The requirements for attaining a bachelor of arts in psychology vary based on the country where the degree is being sought, however certain core principles of instruction are common throughout the discipline. Students seeking a psychology degree must enroll in a college or university and select it from a wide variety of potential college majors. A bachelor of arts in psychology will expose students to the six primary areas of psychology. Also, a student trying to obtain a bachelor’s degree in psychology should demonstrate the ability to create and interpret statistical data, have strong social skills, and maintain high ethical standards. It should be noted however, that a bachelor of arts in psychology merely exposes students to the field of psychology and does not teach them how to be a psychologist.
To gain admission into a college to study psychology, a student usually must have a high school degree or equivalent. Most colleges and universities require four years of study before the degree will be rewarded. Furthermore, some schools require students to at least earn grades of “C” or their equivalent in their psychology courses.
Most bachelor of arts in psychology courses require students to take an introduction to psychology course. These introductory classes provide a foundation for learning in future courses by introducing students to basic concepts from the study of psychology. Some schools also require a course that covers the history of psychology. This course covers the evolution of the field and provides a framework for the current state of the field.
Students enrolled in a bachelor of arts in psychology program must also show an understanding of the six main fields of psychology: developmental, social, cognitive, personality, physiological, and theoretical. Knowledge of these psychological disciplines is important for mastery of psychology as a whole and for becoming a practicing psychologist.
Furthermore, students must have high quality research and presentation skills in order to receive a bachelor of arts in psychology. Psychology contains numerous studies that must be read and comprehended. Also, students often conduct tests and surveys that must be presented in class or as formal papers. As a result, the ability to write or orally communicate in a clear and concise manner is important for anyone seeking a bachelor’s degree in psychology. It should be noted that in addition to the core requirements associated with a bachelor of arts in psychology, schools may have other requirements for graduation related to foreign language, math, science, history, among others.
