Program Overview
Psychological Science (Psychology) is the study of the mind and behavior. It is a diverse scientific discipline comprising several major branches of research (e.g., experimental, biological, cognitive, lifespan developmental, personality, social), as well as several subareas of research and applied psychology (e.g., clinical, industrial/organizational, school and educational, human factors, health, neuropsychology). Research in psychology involves observation, experimentation, testing, and analysis to explore the biological, cognitive, emotional, personal, and social processes or stimuli underlying human and animal behavior. The practice of psychology involves the use of psychological knowledge for any of several purposes: to understand and treat mental, emotional, physical, and social dysfunction; to understand and enhance behavior in various settings of human activity (e.g., school, workplace, courtroom, sports arena, battlefield); and to improve machine and building design for human use (American Psychological Association, 2018).
The B.S. has more requirements within psychology than the B.A., especially at the upper-level, but does not require a minor. If you plan on pursuing graduate studies in psychology or a related field, the B.S. option may be best for you. This program places a stronger emphasis on math, science, and lab science courses. However, preparation for a particular career comes with the courses you choose to take, not the degree that you earn.