The state of Massachusetts is home to one of the largest numbers of bachelor’s degree programs in psychology. This means that each student has the ability to hand pick a school that fits their individual needs. Students can evaluate what kind of learning environment is right for them. There is a large variance in whether or not a degree can be earned fully online, both online and on campus or completely online. You can determine what level of online learning is right for your needs, your schedule and your goals and select a school that can accommodate you. Students also have the freedom to choose whether a large university or small college is the best for their academic and career goals.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The Department of Psychology
- Founded in 1863, the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) is the Commonwealth’s flagship campus. UMass is a nationally ranked public research university. It offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees in 90 undergraduate and 72 graduate areas of study. It has eight schools and colleges. The main campus is situated north of downtown Amherst. UMass Amherst is the largest public university in New England and is ranked among top 30 public universities in the nation. In 2016, US News and World Report ranked University of Massachusetts Amherst as 75th best national University.
Some interesting facts about the school include:
- UMass is a member of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
- Total current undergraduate enrollment is 22,252 students on the 1,463 acre main campus
- Adult students can complete a degree by taking classes online or on campus – or both – via the UMass Amherst University Without Walls (UWW)
- It has about 244,000 living alumni around the world
- All freshmen must live on campus. Family housing, including one- and two-bedroom apartments, is also available to students who are married or who have legal custody of a dependent child.
The School of Psychological and Brain Sciences at UMass provides a theory and applied study of the biological, cognitive, developmental, and social bases of behavior.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The undergraduate curriculum for BA in psychology is designed allow students to gain the skills and knowledge to:
- Think in a scientific perspective about behavior and mental processes
- Improve critical thinking skills
- Use broad perspectives to behavior from both an individual and cultural point of view
- Pursue opportunities including employment, graduate school, and professional school
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology is most applicable to those students with a strong science background. The program requires a selection of science and math courses but has a similar core program to the BA in Psychology program. Learning outcomes for the Psychology major (that includes BA, BS and Neuroscience track BS) includes:
- Conceptual skills to evaluate empirical support for various theories and findings
- Conduct literature searches using traditional and technology-based methods and critically evaluate and synthesize finding and understand the connections of psychology to other disciplines.
- Research skills to utilize and evaluate research methods and designs and to use and evaluate basic statistics.
- Applications skills needed to understand the way psychological findings can be used in making informed judgments to strengthen the community and build public policy.
- General skills to communicate (orally and in writing) effectively in the discourse of the discipline
- Understand diversity of behavior and experience; effectively work with others and on teams
- Synthesize the natural science and social science aspects of psychology
- Understand the ethical practice of scientific inquiry and to think scientifically, understanding the relationships between theories, observations, and conclusions.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree program focuses on research and practical experience to prepare students with the tools they will need in their careers. For students with a strong science background, the additional required math and science courses give students a competitive edge to prepare them for a graduate program in psychology or a related area. Graduates of the program will be prepared to pursue careers in many fields, including:
- psychology
- business
- management
- community work
- research
- many more
Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Neuroscience Concentration
Students with a specific interest in neurosciences can select the BS in Psychology and pursue a Neuroscience concentration. This prepares students for entry level careers in neuroscience as well as graduate training in the field.
Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
University of Massachusetts
Department of Psychology
441 Tobin Hall
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-2383
E-Mail: psychology@psych.umass.edu
Program Website
University of Massachusetts-Boston
The College of Liberal Arts
The University of Massachusetts Boston, also known as UMass- Boston, is a public research university. It’s the third-largest campus in the five-campus University of Massachusetts system. The university is located in Boston on a beautiful 177-acre campus.
UMass Boston awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate programs and a distance-learning program. It has an undergraduate enrollment of 12,700 students. There are 11 schools and colleges at UMass Boston.
The mission of the university is providing students with “distinguished scholarship, dedicated teaching, and engaged public service to create new knowledge while serving the public good of our city, our commonwealth, our nation, and our world”. In 2016, US News and World Report ranked University of Massachusetts Boston as a Tier 2 National University. The Psychology Department, at The College of Liberal Arts, provides students with the opportunity to study a wide variety of disciplines.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Psychology is the science of study in the behavior and mental processes. The BA program at UMass Boston exposes students to a variety of methods of studying human beings and other animals. Curriculum focus is on:
- biological structures and mechanisms
- psychological processes
- personalities
- social relationships
The Psychology major is a 12 course program that provides students with a foundation in each of five core areas of the discipline of psychology. The course structure for the BA major prepares students with a broad base of knowledge in the five disciplines of psychology with the opportunity to choose a specialization in an area of interest. The BA degree in psychology requires 12 courses including:
- 5 Intermediate Courses
- 2 Introductory Courses
- Elective Courses
- Two electives (any two psychology courses from any level)
- 1 Advanced Course
- Capstone Requirement
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
While the basic structure of the major remains the same for the BA or BS degree, earning a BS requires that students complete more science courses outside of the major. It specifies two of the course choices within the 12 required courses for the major. Requirements outside the Psychology Department for completion of the BS in Psychology program include the following courses:
- Mathematics – Survey of Calculus or a higher level course in calculus
- Biology 111 and Biology 112
- Four semester-long courses from the departments of biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, or physics
Accreditations
Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
University of Massachusetts – Boston
The Department of Psychology
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, Massachusetts 02125-3393
(617) 287-5000
Program Website
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
The College of Arts and Sciences
Founded in 1895, The University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth is a public coed university and one of five campuses comprising the University of Massachusetts System. The school is located in North Dartmouth. Enrollment is 9,155 undergraduates students. It has 32 graduate programs. In 2016, US News and World Report ranked University of Massachusetts Dartmouth as 83rd best Northern Regional University. The College of Arts and Sciences programs offer students the theoretical and practical foundations for careers in:
- the sciences
- humanities
- social sciences
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior. The four-part curriculum for the BA in Psychology provides students with a broad based introduction to the field of psychology, concentrating on research. A wide range of subfields of psychology are offered through courses emphasizing our biological heritage to those that examine basic human functioning and those that have a distinct applied orientation. There are opportunities for students to participate in independent research and honors research projects, as well as internships in various clinical settings. Learning Outcomes for the program include:
- Knowledge base in Psychology
- Scientific inquiry and critical thinking
- Ethical and Social Diversity in a Diverse World
- Communication
- Professional Development
The curriculum prepares students to pursue graduate education or employment in a variety of human services agencies.
Accreditations
Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
The Department of Psychology
285 Old Westport Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300
(508) 999-8000
Department Office: Liberal Arts 365
E-Mail: sandra.baker@umassd.edu
Program Website
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
College of Fine Arts and Social Science – Department of Psychology
Founded in 1894, The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public coed research university located in Lowell. A part of the University of Massachusetts system UMass, Lowell has an enrollment of 17,000 students. It’s the second largest university in the state. The university awards:
- 120 bachelor’s programs
- 39 master’s programs
- 33 doctoral degree programs
These include nationally recognized programs in:
- engineering
- criminal justice
- education
- music
- science and technology
UMass Lowell is organized into six schools and colleges. The mission of the University is “providing an affordable and accessible education of high quality and to conduct programs of research and public service that advance knowledge and improve the lives of the people of the Commonwealth, the nation and the world”. In 2016, US News and World Report ranked University of Massachusetts Lowell as 156th best Northern University. The Department of Psychology offers both major and minor areas of studies. Undergraduates may earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology available through the on-campus day program and also through online study.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Curriculum for the BA program focuses on the foundation of the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It does this by exposing students to many different areas of psychology. This degree is available through the on-campus day program and in an online format. Students in this program also have opportunities to:
- take part in research
- apply for internships
- work directly with faculty
The Department offers specialized courses in several areas including:
- experimental
- developmental
- social
- community
- personality
- clinical psychology
The program combines theoretical study and scientific research methods with practical application through:
- course work
- field studies
- community involvement
- volunteerism
- supervised independent research
Graduates of this program are prepared for practice or further study in a wide range of areas.
Accreditations
Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
University of Massachusetts
Psychology Department
Richard Siegel, Ph.D.
Psychology Department Chairperson
Health and Social Sciences Building Room 301
One University Avenue
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
(978) 934-4000
E-Mail: academic_affairs@uml.edu
Wellesley College
The Department of Psychology
Wellesley College, located outside of Boston, is a liberal arts college for women and is one of the original Seven Sisters Colleges. Current undergraduate enrollment is 2,323 students on the 500-acre campus. Wellesley College’s mission (as stated by the College) is “to provide an excellent liberal arts education for women who will make a difference in the world”.
In 2016, US News and World Report ranked University of Wellesley College as 4th best National Liberal Arts Colleges. Students can choose from more than 150 student organizations on campus. The school has 14 varsity athletic teams that are part of NCAA Division III East College Athletic Conference. Housing is guaranteed for incoming freshmen. The majority of students live in Wellesley’s 21 residence halls throughout their four years. The goal of the Department of Psychology is to provide high quality teaching, advising, and mentoring of students. The psychology curriculum is designed to be scientifically rigorous and varied.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology program provides a curriculum in the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The faculty help to guide students in their investigation of human nature. Student investigate:
- how the human mind works
- how culture and the environment interact with an individual
- how we may understand ourselves, others, and social interaction
Coursework gives students exposure to many areas of psychology, including:
- clinical psychology
- personality psychology
- child development
- social psychology
- neuropsychology
- educational psychology
- cultural psychology
- cognition
Accreditations
Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Wellesley College
Department of Psychology
Science Center
Margaret Keane – Department Chair
106 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02481
(781) 283-3545
E-Mail: kblake@wellesley.edu
Program Website
With so many accredited degree programs to choose from, there is an ideal program for every undergraduate psychology student. Students who are willing to invest a small amount of time in researching psychology degree programs will be able to find the perfect setting, program and level of flexibility that will help them succeed. Whether you want to major in general psychology or specialize in one of the many sub-fields, you can find a program that offers what you need. Regardless of whether you hope to earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree, there is a program for you.
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