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Psychology, B.S.

Psychology, B.S.

What Is A B.S. In Psychology?

Psychology DegreeAnd what's the difference between a B.A. and a B.S.?

The psychology degree program at Florida Tech offers in-depth preparation for work in behavior analysis, clinical psychology, criminal justice, social work, organizational management and law. Unique electives allow you to develop career-track concentrations in subfields such as animal learning and behavior, clinical/counseling psychology, industrial/organizational psychology and sport psychology. The clinical psychology program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association's Commission on Accreditation.

Diverse Concentrations

Diverse concentrations and the ability to pursue either a B.A. or B.S. degree allow students to tailor their education to their area of interest and future plans. The Bachelor of Science degree is designed for students whose interests are oriented toward the natural sciences and mathematics. Students gain a foundation in the sciences with courses such as human cognition, adult development and aging, scientific and technical communication and psychology research methods. Students with a Bachelor of Science psychology degree may be more interested in research, analysis and the study of psychology topics.

  • Animal Behavior: Courses in both biological sciences and behavior analysis emphasize biological bases of behavior and species-typical learning as well as standard principles of training that cross species lines. Most animal behavior psychology degree students also add a minor in biology. The culmination of the program is an internship within a facility or institution that emphasizes animal training, husbandry or public education.
  • Clinical Psychology: The clinical/counseling concentration psychology degree exposes students to courses and field placements that emphasize the assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders. Such areas of study include substance abuse, abnormal psychology, clinical psychology, professional ethics and assessment techniques.
  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology: This degree prepares students to enter business directly after graduation, in industrial/organizational psychology, business law, management, human resource management, organizational behavior and substance abuse. Students who choose this concentration for their psychology degree are encouraged to add a minor in business administration.
  • Neuropsychology: This field of study focuses on the complex area of brain and behavior interactions – the relationship between the nervous system and cognitive function. Neuropsychologists study healthy humans in a laboratory setting in order to assess, manage and rehabilitate people with neurocognitive problems due to illness or brain injury.
  • Social/Cultural Psychology: This psychology degree brings together psychology and social sciences, exploring sociology, anthropology, economics and political science to provide a complete understanding of the human condition. A psychologist with a postgraduate degree might choose international consulting, academia, government, training, research or even law school – particularly if a student is interested in law firms concentrating on multinational corporations, government or international business.

Gain Practical Experience

Florida Tech's low student-to-faculty ratio encourages close collaboration and mentorship as well as individual creativity and leadership. Because many school of psychology faculty perform applied research outside of their teaching responsibilities, students working towards a psychology degree have an opportunity to work with faculty in ongoing research projects.

The School of Psychology also operates a variety of clinics and consulting programs, including:

  • East Central Florida Memory Clinic
  • Community Psychological Services
  • Center for Organizational Effectiveness
  • Institute for Culture, Collaboration and Management

As a senior, students engage in a scholarly inquiry project, for which they complete an intensive field internship experience and conduct a substantial research study on a topic of their choosing. As a result, psychology degree students get practical experience, an enhanced job search portfolio and the perfect preparation for finding a job or going to graduate school.

Build Professional Relationships

Beyond the classroom, psychology majors build leadership experience through exciting internships and participation in academic organizations like Psi Chi (psychology honor society), the Undergraduate Psychology Student Association, student government and over 100 other student organizations.

Get Recruited Upon Graduation

Employers that have recruited Florida Tech students with a psychology degree for internships and careers include the Brevard Zoo, Circles of Care, Dolphin Quest Oahu, EPCOT, and Space Coast Early Intervention Center.

Earn an Advanced Degree

After receiving their psychology degree, many students go to graduate school at Florida Tech and other prestigious universities, including Boston College and Ohio State.

Why Pursue A B.S In Psychology At Florida Tech?

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Get the facts about graduate studies at Florida Tech

You have two graduate study opportunities:

  1. On Campus
  2. Download the Grad Guide!

  3. At an Education Center near you
  4. Get the Education Center Brochure

You have three graduate study opportunities:

  1. On Campus
  2. Download the Grad Guide!

  3. At an Education Center near you
  4. Get the Education Center Brochure

  5. 100% Online
  6. Learn more about Florida Tech Online

You have two graduate study opportunities:

  1. On Campus
  2. Download the Grad Guide!

  3. 100% Online
  4. Learn more about Florida Tech Online

You have two graduate study opportunities:

  1. At an Education Center near you
  2. Get the Education Center Brochure

  3. 100% Online
  4. Learn more about Florida Tech Online

Psychology graduates are well prepared to enter the field as working professionals or to pursue graduate school. One reason Florida Tech is one of the best colleges for psychology is its family-oriented and close-knit academic environment where students are able to work closely with professors and fellow students. Students study and engage in internships and research projects in small classes in an environment of mentorship where they get to know their fellow students and professors.

Each student is assigned to a faculty advisor who assists with selecting courses in addition to mentoring and offering guidance for career and/or graduate school opportunities. Qualified students are also encouraged to participate in faculty-led research; some work on an applied research project with the FBI reviewing and coding case files.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Enhanced learning opportunities through undergraduate research are another way Florida Tech is one of the best colleges for psychology. Many School of Psychology professors perform applied research outside of their teaching responsibilities working in settings such as clinical treatment or organizational consulting. Qualified students are encouraged to participate in faculty-led research.

Facilities & Resources

As one of the best colleges for psychology, our students have all the tools they need to succeed. At Florida Tech students have access to the Florida Tech Commons, a building that houses the School of Psychology, classrooms, human research areas, observation and treatment rooms, computer facilities, two conference rooms and a student workroom/lounge. Some students also choose to study in the Evans Library where the Applied Computing Center is located, or seek free tutoring offered by the Academic Support Center.

Great Florida Location

In terms of location, even the best colleges for psychology can't beat Florida Tech. The 130-acre campus is located on the Space Coast, an area within the fifth largest high-tech workforce in the country with more than 5,000 high-tech corporations, government and military organizations. This workforce provides a variety of internship and employment opportunities.

Atlantic Ocean beaches are only a short drive away, as well as Central Florida attractions such as the NASA Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral and Walt Disney World. Florida Tech has a rich campus life that includes intramural and collegiate sports, clubs and social activities. When considering the best colleges for psychology, Florida Tech is the logical choice.

How Will A B.S. In Psychology Prepare Me For The Future?

Beyond the classroom, psychology internships are available to students at a variety of businesses and non-profit groups, including:

  • Circles of Care
  • Space Coast Early Intervention Center
  • East Central Florida Memory Disorder Clinic

These psychology internships allow for studies of treatment options, the course of treatment and the prognosis of various afflictions that patients have that our students may encounter in graduate school and their future careers.

As students progress in their degree and career-track concentrations, they take part in specialized psychology internships that cater to their future goals, including opportunities to work with prestigious organizations including the FBI and the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Students interested in the study of animal learning and behavior can also obtain psychology internships with organizations such as the Brevard Zoo, SeaWorld, Dolphin Quest Oahu and many more, earning real-world experience and forging potential career connections.

Research Opportunities

After completing research methods coursework, select students may also receive invitations to work with faculty-led research teams studying a variety of topics and issues within the field of psychology including Autism and Alzheimer's research, animal training, gender studies, emotional wellness and criminal behavior.

Many psychology internships also serve as research opportunities, allowing participants to collect data relevant to their area of study through their work experience. This data can then be used to create a formal research project to be presented at a university-wide research colloquium.

Student Organizations

Florida Tech is home to a chapter of the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology. Psi Chi is an active student organization that participates in community service and other campus-wide events.

Active Minds is another organization that focuses on psychology and mental health. As members of Active Minds, students have an opportunity to take part in planning events and seminars that utilize the student voice to change perceptions of mental health on college campuses.

What Can I Do With A B.S. In Psychology?

Psychology careers involve the skills to help people deal with problems. Psychologists assess, diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders from short-term personal issues to severe, chronic conditions.

Although strategies generally differ by specialty, psychologists often interview patients, give diagnostic tests and provide individual, family or group psychotherapy. They also design behavior modification programs and help patients implement their particular program.

Career Outlook

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides detailed information about hundreds of careers, entry-level education, overall working environment and employment prospects.

Psychology careers are expected to increase as people continue to turn to psychologists to help solve or manage their problems. Psychology careers also involve helping special groups, such as the elderly, veterans suffering from war trauma and individuals with Autism. Job prospects are best for those who have a doctoral degree in an applied specialty. Check the handbook to learn more about psychology careers.

Career Options

Psychology careers can involve a focus on certain specialties such as:

  • Neuropsychologists – research the relationship between the brain and behavior.

  • Counseling psychologists – advise people on how to deal with their problems in the home, workplace or community.

  • Developmental psychologists – analyze the psychological progress and development that take place throughout life (i.e. children and adolescents, or aging and the elderly).

  • Industrial-organizational psychologists – apply psychology to solve issues and improve the quality of life in the workplace such as workplace productivity, management or employee working styles, morale, policy planning, etc.

  • School psychologists – address education-related issues such as learning and behavioral problems, student performance, teaching improvements, etc.

  • There are many more psychology careers and specific areas to apply training in psychology.

Similar Occupations

  • Anthropologist

  • Market Research Analyst

  • Mental Health Counselor

  • Social Worker

  • Sociologist

  • School Counselor

  • Substance Abuse Counselor

Graduate School

Florida Tech graduates enter psychology careers immediately upon graduation or after continuing studies in graduate programs in counseling, social, clinical or forensic psychology, even law or medicine, at such prestigious institutions as:

  • University of Central Florida

  • Boston College

  • Colorado State University

  • Boston University

  • Florida State University

  • Howard University

  • University of Maryland

  • University of Miami

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