BA Psychology
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The Our Lady of the Lake University Psychology Department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program that prepares students to apply psychological theory and science in a broad range of settings and to pursue graduate studies. Students complete core courses that represent the field of psychology and have the option of selecting either a flexible degree plan that allows for 15 hours of elective courses in psychology or a concentration in pre-counseling.
Psychology Concentrations and Certificates
While each of the concentrations available prepare students for entry-level positions, becoming licensed to practice psychology requires that students continue on to pursue a master's or doctoral degree. A student's ultimate career goals will help them determine which concentration to pursue. The certificate option provides an additional opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge and skills in dealing with diverse clients in their careers.
Students choose the general concentration in preparation for careers in psychology and/or preparation for graduate studies. Coursework in this concentration focuses on the foundations of psychology that students will be able to apply in a variety of industries.
This concentration prepares students for graduate training or entry-level positions in mental health and human service fields through the learning of basic counseling theories and techniques and application of these techniques in a clinical practicum.
Pre-Counseling Concentration degree plan and course descriptions
The Violence Prevention and Intervention (VPI) certificate program is designed to educate students about the evolution and cycles of violence in families, systems and the broader culture. The purpose of the VPI certificate is to better prepare students for entry-level positions or for graduate training in the human services fields by acquiring knowledge about basic intervention theories and techniques for families exposed to violence and studying the effects of violence on women, children and the broader community.
This interdisciplinary certificate includes courses from psychology, sociology, criminal justice and social work.
Violence Prevention and Intervention Certificate degree plan and course descriptions
Practicum
In the psychology practicum, students apply psychological theories and basic counseling skills in working with individuals, families and groups. Students are assigned to agencies under professional supervision and complete a final paper integrating counseling theory with applied experience. This applied counseling experience enables students to be competitive for jobs in social service agencies and businesses, and for graduate school admission due to the hands-on training with diverse client populations and expert supervision in the field.
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program
The Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's (ABM) program allows undergraduate students in the psychology program to begin completing requirements for a master's degree during their senior year. By pursuing the accelerated program, students are able to complete a master's degree quicker and cheaper than those who choose the traditional track.
Students in the ABM programs are required to complete the same number of credits as those pursuing the traditional tracks. The difference arises in that students are able to complete several master's program courses while simultaneously completing the final requirements for their bachelor's degree. The courses will count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Through the ABM program, students take their graduate-level courses at the undergraduate tuition rate.
Requirements
Students must meet the following requirements to apply for an ABM program:
- Current OLLU student
- 3.0 overall GPA
- 3.0 GPA in their major
- Completed 75 credit hours at the time of application
- Completed 90 credit hours prior to enrolling in their first graduate course
- Endorsements submitted by two faculty members
Restrictions
- Students may take no more than six credit hours of graduate courses in a semester depending on the program.
- Students must be concurrently enrolled in at least six credit hours of undergraduate courses.
- Students must receive a B or better in graduate courses in order for the course to count toward a master's degree (courses with a grade lower than B will need to be repeated in the master's program).
- Student must receive a grade of C or better for graduate courses to count toward the undergraduate major.
Students who are interested in learning more about the ABM program should contact the department chair for the program they wish to pursue.
Download ABM ApplicationCareers with a Psychology degree
A bachelor's degree in psychology opens the doors to marry entry-level careers within social services. Possible career options include case manager, rehabilitation specialist, psychiatric technician, career counselor and many more.