Our considered and flexible programs produce graduates with a deep foundational understanding of psychology.
Psychology is the study of the mind, the brain, and behavior, which covers a wide range of topics, such as understanding different forms of mental illness, how we learn and think, how we interact with others, and how our nervous system works. Psychology is a research-based field, and we emphasize the scientific method in our classes. The field also covers how psychological knowledge can be applied -- such as treating disorders, providing counseling, enhancing employee health, assessing cognitive skills, and improving educational techniques.
Psychologists examine human behavior and help patients — young and old and from all walks of life — work through their problems. Because of the field's broad range, psychology students might pursue careers in clinical psychology, counseling, school psychology, social work, family therapy, research, business, or a career in education. At Southern, students get a comprehensive education in psychology as well as focused training in their specific area of interest, whether it’s the mental health field, neuroscience, cognitive science, or applied psychology.
Program Features
Our flexible programs allow a fair degree of student choice regarding course topic and modality while ensuring that the objectives of each program are achieved. Students in all three undergraduate programs have the opportunity to complete internship or practicum experiences that give them further training for their intended career.
Topics Covered
- Methods of Scientific Inquiry: statistics and research design
- Individual and Social Systems: personality and social psychology
- Developmental Psychology: changes across the lifespan
- Applied Psychology: applying psychological findings in systems such as schools, the workplace, and medical care
- Basic Processes: the role of learning, cognition, perception, and neuroscience in behavior
- Seminars and Advanced Scientific Inquiry: advanced topics and research experiences
Concentrations
Psychology, B.A. - General
For students who have broad interests in the field of psychology and who want the flexibility to pursue different career paths, this degree provides training in the experimental methods of scientific psychology as well as the principles of behavior and mental processes. Classes range from surveys of broad topics to an experimental psychology lab course to high-level special topics seminars. Research internships, a thesis, and an independent study project are highly encouraged.
Psychology, B.A. - Mental Health
The Mental Health concentration is specifically geared toward students with an interest in the fields of behavioral and mental health. In addition to providing a solid grounding in the principles of psychology, the concentration offers upper-level seminars in counseling, psychological assessment, and clinical psychology. The capstone of the program is a semester-long field practicum, in which students gain hands-on experience in a professional mental health setting.
The Psychology Mental Health concentration is an excellent option for students who plan to pursue a career in a mental health profession, such as Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, Clinical Psychology, and School Counseling. These fields require post-graduate degrees, and the Mental Health program improves students’ competitiveness for acceptance into these graduate programs.
Psychology, B.S. - General
The B.S. in psychology is specifically geared toward students interested in pursuing research in psychology and behavioral neuroscience, assessment and testing methods, and the applications of psychology to the workplace and public policy. The program has a focus on upper-level seminars, with choices that can be tailored to the student’s specific interests, and includes courses taken outside of the major to complement the psychology coursework. The capstone of the program is a semester-long research field practicum, in which students gain hands-on experience in a research setting.
Students in the BS program can choose courses to follow specific tracks of study:
- Behavioral Neuroscience (BNS)
- For students interested in the biological basis of behavior
- Preparation for graduate training/careers in STEM fields such as neuroscience, biotechnology, or medicine.
- Cognitive Science (CogSci)
- For students interested in topics such as language, reading, attention, neuropsychology, and cognitive and developmental disabilities
- Preparation for graduate training or careers in research psychology, technology, and communication disorders.
- Applied Psychology & Assessment (AP&A)
- For students interested in psychological testing and other professional applications of psychology. Course selection can be tailored to your specific interests.
- Preparation for graduate training or careers in school psychology, assessment and quantitative psychology, industrial/organizational and human factors psychology, health psychology, and public policy
The B.S. in psychology is an excellent option for students who want to:
- Increase their competitiveness for master's and Ph.D. programs in research and applied psychology
- Pursue a career in testing and assessment, including school psychology or a Psy.D.
- Apply to medical school
- Work in a research laboratory
- Work for a biotechnology company
Psychology, B.S. - Applied Behavior Analysis
Psychology, B.S. - Recreation Therapy
Learning Outcomes
- Psychology as a discipline that investigates questions using the scientific method
- How psychology can be applied to real problems
- Application of quantitative reasoning to psychological questions
- The use and importance of critical thinking in the discipline
- How to write effectively in the discipline
Careers
An undergraduate degree in psychology prepares students for careers that draw on skills in understanding human behavior, communication, and research. Graduates may pursue entry-level roles in social services, human resources, marketing, education, or mental health support. Psychology majors are also valued in business settings for roles in training, customer relations, and organizational development. While many pursue graduate study to become licensed psychologists or counselors, the degree offers versatile opportunities in fields that require empathy, problem-solving, and analytical thinking.
Typical Job Titles
- Psychologist
- Counselor
- Research Assistant
- Social Worker
- Human Resources Manager
- Rehabilitation Specialist
- Behavioral Health Technician
- Mental Health Technician
- Case Manager
- Occupational Therapist