Major in Psychology (Bachelor’s)

A bachelor’s degree can increase your eligibility for some jobs in the human service or mental health fields, but many positions require a master’s degree. Generally, advanced education leads to more opportunities. An advanced degree (master’s or doctoral degree) in psychology can prepare you to practice in a clinical setting. Doctoral programs can take several years to complete and are often followed by supervised clinical hours. If you aspire to do counseling but not teach, a master’s may be adequate, but to teach or pursue other advanced positions, a Ph.D. may be preferred or required.

If you choose to pursue an advanced degree, CU Denver’s graduate programs can help you become an ethical, skilled clinician who is culturally competent and sensitive to client characteristics and preferences. 

Psychology prepares students for several career paths both within and outside of the field of psychology. The program produces well-rounded graduates who have in-demand skills in communication, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and analytical reasoning, which employers seek and value. Understanding human behavior is a critical factor for success in many industries. Knowledge of the human mind and research skills puts graduates a step ahead of others.

There are several fields and dozens of occupations where a psychology degree can be applied, which is what makes it such a popular and accessible degree for students. Below is a list of some general career paths for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology:

• Human Resources
• Education / Teaching
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Criminal Justice
• Healthcare
• Philanthropy / Fundraising
• Veterans Services

Note that some career paths may require additional training, certifications or education to qualify for practice. 

Many students choose to go on to graduate school to study psychology and work in a clinical setting, or they may choose a different area of study. Graduates also choose to enter the workforce working in a wide variety of occupations and industries, as referenced previously.

Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat people with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and often serve diverse populations. After earning a bachelor’s degree, aspiring clinical psychologists must earn an advanced degree, which can take 6-10 years depending on your course load. Many states require supervised clinical hours before you can take the test to qualify for licensure.

Online learning offers the flexibility to study at the place and time that works best for you. You can choose a pace that is sustainable for your lifestyle, which helps you take into account your current career, family, and commitments outside of school.

Additionally, at the University of Colorado, our online programs are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, which means you’re earning the same high-quality degree as students on campus, and your diploma will not mention that your degree was earned online.

Online courses are taught by the same professors that teach in-person classes. This ensures that you receive the same education and learning experiences as on-campus students. The primary difference is with the delivery format. Your online courses will all be taught in Canvas, the learning management system (LMS). You are responsible for logging in, accessing course content, and completing any requirements of the course. All of your coursework will be completed online with support from your professors.

As you weigh the options of a BA or BS degree, you will want to consider what you plan to do after college. For example, a Bachelor of Arts degree is more ideal for counseling psychology, social work, industrial or organizational psychology, social psychology, and developmental psychology. A Bachelor of Science is more ideal for students interested in biopsychology, psychopharmacology, neuroscience, psychiatry, neuropsychology, sports psychology, physical therapy, pharmacy, genetic counseling, and more. While the BA and BS have many areas of overlap, the BS degree focuses more on biological and physical sciences.

The BA in Psychology is offered fully online, which means you will not be required to take courses at our campus. Our fully online classes are recorded rather than streamed live, so you’ll be able to learn on your schedule. We welcome students from Denver, Colorado, throughout the United States, and internationally. Students are welcome to take courses from anywhere in the world, you do not need to be located in the United States.

Students can apply for a lifetime membership to Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Becoming a member distinguishes you as an outstanding student in the field of psychology. Members can participate in events that focus on scholarship, volunteerism, and social networking.