The beautiful state of Michigan is home to many colleges and universities offering bachelor’s Degree Programs in Psychology. Michigan’s many colleges and universities support a surprisingly large array of degree options. The many academic institutions offer both online and on-campus degree options, as well as hybrid learning environments that combine the two. Students can choose whether a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science is a better fit for their career aspirations. You can earn a general psychology degree with a broad Liberal Arts background or a bachelor of science with a stronger emphasis on the scientific method. All of these options allow each student to choose the exact learning environment, degree plan and level of focus that will help them achieve all of their academic goals.
Northern Michigan University
The Department of Psychology
Founded in 1899, Northern Michigan University is a public coed university located in Marquette. The undergraduate enrollment is about 8,000 students. In 2016, US News & World Report ranked Northern Michigan University as the 85th best among Midwest Regional Universities.
All students receive a ThinkPad or iBook laptop included in their tuition. The “Wildcats” compete in NCAA Division II in several athletic conferences, including the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Central Collegiate Ski Association. Northern Michigan University is home to the only U.S. Olympic Education Center in the country. Athletes are trained in speed skating, boxing, and Greco-Roman wrestling.
The mission of the Department of Psychology “is promoting the discovery, transmission, and application of the scientific principles of psychology within the University and the community”.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology degree program includes study in human behavior and insight into psychology as a scientific discipline and professional career. Graduate work is required to qualify for practice in most agencies and for licensure as a private therapist. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology have the opportunity to choose one of four areas of emphasis:
The Early Childhood Major prepares students to become professionals in childcare. They will have the skills required to meet the needs of children from birth to eight years of age. The curriculum also trains students to network with families of young children in a variety of settings. Course work includes the study of child psychology combined with preparation for a career in a multitude of early childhood settings. The program provides numerous field experiences and a series of supportive courses specializing in:
- developing observational/assessment techniques
- child guidance strategies
- active learning teaching procedures
The General Psychology Major serves as a focal point in a general liberal arts education with an emphasis on psychology or as a second major to support a primary major in another field. The program requires 121 credits for completion.
The Behavioral Analysis Major serves as a focal point in a general liberal arts education with an emphasis on psychology or as a second major to support a primary major in another field
The Neuroscience Major prepares students for careers or graduate studies in the field of neuroscience. The major offers a choice of two concentrations:
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, with an Integrative Science Minor. It’s offered through the psychology department
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, with a Pre-Professional Science Minor. It’s offered through the biology department.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
In addition to the BA, students can choose the BS degree program. The BS degree is an ideal fit for students who plan to pursue graduate training in psychology or a related field. The same optional concentrations are available. However, students pursuing the BS degree will focus more heavily on the empirical scientific method and the ways in which psychological research is carried out. BS students will not have to fulfill the foreign language requirements that are mandatory in the BA program. However, those requirements are replaced by additional math and science courses.
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Northern Michigan University
The Psychology Department
Paul Andronis – Department Head
346 Walter Gries Hall
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, Michigan 49855
(906) 227-2935
E-Mail: galbert@nmu.edu
Program Website
Oakland University
The School of Education and Human Services
Founded in 1957, Oakland University is a public coed liberal arts college located in Rochester, about 30 miles northwest of Detroit. Undergraduate enrollment is about 17,000 students. Oakland awards undergraduate degrees in a wide range of areas and more than 30 graduate degree options.
In 2016, US News & World Report ranked Oakland University as Tier 2 for National Universities. The School of Education and Human Services offers undergraduate and graduate study programs with a strong theoretical knowledge base. It also has experiential learning opportunities to prepare graduates for direct entrance into their chosen profession.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA degree program prepares students for a wide variety of careers in the study of the mind, as well as mental and emotional processes. Students are exposed to many of the specialty areas that are contained in this large field. In addition to the core curriculum, students have a wide range of optional elective courses to tailor their undergraduate education to their academic and career aspirations. Graduates of the program can enter the workforce directly after graduation or may pursue graduate education in psychology or other related fields. The BA with a major in psychology requires 44 credits for completion.
Olivet College
Division of Health and Human Performance
Founded in 1844, Olivet College is a private coed liberal arts college located in Olivet. The college is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. Olivet awards 28 bachelor’s degrees programs and a master’s degree in Business Administration. In 2016, US News & World Report ranked Olivet College as the 52nd Best Midwestern Regional College.
The College has an undergraduate enrollment of about 1,000 students. Olivet paired with Albion College and Michigan State in 1888 and founded the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association in. It’s the nation’s oldest collegiate conference.
Students interested in psychology have two-degree options for undergraduate study at the Division of Health and Human Performance. In addition to the traditional Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree, students can also pursue the unique Bachelor of Arts in Sports Psychology degree program.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in psychology major provides students with the opportunity for learning and service and career preparation. While enrolled in this program, students learn:
- to think critically about human behavior
- to respect the complexity and diversity of individuals
- to explore the many applications of psychology essential to helping each other function in peace in an increasingly demanding and global society
Majors will explore the following perspectives:
- The problems perspective studies cause and methods of assessing and treating individual problems
- The cognitive perspective studies how change is influenced by elementary processes of:
- thinking
- learning
- motivation
- The developmental perspective explores change as it occurs through the lifespan
The program emphasizes career preparation in basic and applied social science fields such as:
- counseling
- clinical practice
- child development
- family studies
- gerontology
- rehabilitation
- education
- social work
- health fields
In conjunction with other fields, psychology also supports preparation in:
- business management
- psychiatry
- art or music therapy
The Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology requires 120 semester hours for completion.
Bachelor of Arts in Sports Psychology
The unique BA in Sports Psychology major prepares students for careers in sport psychology. Students are prepared with the behavioral knowledge, understanding, and skills. These enhance the physical and mental performance of those participating in recreation, fitness/exercise and sport settings.
The Sports major prepares students with extensive training in sport and exercise science, along with required psychology courses. Understanding the psychology associated with human movement helps students understand the context of sport and exercise performance. They can then design strategies for achieving peak performance. The major prepares students who want to pursue careers in:
- coaching
- wellness management
- sport management
- life skills programming
- physical rehabilitation
Graduates are prepared to work with patients in hospital wellness or rehabilitation programs, supporting them as they recover from sports-related injuries. Students are also prepared for graduate studies in:
- sport psychology
- sport sociology
- sport management or counseling
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Olivet College
The Division of Health and Human Performance
The Psychology Department
320 South Main Street
Olivet, Michigan 49076
(800) 456-7189
E-Mail: admissions@olivetcollege.edu
Program Website
Rochester College
The Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
Founded in 1959 by the Churches of Christ, Rochester College is a private liberal arts college located in Rochester Hills. It has an undergraduate enrollment of about 1,100 students. The mission “ is cultivating academic excellence, principled character, servant leadership, and global awareness through a rigorous educational experience that integrates liberal arts and professional studies within an inclusive Christian heritage”.
In 2016, US News & World Report ranked Rochester College as the 69th best Midwestern Regional College. Student Development at Rochester College operates within the “Integrated Learning Model.” It collaborates with all campus departments to offer a wealth of co-curricular activities appealing to a range of interests.
Additionally, students can join one of the many teams of Warriors who participate in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Rochester College’s Men’s Ice Hockey program competes in Division I of the American Collegiate Hockey Association and affiliate member of the Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League.
The Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences provides majors for students who want to pursue graduate work in psychology and other related fields. The curriculum is designed to develop strong skills in the theory and practice in psychology. It emphasizes dealing with the emotional, mental, social and spiritual needs of others.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The BS in Psychology major is for students pursuing a career in a mental health field. It and provides a broad-based study of human behavior with insight into psychology as a scientific discipline and professional career. Most students completing this program continue on to graduate school for further training toward licensure as a:
- psychologist
- psychotherapist
- professional counselor
- social worker
The program is also available in an accelerated format. Requirements for the program include completing the following:
- 49 credits of core liberal arts curriculum
- 39 credits of Psychology major
- 18 credits in a minor
- 22 credits of electives
Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science
The BS Degree Program in Behavioral Science includes a track in social work. This degree plan includes a practicum in the student’s chosen field of study. Graduate studies are required to be certified for practice in most agencies and for licensure as a private therapist. Requirements for the BS in Behavioral science includes the following:
- 49 credits of General Core Liberal Arts
- 27 credits of Behavioral Science Coursework
- 18 credits of social work track courses
- 18 credits in a minor (recommended)
- 16 credits of electives
Accreditations
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
Rochester College
800 West Avon Road
Rochester Hills, Michigan 48307
(248) 218-2000
E-Mail Form
Program Website
Throughout Michigan, students can choose from the many undergraduate psychology degree options available. With everything from broad-based Liberal Arts Degrees to highly focused empirically-based degrees, there is something for everyone. A degree in psychology prepares students for further studies at the graduate level, immediate employment in the field of psychology or entrance into a wide variety of other fields ranging from medicine to social work to business and beyond. Psychology can be the start of a number of different careers and different directions.
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