Skip to Main Content

Psychology – BA

Program Overview:

The bachelor of arts (BA) degree in psychology at The College of Saint Rose offers students the opportunity to develop a basic level of knowledge of the discipline of psychology by taking courses in empirical, social-developmental, and applied-clinical areas, with additional elective courses of particular interest to their career goals. The BA degree may be easily combined to form double majors with other disciplines and is ideally suited to accommodate students with diverse educational interests that might be achieved through combining the major with minors and certificates offered by other departments. The BA degree provides students with excellent preparation for post-graduation employment in a wide variety of fields including human resources, sales, pre-school education, office management, case management, financial consulting, state police, respite provider, and many others. Students with interests in pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in any field of psychology or related field following graduation should complete the bachelor of science degree to receive the support of the Psychology Faculty. The BA degree is not designed to prepare students for graduate work in psychology.

The BA degree is appropriate for:

• Students who wish to directly enter the workforce following graduation
• Graduate degrees in School Guidance Counseling
• Graduate degrees in Education (e.g., Primary or Secondary Education, Leadership & Administration, etc.)
• Master’s of Business Administration or other master’s or doctoral degree in Business (excluding Industrial & Organizational Psychology)
• Graduate degrees in disciplines associated with traditional programs in the Arts & Humanities (Students interested in a graduate degree in a Recreational Therapy, such as Art Therapy, are strongly encouraged to complete the BS degree in Psychology.)

Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in the following areas should complete the BS in Psychology:
• Any Psychology degree at the master’s or doctoral level (for example: I/O Psychology, School Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Educational Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Psychology, etc.)
• Any Neuroscience degree at the master’s or doctoral level
• Mental Health Counseling
• Social Work/Clinical Social Work
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Medical School (unless the BA degree in Psychology is completed as part of a double major with a BS in one of the natural sciences)

Students must earn a minimum grade of C in every course for the major. Except in special cases where a student receives written approval from the department chairperson based on a decision made by the members of the full-time psychology department faculty, no student may repeat a course offered by the psychology department more than once. Two failures of a core course will result in dismissal from the major. Majors may not take courses required for the major (except internships) on a pass/fail basis. Once having declared either the BA or BS Psychology major, students must satisfy all remaining core, distribution and other courses applicable to the major at The College of Saint Rose. The department does not allow students to replace courses offered by the department with Independent Studies.

Students wishing to complete internships must have junior or senior standing and a minimum cumulative Psychology GPA of 3.0 and a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students with a major and overall GPA between 2.7 and 2.99 may petition the Department of Psychology for special permission to complete an internship. All students must obtain the consent of the Psychology department prior to registration for the internship.

Online Program:

The online bachelor of arts (BA) degree in psychology at The College of Saint Rose is available for transfer students who have already completed the NY State Department of Education General Education requirements and students who have already completed the College’s Liberal Education requirements or will be able to complete their remaining requirements online. Transfer students will seamlessly transfer all of their Liberal Education requirements to Saint Rose. Students will complete their remaining requirements online in a remote format, and thus, this program will have a significant tuition discount.

The online BA offers students the opportunity to develop a basic level of knowledge of the discipline of psychology by taking online courses in empirical, social-developmental, and applied-clinical areas, with additional online elective courses of particular interest to their career goals. The online BA degree is ideally suited to accommodate students with diverse educational interests and provides students with excellent preparation for post-graduation employment in a wide variety of fields including human resources, sales, pre-school education, office management, case management, financial consulting, state police, respite provider, and many others.  Students with interests in pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in any field of psychology or related field following graduation should complete the bachelor of science degree to receive the support of the Psychology Faculty. The BA degree is not designed to prepare students for graduate work in psychology.

Program Contacts:

Dr. Robert Flint

Chair, Psychology Department

Email: flintr@strose.edu

Program Webpage: Psychology, BS

Program Requirements:

Major in Psychology-Bachelor of Arts (34 credits)

Core Courses (13 credits)

PSY 110Foundations of Psychology 1

3

PSY 111Foundations of Psychology 2

3

PSY 294Experimental Psychology

3

PSY 491Senior Seminar: Career Prep

3

Psychology as an empirical science (3 credits)

Choose from:

PSY 320Biopsychology

3

PSY 330Neuropsychology

4

PSY 375Sensation and Perception

4

PSY 391Learning

4

PSY 410Psychometrics

3

PSY 420Cognitive Psychology

3

PSY 320L (1 credit) recommended to accompany PSY 320.

Psychology as a social-developmental science (3 credits)

Choose from:

PSY 200Human Sexuality

3

PSY 250Developmental Psych: Childhood

3

PSY 252Devel Psy:Adoles & Emerg Adult

3

PSY 254Devel Psy: Adulthood & Aging

3

PSY 260Psychology of Gender

3

PSY 310Social Psychology

3

PSY 385Cross-Cultural Psychology

3

PSY 400Personality

3

Psychology as an applied-clinical science (3 credits)

Choose from:

PSY 255Parenting:Psych Theory&Rsrch

3

PSY 290Psy Perspct on Death& Dying

3

PSY 352Health Psychology

3

PSY 363Abnormal Psychology

3

PSY 365Introduction to Psychotherapy

3

PSY 415Clinical Psychology

3

Psychology electives (13 credits)

Students completing the BA in Psychology may wish to explore and emphasize particular areas. Elective courses in psychology may include FPY 262 and any PSY prefix courses at the 200 level or above.

Internship/Field Experiences/Service:

Internships

Internship experience is particularly important in order to gain experience relevant to potential careers of interest. In order to be eligible for an internship, the Department of Psychology requires BA students to have junior or senior level standing and an overall GPA of 3.0 and a Psychology GPA of 3.0. Students with overall and major GPAs between 2.7 and 2.99 may petition the Department for special permission to complete an internship. Once these requirements are met, students may arrange internships for 1 to 6 credit hours. Some of the internship sites where our students have been recently placed are listed below.

  • Albany Medical College, Department of Neuropharmacology and Neuroscience
  • Albany Medical College, Department of Psychiatry
  • Albany Medical College, Pediatrics Intensive Care Unit
  • Community Hospice of Albany County at St. Peter's Hospital
  • East Greenbush Schools
  • Ford Eddy Rehabilitation Facility
  • Green County Long Term Care Facility
  • Human Resource Associates
  • New York State Police
  • Orange Regional Medical Center
  • Parsons Family Child Center
  • Samaritans Suicide Prevention Hotline
  • St. Anne's Institute
  • St. Peter's Hospital Pediatrics Ward
  • St. Peter's Hospital Alcohol Rehabilitation Center

Culminating Academic Experiences:

Required Course:

PSY 491Senior Seminar: Career Prep

3

Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:

This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 120 overall credits. It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.

 

Fall of Year 1:

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

ENG 105

Expository Writing, Speaking, & Research Techniques (LIB ED)

4

PHI, RLS

Philosophical and Religious Traditions (LIB ED)

3

PSY 110

Foundations of Psychology 1 (also Social Scientific Knowledge and Inquiry LIB ED 1 of 2 required courses)

3

PSY 111

Foundations of Psychology 2 (also Social Scientific Knowledge and Inquiry LIB ED 2 of 2 required courses)

3

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

3

 

Total Credits

16

 

Winter Immersion of Year 1: OPTIONAL

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

 

 

 

 

Spring of Year 1:

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

ARA, CHN, FRE, GRK, ITA, POR, RUS, SLG, or SPA

Study of World Languages and Cultures (LIB ED)

3

ENG

Literary Studies (LIB ED)

4

PSY 255, 290, 352, 363, 365, or 416

Psychology as an Applied-Clinical Science (1 Required Course)

3

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

3

Any Liberal Arts & Sciences

Additional NYSED Liberal Arts & Sciences (3 of 19 Required Credits

3

 

Total Credits

16

 

Summer of Year 1: OPTIONAL

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall of Year 2:

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

MAT

Mathematical Reasoning (LIB ED)

3

PSY 294

Experimental Psychology

3

PSY 200, 250, 252, 254, 260, 310, 385, or 400

Psychology as a Social-Developmental Science (1 Required Course)

3

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

3

Any Liberal Arts & Sciences

Additional NYSED Liberal Arts & Sciences (3 of 19 Required Credits

3

 

Total Credits

15

 

Winter Immersion of Year 2: OPTIONAL

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

 

 

 

 

Spring of Year 2:

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

BIO, CHM, ENV, ESC, PHY, SCI

Scientific Knowledge and Inquiry with a lab (LIB ED)

4

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

3

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

3

Any Liberal Arts & Sciences

Additional NYSED Liberal Arts & Sciences (3 of 19 Required Credits

3

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

2

 

Total Credits

15

 

Summer of Year 2: OPTIONAL

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall of Year 3:

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

CSC

Computational Logic and Reasoning

3

HIS

Historical Knowledge and Perspective (LIB ED)

3

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

3

Any PSY

PSY Elective (3 of 13 Required Credits)

3

Any PSY

PSY Elective (3 of 13 Required Credits)

3

 

Total Credits

15

 

Winter Immersion of Year 3: OPTIONAL

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

 

 

 

 

Spring of Year 3:

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

3

Any PSY

PSY Elective (3 of 13 Required Credits)

3

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

3

Any Liberal Arts & Sciences

Additional NYSED Liberal Arts & Sciences (3 of 19 Required Credits

3

Any Liberal Arts & Sciences

Additional NYSED Liberal Arts & Sciences (3 of 19 Required Credits

3

 

Total Credits

15

 

Summer of Year 3: OPTIONAL

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall of Year 4:

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

PSY 491

Senior Seminar: Career Prep

3

Any PSY

PSY Elective (3 of 13 Required Credits)

3

PSY 330, 375, or 391

Psychology as an Empirical Science Lab Course (1 Required Course)

4

Any Liberal Arts & Sciences

Additional NYSED Liberal Arts & Sciences (3 of 19 Required Credits

3

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

2

 

Total Credits

15

 

Winter Immersion of Year 4: OPTIONAL

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

 

 

 

 

Spring of Year 4:

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

PSY 330, 375, 391, 410, or 420

Psychology as an Empirical Science 2nd Course (May be a second 4-credit lab or a 3 credit course from the list)

3

Any PSY

PSY Elective (1 of 13 Required Credits)

1

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

3

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

3

Any Extra PSY, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed

Open Elective – May be used for within-major concentration, minor, or second major

2

Any Liberal Arts & Sciences

Additional NYSED Liberal Arts & Sciences (1 of 19 Required Credits

1

 

Total Credits

13

 

Summer of Year 4: OPTIONAL

 

Course Prefix/Number

Course Title

Credits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Accreditation:

The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.

The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org

Admissions and Financial Aid Information:

The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.

What Makes an Application Complete

  • Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
  • Official High School Transcripts
  • Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
  • SAT or ACT scores  (See Test Optional FAQ's)
  • Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
  • Essay or Graded Paper
  • Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
  • Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.

Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.

The Bottom Line

The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we still award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.

Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.

More about Financial Aid

Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make you education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.

The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.

Find Out More: