The state of Massachusetts offers students one of the highest numbers of options for a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Students can choose for a range of large universities to smaller, more intimate college settings. Massachusetts also has a number of nationally and regionally acknowledged collegiate institutions. In addition to the many traditional, on-campus offerings, several colleges and universities are offering online, hybrid and web enhanced degree options to increase overall flexibility. This way each student can choose whether they complete their degree in a classroom, online or a mix of the two options. This makes earning a degree more convenient and flexible than ever before.
Merrimack College
The School of Liberal Arts – Department of Psychology
Merrimack College is a private institution founded in 1947 by the Order of St. Augustine. The college is located just outside of Boston, and offers 90 undergraduate programs in the areas of:
- liberal arts
- science and engineering
- business
- education
It also offers graduate degrees in:
- business
- criminology
- education
- engineering
- health sciences
- public affairs
In 2016, US News and World Report ranked Merrimack College as the 9th best Northern Regional Colleges. Some interesting facts about the college include:
- Three quarters of all students live on campus
- Undergraduate enrollment is 3,051 students
- The school has more than 50 students clubs and organizations
- More than 500 students participate in club, intramural or collegiate sports
- There are 22 varsity sports for men and women
- The mission of the college is “enlightening minds, engaging hearts, and empowering lives”
The School of Liberal Arts at Merrimack includes the Humanities and Social Sciences Department. Its mission is to “cultivate an intellectual community in the humanities and the social sciences, that explores compelling ideas, issues, and values while educating students to enter careers as critical and reflective thinkers empowered to lead productive and meaningful lives in a changing world.”
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Psychology, the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, captures the range of human experience. Students enrolled in the BA in Psychology degree program study a variety of aspects of human experience including:
- developmental
- social
- perceptual
- cognitive
- clinical
The curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of theory and research. Through coursework, research and field experience students get a deeper understanding of what it is to be human. Graduates will have competency in the following areas:
- Fundamental aspects of human behavior and experience
- Utilize analytic reading skills
- Theoretical analysis and critical thinking skills
- Oral communication skills
- Skills in statistics and Methodology
- Group interaction and collaborative skills
- Understand ethical issues in psychology
- Appreciation of human diversity
There are a number of psychology major requirements, including completion of a minimum of 42 credits in psychology and a cognate course in health sciences.
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Merrimack College
School of Liberal Arts
Department of Psychology
315 Turnpike Street,
North Andover, MA. 01845
(978) 683-7111
E-Mail: admission@merrimack.edu
Program Website
Mount Holyoke College
The Department of Psychology and Education
Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley. The school is a residential liberal arts college enrolling 2,255 students from 45 states and 74 countries. Founded in 1837 by Mary Lyon as Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, it eventually became Mount Holyoke College in 1893. All students at Mount Holyoke are required to live on campus. Juniors and seniors with a compelling reason live off campus must apply and be approved.
In 2016, US News and World Report ranked Mount Holyoke College as the 35th best is National Liberal Arts Colleges Many of the buildings were designed between 1896 and 1960. Holyoke is one of five colleges within a 12 mile radius. Students can take courses and attend events at each. Students can choose from more than 150 clubs and organizations. The Department of Psychology and Education offers programs in:
- Psychology
- Psychology and Education
- Neuroscience and Behavior
- Education (minor)
- Educational Studies (interdisciplinary minor)
- Teacher Licensure.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The 32 credit BA in Psychology degree program provides a course of study which leads to better understanding the basic principles of Psychology. This includes:
- research methods
- social psychology
- statistics
- personality and abnormal psychology
- developmental and educational psychology
- perception
- cognition
- language
- the biological bases of behavior
Students have the opportunity to complete an independent study project working with faculty on original research. Through coursework and experience students of the Psychology program acquire the following knowledge and skills:
- Comprehensive understanding of the principles of psychology, sub-fields and the connection to theory, research, and practice
- Learn wide array of approaches in research through coursework including statistics and research methods
- Ability to read primary sources of psychological and educational research to:
- analyze underlying assumptions
- apply theoretical frameworks
- evaluate the validity of empirical evidence
- Better understanding of ways that psychological and educational questions and research reflect gender, race, and social class biases and the methods to apply theory and research in social issues
- By focusing on research and independent study, develop skills orally and in written work
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Mount Holyoke College
Department of Psychology and Education
303 Reese Psychology and Education Building
50 College Street
South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075
(413) 538-2338
E-Mail Form https://www.mtholyoke.edu/contact/psychology
Program Website
Mount Ida College
The School of Social Science and Humanities
Founded in 1899, Mount Ida College is a private coed liberal arts college located just outside Boston, in Newton. The college provides programs that are career focused with an in-depth base in:
- the social sciences
- humanities
- the arts
All are developed and implemented to prepare our students for success in their chosen fields of endeavor. Current undergraduate enrollment is over 1,300 students. Mount Ida College consists of four schools including:
- The School of Applied Sciences
- The School of Design
- The School of Business
- The School of Social Sciences and Humanities
In 2016, US News and World Report ranked Mount Ida College as the 38th best Northern Regional Colleges. The mission of Mount Ida College is “blending career-relevant education with broad-based learning in the arts, sciences and humanities to prepare students to succeed in a changing world”.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The BS in Psychology degree program builds on the core components of psychology with introductory courses in:
- research
- human development
- abnormal psychology
- physiological psychology
The program is a good fit for students seeking an understanding of human thought and behavior applicable to a variation of potential career paths. The program provides a foundation in these areas of psychology:
- physiological
- cognitive
- social
- developmental
- personality
- abnormal
- research
This allows students to pursue a more customized focus of study best suiting their individual needs. Completion of the bachelor’s degree requires 120 to 122 credits, including:
- 37 credits in core psychology
- 6 credits capstone
- 15 credits psychology electives
- 30 credits in open electives
- 33 credits in humanities and social sciences
A required senior thesis capstone gives students an opportunity to apply their knowledge to investigate in depth a topic of personal interest. Learning Objectives for the program include the ability to:
- Explain human behavior from multi perspectives
- Pull from concepts in the physiological, cognitive, social, developmental, personality, abnormal, research, and applied aspects of psychology
- Critical thinking in a wide range of issues as informed consumers of information about human behavior
- Show incorporation of psychological constructs by understanding a specific thesis topic applicable to one’s personal and professional interests.
- The bachelor’s degree in psychology prepares students to pursue careers in:
- law
- business
- government
- education
- management
It also prepares students to pursue graduate study.
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Mount Ida College
School of Social Science and Humanities
777 Dedham Street
Newton, Massachusetts 02459
(617) 928-4500
E-Mail: admissions@mountida.edu
Program Website
Newbury College – Brookline Campus
The School of Social Sciences and Human Development
Newbury College is a private, independent college located just minutes from Boston in the Fisher Hill neighborhood of Brookline, Massachusetts. Founded in 1962, Newbury College offers bachelor level and associate’s degree programs in over 20 career-focused majors.
The school maintains a commitment to personalized and experience-based teaching throughout all majors at the college. Newbury inspires students to become independent thinkers, valuable collaborators, and global-minded citizens. The total undergraduate enrollment is about 900. The School of Social Sciences and Human Development maintains a mission to “educate students for success in their chosen careers to utilize their professional training and expertise to contribute positively to society at large”. Areas of study for the School include:
- criminal justice
- psychology
- political science
- sociology
- philosophy
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Curriculum for the BA in Psychology degree program includes:
- core study of the elements of psychology
- the research methods in social science used in the study of human thought, emotion, and behavior
- the practical application of psychology
Students gain the skills to analyze behavior, assess psychosocial developmental progress, identify treatment methods, and use apply counseling skills. Students can apply classroom learning to a professional work environment through Internships in the program. Student Learning Outcomes include:
- Show understanding of major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, clinical applications, and historical trends in psychology
- Use critical thinking, skeptical inquiry, the scientific approach and creativity, within appropriate contexts, in academic and professional work in psychology
- Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology
- Clear, effective, and sensitive communication through oral and written presentation for academic, clinical and research purposes within the guidelines mandated by the APA
- Show knowledge of the complex ethical issues characteristic in psychology
- Understanding and respecting multi cultural, racial, ethnic and international diversity
- Use concepts, insight and values in psychology in order to effect improvement in leading productive, responsible and ethical lives
- Maintain goals and behaviors in utilizing psychology knowledge, skills and values in career pursuits
The BA in Psychology prepares students for careers in the mental health fields including:
- behavioral programs
- residential child and adolescent treatment centers
- hospice
- inpatient facilities
- adult treatment centers
Graduates are also prepared for graduate school.
Accreditations
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Newbury College
129 Fisher Avenue
Brookline, MA 02445
Phone (617) 730-7000
E-mail: admissions@newbury.edu
Program Website
In this sampling of schools offering undergraduate psychology degrees, it is clear that students have a vast range of options to choose from. Whether you want an online degree or a traditional degree, you can decide what is best for you. You can choose whether you would prefer a Bachelor of Arts Degree or a Bachelor of Science. Students have the flexibility to choose between a general psychology education or a specialization in one of the sub-specialty areas within the field.
For More Bachelor’s Degrees in Massachusetts – A-B
For More Bachelor’s Degrees in Massachusetts – B
For More Bachelor’s Degrees in Massachusetts – C
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For More Bachelor’s Degrees in Massachusetts – L-M
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