Practical Training for Professional Psychology Practice
The Chicago School’s B.A. Psychology program is grounded in the same practical approach to psychology education that has made our institution a leader in the field since 1979.
Whether you study in person or online, our bachelor’s degree program provides a strong foundation in psychological theory and research while helping you develop the pragmatic skills needed to work in a variety of professional roles and settings.
Prepare for your professional psychology career or an advanced degree program with your B.A. Psychology from The Chicago School.
Move Into a Graduate Program
The B.A. Psychology program was designed to blend seamlessly into our advanced graduate degree programs. Qualified students hoping to pursue a graduate degree may enroll in advanced courses while completing the B.A. Psychology program, reducing the overall time and cost of earning each degree separately.
Expand the Articulation Agreements menu below for a full list of eligible graduate degree programs that share established agreements with the B.A. Psychology program.
The Focused Path: Start Serving Sooner
90 credits. Three years. Completely online. Same academic excellence.
The B.A. Psychology: Focused Path (Reduced Credit Track)–one of the first programs of its kind approved by the WASC Senior College and University Commission–is a learning option for motivated students like you who are certain about your future in professional psychology or behavioral health and want to focus your studies on the core curriculum.
How do we offer a full B.A. Psychology academic experience with only 90 credits and three years of study? Simple: no minors and limited elective requirements. By removing these requirements, the Focused Path provides the same high-quality education in a more streamlined, cost-effective, and timely manner.
The B.A. Psychology: Focused Path may be right for you if you are determined to begin your psychology career more quickly, want to save time and money completing fewer credits online, and hope to provide comprehensive, compassionate care and services without sacrificing the rigorous training or academic excellence required to do so.
Learn about the vision behind the B.A. Psychology: Focused Path.
Program availability varies by state. Not all states are eligible for enrollment. Please contact admissions to confirm eligibility based on your location.
The Standard Path: Find Your Calling
Explore the wide field of psychology and find your calling within it in the B.A. Psychology: Standard Path learning option.
The four-year, 120-credit Standard Path gives you an inside look at psychology’s many niches, including child and adolescent psychology, social work, leadership development, workplace psychology, cultural behavior, and beyond, through a vast array of elective courses. Optional minors in Health Science, Addiction Studies, and Applied Behavior Analysis offer opportunities for you to further focus your studies on specialized, in-demand areas of the field.
The B.A. Psychology: Standard Path may be right for you if you are eager to enter the field of professional psychology, behavioral health, or counseling, want a complete understanding of psychology’s basic principles, and may be interested in pursuing a graduate level degree program.
Admissions Requirements
- Completed application and $50 application fee
- Applicants must provide proof of the qualifying conferral—high school graduation (or the equivalent) or proof of an earned associate degree.
- A GPA of 2.3 or above is required for admission.
- For those who have a GPA lower than 2.3, applicants may submit the following materials for additional consideration:
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- One letter of recommendation
- A college essay
Licensure
The B.A. Psychology in-person or online program is a non-licensure program. For information on whether a program at The Chicago School meets or does not meet licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit our licensure disclosures page.
Articulation Agreements
Qualified students hoping to pursue a graduate degree may enroll in advanced courses while completing the B.A. Psychology program, reducing the overall time and cost of earning each degree separately.
You may qualify for early acceptance into the following graduate programs:
- Ed.S. School Psychology (Standard Path Only)
- Master of Public Health
- M.A. Applied Psychology
- M.A. Behavioral Economics
- M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.A. Counseling Psychology (Standard Path Only)
- M.A. Applied Forensic Psychology
- M.A. Forensic Psychology: Professional Counselor Licensure
- M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- M.A. International Psychology
- M.A. Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy
- M.A. Organizational Leadership
- M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis
Fieldwork Opportunities
As part of the Addiction Studies minor, you will be supervised in an approved community agency. Here, you'll gain necessary skills, while learning to handle client records, and coordinate services, ultimately preparing you for the state certification exam.
Sample Courses
Below are a few examples of courses offered to students enrolled in the B.A. Psychology.
To view a complete list of courses offered, visit our Catalog.
Fundamentals of Psychology
This course engages students in a detailed overview of the history and current scientific issues involving the behavioral sciences. Students will encounter a considerable body of information about the principles, methodologies, and terminology of psychology. This course is designed for students who intend to major in psychology and is designed as a foundation for future concentration courses in psychology.
Abnormal Psychology
This psychology course is designed to provide students with an introduction to theories and research concerning abnormal behavior (psychopathology). The course will address such topics as the incidence (frequency) of abnormal behavior of various types; how abnormal behaviors are classified into various diagnostic categories; the etiologies (causes) of psychological disorders; and the variety of methods employed in the treatment of abnormal behavior.
Neuropsychology
This course is a comprehensive introduction and examination of human neuropsychology and is intended to provide students with a basic understanding of the relationship between the brain and behavior. It will provide the basis for appreciating the many different ways in which behavior is related to specific regions of the human brain. Topics will include foundations of neuropsychology, the structure of the nervous system, functional specialization of the brain, as well as cognitive functions and assessment of brain disorders.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program students will be able to:
- Interact and collaborate with others effectively while applying psychological principles to individual, social, and organizational issues.
- Recognize, understand, and respect diverse communities while participating in their own, especially regarding its impact on psychology.
- Analyze personal and professional issues by applying psychological and ethical principles.
- Critically and creatively evaluate psychological concepts and research, building on foundational knowledge within the field.
Career Pathways
Graduates of this psychology bachelor's program will be prepared to begin work or advance their career within various professional roles and settings or to continue their studies at the graduate level. The program can provide an excellent foundation for careers in:
- Organizational training and development
- Medical and health services management
- Advertising, promotion, and marketing
- Human resources
- Public relations
- Social and community service management
Career Outcomes
The Chicago School prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this degree.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. The Chicago School is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions representative.
B.A. Psychology: Focused Path FAQs
What is the B.A. Psychology: Focused Path (reduced credit track) program?
The Focused Path (reduced credit track) is a 90-credit hour version of The Chicago School’s 120-credit B.A. Psychology: Standard Path program. The 90-credit Focused Path consists of a 40-credit psychology major that includes 10 psychology related electives, the 44-credit hour General Education curriculum, only six general elective credits, and the option of up to six credits in selected graduate programs to qualifying students. All courses in the B.A. Psychology program are taught by practitioner faculty in clinical psychology, counseling, behavior analysis, or business psychology.
Why are we offering a Focused Path for the B.A. Psychology program?
The decision to develop a reduced-credit B.A. Psychology program (90 credits) is anchored in The Chicago School’s current five-year strategic plan (2025-2030), "Inspire 2030: One Vision, Collective Impact." This new program aligns with Focus Area I of the strategic plan, Developing Tomorrow’s Workforce, and aims to prepare the future workforce by educating tomorrow's professionals to meet the needs of individuals, organizations, and communities.
What are the benefits of a bachelor's degree with a reduced credit track?
The two major benefits are that eligible students can graduate with a bachelor's degree in a shorter timeframe and, with the reduction in required credit hours and following the prescribed course of study, it can reduce the overall financial impact (approximately 25% less than the standard 120-credit program).
Is the B.A. Psychology: Focused Path (reduced credit track) program accredited?
The Chicago School has WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) institutional accreditation and the commission’s approval to offer both paths of the B.A. Psychology program (the 120-credit hour Standard Path and the 90-credit hour Focused Path reduced credit track). Currently, the B.A. Psychology program, including both the Standard Path and the Focused Path (reduced credit track), does not have programmatic accreditation. For more information regarding accreditation, please visit here.
Does a bachelor's degree with reduced credit hours compromise the quality of an education from The Chicago School?
No, the quality of education and academic programs delivered by The Chicago School remains unchanged.
How will The Chicago School know if the Focused Path (reduced credit track) is successful?
The Chicago School monitors key performance indicators such as program learning outcome mastery, retention, enrollment, cumulative GPAs, and graduation rates for every academic program. Data is collected separately for each path, so faculty and academic leaders can compare the outcomes between the two paths to ensure they are comparable.
How does the Focused Path (reduced credit track) compare to the Standard Path?
Students will take courses alongside the Standard Path students. They will receive the same resources and support that all students at The Chicago School are offered.
What are the differences between the Standard Path and Focused Path (reduced credit track)?
Both pathways have the same academic rigor with the same core learning outcomes, essential skills development and faculty expertise. Students in the Standard Path are required to take more elective courses and have the option of declaring a minor. Students in the Focused Path (reduced credit track) will take fewer elective courses and have an additional capstone project (the Service Learning Capstone Project).
Are The Chicago School’s admissions requirements different for the Focused Path (reduced credit track)?
No, the admissions requirements for the B.A. Psychology program are the same for both the Standard Path and Focused Path (reduced-credit track).
Do the program learning outcomes differ between paths?
No, the program learning outcomes are the same for both the Standard Path and the Focused Path (reduced credit track).
Why is there an additional capstone in the Focused Path (reduced credit track)?
The Focused Path (reduced credit track) was designed to help students get into the workforce or graduate school more quickly. The additional capstone was developed to provide students with meaningful work-based learning experiences that employers and graduate schools value.
What opportunities await graduates of the Focused Path (reduced credit track)?
The program is designed so that graduates of the B.A. Psychology: Focused Path program can be prepared to either enter the workforce directly or pursue a graduate program.
Will graduate schools accept a bachelor's degree with reduced credit hours?
It is always up to the receiving institution to determine whether an applicant’s degree program and academic credentials satisfy admission requirements. Generally, graduate schools look at whether the bachelor’s degree is from an accredited institution.
Will employers accept a bachelor's degree with reduced credit hours?
Most employers are likely to accept a bachelor's degree with reduced credit hours if the degree is earned from an accredited institution. Generally, employers look at whether the bachelor’s degree is from an accredited institution.
How do transfer credits work for this program at The Chicago School?
The maximum for transfer credits for the Focused Path (reduced credit track) is 60 credit hours. The Chicago School does not accept transfer credit for BA300 Foundations of Psychology, BA340 Research Methods, BA380 Statistics, BA400 Research Project Capstone, and BA401 Service Learning Capstone Project. Transfer credits will follow the undergraduate transfer credit policy found in the Academic Catalog in the Student Handbook under the Academic Policies and Procedures section.
Financing Your Education
The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department will provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
