Bachelor Degree Options

The Department of Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage offers undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs aimed at preparing students: (1) for advanced study in the social and health sciences, and (2) to become members of the behavioral health workforce. The department also maintains the Psychological Services Center, a clinic that provides low-cost mental health services to campus and community members. The department strives to offer degree and certificate programs that meet the needs of the state of Alaska. 

• Complete the Application and Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Programs. 
• Complete the following Admission Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology.
  • Students wishing to declare psychology as a major must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.50.

• Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• All psychology majors are required to take the exit examination, a standardized test of knowledge of psychology approved by the Department of Psychology. There is no minimum score required for graduation. The exam is taken in the UAA Testing Center, and a fee will be charged to students.
• Complete the following major requirements:
  • All prerequisites for required psychology courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C. Students who audit or are unable to earn a minimum grade of C in a lower-division (100- or 200-level) PSY course may repeat the course two additional times on a space-available basis. Students who audit or wish to repeat an upper-division (300- or 400-level) PSY course may repeat the course one additional time on a space-available basis. Students repeating a course are required to complete all components of that course during the semester in which the course is retaken. When repeating a course with a lecture and laboratory component, both components must be repeated.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for this degree, of which 42 credits must be upper-division.

This concentration provides foundational knowledge and professional skills to apply the science of behavior analysis across a range of settings and client populations, including staff in the workplace, children and adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities, and individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Completing the coursework below, in addition to required supervised practicum experience with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, helps prepare students to apply for the Behavior Analysis Certification Board examination for becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. Please go to UAA's Authorization by State website for information about licensure or certification in a state other than Alaska.

The Department of Psychology recognizes exceptional undergraduate students by awarding them departmental honors in psychology. To graduate with departmental honors, the student must be a declared psychology major and meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfy all requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
2. Maintain an overall and psychology specific GPA of 3.50.
3. Complete one additional 3-credit Psychology Capstone option other than PSY A499.
4. Complete PSY A499. The thesis project must be approved in advance by the Undergraduate Studies Committee and carried out by following applicable departmental guidelines.
5. Students intending to graduate with departmental honors must notify the Departmental Honors Committee in writing on or before the date they file their Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar.

Students graduating with departmental honors in psychology will possess:

• An advanced understanding and application of descriptive and inferential statistics and use of statistical software in data analysis.
• A broad knowledge of psychology’s historical foundation.
• The ability to conduct a critical review and analysis of existing psychological literature.
• The ability to design and execute empirical research that tests clearly stated hypotheses or addresses clearly articulated research questions.
• A clear understanding of research ethics and the responsible conduct of research in the field of psychology.
• The ability to communicate effectively in writing, in poster format, and in oral presentations, including mastery of APA style.
• The ability to draw conclusions from research findings, including recognition of the limitations, applications, and implications of the data, and a discussion of alternative explanations of the results.