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Interesting Courses You Might Take When Earning a BS in Psychology

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Explore courses that examine how people think, behave, develop, and interact with the world around them.

Key Takeaways

  • A BS in Psychology explores human behavior and mental processes through psychological principles, theory, and research.
  • Walden University’s online psychology courses cover topics including cognition, psychological disorders, culture, human development, and leadership.
  • Students can personalize their BS in Psychology at Walden through elective courses and concentration options.
  • Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM) courses allow eligible students to earn credit toward a Walden master’s degree while completing their bachelor’s degree.

Psychology touches nearly every part of life, from how people learn and make decisions to how they develop, interact, and respond to the world around them. Earning a BS in Psychology provides an opportunity to explore these questions while building a foundation in psychological principles, theory, and research.

At Walden University, the online BS in Psychology includes coursework that examines psychology from a variety of perspectives. Students can study mental processes, psychological disorders, culture, human development, leadership, and other topics while developing a broader understanding of human behavior.

About Walden’s BS in Psychology Program

Walden’s online BS in Psychology requires 181 quarter credits and can be completed in as few as 48 months.1 The curriculum includes 46 credits in general education courses, 40 credits in core courses, 90 credits in general electives, and a five-credit capstone. Students may also be eligible to transfer credits toward the degree.

The program’s elective structure gives students opportunities to explore different areas of psychology and pursue concentrations that align with their interests. Students may also take Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM) courses that can count toward a Walden master’s degree while fulfilling undergraduate degree requirements.

Five Interesting Courses in Walden’s BS in Psychology Program

Here are five interesting courses students may take while earning a BS in Psychology at Walden.

  1. Cognitive Psychology
    Why do people remember certain experiences but forget others? How do attention, language, and perception shape the way people process information?

    In Cognitive Psychology, students examine higher mental functions and the ways people think. Topics include perception, memory, language, attention, decision-making, and consciousness. Students also explore experimental research into these mental processes and consider how cognition relates to everyday life.
     
  2. Psychological Disorders
    The study of psychological disorders offers a closer look at psychological functioning and the complexities involved in understanding and diagnosing mental health conditions.

    In Psychological Disorders, students examine common disorders involving areas such as mood, thought, anxiety, substance use, personality, and dissociation. Coursework explores causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and methods used to assess psychological functioning. Students also apply concepts and theories through practical applications and case studies.
     
  3. Cross-Cultural Psychology
    Culture can influence how people think, feel, develop, and interact with others. Cross-Cultural Psychology examines major areas of psychology through the lens of culture and cultural differences.

    Students explore topics such as cognition and intelligence, emotion, motivation, development and socialization, psychological disorders, and bias. The course also considers the role of culture in interactions among people from different backgrounds and encourages students to examine their own worldviews and unconscious biases.
     
  4. Developmental Psychopathology
    Psychological development does not always follow a typical path. Developmental Psychopathology explores atypical development and psychopathology in children, adolescents, and emerging adults.

    Students examine diagnostic categories, assessment tools, treatment approaches, and research and theories related to atypical development. Case studies help students explore specific forms of psychopathology and consider how societal factors can influence developmental disorders.
     
  5. Psychology of Leadership
    What does psychology have to do with leadership? Understanding behavior, development, mental processes, and interpersonal interactions can offer another perspective on leadership.

    In Psychology of Leadership, students apply their knowledge of psychology while examining theories and principles of leadership and leader development. Topics include leadership styles, qualities and characteristics, cultural issues, empowerment, ethics and values, and global leadership. 

Personalizing a BS in Psychology

A bachelor’s in psychology can also provide opportunities to explore areas that reflect a student’s individual interests. At Walden, students can use existing elective courses to complete up to three areas of concentration without adding credits or tuition to the degree. Current concentration options include Forensic Psychology, Child and Adolescent Development, Addiction, Applied Psychology, and others.

Students who complete three courses within a concentration have that concentration awarded on their transcript. This structure allows students to explore multiple areas of study within their psychology degree.

Take the Next Step Toward Your Psychology Degree

If these courses sound like the kind of learning experience you're looking for, you're already thinking like a psychology student—curious, engaged, and ready to dig into the science of how we think, how we change, how we heal, and more.

Walden’s online BS in Psychology is built for students who want a rigorous, relevant education with the flexibility to fit their busy lives. You'll study psychological principles, research methods, and real-world applications while completing coursework on a schedule that works for you. And if you're already thinking ahead to graduate school, Walden’s Accelerate Into Master’s option lets you take eligible graduate-level courses that fulfill your undergraduate requirements while simultaneously earning credit toward a Walden master's degree—saving you time and tuition on the path to an advanced credential.

The best way to find out if a program is right for you is to explore it for yourself. Learn more about Walden’s BS in Psychology, review the curriculum, and when you're ready, reach out to speak with an Enrollment Specialist who can answer your questions about coursework, financial aid, and more. Your future in psychology could start with a single conversation—why not make it today?

Frequently Asked Questions

What courses are included in a BS in Psychology program?
Courses vary by program, but a BS in Psychology may include coursework in psychological theory, research, cognition, human development, psychological disorders, culture, and other areas of psychology. Walden University’s program includes core psychology courses as well as electives that students can use to explore additional areas of interest.

How many credits are required for Walden’s BS in Psychology?
Walden’s online BS in Psychology requires 181 quarter credits. The curriculum includes general education courses, core courses, general electives, and a capstone course.

Can a BS in Psychology be earned online?
Yes. Walden’s BS in Psychology is offered online, allowing students to complete coursework remotely.

Can students choose a concentration in Walden’s BS in Psychology program?
Yes. Students can use elective courses to complete up to three concentrations. Concentration options include areas such as Forensic Psychology, Child and Adolescent Development, Addiction, Applied Psychology, and others.

Can a BS in Psychology prepare students for graduate study?
A bachelor’s degree in psychology can provide a foundation for continued study in psychology and related fields. At Walden, eligible students can take Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM) courses that earn credit toward a Walden master’s degree while also meeting undergraduate degree requirements.

 

Disclosures


1This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt and reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable.

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering a Bachelor’s in Psychology degree program online. Earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

Note on Licensure: The BS in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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