Understand People. Change Lives. Shape Your Future.
Psychology is Everywhere
Psychology is the scientific study of how people think, learn, communicate, make decisions, and build relationships. Whether you're interested in mental health, healthcare, business, education, law, technology, or public service, psychology provides a powerful foundation for understanding people and solving real-world problems.
Did You Know?
An undergraduate psychology degree is one of the most versatile degrees you can earn - a degree that opens doors.
Psychology is much more than the study of mental health鈥攊t's the science of understanding people. Every organization depends on people, making psychology graduates valuable in virtually every field.
Whether your future is in healthcare, business, education, law, technology, human resources, marketing, or graduate study, a psychology degree provides the knowledge and skills to help you succeed.
More than a degree, psychology at 91看片 is a community of scholars and mentors. Our faculty work alongside students in the classroom, through research, and in experiential learning opportunities, helping them discover their strengths and prepare for meaningful careers in a wide range of professions.
Why employers value psychology graduates:
馃 Critical thinkers who solve complex problems
馃搳 Data-informed decision makers
馃挰 Strong communicators and collaborators
馃 Leaders who understand motivation and teamwork
馃寧 Culturally aware professionals who work effectively with diverse populations
鈿栵笍 Ethical decision-makers prepared for today's workplace
In addition to our undergraduate program, our department also offers a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology program (PsyD) for those who wish to pursue careers as practicing psychologists. Students who are interested in learning more about the PsyD program can explore additional information here: www.okcu.edu/programs/doctorate-of-psychology-in-clinical-psychology.
Major Requirements: 46 Credit Hours
Required Psychology Courses: 43 Hours
Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
PSYC 1113 | Introduction to Psychology* | 3 |
PSYC 1143 | Applications and Careers in Psychology | 3 |
PSYC 2301 | Statistics for Behavioral Sciences Lab | 1 |
PSYC 2303 | Statistics for Behavioral Sciences** | 3 |
PSYC 2401 | Research Methods and Analysis Lab | 1 |
PSYC 2413 | Research Methods and Analysis | 3 |
PSYC 2813 | Psychology of Personality | 3 |
PSYC 3113 | Cognitive Processes | 3 |
PSYC 3203 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
PSYC 3403 | Social Psychology | 3 |
PSYC 4103 | Biological Basis of Behavior | 3 |
PSYC 4102 | Junior/Senior Research Seminar I | 2 |
PSYC 4202 | Junior/Senior Research Seminar II | 2 |
PSYC 4443 | Advanced Statistical Applications | 3 |
PSYC 4983 | Psychological Internships | 3 |
| Select from below Psychology electives (2000 level or above) | 6 |
PSYC 1213 | Intimate Relationships | 3 |
PSYC 1313 | Psychological Wellbeing | 3 |
PSYC 2013 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
PSYC 2503 | Industrial Psychology | 3 |
PSYC 2903 | Applied Behavioral Analysis | 3 |
PSYC 2913 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
PSYC 3303 | Forensic Psychology | 3 |
PSYC 3463 | Topics in Psychology (specific topics change) | 3 |
PSYC 4303 | Psychology of Crime | 3 |
PSYC 4313 | Psychological Tests and Measurements | 3 |
PSYC 4563 | Seminars in Psychology | 3 |
*Also counts for Gen Ed social sciences requirement
**Also counts for Gen Ed math requirement
Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
PHIL 2713 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
PHIL 3513 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
PHIL 3713 | Symbolic Logic | 3 |
NOTE: The number of credit hours in required psychology courses is limited to 43 for the B.S., and no more than 52 credit hours in psychology count towards the 124 credit hours required for graduation.
A minimum of 124 credit hours, including General Education hours, are required for a degree.
To declare psychology as your major, please contact Dr. Melissa Hakman ([email protected]; 405-208-5397).
Expand Your Opportunities
Customize Your OCU Experience
Your education should reflect your interests and career goals. That's why 91看片 encourages students to take advantage of the elective hours built into their degree program.
Many psychology students choose to enhance their academic experience by adding a minor or certificate that aligns with their career goals. Elective credit hours within the 124-credit bachelor's degree provide flexibility to explore additional areas of interest and building a more customized academic plan that strengthens preparation for graduate school and future careers.
As a Psychology student, you'll receive individualized academic advising from the Department Chair, who will work with you to identify minors and certificate programs that complement your interests and professional goals. Whether you're interested in working with children, pursuing a career in criminal justice, or broadening your understanding of human behavior, we'll help you build a degree that is uniquely yours.
Psychology Department Opportunities
The Department of Psychology offers several options that allow students from a variety of majors to expand their knowledge and develop valuable interdisciplinary skills.
Minor in Psychology
A Psychology minor provides a strong foundation in understanding human behavior, cognition, development, and social interaction. It complements a wide range of majors, including but not limited to biology, business, education, nursing, and exercise sports science.
A Psychology minor can help you:
Learn More 鈫� Minor in Psychology Requirements
Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) Certificate & Minor
The Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) Certificate is an interdisciplinary program designed for students interested in protecting and advocating for children. Through coursework grounded in evidence-based practices, students gain knowledge about child maltreatment, trauma, prevention, forensic interviewing, multidisciplinary collaboration, and systems that support children and families.
The certificate and minor prepares students for careers in psychology, social work, education, criminal justice, healthcare, child welfare, and other helping professions by providing specialized training in recognizing, responding to, and preventing child abuse and neglect.
Learn More 鈫� Child Advocacy Studies Training Minor/Certificate Requirements
Interdisciplinary Minor in Psychology, Crime, and the Justice System
Explore the intersection of psychology, criminal behavior, and the legal system through this interdisciplinary minor.
Students examine topics such as criminal behavior, forensic psychology, victimization, policing, the courts, corrections, and the psychological factors that influence crime and justice. This minor provides an excellent complement to majors in psychology, criminal justice, sociology, political science, and related fields.
Whether you're interested in forensic psychology, law, victim advocacy, law enforcement, or graduate study, this minor provides valuable insight into the complex relationship between human behavior and the justice system.
Learn More 鈫� Psychology, Crime, and the Justice System
Here are some examples of complementary minors:
Whether you're transferring from a community college or another four-year institution, 91看片 makes it easy to continue pursuing your psychology degree. We welcome transfer students and work closely with you to maximize eligible transfer credits, helping you stay on track toward graduation.
As part of the transfer process, you'll meet with the Department Chair, who serves as the academic advisor for all Psychology majors. Together, you'll review your previous coursework, determine how your transfer credits apply to the Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree, and develop a personalized academic plan that keeps you on track to meet your educational and career goals.
Specific Transfer Articulation Agreements:
Affiliated Psychology Faculty
What Can You Do with a Psychology Degree?
A bachelor's degree in psychology prepares students to understand human behavior while developing highly transferable skills in critical thinking, research, communication, data analysis, ethical decision-making, and problem solving. These competencies are valued by employers across healthcare, education, business, government, nonprofit organizations, and public service.
Although some careers in psychology require graduate education and professional licensure, a bachelor's degree opens the door to a wide variety of entry-level positions and provides an excellent foundation for advanced study. Psychology graduates are especially well prepared for careers that involve understanding people, conducting research, interpreting data, and communicating effectively.
Career Opportunities with a Bachelor's Degree
Psychology graduates pursue careers in many industries. The knowledge gained through coursework in human behavior, social psychology, research methods, and statistics translates well to positions that emphasize working with people, solving problems, and making data-informed decisions.
Here are some examples of common entry level positions:
Preparing for Graduate Study
A bachelor's degree in psychology is an excellent foundation for graduate and professional education. Graduates may pursue advanced study in psychology, counseling, social work, law, medicine, public health, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, business, education, and other fields. Although many entry-level career opportunities are available with a bachelor's degree, additional graduate education, supervised training, and licensure are required for some occupations.
Graduates pursue master's and doctoral degrees in fields including but not limited to:
Why Study Psychology at OCU?
At 91看片, psychology students learn by doing. Through research, internships, close faculty mentoring, and professional development opportunities, students gain real-world experience that prepares them for graduate school and careers in a variety of fields.
Career-Ready Curriculum
Our curriculum combines a strong scientific foundation with practical application. Students develop sought-after skills in critical thinking, research methods, statistics, scientific writing, communication, ethical decision-making, and data analysis. These transferable skills prepare graduates for careers in a variety of fields and for advanced study.
Faculty-Mentored Research
Students work closely with faculty mentors on meaningful research projects. In these collaborative experiences, students help design studies, collect and analyze data, and interpret results. Many psychology majors present their work at state, regional, and national conferences, gaining valuable experience that strengthens graduate school and career applications.
Guaranteed Internship Experience
Every psychology major completes at least one internship before graduation. These experiences are built into the curriculum and allow students to apply classroom learning in professional settings while exploring potential career paths. Students are supported by faculty in securing internships aligned with their interests and long-term goals.
Career Preparation
Internships are paired with structured professional development designed to prepare students for life after graduation. Students participate in activities such as r茅sum茅 and curriculum vitae (CV) development, mock interviews, job and graduate school search strategies, and application preparation. These experiences also help students build essential professional skills, including communication, teamwork, leadership, and conflict management鈥攕kills valued by employers and graduate programs alike.
Personalized Mentoring and Academic Advisement
At OCU, students benefit from small class sizes and individualized faculty attention throughout their academic experience. Every student is advised by the Department Chair, who meets with them each semester to enroll, review degree progress, plan coursework, and discuss career and graduate school goals. This personalized advising ensures students stay on track for graduation, take the appropriate courses in sequence, and avoid unnecessary coursework鈥攈elping them save both time and money while maximizing their academic experience.
Get Involved
Psychology students have opportunities to build leadership skills and connect with peers beyond the classroom.
A Transformative Learning Experience
Through research, internships, mentoring, and professional development, OCU psychology students graduate with more than a degree鈥攖hey graduate with hands-on experience, strong professional skills, meaningful faculty connections, and the confidence to pursue graduate study or enter the workforce in a wide range of fields.
