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Psychology

Psychology combines knowledge of the inner workings of mind and body with mindful listening skills in order to understand others and help them grow and heal.

Professor sitting in a circle with students in the classroom.
Professor sitting in a circle with students in the classroom.

Types

Associate
Bachelor
Minor

Location

On-Campus
Online

Credits

40*

Cost

$9,875
$220/credit hour

The first step toward helping others is understanding them.

With a psychology degree, you can make a positive impact on the world in countless ways. Gain a strong foundation in psychology and unlock numerous career opportunities in fields such as clinical psychology, social work, counseling, education, and even human resource, marketing and business management. At Cumberlands, you will experience a diverse range of psychology degrees courses that reflect the discipline's breadth and cater to your interests. With faculty members bringing real-world understanding and fresh ideas to their teaching, you'll receive a dynamic education that combines theory with practical knowledge. 

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

$81,040

Average Salary

8%

Industry Growth

#1

in KY, Associate Degree

16:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog. 

General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

You have the gift of understanding those around you; hone it with a degree in psychology. Use your talent to help heal, mediate, and provide guidance for those in need. A bachelor's degree in psychology will prepare you for entry-level positions in a variety of human service fields as well as for graduate school. It can position you well for graduate study in psychology, nursing, counseling, social work, business, law, education, medicine, and many other areas. Or, if you aspire to a career in mental health counseling, the psychology degree, courses at University of the Cumberlands can give you an understanding of the intricacies of working with others, and the skills you acquire will be invaluable to your work. 

Course Requirements

A Bachelor of Arts degree requires completing the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of completing one foreign language sequence through the intermediate level.

  • FREN 131        Elementary French I
  • FREN 132        Elementary French II
  • FREN 231        Intermediate French I
  • FREN 232        Intermediate French II
     
  • SPAN 131        Elementary Spanish I
  • SPAN 132        Elementary Spanish II
  • SPAN 231        Intermediate Spanish I
  • SPAN 232        Intermediate Spanish II

Psychology Minors

You don’t need to pursue a bachelor degree in psychology in order to hone your gift of understanding and helping others. The knowledge and skills you learn through a minor in psychology program will help you use your gift to help heal, mediate, and provide guidance for those in need. A minor in psychology complements many major degree programs and is sure to help you succeed not only in the workforce but in other areas of life as well. 

Course Requirements

These two courses (6 credit hours) are required:

Select five courses (15 credit hours) from the following:

Notes:
Psychology Minors-Students can take only two 200-level electives for the minor in Psychology *Students who choose to take Both PSYC 234 and PSYC 244 may take One additional 200-level psychology course to satisfy their minor electives. Also, students who take these two courses may also choose from additional courses for which PSYC 234 and PSYC 244 are prerequisites (PSYC 431, PSYC 436, PSYC 438).

Note:
Psychology Minors-Students can take only two 200-level electives for the minor in Psychology *Students who choose to take Both PSYC 234 and PSYC 244 may take One additional 200-level psychology course to satisfy their minor electives. Also, students who take these two courses may also choose from additional courses for which PSYC 234 and PSYC 244 are prerequisites (PSYC 431, PSYC 436, PSYC 438).

Associate of Science with a Major in Psychology

At Cumberlands, you have the option to complete an Associate of Science (A.S.) or an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) psychology degree entirely online, at an affordable rate, and in as little as one year. These degree programs are designed to offer a broad understanding of psychology that helps prepare graduates for entry level work in a related career or continued studies through a future bachelor's degree in psychology program.

Course Requirements

Note: To view requirements for the online Associate of Applied Science in Psychology program, visit our Applied Science page.

A Music Therapy pathway for Music and Psychology students who plan to eventually pursue a graduate degree in Music Therapy. 

Music Therapy Pathway for Psychology Minors

Students pursuing the Music Therapy Pathway should pick one of the emphasis options listed for the B.S / B.A. (B.S./ B.A. Piano Emphasis Requirements, B.S./ B.A. Guitar Emphasis Requirements, B.S./ B.A. Instrumental Emphasis Requirements or B.S. / B.A. Vocal Emphasis)

All students, regardless of emphasis, should take MUPR 121 - Class Voice and Diction. Students choosing a vocal emphasis should take this class in their first semester of music study.

Students with limited vocal training may be encouraged to complete additional study in Applied Voice in order to develop a stronger singing voice.

All students, regardless of emphasis, should take MUPR 219 - Guitar Techniques.

Additional study in Applied Guitar is required for two semesters. It is recommended that study focus on chording including I, IV and V7 chords in four major and four minor keys as well as common simple tunes (pop, country, folk, gospel, children’s songs, etc.) from various decades.

Music majors must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in prerequisite courses.

Transfer students may have the pattern of prerequisites altered at the discretion of the Department Chair Students with a piano emphasis will substitute MUPR 221 - Piano Pedagogy for MUPR 117 - Class Piano I and MUPR 118 - Class Piano II.

The following classes are also recommended from the Department of Biology for the Music Therapy Pathway:

Take the Next Step

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Program Mission

The mission of the bachelor's degree in psychology program is to prepare students for diverse careers in fields such as marketing, management, clinical psychology, counseling, and more.

Provide an educational background appropriate for a liberal arts program.
Prepare students for careers in areas that value a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Lay a strong foundation for graduate study in various disciplines.
Develop students' understanding of working with others and enhance their counseling skills.
Foster critical thinking and people skills for success in the workforce.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Psychology Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Psychologist: $81,040

Psychologist: $81,040

Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments.

Career Counselor: $60,510

Career Counselor: $60,510

School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment.

Mental Health Counselor: $48,520

Mental Health Counselor: $48,520

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression.

Professor: $79,640

Professor: $79,640

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.

Case Manager: $74,000

Case Manager: $74,000

Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.

Probation Officer: $60,250

Probation Officer: $60,250

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitating law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

Yes, our professors are experienced in the psychology field, though their experiences are from diverse backgrounds. When you major in psychology at University of the Cumberlands, you learn from and interact with a dynamic group of people who not only bring fresh ideas but also real-world understanding to their teaching. Our faculty members share an interest in psychology and a dedication to teaching, but their backgrounds and their professional specializations differ greatly. 

Since virtually every industry values workers who know how to listen and communicate well, research and analyze data, and think critically, a degree in psychology can benefit you in any number of fields. Some more typical examples include: 

  • School Psychologist 
  • Counseling Psychologist 
  • Applied Behavior Specialist 
  • Psychotherapist 
  • Professor of Psychology 
  • Case Management 
  • Childcare Worker 
  • Probation/ Parole Officer 
  • Psychiatric Technician 
  • Sales or Marketing 
  • Administration and Management 
  • Healthcare 

Though salaries vary by specialization, experience level, and geographic location, among other factors, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that the median annual wage of a psychologist in the U.S. is approximately $81,000. 

It all depends on the kind of occupation you’re looking for. Many jobs in the psychology field require additional schooling beyond a bachelor’s degree, but not all. You might want to do some research into potential careers to learn more about what they would entail day-by-day, their average salaries, and what level of schooling is required for them. 

Great question! University of the Cumberlands offers a minor in psychology so that you can dive deeper into the field while still pursuing other interests. Or, if you’re on the fence about pursuing a full bachelor’s degree in the first place, you may consider our associate degree programs, which take half the time to complete as a bachelor’s while still teaching you the same psychology essentials. 

All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Psychology

Learn more about the psychology professors you will interact with.

Lindsay Bell

Lindsay Bell

Adjunct Professor
Psychology

Lindsay Bell

Contact Information

lindsay.bell [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
Dr. Jelenny Marquez

Dr. Jelenny Marquez

Adjunct Professor
Psychology

Dr. Jelenny Marquez

Contact Information

jelenny.marquez [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
Dr. Jean Hunt

Dr. Jean W. Hunt

Adjunct Professor
Psychology

Dr. Jean W. Hunt

Contact Information

828.536.5199
jean.hunt [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
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