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Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Psychology, BA/BS

Psychology courses teach you the principles, methods, and theories to better understand human and animal behavior. Studying Psychology lets you earn a liberal arts degree, giving you flexibility instead of training for a specific job.

Typically, Psychology students tailor their coursework according to their future career paths, which generally fall into 3 categories: graduate studies, a career applying principles of psychology to human problems or a career in a non-related field.

In addition to BA and BS degrees, the Department of Psychology offers a Behavior Analysis Certificate Program. The certificate may be particularly valuable if you’re interested in special education, drug and addiction research, animal training, impulsivity, promoting health, physical rehabilitation and muscle dynamics, or human or animal behavior.

Your Degree Plan

Students in classroom listen to a lecture.
Psychology is the science of behavior. As a psychology major, you’ll deepen your self-awareness, improve your understanding of others and build skills in problem-solving, project management, and information literacy.
Take advantage of special options related to this major:

Honors

Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart?

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

Psychology students can participate in Professional Field Experience in Psychology, a course that involves placement at a community agency performing work relevant to psychology.
Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Human Resources Specialists

Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $72,910

Possible Job Titles: HR Coordinator (Human Resources Coordinator), Human Resources Specialist (HR Specialist), HR Generalist (Human Resources Generalist), Recruiter

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Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

Has a Bright Outlook

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $95,830

Possible Job Titles: Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Psychologist, Psychologist, Psychotherapist

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Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $58,040

Possible Job Titles: Graduate Research Assistant, Research Assistant, Research Associate, Social Research Assistant

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Mental Health Counselors

Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.

Has a Bright Outlook

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $59,190

Possible Job Titles: Clinician, Counselor, Mental Health Specialist, Mental Health Therapist

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Tutors

Instruct individual students or small groups of students in academic subjects to support formal class instruction or to prepare students for standardized or admissions tests.

Median Salary: $40,090

Possible Job Titles: Academic Coach, Academic Guidance Specialist, Professional Tutor, Tutor

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Residential Advisors

Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments. Order supplies and determine need for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. May maintain household records and assign rooms. May assist residents with problem solving or refer them to counseling resources.

Median Salary: $39,180

Possible Job Titles: Residence Hall Director, Residence Life Director, Resident Assistant, Resident Director

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First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $47,320

Possible Job Titles: Department Manager, Meat Department Manager, Shift Manager, Store Manager

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First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

Median Salary: $84,130

Possible Job Titles: Customer Service Supervisor, Reservations Supervisor, Sales Leader , Sales Supervisor

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Insurance Sales Agents

Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $60,370

Possible Job Titles: Insurance Agent, Insurance Broker, Sales Agent, Sales Representative

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Where our graduates work

About 25% of our Psychology graduates pursue graduate training in psychology, medicine, or law. Over 50% enter the workforce immediately.

Employment opportunities are available in:

  • Assessment and treatment
  • Human resource management
  • Residential care
  • Community and social services
  • Alcohol and drug intervention
  • Inpatient and outpatient facilities for persons with chronic mental illness or developmental disabilities
  • Educational and occupational testing
  • Group home, geriatric, or employment counseling
  • Youth center management, employment counseling, and family planning

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Psychology major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Psychology at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Psychology, BA/BS is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Request Info

Want to know more about Psychology at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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