A group of students taking notes in a psychology class.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Classes start 08/24/2026

Apply now

What is a BS in Psychology degree?

Explore a scientific approach to understanding human behavior, thought processes, and emotions in our Bachelor of Science in Psychology program at St. Ambrose University. Gain insights into the psychological factors that shape human experience and apply psychological principles to real-life settings.

Students in our program excel in post-baccalaureate careers in areas such as health sciences, human or social services, government, education, and business. Many students also choose to pursue graduate study in psychology or related health and human sciences.

Reduce tuition by up to $24k

Get the details

Why earn a BS in Psychology?

Our program helps you develop core knowledge about human function and development, research methodology, and brain anatomy. You’ll excel in our hands-on environment with opportunities to work at mental health sites or conduct research alongside your professors. Graduates leave SAU prepared for a wide range of careers or graduate studies in psychology and related health and human services.

Experiential learning

Internships at community-based sites provide practical, real-world application with twice weekly faculty supervision

Strong community partnerships

Our program has agreements with over 30 community-based organizations, providing students with professional experiences and mentorship.

Psychology learning community

Incoming freshmen can join our psychology learning community which centers around the exploration of a variety of career paths.

Beyond the basics

Dive into areas of interest like clinical/counseling psychology, forensic psychology, child and adolescent psychology, and more.

Tailored program

Choose from four capstone courses and a variety of research opportunities.

What you’ll learn in your BS in Psychology

From foundational theories to hands-on research or internship experiences, our curriculum offers options to prepare you for diverse career paths. Our program emphasizes empirical knowledge grounded in theory and critical evaluation of evidence to understand, explain, and predict behavior.

As you progress through the program, you’ll gain the five core skills the American Psychology Association recommends psychology students develop. Collaborate with peers, professors, and industry experts to explore how you’ll use these skills in a job that aligns with your career goals and interests.

Describe and apply psychological content to solve practical problems
Apply scientific reasoning in a way that fosters informed decision-making in both professional and everyday contexts
Recognize and apply the ethical standards of psychological science and practice
Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to use relevant technology tools
Apply psychological content and skills toward self-reflection, project management, teamwork, and career preparation.

Endless support

“I received so much support from my faculty, staff, and advisors in both the Social Work and Psychology programs. From the time I applied, through my internship that turned into full-time employment, and through graduation, I always had someone to reach out to with questions and always felt comfortable and supported by my advisors.”

-Sarah Bisland '23 BA in Psychology, Bachelor of Social Work

Start my degree

Explore Psychology courses

This degree will require you to complete a total of 120 credits.
You will complete, 36 core curriculum credits, 34 psychology credits, 50 elective credits, and a capstone course.

View Psychology courses

View all courses

Sample courses

Class code	Class title	Credits
PSYC 215	Research Method	3 credits
PSYC 255	Brain and Behavior	3 credits
PSYC 326	Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology	3 credits
PSYC 325	Psychology of Criminal Behavior	3 credits
PSYC 328	Psychology and Treatment of Trauma and the Victim	3 credits

How much does a BS in Psychology cost?

The cost of your degree will depend on several factors, like scholarships, housing, meal plans, and transfer credits. New students also pay a $100 matriculation fee. You will also need to budget for books, supplies, materials, transportation, personal costs, loan fees, and other expenses. Explore total cost of attendance.

Full-time student living on campus

Expense	By Semester	By Year
Full-time tuition (12-18 credits)*	$19,674	$39,348
Housing**	$4,313	$8,625
Food***	$3,135	$6,270
Technology fee	$150	$300
Total direct charges (billable)	$27,272	$54,543

*Based on 2026-2027 tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are subject to change each summer.
**This cost is estimated, actual housing cost will vary by student selections.
***Cost estimate based on 3 meals per day.

Full-time online (independent student living off campus)

Expense	By Semester	By Year
Total tuition ($573/credit hour)**	$6,876	$13,752
Technology fee	$150	$300

Total direct charges (billable)	$7,026	$14,052

*Based on a full-time fall or spring semester with 12 credit hours.
**Based on 2026-2027 tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are subject to change each summer.

How much does housing cost?

When it comes to housing, St. Ambrose University offers diverse options to meet the needs of our students. From traditional dormitories to apartment-style living, there's something for everyone. The cost of your housing will vary based on where you decide to live and the meal plan you choose.

Explore housing options

St. Ambrose University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Accreditation and recognitions provide the assurance we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability.

See all of SAU’s accreditations

How does SAU support Psychology students?

St. Ambrose University’s psychology faculty have decades of real-world experience in addition to their teaching. Our professors have provided therapy and mental health care to children and adults, conducted research in hospital settings, completed forensic psychology work with justice-involved adults and youth, and done community-based work with schools, just to name a few. Additionally, some faculty remained licensed psychologists in the State of Iowa. You’ll be able to use their diverse experiences to help hone in on your passions and choose the path that best fits your career goals.

Psychology program faculty

Andrew Kaiser, PhD

Jennifer Best, MSEd, CFLE, CFCS, HDFS, BCC

John Stachula, PhD

Judy Correa Kaiser, PhD

Julie Jenks Kettmann, PhD

Katie Trujillo, PhD

Katrina Okerstrom-Jezewski, PhD

Andrew Kaiser, PhD

Other support resources

Graduate hugging staff member at commencement.

Student Success Center

At St. Ambrose, we want you to thrive. Access free tutoring, study groups, and supplemental instruction through our Student Success Center.

Explore academic support services

Accessibility Resource Center

Whether you need classroom accommodations, alternative exam arrangements, or disability support strategies, our Accessibility Resource Center is here to help.

Learn about our resources

Career services

Our Academic and Career Planning Center is ready to help you polish your resume and land the job or internship that will launch your career.

Discover career support

Are there scholarships available for BS in Psychology?

At St. Ambrose University, we believe that education should be accessible to all. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for our students. We are committed to providing our students with the resources they need to succeed academically and financially.

Ambrose Advantage Scholarship

Through the Ambrose Advantage scholarship program, a tuition-free St. Ambrose University education is available to any Pell Grant-eligible Ioans. Learn more about the Ambrose Advantage.

Merit-based and institutional scholarships

St. Ambrose offers excellent scholarships and grants based on your strong academic performance, your talent in fine arts or athletics, or your community involvement. Explore SAU scholarships.

Transfer credits

At SAU, you may be able to transfer previous college credit toward your bachelor’s degree, saving you significant time and money. Learn how to transfer credits.

Focus on classes. Not cost.

"Cost is obviously a big thing for anybody going to college. When I found out about the Ambrose Advantage, it took the stress off me and my family. Now I can focus on my classes and getting a start on my career."

-Bailey Hird, Fairfield, Iowa

Explore Ambrose Advantage

What’s on campus for Psychology students?

Gain research experience in the Undergraduate Scholars Conference and the SAU Summer Research Institute. Or help us represent St. Ambrose at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference in Chicago.

Many students also join the Psychology Club, a student-led organization that participates in the National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) Walk every September. They also volunteer at Project Renewal for at-risk youth and engage in depression and alcohol screening events on campus.

Students can also join the International Honor Society in Psychology – Psi Chi – their junior or senior year. Founded in 1929, the purpose of this organization is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship, and advance the science of psychology. Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and an affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association for Psychological Science (APS). Requirements to join: Must be a junior or senior at St. Ambrose with a declared psychology major or minor, have a GPA of at least 3.6, and have completed at least 9 credit hours of psychology classes.

Find your home

“Ambrose really felt like home to me. In part, I think I felt that sense of belonging because so many groups across campus are deliberate about fostering a sense of community. During my time at Ambrose, I was involved in all of the SAU bands, Campus Ministry, and Model United Nations, and in each of these groups, they fostered communities that made me feel like I had found family away from home.”

-Rachel Wiedman '21, BA in History, Philosophy, and Psychology

Visit campus

What are the general admission requirements for a BS in Psychology?

Ready to become a Bee? Here are the admissions requirements for our Psychology program.

You must have graduated from an accredited high school or earned a GED
You must have a minimum cumulative, unweighted GPA of 2.5
You must provide an official high school transcript

Apply now

International student requirements

If you live outside of the U.S. there are different admissions requirements. Here’s what you’ll need:

Official transcripts from secondary education
A minimum 2.5 CGPA out of a 4.0 scale, or equivalent
Proof of English language proficiency (minimum scores: TOEFL - 79, IELTS - 6.0)
Copy of your passport and other documentation

What can I do with a Psychology degree?

Your education and degree can help you reach your professional goals. St. Ambrose University can never promise a career or particular outcome upon graduating. We encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here is a list of potential job titles, traits, and settings a graduate in our Psychology program could achieve.

Potential job titles

Human resources specialist
Case manager
Social and community service manager
Sales representative
Market research analyst
Behavioral health technician

Potential employment settings

Corporate offices
Government agencies
Social service agencies
Healthcare systems
Market research firms
Non-profit organizations

Top traits of a Psychology graduate

Analytical
Critical-thinker
Communicative
Human-focused
Adaptable
Empathetic

Industry facts

The median annual wage for a social services manager was $77,030 per year in May 2023.
Overall employment of social services manager is projected to grow 9 percent by 2032.

For more information on financial employment and wages, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.

News and events at SAU

St. Ambrose marching band member leads the band across a bridge during the Homecoming parade.

St. Ambrose University Homecoming 2026

We can't wait to celebrate Homecoming 2026 with you! Check back closer to the event to see what the weekend has in store for our forever Bees.

Madelyn Reum, '29, smiles into the camera against a background of the SAU values.

Scholars Day confirmed St. Ambrose is exactly where I’m meant to be

As Madelyn Reum ’29 searched for her perfect college, she toured several universities and explored a wide range of options.

Affordable Ambrose: Natalie's grad story

They say ‘home is where the heart is’, and for SAU graduate Natalie Cremer this couldn’t be more true.

View all news and events

Graduate walking, smiling, amongst crowd at graduation ceremony.

View of oak tree leaves from below with white gradient.

Become who you are meant to be

With more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs, there’s something for everyone at St. Ambrose University! Explore our programs to find your place at SAU.