Nevada is home to a wide range of colleges and universities of all sizes, most of which offer options to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology. While some students like the research options available at a larger university, others prefer the small student to instructor ratio of a small college. In Nevada, students can choose which fit is best for them. They can also choose whether they would prefer to earn a degree in a traditional classroom setting or pursue a degree online. There are options for both types of learning styles. Students can have further control over their education by making decisions about which type of bachelor’s degree is right for them. They can decide if they want to earn a general psychology degree or if an area of specialization or concentration will help them achieve their dreams. Regardless of what you aspire to become professionally, a bachelor’s degree in psychology is an excellent option.
National University – The Henderson Campus
The Department of Psychology
Founded in 1971, National University is a private non-profit coed university with four schools and two colleges including:
- the School of Business and Management
- the Sanford College of Education
- the School of Engineering and Computing
- the School of Health and Human Services
- the School of Professional Studies
- the College of Letters and Sciences
The mission of National is “making lifelong learning opportunities accessible, challenging, and relevant to a diverse student population”. The university specializes in providing accessible education to adults who require the flexibility of a learning format that uses a flexible, one-class-per-month program of study. National University spans 28 satellite campuses, providing traditional on-campus learning, as well as 70 online degree programs.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA is an online program that provides students with a comprehensive curriculum in the discipline of psychology. Competencies for graduates of the BA in Psychology program include the following abilities:
- Communicate major theories, concepts, and historical trends in psychology
- Show behavior, cognition, and emotion from multiple schools of thought and multicultural perspectives.
- Identify a problem in psychology by examining evidence, analyze assumptions, and apply research methods in solving the problem
- Use different formats in writing papers in psychology
- Perform information searches relevant to psychology and organize and evaluate the soundness of the information
- Use of current technologies in research and communication
Students in the BA program are required to complete a minimum of 180-quarter units. Graduates are prepared for entry into careers in:
- personnel
- vocation counseling
- criminal justice
- journalism
- entry-level counseling in county-funded agencies or hospitals
They are also prepared to enter master’s or doctoral graduate programs in psychology or related fields.
Bachelor of Arts in Sports Psychology
The online BA in Psychology program can be pursued with a curriculum in the discipline of sports psychology. The program offers students the skills and knowledge to address or direct:
- athletic performance
- motivation
- recovery
Competencies for graduates of the BA in Psychology program include the following abilities:
- Examine current trends in psychological research
- Analyze the ways psychological factors will influence performance in sport, and techniques to increase performance and reduce anxiety
- Examination of the history of sport psychology and its role in contemporary psychological theories and systems
- Knowledge of the influences of diversity and multiculturalism on group interactions and performance
- Apply psychological theory to coaching situations
- Communicate using proper sport and psychology terminology
- Discuss legal and ethical issues existing in sport psychology and performance enhancement
- Communicate knowledge of physiological and motoric principles of performance in sport and physical activity
Graduates of this program are prepared to enter careers in entry-level coaching positions or graduate sports psychology programs.
Bachelor of Science in Organizational Behavior
The online BS in Organizational Behavior studies the behavior of individuals and groups in an organization and how it affects the success of the organization. The coursework provides a core base of knowledge in human behavior, psychology and business. This is critical to help people lead productive lives and to contribute to the achievement of organizational goals and objectives. Competencies for graduates of the BS in Organizational Behavior Program includes the following abilities:
- Write a comprehensive paper (APA style) including the empirical and theoretical study of a specific topic related to the major
- Core knowledge of ethics, responsibility, and legal obligations and apply these principles to personal and professional situations
- Competency to apply group psychology and group dynamics in team building and cooperative/collaborative tasks
- Knowledge of human resource development and training applicable to:
- organizational effectiveness
- performance management
- motivation
- achieving individual, group, and organizational goals
- Knowledge of the history of organizational theory and management practice and communicate it in writing from a psychological perspective.
- Entry-level skills in diagnosis, planning, implementation, and managing organizational change and technological innovation
- Apply human communication and conflict resolution skills in diverse settings with diverse populations
- Identify multiple cultural perspectives and their implication for work place success
- Apply basic methods of collection and interpretation of behavioral and organizational quantitative and qualitative data
The BS in Organizational Behavior program provides a solid foundation for applying knowledge to the workplace and increasing the effectiveness of individuals and work teams.
Accreditations
Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Nevada
National University
The Henderson Campus
The Psychology Department
2850 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway
Suite 300
Henderson, Nevada 89052
(702) 531-7800
E-Mail: rfleck@nu.edu
Program Website
Nevada State College
The School of Liberal Arts and Colleges
Founded in 2002, Nevada State College is located in Henderson , and is the only four-year, comprehensive public institution in Nevada. Nevada State offers more than 35 majors and minors. It’s made up of three schools including:
- the School of Education
- the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- the School of Nursing
Nevada State offers programs in:
- nursing
- education
- business administration
- biology
- psychology
Classes are offered online, in-classroom or in a combination of both. The student enrollment is over 3,500. The college is considered the fastest growing institution of higher education in the state of Nevada. In 2016, Nevada State College ranked Tier 2 for Best West Regional Colleges. The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences provides degree programs in:
- the humanities
- physical and life sciences
- business
- social sciences
Bachelor of Arts/Science in Psychology
The BA and BS psychology major allows students to develop a core understanding of human learning, emotions, and behaviors.The program helps students develop the skills in:
- research
- writing
- problem solving
- synthesizing and evaluating information.
These skills are required to enter careers as:
- social services worker
- intake counselor
- case manager
- referral specialist
Career settings include:
- government
- nonprofits
- residential care organizations
- social service agencies
Graduates are amply prepared for entry into graduate level programs. Competencies for graduates of the Psychology Major include the following abilities:
- Show familiarity with major concepts, empirical findings, theoretical perspectives, and historical trends in psychology
- Apply information analysis and research methods as well as use of technology tools and applications for psychology.
- Development of effective communication and quantitative literacy skills
- Use critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving in psychology
- Apply psychological principles in personal, social, and organizational issues
- Show core understanding of ethical behavior; tolerate ambiguity, value empirical evidence, and respect complexities of sociocultural and global diversity.
- Apply values, skills, and knowledge of psychology to realize personal goals, professional opportunities, and societies needs
Students pursuing a BS in Psychology will receive more advanced training in research methodology and statistical analysis, along with a more thorough understanding of the natural sciences. Students in both the BS and the BA in psychology are required to complete a Field Experience Capstone Course. This allows them to turn their studies into practice working with partners in the community
Accreditations
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
Nevada State College
The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
1125 Nevada State Drive
Henderson, Nevada 89002
(702) 992-2000
Program Website
Sierra Nevada College
The Humanities and Social Science Department
Founded in 1969, Sierra Nevada College is private liberal arts college located in Incline Village. It offers 37 majors and concentrations in five departments. The college is best known for its majors in:
- entrepreneurship
- environmental science
- English creative writing
- ski business & resort management
- fine arts
- education
Sierra Nevada College offers varsity programs in skiing, snowboarding and lacrosse. In 2016, US News & World Report ranked Sierra Nevada College as Tier 2 for Best West Regional Universities.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology provides a study of the nature and causes of human experience. It explores human behavior as well as the pathways and obstacles to living meaningful and fulfilling life. The psychology major provides coursework in the traditional perspectives of psychology:
- psychoanalytical
- behavioral
- social
- biological
- experimental
- developmental
- cognitive
It also has less traditional perspectives including:
- humanistic
- transpersonal
- eco-psychological
Students in the psychology major can:
- participate in internships
- conduct their own research
- present at regionals
Monthly workshops help prepare students to enter graduate programs in psychology. The BA in psychology major requires 6 credits of humanities requirements and 44 credits of psychology requirements ,including a 3-credit capstone course and a 3 credit senior project.
Accreditations
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
Sierra Nevada College
The Humanities and Social Science Department
Christina M. Frederick, Psychology Program Chair
999 Tahoe Boulevard
Incline Village, Nevada 89451
(775) 881-7460
E-Mail: cfrederick@sierranevada.edu
Program Website
University of Nevada – Las Vegas
The Psychology Department
The University of Nevada – Las Vegas is a public coed research university located in the Las Vegas Suburb of Paradise Nevada. The 332 main campus is located two miles east of the Las Vegas Strip. Founded in 1957, the university has a current enrollment of over 23,813 students and provides programs in hotel administration, creative writing, nursing, law and dispute resolution, entertainment engineering, psychology, architecture, sciences and fine arts. The University of Nevada also includes the Shadow Lane Campus, which houses the School of Dental Medicine, the only Dental School in Nevada. In 2016, US News and World Reports ranked the University of Nevada – Las Vegas as Tier 2 for Best National Universities. The Department of Psychology maintains “a rich tradition of excellence in research and teaching as well as service to the university, the community, and the field of psychology”.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology provides a core understanding of the principles of modern psychology – the science of behavior. Coursework outlines the ways in which people learn and act, as well as an investigation into personality, learning, memory, language, emotion, aggression, intelligence, group behavior, and the assessment and treatment of mental disorders. Students are given an in-depth understanding of the brain and other functions that affect human behavior. The course of study offered in this major is designed to prepare students seeking a liberal arts undergraduate degree as well as those students who will pursue advanced training in psychology, education, medicine, or related fields. Learning Objectives include the following abilities:
- Demonstrate a broad based understanding of major theories and findings from the varied sub-disciplines of psychological science
- Conduct and interpret statistical analyses that are currently used in psychological research
- Show an understanding of the methods of psychological research by proposing research studies and critiquing methods that are used in psychological research studies.
- Show core knowledge of psychological theory, statistical analyses, and research methods through clear written and oral communication
- Have basic understanding of research theory and findings in the study in psychological science (including Physiological, Perception, Cognition, Development, Abnormal, and Social)
Accreditations
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
The Department of Psychology
4505 South Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, Nevada 89154
(702) 895-3011
E-Mail: admissions@unlv.edu
Program Website
University of Nevada – Reno
The Department of Psychology
Founded in 1874, the University of Nevada-Reno is a public coed research university. It’s the only land grant institution in the state of Nevada. Undergraduate enrollment is over 16,800 students. The University is home to the School of Medicine, with campuses in Las Vegas and Reno. The University provides programs in:
- environmental literature
- journalism
- Basque studies
- social sciences including psychology
The school includes 16 clinical departments and five nationally recognized basic science departments. In 2016, US News & World Report ranked the University of Nevada-Reno as the 187th best National University. Psychology is one of the largest majors at the University with more than 400 undergraduates majoring in psychology.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – General Psychology Track
Students in the BAPsychology major study core principles of psychology, including:
- human behavior
- motivations
- capacities
- human abilities
It has a goal of eliminating human suffering. Students in program can participate in the applied work of psychology by taking a variety of courses do research in applied projects. The coursework provides an investigation of the unconscious mind. It also studies mental structures and processes underlying human performance. Other areas of study include:
- physiology of the brain and nervous system
- cognition
- learning
- child psychology
- abnormal psychology
- animal behavior
Graduates are prepared to enter graduate programs. They also have a foundation for careers in other fields including:
- medicine
- law
- business
- human services
- management
- sales
Students in the psychology major can choose a specialization track to meet their future goals including:
- The Research Psychology Track requires 40 credits for completion and is students who want to pursue a graduate education in psychology. Students are not required to choose a specific track until their junior year. The core curriculum includes 40 credits of psychology major requirements
- The Behavior Analysis Track prepares students for careers as behavioral analysts serving the needs of the community and contributing to science and practice of behavior analysis.The concentration provides comprehensive training in behavior analysis. It prepares students for graduate study or to enter careers in human services. This track requires completion of 19 credits. The behavior analysis specialization prepares students for certification as Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts. They are eligible for licensure in Nevada as Certified Autism Behavior Interventionists.
Accreditations
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
University of Nevada – Reno
The College of Liberal Arts
The Psychology Department
438 Mack Social Science
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno, Nevada
(775) 784-6828
Program Website
With so many schools offering accredited degree programs, students can find the ideal program and school to fit their needs. There are large universities as well as small, intimate colleges. There are options to earn a degree fully online, as a hybrid option as well as the traditional on-campus route. Students can choose a degree program that leads to a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science. Each student now has the ability to identify their specific needs and then find a school that meets each of those needs.