Psychology Degrees & Psychology Courses: Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Psychology is the study of why people think and behave the way they do. Factors such as depression and other mental disorders, marriage and family problems, job stress, addiction, and a growing elderly population contribute to increased demand for psychology services in the United States.* Working as a psychologist requires a doctoral degree; however, with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Kaplan University you may qualify for many entry-level jobs in community mental health centers, vocational rehabilitation centers, and correctional programs.

You may select one of three emphasis areas: child development, applied behavioral analysis, or substance abuse.

Applied Behavioral Analysis Webinar

Pursuing the applied behavioral analysis emphasis area could help you on your way to becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst™ (BCaBA®).^†^‡ This is a recognized credential that indicates professional competence in the field of behavior analysis. Play the webinar to hear more from our faculty on this emphasis area.

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.®, (BACB®) has approved the course sequence of the Bachelor of Science in Psychology’s applied behavioral analysis emphasis area as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst Examination™. You will have to meet additional requirements to qualify, including degree, field experience, and practicum requirements. Refer to the BACB’s website (www.bacb.com) for full eligibility requirements.

Emphasis Areas | Curriculum | Tuition and Fees

Program Highlights

The Kaplan University Bachelor of Science in Psychology program offers a broad liberal arts education combined with an in-depth look at how psychology relates to your everyday life. The program is designed to help you:

Examine the major concepts, values, theories, studies, research methods, and historical trends in psychology as they apply to human behavior, learning, and development
Gain a deeper understanding of psychological theory and methodology
Study diversity and the cultural conditions that motivate people
Utilize the scientific approach to evaluate behavior and mental processes relating to personal, social, and organizational issues

What Are the Career Opportunities?

With a bachelor's degree in psychology, you may pursue employment as a research or administrative assistant, a technician, a teaching assistant, or in other areas such as sales, service, or business management. Jobs are available in early childhood education, residential care, community and human services, and counseling clinics. This program can also help prepare you for continued graduate-level education in psychology, which can significantly broaden your career opportunities and earning potential.^§

A Fast Track to a Master’s Degree

Students enrolled in Kaplan University’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology can choose to complete the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Psychology-to-Master of Science in Psychology option. Designed for high-potential undergraduate students interested in earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology, the accelerated option allows you to work toward your Bachelor of Science in Psychology while simultaneously completing four core courses in the Master of Science in Psychology. If you successfully complete these courses with a minimum course grade, and have applied and been accepted to the Kaplan University Master of Science in Psychology, you will enter a shortened version of the master’s degree program.

The accelerated option allows you to earn your Kaplan University Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science in Psychology at a faster pace and lower cost than completing each degree separately. Qualification for the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Psychology-to-Master of Science in Psychology option is subject to eligibility requirements.^#

Emphasis Areas for the Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Developing your skills in a specific area of psychology may complement your liberal arts education and help you stand out to employers in a competitive job market. Our online psychology program allows you to nurture your unique interests as you plan for your future career. Focus on the area of emphasis that best suits your career goals.

Explore behavioral development from birth to adolescence. Study the various approaches to understanding and helping children with special needs and diverse backgrounds. Gain insight into the importance of social relationships created and maintained during childhood. Career options for graduates include coordinating services for children with developmental disabilities or serving as a child care worker or a child welfare caseworker.

Examine the design, analysis, and application of learning theories and behavioral principles to understand what motivates human behavior. Study the skills required for a myriad of jobs, including working with autistic children and adults with special needs and assisting certified behavioral analysts who conduct research or create behavior modification programs.

Identify the risk factors for substance abuse and investigate prevention, evaluation, and treatment strategies. Selecting this emphasis area may help you prepare for careers in clinical and educational settings working with youth and adults, or for jobs in abuse treatment programs and public health program initiatives.

Child Development
Applied Behavioral Analysis
Substance Abuse

Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Course #	Course Title	Credits
100/200-level	100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
	100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE
	200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE

Course #	Course Title	Credits
CM 206	INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS	5 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS This course introduces students to the principles of interpersonal communication and emphasizes how to be a more effective communicator in professional and personal situations. Emphasis is on interpersonal communication in varying contexts, focusing on professional communication as well as personal, social, and cultural dimensions. Topics include the communication process, the influence of perception on communication, verbal and nonverbal elements of interaction, listening, the communication of emotions, conflict management, and effective communication strategies.
MM 207	STATISTICS	5 STATISTICS This course serves as an introduction to collecting, organizing and summarizing, and analyzing data using statistical software. Topics include basic terminology, measurement, sampling procedures, graphical and numerical descriptions of data, basic probability, and making inferences from a sample to the population. Statistical software is provided in the course and extensive use of that software is required. The course focuses on “thinking with” statistics rather than “computing” statistics.
PS 115	PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM AND PROFESSION	5 PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM AND PROFESSION
PS 200	INTRODUCTION TO COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY	5 INTRODUCTION TO COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the basic principles and theories of cognition including such topics as memory formation, decision making, and problemsolving in both children and adults. The theories will be explained using a combination of traditional cognitive and neuroscience principles. Students will learn how to apply these theories to typical situations faced by psychology professionals in a variety of settings.
PS 210	HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY	5 HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY This course explores the historical origins of psychological study and the influences that have shaped contemporary views of the field. Students will learn about the origins of the study of the mind, the social and cultural factors that shaped the scientific approach to psychology, and modern-day applications of psychology. Students will also be introduced to the major theories and theorists in this discipline.
PS 220	CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY	5 CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY This course will explore the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, moral, and personality development of human beings from conception through the end of adolescence. Students will develop an understanding of developmental theories and research methods used to investigate developmental change, the theoretical bases for our understanding of how human beings change, and the contextual and cultural factors that impact the growth and development of children.
PS 300	RESEARCH METHODS I	6 RESEARCH METHODS I This course provides learners with a basic understanding of the scientific method and how it applies to the field of psychology. It addresses the research methods used in psychology and the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. It also teaches learners when it is appropriate to use one method over the other and how to evaluate the accuracy of the conclusions of a study. Finally, it addresses the ethical issues related to conducting research in psychology.
PS 330	PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT	6 PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT Personality is defined as a consistent pattern of thinking and behaving; it is the basis of "who we are." The theories regarding the development of personality are numerous, and each contributes to the understanding of the factors that define one's personality. This course examines the major psychological theories of personality and explores research dealing with the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Students will apply various theoretical models to real-world examples of normal and abnormal personality development.
PS 410	SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT	6 SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT This course provides an overview of the strategies and tools that are used for the screening and assessment of various age groups. Topics include the history and purpose of assessment, ethical considerations, interviewing and observation techniques, understanding reports of intelligence, and achievement testing. Students will learn how to apply screening and assessment information to their work with children, adolescents, and adults.
SC 235	GENERAL BIOLOGY I-HUMAN PERSPECTIVES	5 GENERAL BIOLOGY I-HUMAN PERSPECTIVES In this introduction to biology, students will explore the living world of humans. The course emphasizes the processes of life from the molecular work of genes and proteins to human organ systems, all the way up to food webs and overpopulation. Practical applications of biology in everyday life are stressed throughout the course. No prior study of biology is required to enroll in this nonmajors course.
PS 124	INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY	5 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY This course provides a broad introduction to the field of psychology, one of the social sciences. Students will be introduced to a range of topics that offer insight into human thought and actions, including what motivate us to study human behavior, ethical decisions, problem solving, and theories on memory, learning, intelligence, and personality. This course will highlight the use of critical thinking and the application of the concepts. In addition, it will draw on practical psychological concepts related to students' personal and professional relationships.
	EMPHASIS AREA COURSES	24 EMPHASIS AREA COURSES
PS 499	BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE IN PSYCHOLOGY	6 BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE IN PSYCHOLOGY This capstone course is the culminating experience for the Bachelor of Science in Psychology. This course builds on the concepts of all the courses students have taken within the program of study. The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their coursework in an original comprehensive project, and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree program.

Course #	Course Title	Credits
	OPEN ELECTIVES*	59 OPEN ELECTIVES*

*Eligible students who choose to complete the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Psychology-to-Master of Science in Psychology option will take four graduate-level courses in addition to selected undergraduate electives.

Course #	Course Title	Credits

PS 340	EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS CHILDREN	6 EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS CHILDREN This course examines the needs of exceptional children. The roles of teachers, parents, and other relevant "others" will be investigated in relationship to current practices, which include mainstreaming, inclusion, least-restrictive environment, and individual education programs.
PS 360	APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS I	6 APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS I This course examines the behavioral theory, principles, and procedures related to modifying existing behaviors and acquiring new behaviors. Students will begin to understand behavioral modification techniques, such as reinforcement, punishment, extinction, discrimination training, generalization, shaping, classical conditioning, conditioned reinforcement, and schedules of reinforcement, by applying these behavioral principles to real-world scenarios. Students will examine how behavioral management can be used in various career fields.
PS 365	APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS II	6 APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS II This course builds on Applied Behavioral Analysis I to further examine the dynamics of behavioral principles. In this course, students will explore advanced Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) theories and apply them to case studies. Students will be able to explain how behavior-environment relationships play instrumental roles in behavior deficits or excesses. This course also will provide students with information on obtaining certification and licensing in the ABA field. Although certain programs at Kaplan University are designed to prepare students to take various certification or licensing exams, the University cannot guarantee the student will pass those exams.
PS 430	PROGRAM DESIGN AND EVALUATION	6 PROGRAM DESIGN AND EVALUATION This course focuses on the process for designing programs that meet the needs of multiple populations. It builds on fundamental concepts for designing individual behavior modification programs and research methods using the framework for social program planning and evaluation.

Course #	Course Title	Credits

PS 340	EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS CHILDREN	6 EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS CHILDREN This course examines the needs of exceptional children. The roles of teachers, parents, and other relevant "others" will be investigated in relationship to current practices, which include mainstreaming, inclusion, least-restrictive environment, and individual education programs.
PS 345	LANGUAGE AND SPEECH DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS	6 LANGUAGE AND SPEECH DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS This course examines the processes of language development in children, while integrating psychological theories and perspectives to explain this human phenomenon.
PS 350	WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN A DIVERSE WORLD	6 WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN A DIVERSE WORLD This course provides an analysis of the cultural factors that impact human development in childhood. Topics include development of cultural identity, the process of acculturation, and the impact of cultural background on social and educational experiences. Students will also explore strategies for working with diverse populations of children and techniques for creating an environment that is respectful and responsive to the needs of this population.
PS 420	SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS IN CHILDHOOD	6 SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS IN CHILDHOOD Current issues in theory and research in developmental psychology will be examined specific to the importance of social relationships in childhood. Topics include emotional development and attachment, cognitive development and social understanding, the importance of peers, how the influence of the family changes as children mature, and the social landscape of adolescence.

Course #	Course Title	Credits

PS 370	HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY	6 HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Students will explore various models and theories of health psychology, examine current research, understand the psychosocial factors involved in the onset and treatment of physical disease and illness, and study the impact of stress on mental and physical health. Students also will learn to develop and implement educational health psychology programming and to explain how health psychology principles will apply in therapy.
PS 375	SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT	6 SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT This course examines the prevention, development, and treatment of substance use, abuse, and dependence among youth and adults. Topics include classification of illicit, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs, physiological and psychological effects of various drugs, the role of the brain in addiction, diagnostic criteria for alcohol and substance abuse and dependence, psychosocial factors involved in the development and maintenance of drug use and abuse, and models of education and treatment programs. Students will explore substance abuse among diverse populations.
PS 380	CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY	6 CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY This course explores the foundations of clinical psychology, including the history, practice, and application of psychology in clinical settings. Students will examine ethical and legal considerations in counseling, the roles and responsibilities of therapist and client, clinical skills, diversity issues, and professional development opportunities. Current topics related to clinical practice will also be covered.
PS 450	CASE MANAGEMENT	6 CASE MANAGEMENT This course provides an overview of case management in clinical settings. Topics covered include: the roles and responsibilities of case managers and counselors, counseling skills, evaluation and assessment of client strengths and needs, treatment planning, administration of services, working within a treatment team, and discharge planning.

Total Program Requirements	180 Total Program Requirements

Core
Major
Open Elective
Emphasis Area/Applied Behavioral Analysis
Emphasis Area/Child Development
Emphasis Area/Substance Abuse
Total Program Requirements

You Could Save Time and Money on Your Kaplan University Degree

Credit for Prior Learning

Our undergraduate degree programs feature large pools of open electives designed to offer greater flexibility when applying transfer credits toward program requirements. In addition, you can enroll in our portfolio development course, which helps you document your work and life experience in a portfolio you can submit for consideration for college credits. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs for undergraduate programs. Refer to the University Catalog for our transfer of credit policy.

Continuing Students

Students who earn their bachelor’s degree at Kaplan University and enroll in a master’s degree program may be eligible for an alumni tuition reduction. For more information, contact your Admissions Advisor.

Students in the Military

Kaplan University is proud to support our military and veterans in their educational pursuits by offering significantly reduced tuition. Undergraduate program tuition is reduced up to 55 percent for active-duty servicemembers and up to 38 percent for veterans. In addition, Kaplan University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for all of our graduate programs, and both active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for special tuition rates for these programs. A 10 percent tuition reduction is also available to spouses of active-duty servicemembers. For more information, call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor or visit the Kaplan University military site.

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour	$371.00
Total program requirements Bachelor of Science in Psychology	180
Total cost of tuition	$66,780.00
This program requires a $100 technology fee per term (online students only). A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships.

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*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Psychologists, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Life-Physical-and-Social-Science/Psychologists.htm (accessed April, 2012). National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
^†The BACB preapproves university training as meeting its eligibility requirements; it does not accredit university programs.
^‡Although certain programs at Kaplan University are designed to prepare students to take various certification or licensing exams, the University cannot guarantee the student will pass those exams. In some cases, field experience, additional coursework, and/or background checks may be necessary to take or to successfully pass the exams.
^§While many of Kaplan University's degree programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued bachelor-, graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any programs.
^#Kaplan University does not guarantee the transferability of credit from any of these sources. See the University Catalog for Transfer of Credit and Prior Learning Assessment policy.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

College of Arts and Sciences