Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Kansas – C-K

The state of Kansas is home to a number of excellent undergraduate psychology degree programs. Students can choose from the wide variety of colleges and universities offering training in the field of psychology. In the past, when learning was done primarily full-time in the classroom during the daytime hours, many people were kept from their college education. They ranged from people who had to work full time, parents of young children, those people who have a disability, service men and women and others.  Now, with a significantly more flexible learning style, more and more students are flocking to “classrooms” than ever before. These classrooms might actually be a kitchen table, or living room sofa is your program offers online learning options. This classroom might be open in the evenings or on the weekends. Regardless of what has limited you in the past, there is now a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology program that will suit your individual needs, goals and aspirations.

Central Christian College of Kansas

The School of Arts and Sciences

Central Christian College of Kansas is an evangelical Christian college located in McPherson and is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church. The mission at Central is to “provide Christ-Centered Education for Character”. The college is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church of North America, but all students are welcome regardless of their religion, race, color, handicap or economic status. Students at Central Christian come from a vast range of faiths and backgrounds. The college’s character and lifestyle are communicated to each prospective student. The overall goal is to nurture Christian leaders who will lead lives of “character and service for the betterment of our society and the world”. The School of Arts and Sciences at Central Christian offers a wide variety of programs of study in the Liberal Arts.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The BA in Psychology Degree Program is taught through a Christian worldview. Through this teaching style, students often discover the “redemptive application of psychological and spiritual truths”. Upon completion of this program students are prepared to enter the work force. The psychology major is also  designed to prepare graduates for entry into graduate-level studies. The curriculum used for this program combines the strong General Education Requirements with the specific Psychology Major Field Requirements and marries these with the Christian Perspective. Graduates of this program are well trained in all three of these areas.

Accreditations
Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
Association of Free Methodist Educational Institutions (AFMEI)
Christian Council of Colleges and Universities (Affiliate)
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
Central Christian College of Kansas
The School of Arts and Sciences
The Psychology Department
1200 S. Main St.
P.O. Box 1403
McPherson, KS 67460
(620) 241-0723
E-Mail: admissions@centralchristian.edu
Program Website

Emporia State University

The Teacher’s College

Emporia State University, commonly referred to as Emporia State or ESU, is a comprehensive public university located in Emporia. The school was  established in 1863 as the Kansas State Normal School. ESU is among the six public universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. It offers degrees in more than 80 areas of study spread throughout four individual colleges:

  • School of Business
  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • School of Library and Information Management
  • The Teachers College

The Teachers College has the distinction of being one of only four post–secondary institutions in the country to be named as an Exemplary Model Teacher Education program by Arthur Levine in the groundbreaking 2006 national study of teacher education programs. In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Emporia state as the 103rd best college or university in the Midwestern Region of the United States as well as the 37th Top Public School. The Teachers College at ESU has received national recognition for the method of getting students, referred to as “teacher candidates,” into classrooms as soon as possible as they pursue their degrees in education.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers three individual degree plan options for students interested in the field of psychology.

The BA in Psychology degree requires 40 hours of psychology to fulfill the requirements of the major. The Department has designated 29 credit hours plus 11 elective hours for the BA Degree. Students enrolled in this program must also complete the Undergraduate Internship in Psychology. The mission of the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degrees is to “produce graduates who think scientifically, creatively, and ethically about behavior and cognitive processes and express themselves clearly in their oral and written presentations to others”. This accomplished through 5 standards set forth by the department:

  • Standard 1. Our students will demonstrate a broad knowledge base in psychology.
  • Standard 2. Our students will demonstrate the skills to be scientific and creative thinkers while exercising sound judgment.
  • Standard 3. Our students will demonstrate the skills to be clear writers and articulate presenters.
  • Standard 4. Our students will demonstrate understanding of diverse views and values as well as of ethical standards in the use of human and animal participants.
  • Standard 5. Our students will demonstrate the intrapersonal skills of self-reflection and self-assessment.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The BS in Psychology degree requires 41 credit hours to fulfill the major. The Department has designated 29 credit hours plus 12 elective hours for the BA Degree. Students enrolled in this program must also complete the Undergraduate Internship in Psychology. Students pursuing the BS Degree in Psychology will be required to complete several specified courses in:

  • statistics
  • mathematics
  • research
  • science

Bachelor of Science in Education: Psychology Teaching Field

The 24 credit hour BS in Education with a concentration in Psychology Teaching at Emporia fulfills the teaching field requirement of 24 hours to become licensed as a teacher. Students graduating with a psychology teaching field degree must maintain a minimum grade of C for all courses on their degree contract. Teacher education candidates must have a C or better in certain additional courses listed in the University catalog. In addition, the minimum GPA for subject matter coursework is 2.75.

Accreditations
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
Emporia State University
The Teacher’s College
1 Kellogg Circle
Emporia, KS 66801
(877) 468-6378
E-Mail: go2esu@emporia.edu
Program Website

Fort Hays State University

The Virtual College – The College of Arts and Sciences

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public, co-educational university located in Hays. The current enrollment is about 11,200 students, with 4,000 undergraduate, 1,200 graduate, and 6,000 online students. The university was founded in 1902 as the Western Branch of Kansas State Normal School. It’s now known as the previously mentioned Emporia State University. The institution was originally located on the grounds of Fort Hays, a frontier military outpost that was closed in 1889. In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Fort Hays as the 16th best online Bachelor’s Degree Program in the country. The Virtual College offers students an outstanding value in their online education. Over the past 20 years FHSU has become a world leader in distance education, with more than 40 online degrees specifically designed for adult learners. The Department of Psychology offers both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science in both on campus and online formats.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The department of psychology at the Virtual College offers both a BA and a BS in Psychology. While the core coursework is the same for both, there are some minor differences. A candidate for the BA in Psychology must complete a 20-hour sequence of courses offered outside of the psychology department. Traditionally, this will be a sequence of courses in one department or area related to the student’s academic or occupational goals. The BA degree also requires completion of 10 hours of a foreign language. The BA in Psychology Program Requirements is as follows:

  • General Education Requirements: 55 Credit Hours
  • Modern Language Requirements: 10 Credit Hours
  • Psychology Major Requirements: 42 Credit Hours
  • Free Electives: 17 Credit Hours
  • Total Hours Required for the BA Degree: 124 Credit Hours

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

One of the largest distinctions in coursework for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology is that candidates for this degree will complete 20 hours of course work in Natural Science and/or Mathematics. The BS Degree option is strongly recommended for students who intend on pursuing doctoral training. A new curriculum created and implemented in 2011 aligns the departmental teachings with the American Psychological Association’s standards for undergraduate majors. The BS in Psychology Program Requirements is as follows:

  • General Education Requirements: 55 Credit Hours
  • Math and Science Requirements (In addition to General Education Requirements): 7 Credit Hours
  • Psychology Major Requirements: 42 Credit Hours
  • Free Electives: 17 Credit Hours
  • Total Hours Required for the Degree: 124 Credit Hours

Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
Fort Hays State University
The Virtual College
Psychology Department
600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601-4099
(785) 628-4405
E-Mail: virtualcollege@fhsu.edu
Program Website

Friends University

Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Friends University is a private, non-denominational Christian university in Wichita. The University was founded in 1898. In 1898 the property was donated to the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) by a local businessman. In the 1930s the governance of the university was surrendered to an independent Board of Trustees, with some representation of the Mid-America Yearly Meeting of Friends on the board. The school still operates with “an amicable but independent relationship with the evangelical branch of the Society of Friends.” The mission of Friends University is “to provide a high quality undergraduate and graduate education that incorporates liberal arts instruction and professional studies within the context of the Christian faith.” The Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers undergraduate training in:

  • Criminal Justice
  • History
  • Human Services
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Political Science

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The BS Psychology Degree Program is a “practice-oriented degree” designed to train students to find positions in various helping professions or to enter into graduate training. The curriculum melds psychology courses with sociology and human service courses to offer students a broader base of study and application. In addition to classroom study, all students complete two semesters of field experiences to more adequately prepare for the work force and to help the start of the networking process with other professionals in the field. This opportunity also serves as an experiential groundwork for graduate school. Friends University has a very active psychology club on campus. The Psychology major offers a broad range of options. There are three areas of emphasis within the degree:

  1. Area I – Trains students for general careers working with people and for graduate training
  2. Area II – Teaches students to work with families, family intervention and counseling for all age groups
  3. Area III – Trains students to work for social service agencies

These areas allow flexibility so students may focus on a special area of interest.

The Psychology Program Outcomes outline that all graduates of this program must:

  • Understand the major theoretical approaches, research findings, and historical trends in the science of psychology.
  • Demonstrate and understanding of the use of major research methods in psychology, including:
    • design
    • data analysis
    • interpretation
  • Apply the major theoretical approaches in psychology to reality-based personal, social, motivational, emotional, educational, and organizational issues.

Accreditations
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
Friends University
Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences
2100 W. University Avenue
Wichita, Kansas 67213
(316) 295-5100
E-Mail: learn@friends.edu
Program Website

Kansas State University

The College of Arts and Sciences

Kansas State University, referred to as just Kansas State, KSU or K-State, is a public research university with the main campus in Manhattan, Kansas. It was founded as the state’s land-grant college in 1863, the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Kansas. In the Fall 2014 semester, KSU had a record high enrollment of 24,766 students. The school has satellite campuses in Salina and Olathe.

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education named this university as a research university with high research (RU/H). Kansas State’s academic offerings are supported by nine colleges, including the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Technology and Aviation in Salina. The Graduate Programs include 65 Master’s Degree Programs and 45 Doctoral Degrees.

In 2015, US News & World Report ranked Kansas State as the 142nd best National University and the 74th Top Public School. The College of Arts and Sciences is home to a vast array of areas of study that offer a strong Liberal Arts Education to all students. These disciplines include:

  • the arts and humanities
  • the social sciences
  • the natural and quantitative sciences

These areas embody the core studies of a university education. A Liberal Arts Education works to develop intellectual skills such as:

  • critical analysis
  • effective communication
  • creativity

The list of majors offered by this college range from those related to specific jobs and professions to those related to vocation in a more general way.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers two undergraduate degree options, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS). Both degree programs are similar but the minor differences create different outcomes with varying goals. Both undergraduate programs offer students a broad liberal arts education with a thorough comprehension of how professional psychologists study behavior and what psychologists have learned about behavior. The information and skill set students gather are helpful in a wide variety of employment settings and careers. The minimum requirements for completing a major in psychology are small enough that some students are able to complete the requirements of a second major in the College of Arts and Sciences or a second degree in another college in four years.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Students have the opportunity to participate in course work and field experiences to better prepare for advanced study at the graduate level. They also prepare students interested in careers in social services. The curriculum in the BS program approach Psychology as both an academic discipline and a profession. In order to become a professional psychologist, students must first complete advanced training. The undergraduate BS program in psychology does not train people to become professional psychologists. However, it offers students the chance to earn academic credit for participating in research and in supervised field experiences in:

  • social service agencies
  • industry
  • government settings

Therefore students in this program can gain experience working with professional psychologists.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Concentration in Clinical Psychology

The Undergraduate Concentration in Clinical Psychology is available for students with good academic records who are interested in a career in social services. Students in this concentration complete a predetermined set of courses. They have the chance to receive academic credit for satisfactory performance in a social service setting under the supervision of professional psychologists and other mental health professionals. This concentration in clinical psychology provides qualified students with background knowledge and limited training in the skill areas needed for employment at the Bachelor degree level. Students are expected to take additional courses in relevant areas from other departments in the university.

Accreditations
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)

Contact
Kansas State University
The College of Arts and Sciences
492 Bluemont Hall
(785) 532-6850
E-mail: psych@k-state.edu
Program Website

There is a huge variation in the types of programs available to students. Students who once could not make themselves available to this on-campus  schedule can now pursue their education online, in the evenings, on the weekend and on a part-time basis. People who are limited by a work schedule, those who live with a variety of different abilities, parents of young children, single parents, returning adult students, active members of the military, are all now able to begin working towards a college degree.

For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Kansas – B

For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Kansas – K-N

For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Kansas – O-T

For more Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Kansas –U-W