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College of Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Our psychology program builds your interpersonal and analytical skills while teaching key psychological principles. This program opens doors to many exciting careers.

Program Details

Official Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Format
In Class-Day
In Class-Day
Credit Hours
120
Program Start
Fall Semester
Application Deadline
Apply Anytime
Average Time to Degree
4 Years

Why Get Your Degree at DeSales University?

Choosing a psychology degree from DeSales University gives you the chance to explore many career pathways and specialized tracks. With four distinct tracks and two accelerated Master’s programs, you can tailor your education to your goals. Our supportive faculty-student interactions and hands-on learning experiences are led by experienced and dedicated professors. Graduates have entered diverse fields such as education, law enforcement, mental health counseling, and social work. Some students have gone on to pursue master’s degrees. At DeSales you will develop the skills and knowledge, needed to make a meaningful impact in your chosen field

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Program Highlights

Multiple Pathways to Success

  • Our psychology program lets students explore their individual passions and interests. With four tracks in different psychological fields and one track in teaching, you can follow your interests. Plus, you can get either a Master’s in Criminal Justice or Business Administration in just one year after graduation.

Proven Outcomes

  • Build a strong foundation for a successful future in a variety of fields through our curriculum. It is founded upon supportive faculty-student interactions that foster important skills. Our students have gone on to pursue careers in a range of areas including early childhood education, law, mental health counseling, nursing, social work, and more.

Personal Support

  • Receive personalized support from experienced faculty who are committed to your academic success and professional development. Our faculty will help you through internships and the graduate school process if you choose to pursue such experiences.

What Will You Study?

All psychology students are required to complete 48 credit hours of curriculum courses, in addition to the university’s standard academic requirements.

Our psychology curriculum is founded upon supportive faculty-student interactions in the classroom, seminars, and independent research courses that are all tailored to link theory and practice.

Our core courses include:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Human Development
  • Psychobiology
  • Psychological Logic
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Research Methods & Statistics

Program Tracks & Pathways

Swipe below to discover more!

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Tracks

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Track

Applied Psychology

Want to work in forensic, industrial/organizational, or sport psychology, or pursue a research-focused graduate program? The Applied Psychology Track will prepare you with the analytical skills and knowledge needed to address real-world issues and make an impact after DeSales.

Courses You May Take Include:

  • Leadership Self Development: DeSales Experience
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Dangerous Minds: The psychology of Antisocial Behavior
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Sport Psychology: DeSales Experience
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Track

Clinical/Counseling

Are you passionate about using research to help people, especially within a mental health-related profession? The Clinical/Counseling Track is for you. You will learn about psychological assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic techniques. You will develop the compassion and professional expertise needed to excel in careers such as clinical psychology, counseling, and therapy.

Courses You May Take Include:

  • Personality: Theory and Research
  • Counseling Psychology
  • Hormones and Behavior
  • Mind, Medicine and Madness
  • Introduction to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
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Track

Social/Cognitive

Want to understand how people think, learn, and interact with each other in different social contexts? Then the Social/Cognitive Track is up your alley. This track will prepare you for fulfilling careers such as those in personality studies, community psychology, multicultural psychology, or cognitive research. It deepens your understanding of human thought and relationships while also developing crucial analytical and research skills.

Courses You May Take Include:

  • The Unseen Reality: The Psychology of Spiritual Experience
  • Social Psychology
  • Motor Learning
  • Language Acquisition
  • Positive Psychology: The DeSales Experience
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Track

Secondary Education (STEP)

If you are considering a career in secondary education, our Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) is designed for you. Our STEP program will help you earn a secondary teacher certification in Social Sciences for grades 7-12 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. You will need to complete five education courses in addition to your major requirements during your undergraduate studies. In your senior year, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for the Master of Education (4+1) Program to continue on your path to certification.

Required Undergraduate Education Courses Include:

  • The Educative Process
  • Cognition and Learning
  • Introduction to Exceptionality
  • Literacy Interventions
  • Teaching English Learners
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Minor

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Minor

Psychology

Enrich your academic journey by pursuing a psychology minor. Learn about human behavior and sharpen your interpersonal and communication skills. Whether you want to work in business, healthcare, education, or social services, a psychology minor will give you a competitive edge in any field and help you toward success in your chosen career.

Required Courses for A Psychology Minor:

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Human Development
  • Choose one between Cognitive Psychology or Psychobiology
  • Any three other psychology courses
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Internships and Career Outcomes

The psychology program offers a comprehensive understanding of the science of human behavior and mental processes. We aim to foster critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and competency of key psychological principles. This is achieved through a curriculum that focuses on supportive faculty-student interactions and hands-on learning. Our psychology program prepares students for careers in psychology, related fields and non-related fields, as well as for future academic programs and pursuits. Past internship opportunities and job placements for our psychology students have included:

  • Lehigh Valley Health Network Behavioral Health Sciences Center
  • AmeriCorps Vista
  • Haven House Psychiatric Rehabilitation
  • KidsPeace
  • Lehigh County Adult Probation
  • Mind of the Athlete
  • Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center
  • Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace at the Vatican
  • Sacred Heart Hospital
  • Valley Youth House
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Application Checklist

  • Official High School Transcript
  • Completed Guidance Counselor Form
  • Completed Teacher Recommendation Form
  • Optional Standardized Test
Visit Admissions Tuition & Fees
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Program FAQS

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