Description of Program
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program is an undergraduate degree-completion program designed for students interested in obtaining a degree in psychology. The program offers a foundation in psychology that allows for the application of psychology to bachelor’s level careers in industry, helping professions, government, and nonprofit agencies. The program also provides knowledge and skills that are a basis for further education in psychology and related fields.
Click here for potential career opportunities within the BAPSY.
Learning Outcomes
The Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program are as follows:
- Analyze theories and principles in psychology to inform professional contexts
- Apply research methods and data analysis techniques to draw conclusions about psychological phenomena
- Apply psychological principles and research to personal, social and organizational issues
- Articulate ethical principles of psychology in academic and professional matters
- Apply principles and theories of psychology to diverse groups
- Employ clear and effective communication for fellow professionals in the field of psychology and the public
Basis for Admissions
Admission to a Bachelor’s degree program requires the following documentation:
| Does student have an Associate’s Degree or 60 Transferable Credits? |
| If Yes, |
If No, |
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Official transcript from a conferred Associate’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution with a cumulative 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
OR
An official transcript with a minimum of 60 transferable credit hours from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution with a cumulative 2.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. |
Official transcript(s), with a minimum of 24 transferable semester credit hours completed at a regionally, or nationally, accredited academic institution or ACE-approved course credit equivalencies.
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| And one of the following: |
| A copy of a high school diploma |
| A copy of a final, official high school transcript that shows the date when the diploma was awarded |
| A copy of a General Education Development (GED) certificate or GED transcript that indicates the student passed the exam |
| Certification of a passing score on a test that the student’s state authorizes and recognizes as the equivalent of a high school diploma |
| A copy of the “secondary school leaving certificate” or similar document from the proper government for students who complete secondary school in a foreign country |
| A copy of a secondary school completion credential for homeschool if state law requires homeschooled students to obtain that credential |
| A transcript or the equivalent, signed by a parent or guardian of the homeschooled student, that lists the secondary school courses the student completed and documents the successful completion of a secondary school education in a homeschool setting |
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Note: All undergraduate degree-seeking students must meet the General Education Requirements of 48 semester credits.
Note: To be considered for transfer credit, the courses must be completed at the associate and bachelor degree levels; remedial and developmental courses cannot be accepted as transfer credit. Courses must also be completed at a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution. For more information on transfer credit, please visit the .
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Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Psychology degree requires 120 semester credit hours.
- A Grade Point Average of 2.0 (letter grade of “C”), or higher is required to remain in academic good standing and to be eligible for graduation
- Official transcripts are required to be on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
- All financial obligations must be met before the student will be issued their complimentary diploma and/or degree posted transcript
- Official documents must be on file demonstrating all requirements of basis for admissions have been met
The University may accept a minimum of 24 semester credits and a maximum of 90 semester credit hours in transfer toward the bachelor’s degree for coursework completed at an accredited or approved college or university with a grade of “C” or better.
Credit Hour Requirements
The Bachelors of Psychology requires 120 semester credit hours for graduation which must be aligned with the following credit hour categories;
48 – Credit Hours from the General Education courses
12 – Credit Hours of General Education Extended Electives
33 – Credit Hours of Core Courses
12 – Credit Hours of Fastforward, Specialization courses, or Electives courses
12 – Credit Hours of upper Bachelor’s Electives courses
3 – Credit Hours for Psychology Capstone Course
Total - 120 credit hours
Note: Students are required to satisfy the General Education course requirements and the upper Bachelor’s Elective requirements before they may begin on the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Core courses.
Time to Completion
NCU allows 180 attempted credit hours to complete all 120 credit bachelor programs.
Estimated time to completion for this program is 47 months.
Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most NCU students are working adults balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance advisors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.
Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program may be able to finish in as little as 31 months if transferring in 60 credits and finish in as little as 49 months if transferring in 24 credits.
General Education Requirement - 48 Credit Hours
The General Education sequence is comprised of 48 semester credit hours (16 courses) aligned with five general education areas of study. Students may fulfill the required 48 credit hours by either; transferring course credits from other accredited institutions, submitting evidence of ACE approved comparable coursework or by completing NCU General Education courses.
The General Education requirements and available courses are listed on the following page:
Note: If a student does not have Introduction to Psychology course in transfer from an accredited institution, then the student must complete PSY-2001- Introduction to Psychology prior to beginning the Psychology Core. PSY-2001 will count towards the General Education Extended Electives section.
General Education Extended Electives Requirement - 12 Credit Hours
Students may select General Education courses to fulfill this requirement. Your Academic Advisor can assist you in choosing courses applicable to your career goals.
Psychology Core Requirement - 33 Credit Hours
Undergraduate Elective Requirement - 12 Credit Hours
Students may select any undergraduate NCU course to fulfill this requirement, other than those stipulated in a specialization program of study. Your Academic and Finance Advisor can assist you in choosing courses applicable to your career goals.
Open Electives selected on the student’s initial degree plan can be changed with a request to an Academic and Finance Advisor.
FastForward Track
The BAPSY program provides an opportunity to substitute specific courses in the required course sequence with master’s level courses. Opting to complete the master’s level course substitutions provides a Fast Forward Track to a Master of Arts in Psychology program or a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program if students decide to pursue a graduate degree.
Enrollment in the BAPSY program and completion of the FastForward Track course substitutions does not guarantee admission into a graduate program. Students must meet all required Basis for Admissions (BFA) requirements as outlined in the university catalog for specific master’s programs.
Master’s level coursework completed in the BAPSY program must be completed with a grade of “B” or better to meet eligibility requirements to be applied to the applicable Master’s degree program, and be within 5 years from the time they complete the course to transfer it into the master’s degree.
Psychology Capstone Course - 3 Credit Hours
PSY-4950 is the last course students take within the BAPSY.