Degree Description: Ashford University offers a Degree program that is designed to teach students the necessary skills and concepts needed to jump-start their careers as quality psychologists. Core curriculum will consist of courses that will discuss human behavior and mental processes and will explain to students how to properly evaluate and consult patients. Students will be required to take 46 credit hours of general education courses, such as English, college mathematics, and physical science. They must then take 36 to 37 credit hour courses that pertain to psychology specifically, 6 credits of which must be completed in upper-level psychology coursework. Some classes will include child/adolescent development, social psychology, and lifespan development just to name a few. The remaining 37 to 38 credits will consist of electives. A minimum of 120 credit hours must be taken to earn this degree. The cost is $372.00 per credit hour. Financial aid is available for eligible students and may reduce costs. This degree should take full-time students about one to two years to complete.

Degree Outlook: While a doctorate or master’s degree is usually required for independent practice aspsychologists, bachelor’s Degree Holders still have many other options when trying to gain employment. Because graduates are adept with human behavior and mental processes, they tend to find jobs as educators, scientific researchers, health professionals, or consultants for businesses and other large corporations. Due to the growing amount of mental illness and behavioral issues among people and the increasing amount of healthcare problems associated with unhealthy lifestyle choice such as smoking and alcoholism, there will be plenty of positions available for psychologist in the coming years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, the Bureau predicts a 12 percent job growth during the next decade, creating 19,700 new jobs. Bachelor’s degree holders will find more opportunities as school psychologists and industrial-organizational psychologists. Psychologist can earn anywhere from $48,700 to $82,800, according to the Bureau.