Wofford ninth for best study abroad opportunities too. Featuring an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, the Department of Psychology offers two programs for behavioral health careers.
Psychology Major
Leading to a B.S., Wofford’s Psychology Major allows undergrads to separate fact from fantasy while uncovering scientifically proven principles on cognition and behavior. Students participate in cutting-edge research with PhD-level faculty in the Lifespan Cognition Lab, Human Neurophysiology Lab, and more. The 123-credit curriculum progresses through a set core before advanced specialized electives and independent research. Seniors’ thesis research has been published in prestigious publications like Learning & Behavior. Optional internships are offered at diverse organizations, including Aqua-terra Recycling, NASA Langley Research Center, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Majors also join the Psychology Kingdom for extracurricular events.
Neuroscience Major
Undergraduates looking for bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in South Carolina focused on the brain and central nervous system may enjoy Wofford’s Neuroscience Major instead. This 40-credit B.S. major bridges psychology and biology for laboratory-oriented training into the human mind. Courses will include cellular neurobiology, experimental methods, cognitive science, animal behavior, and psychopharmacology. Students access state-of-the-art facilities like the Gustatory Behavioral Lab with a Davis MS-160 behavioral rig. Neuroscience majors also participate in the fun Hoop-Rat Classic Basketball Tournament. Other valuable opportunities include interning at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, studying abroad in New Zealand, and pursuing the James E. Seegars Award.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
429 North Church Street
Spartanburg, SC 29303
(864) 597-4000
Boppkl@wofford.edu
Now’s an excellent time for undergraduates to register for psychology courses and satiate their thirst for knowledge on human behavior. The APA predicts a partly sunny job outlook with employment projected to grow by 12 percent overall. Particularly in-demand specialties are Neuropsychology, Geropsychology, I/O Psychology, and Forensic Psychology. Forging a lasting, lucrative career in mental health usually requires surviving lengthy stretches in graduate school, yet some paths like human services or counseling have entry-level jobs. Whatever your goals may be, these three installments of bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in South Carolina are great starting points.
Related resource:
Top 20 Most Innovative Psychology Degree Programs