Psychology BA
Get a degree that explores why people think, feel, and behave the way they do. Gain an understanding of how our relationships, communities, and environments shape who we are, and how we can collectively create the conditions for individual and community well-being. You’ll learn how to use psychology not just to understand the world, but to make a meaningful contribution to improve the lives of those around you.
At Prescott College, students explore psychological science through a culturally responsive, socially engaged, and compassionate lens. You will examine how social environments and human behavior shape one another while developing critical thinking skills to evaluate psychological research and applied practice.
Your learning will extend beyond the classroom. Through courses focused on topics such as consumerism, loss and grief, community engagement, the human-nature relationship, and cultural influences on thinking and development, you’ll explore questions that connect psychology to everyday life.
What can you do with a degree in Psychology?
This degree prepares you to apply your understanding of mind and behavior across a variety of careers in mental health and human services, community organizations, non-profits, academic institutions, and in any other field that relies on understanding people and society. This degree also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in psychology, counseling, social work, education, public health, and related fields.
Examples of professional pathways starting with a degree in Psychology:
- Counseling Professional
- Social Service Specialist
- Youth Services Professional
- Family or Community Advocate
- Behavioral Health Practitioner
- Addiction Counselor
- School Counselor
- Human Resources Specialist
- Industrial/Organizational Professional
- Academic Researcher/Instructor
You can also use this degree as a pathway to one of the accelerated Master’s degrees at Prescott College such a MS in Counseling or MEd in School Counseling.
What will this program look like?
Focused on the real world: you will participate in learning experiences that apply psychological theory and research to real-world challenges, organizations, and communities, such as applied projects and supervised volunteer opportunities
Culturally responsive: you will examine how culture, identity, history, and systems of power shape human experience and well-being
Socially engaged: you will explore how psychological knowledge can be applied to individual and community well-being, as well as to social and environmental justice issues, while developing the knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to the communities around you
Available Concentrations
Adventure Education
Climate Justice
Education for Social Justice
Environmental Studies
Equity Studies in Outdoor Leadership
Natural History Interpretation
Marine Studies
Outdoor Leadership
Certificates
Key program information
Admissions Application Deadlines
Fall
Early Action (non-binding) and Scholarship Consideration – March 1
Priority – June 1
Regular – August 1
Spring
Priority – November 15
Regular – December 15
Admissions & Apply
General Content Knowledge and Applications: Learners articulate key historical and contemporary concepts, theoretical perspectives, and cultural trends in psychology.
Scientific Inquiry, Psychological Literacy, and Critical Thinking: Learners analyze psychological research, theories, and applications using critical and scientific thinking.
Professional Communication: Learners demonstrate professional written and oral communication skills, including appropriate use of APA style.
Personal and Professional Development: Learners engage in personal and professional development relevant to psychology and the helping professions.
Values-Informed Applications of Psychology: Learners apply critically and ethically informed psychological knowledge towards supporting individual and societal well-being.
- HDP22210 – Introduction to Psychology
- HDP22212 – Foundations of Critical Psychology
- HDP22242 – Social Science Research Methods
- HDP21200 – Lifespan Development: A Cultural Approach
- HDP42241 – Social Cognition
- HDP42240 – Psychopathology & Health
- COR40005 – Senior Project
- The Psychology BA Program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission has approved Prescott College to offer all of its degree titles via distance education.
Careers & Opportunities
Career Pathways
With this degree, you fit readily into fields that require deep psychological understanding of human connection to each other and the world around them:
- Social/Human Services Worker
- Residential Counselor
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Counselor
- Victims’ Advocate
- Disability Policy Worker
- Health Educator
- Community Service Manager
- Human Resource Specialist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Advertising or Marketing Specialist
Career Planning
Our student success team works with you to map out a plan that works, for your goals and your life. There are many ways to get where you’re going, and we’ve seen it all!
Are you interested in being part of our community?
One thing we all have in common is our passion – passion for helping others, passion for the environment, passion for social justice and a passion for a different kind of learning experience.