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Psychology, BA

Are you fascinated by how people think and behave? Study psychology through specialized research opportunities, such as tracking eye movement to understand emotions and using motion-tracking technology to examine nonverbal cues when someone is lying.

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Students engage in dicussion as they walk around campus, exploring human behavior in ASU's Psychology, BA program.

Quick facts

Courses

120 credit hours
Math intensity: Moderate program math intensity moderate
First required math course: MAT 119 - Finite Mathematics
or a higher level MATH course
View more details

Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Available accelerated bachelor's/master's degree program options may vary by modality (online vs. on-campus). Students should contact their academic advisor for more information.

Degree description

Psychology degree description

Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior. This diverse field includes mental health and counseling, as well as child development, neuroscience and brain function, memory and decision-making, behavior analysis, statistics and more. It also crosses over into other disciplines, including medicine, law, business and economics.

All New College psychology programs have a quantitative research focus, equipping you with skills in critical thinking, statistical analysis and academic writing. The Bachelor of Science differs from the Bachelor of Arts in that it requires additional lab science coursework and advanced statistical training, both of which are increasingly important for destinations in research or clinical practice. The BA program allows for exposure to a wider breadth of psychological and related topics through additional elective coursework. Both pathways provide a strong foundation for your future graduate studies.

Why study psychology at ASU?

In this psychology program, you can explore forensic psychology, health psychology, positive psychology, psychology and law, organizational behavior and more. Internships, supervised research or other hands-on learning prepares you to apply psychological concepts in professional and community settings.

Get involved beyond the classroom through Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, and connect with fellow students in the Psyched Up Sun Devils community, a virtual psychology club.

Courses

Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.

Sample courses
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSY 230 Introduction to Statistics
PSY 290 Research Methods
PSY 211 The Criminal Mind
PSY 300 Psychological Literacy and Career Development
PSY 320 Learning and Motivation

Course checksheet and curriculum archive

The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.

What If

Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).

Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.

If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.

See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)

Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.


Explore expanded study opportunities

This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program

Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Global experience

Studying abroad enables students in the psychology program to be exposed to distinct differences in the human condition worldwide.

With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Students in these programs build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships around the world, increasing their professional network. Participation in study abroad programs provides students with the heightened cultural competency and strengthened leadership and critical thinking skills that enhance their resumes and help them stand out in a competitive career field. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences can explore how their varied fields and interests interact in different settings around the world.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Build the career and future you want

Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

Career opportunities showing job titles, projected growth rates, median salaries, and links to detailed information
Career Growth Median Salary More Information
Addictions Counselor 18.4% $59,350
Behavioral Health Specialist 2.3% $71,900
Counselor (General) 5.9% $50,860
Licensed Clinical Psychologist 11.7% $100,580
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) 13.5% $66,940
Mental Health Counselor 18.4% $59,350
Probation Officer 3.0% $66,270
School Psychologist 0.8% $95,990
Social Worker 4.4% $59,550
Substance Abuse Social Worker 10.3% $60,280

Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.

Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).


More about careers

Careers this psychology degree prepares you for

A degree in psychology prepares graduates for a career in:

  • government (sales and marketing, human resources management)
  • industry
  • mental health professions (youth counselor, substance abuse counselor)
  • social services (high school psychology teacher, occupational analyst)

The degree also provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in fields such as public administration, law, family studies, communication and the various graduate program fields in psychology:

  • clinical and counseling
  • cognitive neuroscience
  • developmental
  • environmental
  • experimental
  • health
  • legal
  • physiological
  • social

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences | FAB N101
SBSadvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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