Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology
There is always great demand for supportive, attentive, and resourceful psychological professionals in our country, from public school systems to law enforcement to mental health agencies. At Fort Hays State University, you will comprehend the far-reaching implications of psychology as you direct your passions and career objectives toward helping others improve their well-being and state of mind.
The Psychology Department offers flexibility by allowing students to choose either the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or the Bachelor of Science (BS) route. Both require 120 credit hours that can be completed with 34 credit hours of general education classes, 36 credit hours of psychology major requirements, and 40 credit hours of free electives.
The Psychology Department is pleased to offer a faculty-student mentoring program. This program is designed to enhance collaboration between faculty and students and provide guidance about career opportunities for future professionals in the field of psychology. To access mentoring and career resources, click here.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology
- Completion of 10 hours of a single foreign language.
| General Education Requirements | 34 Credit Hours |
| Psychology Major Requirements | 36 Credit Hours |
| Free Electives | 40 Credit Hours |
| Foreign Language | 10 Credit Hours |
| Total | 120 Credit Hours |
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology
- A candidate for the BS in Psychology must complete 20 hours of course work in Natural Science and/or Mathematics.
| General Education Requirements | 34 Credit Hours |
| Psychology Major Requirements | 36 Credit Hours |
| Free Electives | 37 Credit Hours |
| Additional Math & Science | 13 Credit Hours |
| Total | 120 Credit Hours |
What can I do with the BA or BS degree?
Students earning a bachelor's degree in psychology will have a foundation to enter a specific career or to pursue additional graduate work. The first question to ask yourself is "what do you want to do?" The second question is "do you want to pursue graduate work?"
Psychology is a diverse discipline, grounded in science, with extensive applications in everyday life. Some psychologists do research to develop theories and test their ideas through carefully crafted research methods involving observation and experimentation. Other psychologists apply the discipline's scientific knowledge to help people, organizations, and communities obtain optimal functioning. Psychologists support people with mental, behavioral, and emotional problems. They also study and encourage behaviors to enhance wellness.
As psychological research continues to yield new information, whether it’s improved interventions to manage depression or how humans interact with artificial intelligence, these findings become part of the discipline’s body of knowledge and are applied in clinical, school, and corporate settings, within the judicial system, and even in professional sports.
NEW Psychology Major Requirements
For Students admitted to FHSU starting Fall 2024
We take pride in offering an undergraduate curriculum that is innovative, current, and prepares students for future career endeavors. The undergraduate curriculum offers our students more flexibility with core and elective classes and allows students to select a content area of emphasis.
Our undergraduate psychology curriculum for both the BA and BS emphasizes scientific and theoretical knowledge as well as hands-on experiences. Students complete core courses that provide a framework for the foundations of psychology as a science as well as a broad introduction to the various sub-disciplines (e.g., General Psychology; Science of Psychology; Psychology as a Discipline and Profession).
Our elective classes are designed around three content emphasis areas:
- Social - Cognitive: This emphasis area focuses on environmental factors that influence the way we think, feel, behave, and make decisions. Within this area, students will study individuals in social interactions and social influence situations. This includes integrating studies about information processing and how human cognition is applied in everyday life.
- Developmental - Cultural: This emphasis area connects the developmental process of an individual to their culture in order to identify how social, emotional, and neurological development is shaped. Within this area, students will study how individuals grow and change across their life span and how culture plays a role in the developmental process.
- Applied Mental Health: This emphasis area focuses on psychology within the fields of clinical psychology (mental health), sports psychology, and forensic psychology. Within this area, students will apply psychological concepts, research, and theory to understand and promote mental health and wellness.
BA & BS Coursework - Total 36 credit hours:
For Current Psychology Major Students admitted to FHSU before Fall 2024
Additional Student Resources
How much does FHSU tuition cost?
|
|
Credit Hour Rate |
Credit Hours for Degree |
Total Estimated |
| Online Tuition | $257.33 | 120 credit hours | $30,879.60 |
| On- Campus Resident/Regional |
$197.46 | 120 credit hours | $23,695.20 |
| On-Campus Non-Resident |
$592.40 | 120 credit hours | $71,088 |
| On-Campus MSEP |
$275.87 | 120 credit hours | $33,104.40 |
*Tuition and Fees are subject to change at any time by the Kansas Board of Regents.
*Cost of attendance - Fort Hays State University (FHSU)
Interested in a Psychology Degree?
Please contact the Department of Psychology at 785-628-4405 or psecreta@fhsu.edu.