Psychology Major - BA or BS Psychology Programs

At GMercyU, you can pursue either a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (BA) or a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BS). Both the BA and BS psychology degree programs provide a solid foundation in core areas of study in psychology:  

• Human Development
• Abnormal Psychology
• Research Methods and Experimental Psychology
• Personality Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Biopsychology

To earn your BA in psychology, you will need two semesters (six credits) of coursework in a foreign language. To earn your BS in psychology, you will complete six credits within the natural and computational sciences.

We believe that psychology is best understood through an integrated approach combining classroom lecture, internships, and an emphasis on research and professional development – this includes the ability to develop and execute your own research projects, present your work at professional conferences, and participate in faculty-led research. For example, Professor Rebecca Gullan and several of her students co-authored this “Mentors That Matter” publication.

Through these exciting opportunities, you will:

Learn how to organize, design, and conduct original research protocols so you’re fully prepared for a future career or for graduate-level study.

Receive professional development mentorship from faculty.

Present your findings at professional conferences, such as The Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education (SEPCHE) Conference, the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, and other professional settings.

Present your research at GMercyU’s annual University Research Conference (see photo). Topics from our Spring 2020 conference included:

• “Attitudes Towards Accommodating Students in the Academic Setting”
• “Empathetic Perspective”
• “How We View Death”

Build skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and communication – key skills employers want.

Use electives to explore your passions and interests. Take courses in specific areas of study, such as forensic and adolescent psychology, or courses in other disciplines. For example, if your goal is working with people in the corrections system, you might take criminal justice or criminology courses in addition to your psychology coursework. Or, if you plan on attending medical school, you can take the pre-med courses needed to help prepare you. Passionate about the sports industry? At GMercyU, you can take courses within our Sports Management major.

And, at GMercyU, you can connect and bond with other psychology majors at events like GMercyU’s “Painting Away Stress Nights.” This particular event is hosted by the Social Work and Psychology (SWAP) Club.

Whether you're pursuing the BA or BS academic track for your degree in psychology, GMercyU offers a robust core curriculum. Here’s a peak of just a few of the classes you’ll take as a psychology major.

PSY 150 Social Psychology
This course is a study of human behavior as influenced by group situations, interpersonal relations, attitudes and opinions, groups and group conflicts, language and communication as social products.

PSY 211 Fundamentals of Biopsychology
This course is an introduction to biological bases of behavior in humans and animals. Topics include basic neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, information transmission, neuropathology, sensory-motor functions, biochemical processes and psychopharmacology, with applications to human behavior and intervention.

PSY 435 Psychology Practicum
This course is designed to afford senior psychology majors practical experience in the application of psychological theory and research. With the recommendation of the psychology faculty and the approval of the program coordinator, students may work in a 40-hour-per-credit practicum opportunity.

For all Psychology course descriptions, please refer to the undergraduate catalog.

Student internships help you put the skills you learn at GMercyU into real-world practice. They also enhance your resume with work experience and professional references.

Interning is also an excellent opportunity to explore a psychology specialty. You could intern with organizations that assist people dealing with crisis situations, domestic violence, workplace wellness, or substance abuse recovery.

GMercyU psychology students have recently served and learned at a number of local organizations:

• A Woman’s Place
• Caring Hospice
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Roberts Research Center
• Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School
• Horsham Clinic
• Lansdale Catholic High School
• Mind of the Athlete
• Mitzvah Circle
• Penn Foundation
• Philadelphia Police Department
• Project Home: Jon Bon Jovi Souls Homes
• The Philadelphia Zoo
• The Training Room
• The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
• Valley Forge Hospital and Rehabilitation Center 
• Valley Youth House
• Women’s Center of Montgomery County

At GMercyU, we've developed our BA and BS programs with the dual goals of giving psychology majors the best student experience possible, as well as opportunities for professional development and future career success.  

Brittany Albert ’19

Current Position: Crisis Worker, Doylestown Hospital

Brittany originally intended to pursue GMercyU's nursing program but soon realized that her talents lay elsewhere and switched her major to psychology. She took full advantage of the research opportunities at GMercyU, and the Penn State Working Dogs Center awarded her an internship. Brittany is currently a crisis worker at Doylestown Hospital's Crisis Center while pursuing an online graduate degree from Arizona State University.  

"Putting myself out there by doing all of the research, going through internships that I never thought I would get, doing all of these things on campus, I have opened my eyes and really learned a lot about myself.” Learn more about Brittany’s experience.

Read more Griffin Success Stories.

In addition to accepting transfer credits for other accredited psychology colleges and universities, GMercyU has an articulation agreement with Manor College, making it easier for you to turn an associate degree in liberal arts from Manor into a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from GMercyU.

Manor College AA Liberal Arts to BA/BS Psychology 

GMercyU also offers Dual Admissions Agreements with Montgomery County Community College and Bucks County Community College.

To learn more, please contact the Admissions Office at 215-641-5510 or admissions@gmercyu.edu. 

At GMercyU, we strive to make a quality education accessible to all through financial aid, scholarships, and grants. As a military-friendly university, we welcome service members and participate in all VA educational benefits programs. 

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