(SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York – Oct. 09, 2019) New for spring 2020, SUNY Empire State College will offer an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, helping to prepare students for the high-growth field of psychology or build a foundation for further study. Registration for spring 2020 begins Oct. 8, 2019, and closes Jan. 9, 2020.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 14 percent growth from 2018 to 2028 in employment opportunities for all areas of psychology, much faster than the average for all occupations. Moreover, New York state has the country’s second-highest employment rates and annual income for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists.

Psychology has long been one of SUNY Empire’s most popular concentrations in the Department of Psychology and Human Development. The new Bachelor of Arts in Psychology will offer a clearer pathway to graduation for students interested in studying psychology at SUNY Empire. Students will be able to incorporate additional coursework in psychology and related fields to customize their degree for careers, graduate school, or other goals.

Students in the program will acquire foundational knowledge in the field of psychology, with coursework in methods, biological factors of behavioral, social psychology, cultural psychology, professional ethics, and abnormal psychology.

"Our new Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is a perfect example of SUNY Empire responding to the needs of our students, as well as the needs of society,” said Jim Malatras, president of SUNY Empire State College. “A psychology degree is a great foundation for further study or a wide variety of career paths. With our flexible online learning model, this is a perfect choice for everyone, from first-time college students to busy adult learners. I applaud the work of the SUNY Empire faculty and staff that made this program possible.”

"The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences is thrilled to be launching our new B.A. in Psychology. This degree program is the result of a great deal of hard work by faculty members in our Department of Psychology and Human Development, as they look forward to teaching a new generation of psychology students,” said Frank Vander Valk, associate dean for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and interim dean of SUNY Empire Online. “With so many facets of modern life connecting directly with psychology, along with fascinating advances in the field and a variety of post-graduation options, it is a very exciting time to study psychology at SUNY Empire State College."

"A bachelor's degree in psychology is a great foundation for many different educational and career paths and we are happy to be able to offer students the type of degree they want and need,” said Margaret Clark-Plaskie, associate professor and chair of the Psychology and Human Development Department. “Faculty are very eager to share their scholarship and professional experience with students in the psychology field."

With cutting-edge online learning methods, as well as the opportunity to study in person at more than 30 locations across New York state and seven international sites, SUNY Empire allows students in the new psychology program to build an education that fits their lives.

Learn more about the B.A. in Psychology.

About SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire State College educates more than 17,000 students in person, online, and through a blend of both, at more than 30 locations in New York and at eight international sites worldwide. Together with one of SUNY Empire’s more than 1,300 faculty mentors, each student designs their own individualized pathway to a college degree that accommodates their schedule and awards credit for prior college-level learning. SUNY Empire awards more than 3,000 degrees annually and 94 percent of graduates stay in New York state. Today, more than 87,000 SUNY Empire alumni are entrepreneurs, veterans, and active members of the military, professional athletes, teachers, medical professionals, and leaders in their field, as well as in their communities. To learn more, visit www.esc.edu and follow the college on social media @SUNYEmpire.