Why Major in Psychology at PBA?
Think critically about psychology as a science, a practice, and a framework for understanding one another. At PBA, you will examine branches of psychology in relation to each other, as well as relationships between psychology and other disciplines.
In hands-on practice and dynamic discussions, you’ll develop unique perspectives on how God’s Word shapes our understanding of psychology and how psychology informs our approach to sharing and exhibiting the love of Christ. With a B.S. in Psychology, you can pursue career opportunities and graduate or professional programs.
- Christ’s Wisdom: Each course integrates secular concepts with biblical aspects of psychology.
- Statistical Practice: Implement statistical methods in a variety of experimental and lab-based contexts in preparation for higher-level research opportunities.
- Present Research: Exhibit your learning and analysis at a national psychology conference.
- Field Experience: Gain real-world experience as a clinician or researcher to deepen your understanding of the field and expand your resume or grad school applications.
What You’ll Learn
The Bachelor’s in Psychology program at PBA guides you to:
- Exhibit competence in research methodology, analysis, and critical thinking
- Integrate psychological concepts from a Christian perspective
- Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
Preparation for Graduate Studies
At PBA, we build leaders who ask deep questions, think critically, and engage with psychological concepts in diverse contexts. The breadth of your learning in the psychology major, along with hands-on lab research and practicum courses, will prepare you to excel in graduate schools. Many of our B.S. in Psychology graduates progress to the nation’s most prominent graduate and postgraduate programs in psychology and counseling.
Explore a typical course of study for the Bachelor’s in Psychology program.
Program Details
Root your knowledge in broad concepts and theories within psychology, become fluent using statistics to analyze data and design research, and cast your net widely in an additional major or minor, general education classes, and 24+ elective options. Your academic advisor can help you select the courses that will help you succeed in your career and graduate study goals.
You will encounter people from all walks of life as a psychology professional. Our general education program at PBA equips you with a broader sense of the world—its people, functioning, history, and faith—so that you can be a more well rounded and effective colleague, neighbor, and friend.
In the Bachelor’s in Psychology program, you will cultivate understanding of life span development, personality theories, and in-depth principles and practice of statistics and research design. You’ll then select elective courses that align with your career goals, such as sport psychology, behavioral genetics, and procedures in counseling.
Share your academic, social, and personal journey toward professional success and intellectual engagement in the sphere of psychology. The Psychology Club facilitates meaningful relationships, challenging conversations, and collaborative projects where you can serve your community, expand your professional network, and elevate your undergraduate experience.
Prepare for your next steps—in the workforce or in graduate school—in one of two experiential learning opportunities. The research practicum course equips you for higher level academic work as you collaborate with a faculty member on a unique research project. In the field experience in psychology, put theory into practice in a real-world supervised clinical setting.
Psychology Careers
A robust foundation in psychological principles and practices can prepare you for diverse career paths. Once you graduate, you may choose to pursue entry-level roles in social work, human resources, and certain types of community-focused counseling.
Or, like many of our B.S. in Psychology alumni, you can apply to some of the nation’s top graduate programs to conduct research and work towards certification as a psychologist, counselor, or therapist. Some highly qualified roles, like psychologist, are similarly highly paid; the median annual salary for psychologists is over $85,000.
Other career paths include:
- Career Counselor
- Rehabilitation Specialist
- Case Manager
- Psychiatric Technician
