Psychology - Major

Major: Psychology
Degree awarded: Bachelor of Arts
Total credit hours: 45-49
Internship/Practicum opportunities: Visit the Career Development Center for internship information.

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Online Academic Catalog Details / Required Courses

About the Psychology Major

Psychology is a science that seeks to understand the mind and behavior of humans and non-human animals. Thiel College’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology explores the many areas of specific interest within the discipline of psychology, such as perception, learning, memory, intelligence, personality, development across the lifespan, abnormal behavior and social behavior.

Thiel’s psychology faculty have adopted five goals for psychology majors, which adhere to the American Psychological Association's Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major, specifically:

Knowledge Base in Psychology
Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking
Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World
Communication
Professional Development

Psychology Major Objectives

At Thiel College, the bachelor’s degree courses in psychology prepare students to:

Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems.
Demonstrate scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills, including effective research methods.
Display ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity.
Demonstrate professional abilities including effective self-reflection, project management skills, and career/graduate school preparation.
Cultivate interpersonal skills and learn to be a valuable member of a team.
Communicate effectively in oral and written form.
Network with distinguished business alumni.

Psychology Curriculum

This program delivers a strong general background in psychology and an ability to think clearly and critically in different settings. A BA in psychology will prepare you for a wide variety of careers and graduate studies, including work in counseling/therapy, business, government/law, and education. Psychology students are encouraged to complete at least one internship and have will have multiple networking opportunities with business alumni prior to graduation. Review the Academic Catalog (2025-2026) for detailed healthcare administration course listings.

Scholarship Opportunities

Thiel College offers scholarships to students for reasons such as academic success, community service or involvement, exemplary leadership and more! The scholarships available to psychology majors are:

Marion G. Resch Science Scholarship at Thiel College
William Randolph Hearst Scholarship Endowment Fund
Mister Rogers Scholarship
The Dr. James H. Shaffer Psychology Endowed Scholarship Fund
Dr. Georgianne Stary Award

Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about the types of aid available to students.

Clubs and Organizations

It's easy to get involved on campus at Thiel; joining a student club or organization is an excellent way to meet fellow students and gain leadership experience.

It's easy to get involved on campus! Joining a student club or organization is an excellent way to meet others and gain leadership experience. A psychology major might be interested in the following clubs and orgs:

Active Minds
Psi Chi (National Psychology Honorary)
Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Society)

Explore a full list of Thiel student clubs and organizations.

Alumni and Careers

Your interest in the working of the human mind along with your desire to help others can put you a path to becoming a mental health counselor, college admissions officer, special education teacher, sports psychologist, police officer, human resources specialist, market research analyst, for example. Recent Thiel College graduates now hold positions as teachers, case managers, resident directors of group homes for troubled adolescents, counselors of individuals with mental illness and intellectual disabilities, personnel evaluators in industry and group counselors in state and local agencies.

Potential career paths for graduates of the psychology major include:

Psychologist
School Career Counselor
Sports Psychologist
Correctional Psychology
Geropsychologist

Salary for any of these professions can vary widely depending on many important factors, including residence, highest education level, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

Thiel College has a strong and active alumni community who are willing to support recent Thiel graduates as they begin their professional careers.