Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

What You Will Study: Core training in developmental, cognitive, social, and abnormal psychology. You will also complete foundational courses in research methods and statistics.

Why Choose This Track: Maximum flexibility. Pair your degree with a minor or second major. Many students interested in mental and behavioral health or human services add the Clinical and Community Behavioral Health minor.

Common Next Steps: Human resources, behavioral health support roles, community services, or graduate study in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (LPC), clinical, or school psychology.

What You Will Study: The role of human behavior and psychological principles within the legal and justice systems. Coursework includes Psychology and Law and Advanced Forensic Psychology, and integrated criminology and political studies.

Why Choose This Track: Built for students interested in criminal justice, court systems, corrections, victim advocacy, or law school.

Common Next Steps: Probation and parole, court advocacy, law enforcement behavioral analysis, juvenile justice, or graduate study in law (JD) and forensic psychology.

What You Will Study: An interdisciplinary curriculum that blends psychology, kinesiology, performance, and sport.

Why Choose This Track: Designed for students passionate about athletic performance, physical wellness, and team dynamics.

Common Next Steps: Athletic coaching, performance consulting, fitness facility management, corporate wellness, or graduate pathways in sport psychology and occupational therapy.

Yes. Every concentration has a structured Finish in Four plan.

Because the major requires 35 to 54 credit hours, you have plenty of room to finish your Colonnade general education requirements, complete your minor or concentration courses, and graduate in eight standard semesters without overloading your schedule.

WKU offers three distinct tracks so you can tailor your degree to your specific goals:

• General Psychology (35 credit hours): Our most flexible pathway. You will study core behavioral foundations and select electives that match your interests. This track requires a minor or second major, giving you a custom double-focus.

• Forensic Psychology (41 credit hours): Designed for students interested in the intersection of psychology and the legal system. In addition to psychology coursework, you take targeted classes in criminology, criminal justice procedures, and philosophy of law. This track also requires a minor or second major.

• Sport Psychology (54 credit hours): Built for students focused on athletic performance, motivation, and physical wellness. This is a comprehensive standalone concentration that integrates coursework from exercise science, human anatomy, nutrition, and sports communication. Because of its interdisciplinary depth, no outside minor is required.

If you select the General or Forensic Psychology concentration, yes. You will pair your major with a minor (typically 18 to 24 hours) or a second major. Popular pairings include Criminology, Clinical and Community Behavioral Health, Child Studies, Sociology, or Business Administration.

If you select the Sport Psychology concentration, no minor is required. The 54-hour curriculum includes built-in coursework across exercise physiology, anatomy, and nutrition.

Yes. Unlike large universities where research is reserved exclusively for graduate students, WKU undergraduates actively participate in faculty research labs.

• No prior research experience is required.

• You can start by enrolling in Supervised Study in Psychology (PSY 290) for 1 to 3 credit hours, assisting faculty with data collection and active studies.

• Advanced students can take Research, Readings, or Special Projects (PSY 490) to design and lead projects under faculty mentorship.

• WKU psychology undergraduates regularly co-author papers and present findings at the WKU Student Research Conference, Posters at the Capitol in Frankfort, and national conferences like APA and APS.

Yes. Through Field Experience in Psychology (PSY 390), undergraduate students step outside the lecture hall and into professional work environments across south-central Kentucky and beyond.

• What You Do: You work directly under the supervision of a practicing professional. You will observe how psychological principles apply to real clients, clients’ families, students, or organizations.

• Where You Can Work: Placements match your career goals and include community mental health agencies, youth services and residential programs, crisis centers, school systems, non-profits, human resources departments, and rehabilitation clinics throughout Bowling Green, Nashville, and surrounding areas.

• Why It Matters for Your Future:

  • For Employment: You graduate with documented, on-the-job experience and professional references rather than just a degree on paper.

  • For Graduate School: Admissions committees for clinical, counseling, and school psychology look specifically for verified contact hours in applied settings.

Yes. WKU is home to three respected graduate credentials in psychology, all based in Gary A. Ransdell Hall:

• Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology: Clinical Psychology concentration.

• Specialist in Education (Ed.S.): School Psychology

• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.): Applied Psychology.

Studying as an undergraduate at WKU allows you to build direct relationships with the same faculty who teach and supervise in these graduate programs.

A psychology degree provides skills that employers across every sector prioritize: behavioral analysis, research design, interpersonal communication, and data interpretation.

Graduates who enter the workforce secure roles such as:

• Behavioral Health and Human Services: Case manager, community outreach coordinator, behavioral health technician, crisis support specialist, and youth advocate.

• Business and Industry: Human resources specialist, corporate recruiter, market research analyst, and sales manager.

• Public Service and Legal Systems: Court advocate, probation or juvenile justice assistant, and public policy coordinator.

If you decide to continue your education later, your degree covers all standard prerequisites for master's and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, school psychology, counseling, social work, and law school.