Explore the fascinating landscape of the human mind and prepare for a career in human services or further graduate study with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

The Bachelor of Science in psychology from University of Maryland Global Campus will help prepare you for graduate study or a multitude of careers in the field. While acquiring a knowledge base of theory, research, and practice in psychological sciences, you'll hone your quantitative skills, written and oral communication proficiencies, analytical and scientific reasoning, and ability to analyze human behavior.

These program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2019–2020 academic year. For prior year academic requirements, visit the catalog archive in the Current Students section.

This program is also available as a minor.

About the Psychology Bachelor's Degree

The core curriculum for the online bachelor's degree in psychology, which is aligned with American Psychological Association guidelines, is designed to provide you with a solid grounding in the major theoretical schools of psychology and the findings of research. The program covers the application of psychological concepts and principles to individual cognitive and emotional functioning, the workplace, and interpersonal relationships. The program also emphasizes the application of biological, social, and professional principles and concepts in response to psychological needs.

What You'll Learn

Through your coursework, you will learn how to

  • Apply major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology to prepare for graduate study or relevant careers
  • Apply basic knowledge of research methodology, statistics, measurement, guidelines, ethical standards, laws, and regulations to design, participate in, and evaluate research in a variety of contexts
  • Apply knowledge of human behavior to inform personal growth, communicate effectively, solve problems, make decisions, and interact with individuals, communities, and organizations
  • Use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, technology, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to current and emerging trends in psychology
  • Value diversity and different perspectives, tolerate ambiguity, and act ethically to communicate appropriately with various populations

Coursework Examples

In past projects, students have had the opportunity to

  • Analyze a case study, providing an appropriate diagnosis, a rationale for that diagnosis, and suggestions for treatment
  • Create a stress-management program and prepare a presentation
  • Participate in a career review project in which students research potential jobs or graduate programs and submit a résumé or an application for graduate school

Psychology Bachelor's Degree Requirements

Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.

Courses in the Major

This program requires 33 credits of coursework in the major.

  • PSYC 100
  • PSYC 300
  • PSYC 301
  • PSYC 310 or any upper-level PSYC course
  • PSYC 321
  • PSYC 335
  • PSYC 341 or any upper-level PSYC course
  • PSYC 351 or any upper-level PSYC course
  • PSYC 353
  • PSYC 436
  • PSYC 495

Related Required Course

The following may be applied to general education or elective requirements:

  • STAT 200

Electives

This program requires 46 credits of minor and/or elective coursework.

General Education Requirements

This program requires 41 credits of general education coursework.

Research and Computing Literacy

  • PACE 111S or other PACE 111 course
    (to be taken in first 6 credits)
  • LIBS 150, CAPL 398A, or other general education elective
  • CMST 301 or another computing course appropriate to the major

Communication

  • WRTG 111 or other writing course
  • WRTG 112
  • SPCH 100 or other communication, writing, or speech course
  • WRTG 391 or other advanced upper-level writing course

Mathematics

  • STAT 200
    (related requirement for the major)

Arts and Humanities

  • HIST 125 or other arts and humanities course
  • HUMN 100 or other arts and humanities course

Behavioral and Social Sciences

  • ECON 103 or other behavioral and social sciences course
  • BEHS 103 or other behavioral and social sciences course

Biological and Physical Sciences

  • One of the following pairs of lecture and laboratory courses in the same session:
    • BIOL 101 and BIOL 102
    • NSCI 100 and NSCI 101
    • Other paired science lecture and laboratory courses taken in the same session
  • GEOL 100 or other science lecture course

Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may require you to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Please also see more information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements.

Overall Bachelor's Degree Requirements

In addition to the general education requirements and the major, minor, and elective requirements, the overall requirements listed below apply to all bachelor's degrees.

  • You must complete a minimum of 120 credits.
  • You must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 overall and a minimum grade of C for any class applied to the academic major or minor.
  • Within the 120 credits required, the following coursework must be taken through UMGC:
    • 30 credits (normally the final 30)
    • Half of the required number of credits within both the major and the minor
    • 15 credits at the upper level (earned in classes numbered 300 to 499), preferably within the major or minor
  • At least 45 credits must be upper level and include at least half of the credits required for the major. The remaining upper-level credits can be earned in any part of the curriculum.
  • At least half the required number of credits for any academic major or minor must be earned through graded coursework. Credit earned by examination, portfolio assessment, or noncollegiate training does not count as graded coursework.

Double majors: You can earn a dual major upon completion of all requirements for both majors, including the required minimum number of credits for each major and all related requirements for both majors. The same class cannot be used to fulfill requirements for more than one major. Certain restrictions (including use of credit and acceptable combinations of majors) apply for double majors. You cannot major in two programs with excessive overlap of required coursework. Contact an admissions advisor before selecting a double major.

Second bachelor's degree: To earn a second bachelor's degree, you must complete at least 30 credits through UMGC after completing the first degree. The combined credit in both degrees must add up to at least 150 credits. You must complete all requirements for the major. All prerequisites apply. If any of these requirements were satisfied in the previous degree, the remainder necessary to complete the minimum 30 credits of new classes should be satisfied with classes related to your major. You may not earn a second bachelor's degree in general studies and may not obtain a second associate's degree within the second bachelor's degree. Contact an admissions advisor before pursuing a second bachelor's degree.

Electives: Electives can be taken in any academic discipline. No more than 21 credits can consist of vocational or technical credit. Pass/fail credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits, can be applied toward electives only.

Career Preparation

This program is designed to help prepare you for graduate study, research, or direct services work at a mental health or medical facility. It can also provide useful skills for work in related fields, such as human resources, advertising, customer relations, or program management.

State-Specific Details

Learn more about professional licensure.

Student Clubs and Organizations

  • Pi Gamma Mu

    • Type: Honor society
    Available To: Undergraduate

    Pi Gamma Mu is the international honor society that recognizes outstanding scholarship in the social sciences at UMGC. Students interested in anthropology, criminal justice, economics, gerontology, history, political science, social psychology, sociology, and women's studies may qualify for membership. The society recently named UMGC's Maryland Theta chapter to its Roll of Distinction, the highest honor that the society grants.

  • Behavioral and Social Science Student Association

    • Type: Student organization
    Available To: Undergraduate and Graduate

    The Behavioral and Social Science Student Association provides its members with information and resources on careers in social science-related fields. Events and activities include guest speakers speakers in the field, discussions on making an impact in one's own community, and sharing research opportunities.



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