Psychology Curriculum

CompleteDegree@Simmons

The online BA in psychology curriculum covers the biological, cognitive, developmental, emotional, personal, and interpersonal aspects of the human experience, as well as the methodologies used to study them. As a student in the online program, you will gain a better understanding of yourself and others. You will also learn how mental health issues can be diagnosed and treated with a range of therapeutic techniques. 

Key Content Areas

A Simmons education will prepare you to think and lead within your area of focus and beyond. Our undergraduate experience includes courses in a variety of key content areas — such as science, culture, social history, and the arts — that represent different ways of thinking about the world and approaching complex topics. These learning opportunities within and across disciplines prepare our graduates to solve a wide range of challenges in their lives, careers, and communities. 

Like many of our students who are continuing their academic journey with Simmons, you may have transferable credits that fulfill key content area requirements. Be sure to submit your academic transcripts for review — we accept up to 96 transfer credits. 

Program Requirements

Below are the psychology course requirements. As a student in this program, you must complete all core courses and select courses in focus areas that match your interests and aspirations.

Psychology Core Courses

Psychology Courses
Course # Title Credits
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychological Science 4
STAT 118 Introductory Statistics 4
PSYC 201 Biological Psychology 4
PSYC 203 Research Methods in Psychology 4
PSYC 345 History and Systems in Psychology 4

Breadth and Depth Focus Areas

To develop a breadth of knowledge across psychology focus areas, as well as depth in at least one area, you must complete a minimum of one 4-credit course in each of the following areas:

  • Basic Processes
  • Social and Developmental Psychology
  • Clinical and Personality Psychology

Capstone Courses

The psychology program includes a capstone requirement, which you can fulfill by completing two 4-credit courses in areas that line up with a variety of career interests and specializations. You will take one upper-level theory and application course and one upper-level research course. Capstone courses provide opportunities to develop professional skills by applying psychological theories to clinical case studies and conducting a collaborative, semester-long original research project with your classmates and instructor.