What you will study
All students majoring in Psychology take classes that build a foundational understanding
of psychology and its subfields. Start with courses that all Psychology majors take.
These include:
- General Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Theories of Personality
- Life-Span Development
As a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology student, you’ll also study a foreign language
to prepare you for Psychology BA jobs that need a well-rounded cultural understanding.
In addition to your language classes, you can choose a group of courses (among four
options) that provide a solid grasp of certain discipline concentrations.
Degree completion option for Psychology BA students
Are you a working adult trying to finish your bachelor’s degree while balancing other
responsibilities? The University of Central Missouri makes it easy to complete your
BA in Psychology through a combination of classes offered online and at our Warrensburg
campus in the Kansas City metro area.
As long as you’ve completed general education requirements or have an associate degree,
you can finish your bachelor’s as a part-time student in as few as four semesters.
Excellence in Psychology
- Our thorough, engaging courses meet the standards and goals set by the American Psychological
Association for undergraduate psychology programs.
Unique learning opportunities in UCM’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program
Gain tangible experience practicing the skills and theories you learn in class to
build a deeper understanding of your undergraduate program coursework.
- Faculty advising: Our expert faculty make it a top goal to help you through the BA in Psychology program
and provide you with the support you need to succeed. You’ll have a dedicated faculty
mentor who can help you choose the right classes to achieve your ambitions and prepare
you to apply for Psychology BA jobs after graduation.
- Undergraduate research: Even if you’re not in the Psychology BS program, you can get experience doing real
research with a faculty mentor. You may even have the opportunity to present your
work at conferences and in co-authored papers.
- Advanced facilities: If you choose to take a research course, you’ll get to work in our advanced laboratories
to build experience for jobs with a BA in Psychology.
- Student activities: Participate in student clubs focused on the interests of Psychology majors. Attend networking events, perform
community service, further each other’s education and learn about available jobs with
a BA in Psychology. Student groups include Psychology Club and Psi Chi, the international
honor society in psychology.
What can you do with a Psychology BA degree from UCM?
You’ll be ready to apply your Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree to a wide range
of fields. Draw on your understanding of behavioral theories to enhance your performance
in fields such as:
- Criminology
- Human resources
- Journalism
- Marketing
- Political science
Because of the foreign language courses, you can also stand out from other job candidates
who may not bring those extra skills to a job application.
If you plan to apply to grad school, your BA in Psychology degree will prepare you
for advanced studies in almost any master’s program.
Finding jobs with a BA in Psychology
The tool below will help you explore career possibilities with a BA in Psychology.
It also provides salary information, employment trends and other details to help you
jumpstart your career.
Financial assistance options for your BA in Psychology
The cost of college doesn’t have to follow you for the rest of your life. At the University
of Central Missouri, we offer many ways to make your Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
degree affordable and help you finance your education.
On top of university-wide financial aid, UCM also provides grants, scholarships and
tuition awards that are exclusive to students studying in the Psychology BA program.
These include:
- Arthur J. Ter Keurst Scholarship
- Jerome M. Sattler Award
- Joseph J. Ryan Scholarship
- Psi Chi Awards and Grants
- Robert N. Higgins Memorial Scholarship
- Tuition Awards
You can learn more about program-specific scholarships at the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Meet Dr. Kim Stark
Expert in issues of diversity and applied research
Dr. Stark infuses her psychology courses with expertise gained in her research on
issues of diversity. This includes the sociocultural influences on the development
of disordered eating and vocational issues that impact women, ethnic minorities and
other disenfranchised groups.
Meet the Faculty
Meet Hailey P.
BA Psychology ’19
Find out how to transfer credits easily into UCM’s Bachelor of Arts Psychology Program.
Watch the Video
Meet Dr. David Kreiner
Expert in language processing and memory
Dr. Kreiner brings his background studying the instruction of psychology to students
in his General Psychology and History of Psychology courses. He also focuses his work
on cognitive psychology and statistics as used in the behavioral sciences.
Meet the Faculty
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B.A. Completion Program at Lee’s Summit
For busy, career-driven students, the B.A. Psychology program can help you complete
your degree in psychology. You can complete the psychology major requirements through
a combination of online courses and courses that meet face-to-face at our beautiful
facility in Lee’s Summit. You can complete the psychology requirements part-time,
in four semesters, if you have already completed general education requirements or
earned your Associate’s degree.
Recommended Sequence for Completing at Lee’s Summit
This sample plan shows how the major requirements in Psychology could be completed
in two years. Students should also plan to complete any remaining degree requirements
such as General Education (if not coming in with a completed Associate’s degree),
Modern Language Requirement, and Electives.
It is assumed that students have already completed Psy 1100 (General Psychology) or the equivalent; if not, it can be taken online during the summer.
See the UCM Undergraduate Catalog for specific degree requirements.
Check the complete B.A. in Psychology requirements to determine if you need additional courses to complete your degree.
FALL SEMESTER YEAR 1 Psy 1000 Orientation to Psychology – UCM Lee's Summit Psy 3340 Social Psychology –UCM Lee's Summit Psy 4150 Cognitive Psychology – online
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SPRING SEMESTER YEAR 1 Psy 3120 Brain and Behavior – online Psy 2130 Learning - online
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SUMMER YEAR 1
Psy 3030 Introduction to Statistics for Psychology - online Psy 3220 Lifespan Development – online
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FALL SEMESTER YEAR 2 Psy 3100 Research Methods – online Psy 4440 Abnormal Psychology –UCM Lee's Summit
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SPRING SEMESTER YEAR 2 Psy 4310 Theories of Personality – online Psy 4110 History of Psychology –UCM Lee's Summit
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