Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological and Behavioral Science
- Online
- On Campus
A psychological and behavioral science degree prepares you for various psychology-related careers and enhances your ability to work through challenges in everyday life. Studying psychology enables students to develop skills in evidence-based problem-solving and critical thinking. It also nurtures empathy and compassion: essential skills for those who want to transform the lives of others.
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychological and Behavioral Science degree opens doors to a variety of career opportunities in fields such as in counseling, education, social work, and research. Our graduates are well-equipped to enter diverse professional roles, including positions as counselors, social services coordinators, educational advisors, and research assistants. This degree also provides a strong foundation for graduate studies in fields such as clinical psychology, mental health counseling, and behavioral analysis. See the psychological and behavioral science curriculum.
Program Overview
Courses offered online or on campus in Thousand Oaks
Evening classes once per week, Monday – Thursday
Flexible part-time and full-time options
Complete the degree in as little as 18 months
At Cal Lutheran, we pride ourselves on providing personal attention to each of our students. Our classes are intentionally kept small so that you can connect with your instructors and peers. You’ll also have access to a personal academic counselor who will guide and support you every step of the way.
This major is part of our Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals, a degree completion program designed specifically for working adults. Each student enters the program with a minimum of 24 transfer credits, with many bringing in even more credits, allowing them to finish their degree faster.
What You’ll Learn
Students will learn about human thought and behavior while fostering the critical thinking and communication skills needed for psychology and behavioral science jobs. There are four main learning outcomes:
- Core psychological concepts – Students will know the major theoretical approaches and discoveries in the discipline
- Empirical and critical thinking – Students will understand the primary research methods used in psychology and be able to use the methods to formulate inquiries, analyze results and critically evaluate conclusions drawn from these methods
- Real-world application of psychology principles – Students will be adept at applying psychological concepts to solve real-life challenges at both individual and societal levels
- Communication skills – Students will be able to express themselves professionally and effectively in both writing and oral presentations
“I’ll be the first in my household to actually get a college degree. It’s just a great accomplishment — it’s hard to describe in words — just to know that you finished what you started.”
Psychological and Behavioral Science Career Paths
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), individuals with a psychology degree can pursue careers across a wide range of industries, including education, health care, business and social services.
There are many psychology career paths accessible to individuals with a bachelor’s degree, but other roles — especially leadership and counseling roles — may require advanced study.
Graduates are usually well prepared for careers such as:
- Social services coordinator
- Educational advisor
- Research assistant
- Behavioral health technician
- Human resources specialist
A bachelor’s in psychology provides students with a strong foundation in psychological theory, behavioral science and research methods, allowing graduates to offer support services to individuals and communities in diverse settings. This degree also serves as excellent preparation for graduate study in fields such as clinical psychology, counseling, social work and behavior analysis.
Psychological and Behavioral Science Degree Curriculum
Required courses
All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted
Foundational courses
Research Writing for Professionals
Advanced Research Writing for Professionals
Essentials of Statistics
Introduction to Psychology
Research Methods in Psychology
Breadth courses
Biopsychology
Cognitive Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Social and Personality Psychology
Psychopathology
Applied courses
Select at least two from the following:
Counseling and Therapy
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Specialization courses
Select at least three from the following:
Cross-Cultural Psychology
Psychology of Gender
Personality and Individual Differences
Persuasion and Influence
Experiential learning courses
Select at least one from the following:
Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
Advanced Counseling and Therapy
Interested in seeing a class in action?
Get a closer look at what it’s like to be a PROS student by sitting in on a live online or on-campus class.
For more information, contact an enrollment specialist.
Total Credits to Complete the Degree
To graduate, students must complete 124 credits minimum. This total includes:
- Major courses: At least 48 credits are completed through psychology and behavioral science major courses. Out of these, at least 39 credits must be upper-division courses (these courses are identified by course numbers in the 300 and 400 ranges).
- General education and other courses: The remaining credits can consist of general education courses, additional major courses if desired and any transferred credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
A degree completion program is a pathway to a bachelor’s degree that leverages a student’s previous education. These programs accept a significant amount of transfer credits, meaning that students can build upon the credits they’ve already earned.
For Cal Lutheran’s Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals, incoming students will need to have completed at least 25 credit hours from previous accredited associate or undergraduate programs.
A degree completion program is great for working adults who have some college experience but weren’t able to complete their studies. Cal Lutheran’s program includes support services that are dedicated to adult learners, like personalized academic advising, flexible coursework options and career counseling.
The application process for every major in the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals series is the same. You are welcome to apply if you have:
- Graduated from high school or possess a GED certificate
- Completed 24 semester hours of transferable college credit
- Earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.25
Visit our admissions page for more information, including an application checklist.
On average, Cal Lutheran students complete their bachelor’s degree in two years. However, the total time for each student depends on how many credits you transfer into the program, the applicability of the credits to your degree of choice and whether you take courses full time or part time.
Yes, Cal Lutheran offers a variety of funding options from internal and external sources. These include:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Credit reductions
- Veterans benefits
- Employer discounts
Visit our financial aid page for detailed information. You can also call an enrollment specialist at 805-521-9856 to find out more about funding your education.
If you have questions about whether your previous education qualifies as transferable credit, please reach out to an enrollment specialist. We’re here to help.
Want to learn more about earning your psychological and behavioral science degree with California Lutheran University? Download our brochure and explore our FAQ page. Ready to apply? Start your application now.
Request Information
To learn more about the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals offered by the Cal Lutheran School for Professional and Continuing Studies and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 805-521-9856.
