Psychology, B.A. - BDC program

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 124

Minimum cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum number of credits to complete the major: 124

School: School of Arts and Sciences

Department: Interdisciplinary

The Bachelor’s Degree Completion (BDC) program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (B.A. in PSY). The BDC program offers a flexible, manageable, and academically meaningful way for students to complete their bachelor’s degree at Merrimack College. Tailored to returning students and adult learners, the BDC program offers a clear, well-defined, and achievable path to degree completion, with a career-focused and academically rigorous curriculum. This program prepares students for success in today’s diverse and dynamic workplace.

Distinct from the traditional full-time on-ground program, the BDC program features eight-week courses taught online. It also provides one-on-one academic advising, as well as professional and career development coaching. The B.A. in PSY requires the completion of a minimum of 124 credits, including a minimum of:

12 credits in the Professional Core
28 credits in the Arts and Sciences Core
40 credits in the Psychology Major
44 credits in Open Electives

Students may transfer a maximum of up to 90 credits for previous college coursework, prior learning, and/or professional equivalencies.

Major Requirements

Required Foundational Courses

Must take the following four courses:

PSY 1000 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 4
PSY 2100 - Applied Psychological Research Methods Credits: 4
PSY 2150 - Introduction to Brain Sciences Credits: 4
PSY 3100 - Cognition Credits: 4

Required Individuation and Social Relations Courses

Must take the following two courses:

PSY 2310 - Lifespan Developmental Psychology Credits: 4
PSY 2460 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 4

Required Cultural Competency Courses

Must take the following two courses:

PSY 2200 - Social Psychology Credits: 4
PSY 3250 - Cultural Psychology Credits: 4

Elective Course

Must take one course from the following:

PSY 2270 - Group Dynamics - Hybrid Credits: 4
PSY 2280 - Organizational Psychology Credits: 4
PSY 2400 - Personality Credits: 4
PSY 3340 - Developmental Psychopathology Credits: 4
PSY 3420 - The Psychology of Trauma Credits: 4

Required Capstone Experience Course

PSY 4950 - Field Experience: Internship Credits: 4

Open Electives

Students must complete 44 credits of open electives. Open electives allow students to explore areas in the curriculum that interests them. Students can study further in their specialization, pursue allied areas of study, or explore entirely new fields. Some open elective credits may be transfer credits or credit for prior learning.