Aspiring mental health professionals choosing to study in the “Empire State” hit the jackpot with the vast number of top-notch bachelor’s in psychology degree programs in New York. Lying in the Northeast, New York is the country’s fourth most populous state with around 19.8 million residents. The United States’ largest city, New York City, is located within its borders to provide unmatched education and research opportunities. As the nation’s largest immigrant entry point, New York has a diverse, fast-paced culture that demands psychology graduates. In fact, the BLS reports that New York has the second-highest employment level of clinical, counseling, and school psychologists nationwide with an average mean salary of $86,820. Around 5,890 mental health counselors are employed across New York too. That’s important because the National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that 670,000 NYS adults have serious mental health conditions. Get your career started in the fascinating study of the human mind with these psychology bachelor’s programs in New York.
D’Youville College
Dr. Charles and Mary Schweitzer Bauer School of Arts, Sciences and Education
Affiliated with the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, D’Youville College is a private, non-profit Roman Catholic liberal arts institution established in 1908 and educating approximately 3,200 students per term. From its beautiful 17-acre urban campus in the historic Prospect Hill district of Buffalo’s West Side, D’Youville grants over 45 bachelor’s programs with five-year tracks in dietetics and occupational therapy. Ranked in America’s top 20 percent of seniors for economic value by The Economist, D’Youville was deemed a “Best for Vets” school in Military Times EDGE magazine. The Dr. Charles and Mary Schweitzer Bauer School of Arts, Sciences and Education delivers liberal arts-based preparation rooted in Catholic values to encourage responsible global citizenship.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology
As D’Youville College’s fifth most popular major, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology program gives undergraduates the opportunity to examine multiple dimensions centered on the human mind, behavior, and thought. With a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, the program allows for individualized mentoring from accomplished professors rather than TAs. The 120-credit curriculum features 41 credits of psychology core and 21 credits of psychology electives. Students can tailor their study in developmental psychology, physiological psychology, social psychology, abnormal/clinical psychology, or cognitive psychology. Seniors apply their high-quality instruction through the D’Youville internship program. Typical field placements include Buffalo Psychiatric Center, Holland Central Schools, Erie County Family Court, and Avalon Eating Disorder Center. There are also CAPA affiliate study abroad trips from Shanghai to Buenos Aires. Admission will require a minimum high school average of 80 percent and SAT score above 980.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
SASE Building 2nd Floor
320 Porter Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14201
(716) 829-7751
abbottp@dyc.edu
Program Link
Daemen College
Department of Psychological Sciences
Founded in 1947 by Mother Magdalen Daemen as Rosary Hill College, Daemen College is small private, co-educational liberal arts institution endowed for $17 million to educate around 2,100 undergraduate students. Offering a competency-based curriculum in over 30 majors, Daemen is located on 35-acre suburban campus in Amherst just 11 miles northeast of Buffalo. Honored among the nation’s “50 Best Value Small Colleges,” Daemen has earned the Presidential Points of Light National Service Award for volunteer activities. Daemen is among the country’s top 240 institutions given the Community Engagement classification from Carnegie. Within the Department of Psychological Sciences, students develop “people” skills and ethical discernment in classes primarily with less than 20 peers.
Psychology B.A.
Based in the liberal arts and humanities, the Psychology B.A. program at Daemen College is designed to equip undergraduates with scientific understanding on human behavior to become engaged advocates for bettering community well-being. During the first year, students live in learning communities to build long-lasting connections. Introductory psychology coursework begins the second semester. The 120-credit curriculum allows for 18 credits per semester, or more for Dean’s List members. There’s also a 1+2+1 option available at partnering Genesee Community College. Psychology majors customize their learning with +PLUS Pathways, such as Aging, Gender Issues, Global Business, Health Policy, Human Resource Administration, and Mental Health. Daemen provides in-depth exposure to various psychological theories for internship application in local community agencies. Those interested in graduate school are also encouraged to participate in Sona-Systems research.
Psychology B.A. with Applied Behavior Analysis Sequence
As Western New York’s only program of its kind, the Psychology B.A. with Applied Behavior Analysis Sequence fulfills the certification requirements for undergraduates to become Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA). After completing the same psychology core, students specialize their knowledge in designing interventions that improve individuals’ daily living skills. The ABA option takes a behavioral approach to treating clients with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual impairment, ADHD, and other disabilities. This four-year sequence devotes one semester to earning 600 to 1,000 clock hours of supervised internship. Applied experience will build upon coursework for behavior modification, child development, learning theory, counseling, psychology assessment, and cognition. Some complement their ABA sequence with a Minor in Special Education. Alumni have found success at Rochester General Hospital, Amherst Youth Board, Child Advocacy Center of Niagara, and more.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Curtis Hall Room 202
4380 Main Street
Amherst, NY 14226
(716) 839-8257
demer@daemen.edu
Program Link
Dominican College of Blauvelt
Division of Social Sciences
Enrolling around 2,00 students, Dominican College of Blauvelt has developed from a teacher’s college into a comprehensive four-year private, non-profit Catholic institution historically affiliated with the Dominican Sisters. With a student-faculty ratio of 15:1 for over 35 majors, Dominican is nestled on a 70-acre suburban campus in Orangeburg just 17 miles north of New York City near Rockland Psychiatric Center. Noted for having Rockland County’s highest number of national accreditations at seven, Dominican was named the 641st best masters-level institution for civic engagement nationally by Washington Monthly. The Division of Social Sciences examines the human experience with majors in criminal justice, history, psychology, and social work.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology
Following the APA’s undergraduate guidelines, the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology is available either online or on-site at Dominican College’s Rockland County campus. Traditional students progress through a full-time, 120-credit curriculum to study general psychology theories on how people think, feel, and act. Online students take an accelerated, three-year approach for completing 42 psychology credits and 36 robust general education credits. Both B.A. learning options provide the foundation for becoming a behavioral health technician, case manager, rehabilitation specialist, vocational counselor, and more. In preparation for grad school, students can also conduct research for presenting at the Hudson Valley Undergraduate Psychology Conference. Psychology majors are advised by faculty who hold doctorates in their sub-specialties. Online learners may qualify for tuition deferment if supported by a company or union while deepening their professional knowledge.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
470 Western Highway
Orangeburg, NY 10962
(845) 848-4074
kelly.johnson@dc.edu
Program Link
Elmira College
Social & Behavioral Sciences Department
Endowed for $38 million, Elmira College is a private, co-educational liberal arts institution first established in 1855 by the “Friends of Education” and known for granting the nation’s first equivalent bachelor’s degree to women. Maintaining enrollment around 1,200, Elmira stands upon a 42-acre suburban campus in New York’s Southern Tier just 10 miles from the Pennsylvania border. Honored for America’s 161st most grateful grads in Forbes, Elmira is ranked the 11th best college, fourth top value, and seventh-best school for veterans in the North by the U.S. News. With a student-faculty ratio of 11:1, the Social & Behavioral Sciences Department aims to investigate the complexities of human behavior from a cross-cultural perspective.
Psychology Major
Leading to a Bachelor of Science, the Psychology Major at Elmira builds the base for undergraduates to pursue future master’s or doctoral study that examines the mental processes that determine how humans and animals behave. In an energetic, research-oriented learning atmosphere, students progress through a 48-credit major. Coursework branches out into diverse psychological theories, including experimental, personality, social, cultural, abnormal, cognitive-behavioral, and physiological psychology. Available electives range from juvenile delinquency to chemical dependency and linguistics. Since 1971, Elmira has hosted an active Psi Chi National Honor Society chapter. Students can also join the Psychology Club for service learning projects. The B.S. will require completing a capstone research seminar and project. Many present their findings at the Elmira College Student Research Conference in Cowles Hall. There’s also a 15-credit Psychology Minor offered.
Human Services Major
Prospective psychology students planning to entry-level employment in social welfare positions are encouraged to pursue the Human Services Major. This Bachelor of Arts program consists of 120 total credits using an applied, practice-oriented approach to produce ethical professionals for meeting society’s diverse human needs. Two specialization options are available for Correctional Services or Early Childhood Services. Coursework will include psychology, sociology, counseling, child development, criminology, family assessment, personality, aging, abnormal psychology, and social casework. Human service majors meet with faculty advisors to select an internship placement suitable to their career goals. At least 80 clock hours are required in settings like Chemung County Family Services or Elmira Psychiatric Center. Job postings are conveniently found in the College Central Network (CCN). Students often join the college’s Amnesty International, Red Cross, or Relay for Life clubs too.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Gillett Hall Room 17
1 Park Place
Elmira, NY 14901
(607) 735-1897
agraf@elmira.edu
Program Link
Fordham University
Department of Psychology
As a premier private, co-educational Roman Catholic and Jesuit research institution, Fordham University enrolls more than 15,100 students yearly on its main 85-acre urban campus in the Rose Hill neighborhood of the Bronx and satellite center in Manhattan. Consistently named among the Princeton Review’s “Best 380 Colleges,” Fordham is ranked the 66th best national university and 55th top school for veterans by the U.S. News. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance crowned Fordham the nation’s 76th best private value for a reputation of producing millionaires, including Donald Trump. The Department of Psychology is further acclaimed for hosting the 141st best psychology degrees in the United States.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Fordham’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology program immerses undergraduates in the discovery of psychological science for applying critical thinking skills and knowledge of human behavior in the vocational lives. The rigorous, 124-credit curriculum synthesizes theory with practice to serve populations whose human dignity is most vulnerable. Using the APA’s guidelines, the curriculum delves into social psychology, mental health, cognition, human development, statistics, abnormal psychology, personality, perception, and neuroscience. Starting in the first introductory course, students get involved in research with Ph.D.-level faculty mentors. Credit-earning fieldwork is available at sites like the Bronx Psychiatric Center, New York Hospital, and Astor Day Care. Fordham majors can select from over 150 study abroad programs, including the Gabelli London campus. All B.S. courses are face-to-face at the Rose Hill or Lincoln Center campuses.
Five-Year Accelerated M.S. in Applied Psychological Methods
Undergraduates looking to save time and tuition could pursue Fordham’s Five-Year Accelerated M.S. in Applied Psychological Methods beginning in their junior year. Students complete their bachelor’s and master’s degree concurrently for mastering the statistical methods utilized in psychological experiments. For the M.S., majors can follow the Program Evaluation or Tests and Measures track to specialize further. Fordham University uniquely blends data analytics with social science to prepare for qualitative positions. Coursework looks in-depth at structural equation modeling, experimental design, data mining, psychometric theory, and multivariate analysis. In addition to the above B.S. requirements, students must complete a four-month internship in the New York City Metro. Collaborating partners include Isabella Geriatric Center and Jewish Home Lifecare. Students design effective problem-solving solutions for their agency rather than writing a thesis.
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Fordham Rose Hill Campus
Dealy Hall Room 226
441 East Fordham Road
Bronx, NY 10458
(718) 817-3775
barbieri@fordham.edu
Forham Lincoln Center Campus
Lowenstein Hall Room 819A
33 West 60th Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 636-6310
mrealbuto@fordham.edu
Program Link
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