Things to Know Before Choosing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology Degree

Is there something more important to us than our mind? Studying a bachelor of science in psychology will help you contribute to society. Whether it is through medical services for mental health as a psychiatrist or through research to understand human conditions, BS in Psychology is significant for the well-being of society. Many things about the human mind are still undiscovered. As a student of BS Psychology, you will study the function, capability, and structure of the human mind.

The following blog will give you everything you need to know before choosing a bachelor of science in psychology degree. Continue reading.

Browse all Psychology courses

AB Psychology vs BS Psychology

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is also called AB Psychology. AB and BS psychology course has more or less the same major subjects (from a holistic standpoint). The main difference between the two is that bachelor of science in psychology programs have science courses while AB psychology programs have social science.

AB psychology focuses on social humanities. AB psychology usually covers topics such as psychology (in general), social psychology, cognitive psychology, ethics, and many more related humanities and social sciences subjects. AB psychology courses might also have statistics (but not to the extent of BS Psychology) which is a vital part of psychology majors. 

BS Psychology (Bachelor of Science in Psychology) focuses on mathematical and scientific aspects of psychology. BS Psychology covers topics such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, algebra, statistics, and trigonometry in relation to psychology. This means that BS Psychology students will indulge more in lab work and psychology research methods.

What to choose, AB Psychology or BS Psychology?

AB Psychology is for elective requirements. Students choose AB Psychology as a stepping stone for studying areas other than general psychology. In contrast, BS Psychology prepares students for further study in psychology. This is because BS Psychology prepares students for research studies. Hence, more graduates of BS Psychology are well-equipped to major in psychology than AB (Psychology). 

You can be prepared for AB or BS Psychology by choosing the appropriate strand in your senior high school education (K 12). If you are going to pursue a course in Psychology, then take the STEM strand (as it has science and mathematics as required for BS Psychology). On the other hand, if you are going to pursue AB psychology take the HUMSS strand (as it has social science and humanities required for AB psychology).

Advantages of Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Now that you have learned what AB and BS Psychology are, their differences, and why one might choose one over the other, here are more detailed advantages of taking BS psychology over AB.

• A Bachelor of Science in psychology degree can stimulate the brain of students who are analytical through its science-maths approach.
• Students will learn psychology-related topics like biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and other natural sciences.
• BS Psychology degree program is a better foundation for students who want to do higher studies in psychology.
• Students with post-graduate study aspirations will benefit from learning research methods and data analysis.
• A BS psychology degree program is a mandatory requirement for Psychiatrists.
• A BS psychology degree program is also important for healthcare or organisational career students.
• Students will have the opportunity to attend and indulge with psychological professionals and attain a deeper understanding of the field.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Jobs

You can get job opportunities in multiple industries with a degree in BS Psychology. BS Psychology graduates often find jobs in health care, rehabilitation, research, social service, welfare, and marketing sectors in the government and private sectors. 

Here are a few popular jobs for you after graduating from a BS Psychology course, along with their salaries.

BS Psychology jobs in Health and Rehabilitation Industry

BS Psychology Jobs in Research and Welfare Industry

BS Psychology Jobs in Administration and Marketing Industry

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Subjects

Bachelor of Science in psychology subjects varies with country and university. However, all courses will have the same foundation topics. These topics are foundational psychological theories and practices, mental health conditions, human behaviour, and cognitive processes.

Here is a more defined list of subjects from BS Psychology.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Core subjects:

• Introduction to Psychology  
• Psychological Statistics 
• Developmental Psychology 
• Cognitive Psychology 
• Theories of Personality 
• Physiological/Biological Psychology 
• Experimental Psychology 
• Field Methods in Psychology 
• Social Psychology 
• Psychological Assessment 
• Abnormal Psychology 
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology 
• Culture and psychology
•  Research in Psychology

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Elective Courses:

• Disaster and Mental Health
• Human Resource Management with Labor Relations 
• Clinical Psychology 
• Group Dynamics 
• Practicum in Psychology 
• Natural Science Electives 

Other additional subjects in BS Psychology Courses:

• Fundamentals of Biology 5  
• Fundamentals of Chemistry 5  
• Biochemistry 5  
• General Zoology 

Best Countries to Study Psychology

Psychology is a universal discipline that is flourishing in universities around the world. Students can choose the USA, which is home to the American Psychological Association (APA is reaching new heights with its reports), or even Austria for the country’s historical significance of psychology. Either way, the following is the list of top countries to study psychology (in no particular order).

• USA 
• Austria 
• United Kingdom
• Australia 
• Canada 
• Germany
• Italy 
• New Zealand

Top Universities for Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Though many colleges and universities worldwide offer a bachelor of science in psychology degree programs, it can take time to pick the right one for you. The "Right University" encompasses many factors, such as student satisfaction, infrastructure, number of research papers published, campus policy, and more. With all these factors considered, some of the top universities for studying a bachelor of science in psychology courses are:

• Flinders University - Behavioural Science
• Lincoln University of Oakland CA - BS Psychology
• Victoria University of Wellington - Health Psychology
• University of Michigan Flint - BS Psychology
• University of Texas - BS Psychology
• Curtin University - Psychology and Human Resource Management
• University of Regina - BS Psychology
• University of California - Cognitive Sciences
• Nipissing University -  BS Psychology
• Kingston University London - Forensic Psychology
• Saint Francis University - BS Psychology
• Hofstra University - BS Psychology
• Illinois State University - BS Psychology

Top Universities for Master of Science in Psychology

• Trinity College Dublin - Applied Psychology
• Anglia Ruskin University - Clinical Child Psychology
• Flinders University - Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Charles Darwin University - Clinical Psychology
• Deakin University - Organisational Psychology
• Victoria University of Wellington - Forensic Psychology
• Saint Louis University - Behavior Analysis
• Illinois State University - Counseling Psychology
• California State University - MS Psychology
• Kingston University London - MS Psychology
• University of Westminster - MS Psychology