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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Next semester starts 01/21/2025

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What is a BA in Psychology degree?

Discover the complexities of human behavior with our Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program at St. Ambrose University. Gain insights into the workings of the mind and learn to apply psychological principles in real-world contexts. From foundational theories to hands-on research or internship experiences, our curriculum offers options to prepare you for diverse career paths. You'll study core areas such as clinical, developmental, and cognitive psychology, while honing critical thinking and ethical decision-making skills. Prepare to make a difference in the lives of others through the study of human behavior.

Reduce tuition by up to $24k

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Why earn a BA in Psychology?

Our program helps you develop core knowledge about human function and development, research methodology, and brain anatomy. You’ll excel in our hands-on environment with opportunities to work at mental health sites or conduct research alongside your professors. Get the foundation you need to become a skilled, versatile, sought-after mental health professional in various areas of business.

Experiential learning

Gain experience by taking an internship course. You’ll work 8-10 hours a week at a mental health site.

Strong community partnerships

Our program has agreements with over 20 organizations in our community to provide professional experiences and mentorship.

Psychology learning community

Incoming freshmen can join our psychology learning community which centers around the exploration of a variety of career paths.

Beyond the basics

Learn about specialty areas in clinical/counseling psychology, forensic psychology, experimental psychology, and neuroscience.

Tailored program

Three capstone course options to choose from internships, research or professional development.

What you’ll learn in your BA in Psychology

As you progress through the program, you’ll gain the five core skills the American Psychology Association recommends psychology students develop. Collaborate with peers, professors, and industry experts to explore how you’ll use these skills in a job that aligns with your career goals and interests.

Describe and apply psychological content to solve practical problems
Demonstrate scientific reasoning and literacy to interpret psychological research and phenomena
Adopt, build, and apply ethical standards to enhance relationships, values, and practices
Demonstrate competence in oral and written communication
Apply psychological content and skills toward self-reflection, project management, teamwork, and career preparation

Endless support

“I received so much support from my faculty, staff, and advisors in both the Social Work and Psychology programs. From the time I applied, through my internship that turned into full-time employment, and through graduation, I always had someone to reach out to with questions and always felt comfortable and supported by my advisors.”

-Sarah Bisland '23 BA in Psychology, Bachelor of Social Work

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Explore Psychology courses

This degree will require you to complete a total of 120 credits.
You will complete, 39 gen ed credits, 34 psychology credits, 47 elective credits, and 1 senior capstone course.

Explore course sequence

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Sample courses

Class code	Class title	Credits
PSYC 326	Child and Adolescent Abnormal Psychology	3 credits
PSYC 328	Psychology and Treatment of Trauma and the Victim	3 credits
PSYC 350	Health Psychology	3 credits
PSYC 360	Behavioral Pharmacology	3 credits
PSYC 384	Advanced Child & Adolescent Development	3 credits

How much does a BA in Psychology cost?

The cost of your degree will depend on several factors, like scholarships, housing, meal plans, and transfer credits. New students also pay a $100 matriculation fee. You will also need to budget for books, supplies, materials, transportation, personal costs, loan fees, and other expenses. Explore total cost of attendance.

Full-time student living on campus

Expense	By Semester	By Year
Full-time tuition (12-18 credits)*	$18,189	$36,378
Housing**	$4,019	$8,038
Food***	$2,670	$5,340
Technology fee	$140	$280
Total direct charges (billable)	$25,018	$50,036

*Based on 2024-2025 tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are subject to change each summer.
**This cost is estimated, actual housing cost will vary by student selections.
***Cost estimate based on 3 meals per day.

Full-time online (independent student living off campus)

Expense	By Semester	By Year
Total tuition ($530/credit hour)**	$6,360	$12,720
Technology fee	$140	$280
Total direct charges (billable)	$6,500	$13,000

*Based on a full-time fall or spring semester with 12 credit hours.
**Based on 2024-2025 tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are subject to change each summer.

How much does housing cost?

When it comes to housing, St. Ambrose University offers diverse options to meet the needs of our students. From traditional dormitories to apartment-style living, there's something for everyone. The cost of your housing will vary based on where you decide to live and the meal plan you choose.
Explore housing options

St. Ambrose University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Accreditation and recognitions provide the assurance we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability.

See all of SAU’s accreditations

How does SAU support Psychology students?

St. Ambrose University’s psychology faculty have decades of real-world experience in addition to their teaching. Our professors have provided therapy and mental health care to children and adults, conducted research in hospital settings, completed forensic psychology work with justice-involved adults and youth, and done community-based work with schools, just to name a few. Additionally, some faculty remained licensed psychologists in the State of Iowa. You’ll be able to use their diverse experiences to help hone in on your passions and choose the path that best fits your career goals.

Psychology program faculty

Andrew Kaiser, PhD

Jennifer Best, MSEd, CFLE, CFCS, HDFS, BCC

John Stachula, PhD

Judy Correa Kaiser, PhD

Julie Jenks Kettmann, PhD Jenks Kettmann, PhD

Katie Trujillo, PhD Trujillo, PhD

Katrina Okerstrom-Jezewski, PhD

Other support resources

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Student Success Center

At St. Ambrose, we want you to thrive. Access free tutoring, study groups, and supplemental instruction through our Student Success Center.

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Accessibility Resource Center

Whether you need classroom accommodations, alternative exam arrangements, or disability support strategies, our Accessibility Resource Center is here to help.

Learn about our resources

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Career services

Our Academic and Career Planning Center is ready to help you polish your resume and land the job or internship that will launch your career.

Discover career support

Are there scholarships available for BA in Psychology?

At St. Ambrose University, we believe that education should be accessible to all. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for our students. We are committed to providing our students with the resources they need to succeed academically and financially.

Ambrose Advantage Scholarship

Through the Ambrose Advantage scholarship program, a tuition-free St. Ambrose University education is available to any Pell Grant-eligible Ioans. Learn more about the Ambrose Advantage.

Merit-based and institutional scholarships

St. Ambrose offers excellent scholarships and grants based on your strong academic performance, your talent in fine arts or athletics, or your community involvement. Explore SAU scholarships.

Transfer credits

At SAU, you may be able to transfer previous college credit toward your bachelor’s degree, saving you significant time and money. Learn how to transfer credits.

Focus on classes. Not cost.

"Cost is obviously a big thing for anybody going to college. When I found out about the Ambrose Advantage, it took the stress off me and my family. Now I can focus on my classes and getting a start on my career."

-Bailey Hird, Fairfield, Iowa

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What’s on campus for Psychology students?

Engage in volunteer activities and services while cultivating your knowledge of the field of psychology by joining the Psychology Club. This student-led organization participates in the National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) Walk every September. They also volunteer at Project Renewal for at-risk youth and engage in depression and alcohol screening events on campus.

Join the International Honor Society in Psychology – Psi Chi – your junior or senior year. Founded in 1929, the purpose of this organization is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship, and advance the science of psychology. Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and an affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association for Psychological Science (APS). Requirements to join: Must be a junior or senior at St. Ambrose with a declared psychology major or minor, have a GPA of at least 3.6, and have completed at least 9 credit hours of psychology classes.

Find your home

“Ambrose really felt like home to me. In part, I think I felt that sense of belonging because so many groups across campus are deliberate about fostering a sense of community. During my time at Ambrose, I was involved in all of the SAU bands, Campus Ministry, and Model United Nations, and in each of these groups, they fostered communities that made me feel like I had found family away from home.”

-Rachel Wiedman '21, BA in History, Philosophy, and Psychology

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What are the general admission requirements for a BA in Psychology?

Ready to become a Bee? Here are the admissions requirements for our Psychology program.

You must have graduated from an accredited high school or earned a GED
You must have a minimum cumulative, unweighted GPA of 2.5
You must provide an official high school transcript

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International student requirements

If you live outside of the U.S. there are different admissions requirements. Here’s what you’ll need:

Official transcripts from secondary education
A minimum 2.5 CGPA out of a 4.0 scale, or equivalent
Proof of English language proficiency (minimum scores: TOEFL - 79, IELTS - 6.0)
Copy of your passport and other documentation

What can I do with a Psychology degree?

Your education and degree can help you reach your professional goals. St. Ambrose University can never promise a career or particular outcome upon graduating. We encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here is a list of potential job titles, traits, and settings a graduate in our Psychology program could achieve.

Potential job titles

Social services manager
Human resource specialist
Behavior interventionist
Prevention program manager
Case manager
Research assistant

Potential employment settings

School districts
Social service agencies
Healthcare systems
Research institute
Mental health facilities
Non-profit organizations

Top traits of a Psychology graduate

Empathetic
Analytical
Critical-thinker
Communicative
Human-focused
Adaptable

Industry facts

The median annual wage for a social services manager was $77,030 per year in May 2023.
Overall employment of social services manager is projected to grow 9 percent by 2032.

For more information on financial employment and wages, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.

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Become who you are meant to be

With more than 65 undergraduate and graduate programs, there’s something for everyone at St. Ambrose University! Explore our programs to find your place at SAU.