Best Psychology Schools and Universities in the U. S.

Washington and Lee University, which is located in Lexington, Virginia, is home to only 2,223 students, but the college still boasts an incredible psychology department despite its small size. Students who pursue the school’s cognitive and behavior science major will gain a deep understanding of mental processes and behaviors. The program can lead to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. Salaries for Washington and Lee graduates average about $76,000 a year.

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Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology

Psychology is a wide-reaching field, covering areas like behavior, neuroscience, cognition, human development, and much more. Students who are interested in the mind and why people –– and animals –– act the way they do might want to consider earning their undergraduate degree in the field of Psychology.

From there, students can go on to advanced study in psychology, or they can branch off completely to go to law school, medical school, or even business school. For those who stay in psychology, they can earn a median salary of $77,030 as a psychologist, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2017.

For those thinking of majoring in psychology, it is important to consider the curriculum offered by a college or university. Some schools offer, both, a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. Depending on the school, each degree prepares a student differently for life after graduation. Oftentimes, a BS prepares students for graduate studies, while a BA enables them to practice a different discipline or foreign language. Additionally, prospective students should look at what sort of research opportunities there are for undergraduates as well.

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Located in New York City, Columbia University makes the top of the list with its award-winning Department of Psychology. The department features several psychology options including a psychology minor, psychology major, neuroscience and behavior major, and PhD and post-bachelor’s programs. Along with its rigorous instruction featuring a low student/faculty ratio, these programs offer students many applied research opportunities. Graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York can expect to earn an average income of $82,000.

University of California in Los Angeles is a large public college with over 44,537 students. The college gives students a choice of earning several psychology degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology, and a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science. There are also minors in Applied Developmental Psychology and Cognitive Science available. In addition, students can choose to participate in the school’s PhD program, which features emphasis in health psychology, behavioral neurosciences, and many more. Students who graduate from this college often earn an average salary of $82,000.

University of St Andrews

The University is a world-class university, with a long and rich history in research activities. At the present, the university boasts a number of 30 staff members actively engaged in research. With its modern facilities and wonderful study programs, the School of Psychology & Neuroscience is a place for talented students to be in.

At the University of St Andrews, you can seek a Bachelor of Science in Psychology or an MA of Arts. Also, you can seek a Psychology degree as part of any joint degree study program.

Entry requirements & application process

You can study Psychology at this university without having a prior education in this field study. Basic skills in mathematics are surely an advantage, but not a necessity because the program will anyway cover it from the beginning. Certain grades at certain subjects are required also. If English is not your native language you’ll have to show excellent proficiency in English.

Psychology Courses in Canada After Graduation

  • Masters in Psychology in Canada is both a full-time and part-time program, which is 1 to 2-years long. Some of the areas which are specialized in the master’s degree are Cognitive Science, Psychoanalysis, Clinical Psychology, Child Psychology, etc.
  • MS in Psychology in Canada is of 3 types- course and research-based (MS Psychology), intensive research-based (Master of Science in Psychology) and professional course (Master of Applied Psychology).
  • MSc in psychology is a research-intensive program, which includes courses along with the research area and a final thesis submission after 2 years. It focuses on Health, Developmental, Cognition, Perception and Neuroscience Psychology.
  • MAP or Master in Applied Psychology in Canada acquires foundations in statistics, scientific methodology and related fields of Psychology that can be applied for research and evaluation. This includes studies in Social Psychology, Child Psychology & Applied Psychology.

There are many PhD programs offered by universities in Canada that are also available that can be for 3 to 6 years. Here is the complete list of Psychology courses in Canada after Masters:

Universities Programs Available
University of British Columbia Ph.D. Psychology
University of Toronto Ph.D. Psychology
Ph.D. in School & Clinical Child Psychology
McGill University Ph.D. Counselling Psychology
Ph.D. in Child Psychology
University of Montreal Ph.D. Psychology
Ph.D. Research & Intervention in Clinical Psychology
Simon Fraser University Ph.D. in Educational Psychology
Ph.D. Psychology
Ph.D. Organizational Behavior
McMaster University Ph.D. Cognitive Science of Language
University of Alberta Ph.D. Psychiatry
Ph.D. Counselling Psychology

Comparison of Psychology Courses Online

Ans. Numerous certification courses are available online which are taken by experts. Students looking for additional qualifications might take up the online course.

Ans. Duration of the course varies in different levels like in UG Bachelor’s degree the duration is 3 years. Whereas in PG Master’s degree the duration is 2 years and for the PG diploma degree the duration is 1 year. The duration of an online certification course depends upon the website or the institution providing the course.

Ans. Fees of the course vary depending upon the institution which offers the course. Average fees range from INR 1.5 – 2.5 lakhs per annum for the bachelor’s level.

Ans. Nowadays due to a lot of work pressure and stress, many people are affected by psychological issues. Hence for those who wish to provide service to the people, the psychology course is worth pursuing.

Ans. The average salary ranges from INR 2-3 LPA for UG degree and from INR 4-5 LPA for PG degree depending upon the experience and skills the candidate possesses.

Ans. Yes, websites like Coursera provide financial aid to students who pursue online courses. Students need to fill an application form regarding the aid and will be notified if approved.

Ans. Communication skills, patience, problem-solving, ethics, trustworthiness, etc. are some of the skills expected in a candidate after the completion of a psychology course.

Ans. Job opportunities like Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Counselor, Special Education Teacher, Psychiatrists, etc. are available after the completion of psychology courses.

References:

https://www.bestcollegereviews.org/top/best-bachelors-degrees-in-psychology/
https://universityhq.org/best-colleges/rankings/psychology-schools/
https://www.studying-in-uk.org/top-psychology-courses-in-uk/
https://leverageedu.com/blog/psychology-courses-in-canada/
https://collegedunia.com/courses/psychology