Frequently Asked Questions

Your question about the "best" colleges and universities with strong undergraduate psychology programs is not an easy one. APA does not accredit or rank undergraduate programs. Accreditation applies only to doctoral programs in professional psychology.

However, there are some important factors to consider in choosing an undergraduate program. As you conduct your research about undergraduate psychology programs, probably the first question to ask is whether you would be comfortable in the program. There is no substitute for visiting a department while students are there, talking with them and seeing what opportunities are available. The size or reputation of a department is not necessarily the best indicator of its quality.

If you are ultimately interested in attending graduate school, you should know that — in addition to good grades in your undergraduate classes — a very influential factor in admission to graduate programs is research experience. It will be useful to see what kinds of research opportunities are available, as well as opportunities to present the results of research at psychology conferences. Research builds skills and allows the faculty to get to know students; subsequent letters of recommendation are thus stronger and more personalized. You can get a good deal of information about the nature of psychology programs and their commitments to undergraduates by going to the websites of undergraduate psychology departments.

Psychology offers many exciting opportunities for a rewarding career. Whether you study psychology in high school, as an undergraduate, or pursue a graduate education in psychology, you will be gaining important skills that will be an asset in whatever career you choose. Students of psychology have an opportunity to develop research and writing skills that will serve them well in any profession. Moreover, it is through the study of psychology that many students sharpen their problem-solving skills and develop a higher level thinking ability when it comes to analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information.

APA offers a number of resources that may guide you.

• Careers in Psychology: degrees available in psychology, types of careers and what psychologists do.

• Career Guides: learn about jobs open to psychologists and find out how to pursue various careers.

• Psychology Student Network : a newsletter for precollege and undergraduate psychology students.

You may be able to get financial aid to attend both undergraduate and graduate school. Assistance comes in different forms: fellowships, scholarships, grants or subsidies, work study programs, federal loans, and teaching or research assistantships. Undergraduate students will find their best source of support from federal financial assistance programs. In addition to the information listed below, we recommend that you contact your campus financial aid office to learn about other financial aid options.

Students seeking financial aid for a graduate degree should get advice as early as possible. Consult with both the psychology office and the office of financial aid on your own campus and also with the office of financial aid at the school to which you are applying. Students of ethnic minority background should also contact APA's Minority Fellowship Program. Graduate assistantships and work study require part-time work.

Search our online database of scholarship, grants and awards to find funding opportunities.

Some students wonder whether it is more advantageous to have a BA or BS in psychology. In truth, there is often little difference between the two degrees. Some schools only offer a BA, others only BS. The requirements for the two degrees might overlap completely. Even when a school offers a choice of either a BA or BS, your decision may not be all that critical. The more important consideration is taking courses that will prepare you for the program you want to enter as a graduate student.

In general, graduate programs require only introductory psychology, statistics and experimental psychology/research methods. Naturally, you would want to take more courses to show that you are serious about psychology and have adequate preparation to do graduate work. Graduate schools want a solid background in psychology; they will teach you the rest. It would probably be a good idea to investigate specific programs of study to be certain you have taken the appropriate undergraduate courses.

If you are interested in learning more about the diversity of graduate programs, purchase access to the Graduate Study Online database. That database, coupled with followup contacts made directly with graduate programs of interest to you, should help you determine which programs are best for you.