Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Whether you’re curious about workplace dynamics, interpersonal interactions or even getting to know yourself better, earning your Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology at Wayne State is an excellent way to uncover the answer to these questions.

Psychology is the science that studies the behavior and experiences of humans. Through our psychology bachelor’s degree program,  you learn how to adopt a holistic approach to solving problems. With an interdisciplinary education encompassing science, math and hands-on research, you're prepared for immediate employment or graduate study to become a psychiatrist, researcher or related profession in this diverse field.

Why Wayne State’s psychology major? 

• Faculty brings in between $3 to $4 million per year in research grants
• Learn how and why we perceive the world the way that we do through a holistic lens
• Excellent preparation for graduate study to become a psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health counselor or therapist
• Opportunities for community involvement by working in mental health clinics or shelters, conducting research at area medical centers or helping shape policy at nonprofit organizations

Learning objectives

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology prepares you to:

• Make a difference in your community.
• Gain insight into the behavior of others and yourself.
• Apply your psychology and critical thinking skills to solve modern problems.
• Enter diverse careers in marketing, human resources, psychology, teaching and more.

B.S. in Psychology program requirements and curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology requires a minimum of 120 credits. To meet these requirements, students satisfy the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences group requirements, the university general education requirements and the B.S. in Psychology program requirements.

Along with foundational psychology courses and electives, you enroll in research methods, experimental lectures and experimental labs.

Degree requirements for the B.S. in Psychology mirror the B.A. in Psychology; however, the B.S. requires a minimum of 27 credits of non-psychology science to ensure you hone a skill set outside of your major.

What is the difference between a B.A. and B.S. in Psychology?

Generally, these two degrees differ in the following ways:

• B.S. programs prepare students for the field of research and graduate programs, emphasizing biology, chemistry, medical and health sciences, neuroscience and other natural sciences alongside mathematics and statistics.
• B.A. programs are a good fit for students interested in a wider breadth of learning, particularly for those pursuing a second major, multiple minors or a broader variety of coursework outside of psychology.

At Wayne State University, the B.S. in Psychology degree requires additional credits in non-psychology science to support students seeking graduate study in psychology, research or related health careers. If you're interested in getting a Bachelor of Arts degree, learn about our B.A. in Psychology.

Endless research opportunities

To promote research, students in the B.S. in Psychology program have a wide range of research funding available. Explore a few of the following labs:

• Brain Connectivity and Aging Lab — Investigates the age-related changes in brain function, brain structure and cognition, aiming to better understand normal age-related brain changes and detect abnormal aging, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
• Healthy Brain Aging Lab — Studies metabolic and vascular health factors that collectively shape the neural and cognitive changes across the human lifespan.

The Department of Psychology also offers a Psychology Clinic, which aims to provide affordable psychological services to the Detroit region. Psychology majors who have an interest in graduate school may volunteer at the clinic to interact with clients in a mental health setting, deepening their understanding of the field.

Learn more about undergraduate research opportunities in psychology.

Psychology bachelor’s degree career outlook

Your bachelor's degree prepares you for immediate employment. Hospitals, private practice, schools, marketing companies, nonprofits or research — these are just a few of the locations and industries where you can find yourself working in a successful career.

Depending on your individual career goals and educational aspirations, psychology majors may enter into the following roles:

• Clinical psychologist
• Communications specialist
• Market researcher
• Psychiatric technician
• Psychiatrist
• School counselor
• Sports psychologist
• Substance abuse counselor

Scholarships, financial aid and tuition

The annual Wayne State University Scholarship Application runs from Oct. 1 to March 1.

The psychology department offers the Rodney Clark Memorial Fund for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, a unique scholarship created for undergraduate students to support their undergraduate research in the field of psychology.

$3 to $4 million annually is also available to promote undergraduate research in psychology, which covers the cost of travel to conferences as well as individual and group research projects.

Estimate your tuition and financial aid savings by using our net price calculator.

Learn more about Wayne State University’s B.S. in Psychology

Start studying the connection between the mind and behavior from the cellular level to the social interactions between groups of people. With an interdisciplinary, hands-on education that provides a solid foundation for graduate study, the Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Wayne State University equips you with the tools for success.

Career insights

This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.