BA in Psychology
The need for mental health professionals is rising at a rapid and unprecedented pace. Antioch University Santa Barbara's BA in Psychology can help you open the door to a rewarding career by combining a theoretical framework and hands-on experience. You’ll learn important client interaction skills as well as vital knowledge on different areas of psychology, which can be immediately translated into practice. This degree is designed to give you a wide range of possibilities for both career choices and graduate work. At AUSB, you’ll join a peer community where you receive personal attention in small class sizes. Measure your success through applied learning and community projects, not one-size-fits-all tests. Apply up to 135 quarter (90 semester) transfer credits, and learn about prior learning credits. Become part of a powerful community of engaged students of all backgrounds, and acquire the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience to meet your goals.
This degree is offered by Antioch University's Santa Barbara Campus.
Program Overview
The BA in Psychology is designed to provide you with a foundation in psychological theory and research. This versatile degree gives students a wide range of possibilities for both career choices and graduate work. The curriculum addresses the wide range of sub-disciplines within the psychology field, paying particular attention to diverse communities and practices. Antioch University graduates will have learned and practiced these critical skills:
- Clinical, developmental, and global psychology
- Diversity and its role in the practice of psychology
- Client skills and client advocacy
- Psychological distress
- Case management
- Referral management
- Applying theory to practice through internships
Additional Information
The average time to complete this degree is 1-2 years, depending on the number of credits transferred into AUSB.
Students need 180‐200 quarter credits to graduate from Antioch University Santa Barbara’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program. Students must complete a minimum of 120 quarter credits in general studies (60‐66%), taking courses across several disciplines. Within these 120 credits, students must complete the Breadth/General Education (GE) Requirement and the Core Courses. A minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter credits must be completed with Antioch University. Six BA Required Core Courses that students must take at AUSB:
- Educational Foundations
- Academic Writing
- Environmental Studies (choice) (environmental)
- Ethics & Leadership (choice) (ethics)
- Cultural (choice) (global)
- Capstone
Concentrations:
- minimum of 54 quarter credits in the chosen area of Concentration
Student Learning Goals
- Application of critical thinking and creative problem solving
- Demonstration of increased self-awareness through critical reflection
- Articulation and understanding of multiple and diverse perspectives, within a global context
- Analysis of social justice
- Demonstration of effective communication
- Application of abstract knowledge to practical experience
Specific to Psychology Major
- Demonstration of fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral phenomena
- Development of scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods
- Development of ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity
- Demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills
These learning outcomes were derived from the recommendations for an undergraduate Psychology Major by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Roles after graduation may include:
- Child Care Worker
- Case manager
- Rehabilitation Specialist
- Psychiatric technician
- Human Resource Manager
- Business administration
- Top- or mid-level management
- School Counselor
- Marketing or advertising manager
- Laboratory Assistant
- Law enforcement and corrections
- Career Counselor
- Community Organizer
- Teacher
- Library Assistant
AU Santa Barbara is recognized as an exemplary transfer institution by Phi Theta Kappa. Learn About Our PTK Transfer Award
Faculty Spotlights
Dawn Murray, PhD
Core Faculty
Andrea Tate
Affiliate Faculty
David San Jose, PhD
Adjunct Faculty
John Forhan
Adjunct Faculty
Admissions
Eligibility
All applicants to the undergraduate programs must have completed at least 24-semester credits or 36 quarter credits to be eligible for admissions.
Quarter Start Dates
| Quarter | Final Application | Classes Begin |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March 15 | March 31 |
| Summer | June 15 | July 1 |
| Fall | September 15 | September 30 |
| Winter | December 15 | January 2 |
How to Apply - Bachelor's degree application checklist:
- Review the program requirements (eg. fees, transcripts, and essays)
- Complete the online application
- Application fee payment (via the online application) or fee waiver. Contact Admissions to request a fee waiver at [email protected].
- Official transcripts from all current and previously attended colleges or universities. Unofficial transcripts are accepted to get your admission review process started, and can be uploaded in the online application or emailed to [email protected].
- High school transcript or proof of GED completion if applying with less than 90 quarter credits (60 semester credits) of transferable credit
- Admission essay (see below)
Admissions Essay
Guidelines: Double-spaced, 12pt Times or Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins, top right header on every page (in all capital letters): first and last name, BACHELOR'S PROGRAM, page number.
Instructions: In two pages please respond to the following essay prompt:
Looking forward, describe your educational, career, and personal goals and how the completion of your bachelor's degree at AUSB can help you accomplish those goals.
Optional: If you feel your GPA does not represent your academic ability briefly explain what specific factors contributed to your GPA, and how have those factors changed so that you can be successful in our undergraduate studies programs at AUSB today?
Please note: The essay portion of your admission application is strongly considered and you are encouraged to follow all instructions closely. Essays should demonstrate your best writing quality. It is expected that you complete this essay (including any form of editing and revisions) without the assistance of anyone else; any essay submission that does not follow this guideline is considered fraudulent.
Transfer Credits and Prior Learning
Transfer Credits
Prospective students with at least 36 quarter credits (equivalent to 24 semester credits) of college credits from an accredited institution can apply to complete their degree in one of Antioch’s Bachelor’s degrees. Our undergraduate programs accept a maximum of 120 quarter credits/80 semester credit lower-division credits that can be transferred toward your degree program. Antioch will accept 135 quarter credits (90 semester credits) of lower-division and upper-division learning that can be transferred toward your degree. The formal evaluation of previously earned transfer credits starts during the admission process. For more information regarding the specifics of transfer credits, please talk with your admissions counselor.
*Note: See specific articulation agreements for any exceptions to these parameters
Prior Learning Credits
Undergraduate students can earn up to 45 university quarter credits (30 semester credits) for demonstrating college-level learning gained outside of school, such as through work experience, professional training, military training, or personal experience. Demonstration of prior learning involves showing evidence of the student’s knowledge of the topic and situating that knowledge within an academic context. Earning academic credit for prior learning activities may accelerate a student’s time to degree completion and significantly reduce tuition costs. Antioch offers a workshop and course to support students interested in earning credit through prior learning.
Free Unofficial Transcript Evaluation
Want to know how long it’ll take to finish your degree at Antioch? Upload your unofficial transcripts for a free evaluation, and our advisors will contact you. No strings attached.
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Cost & Financial Aid
| Credits | Status |
|---|---|
| 12-15 credits | Full time |
| 9-11 credits | Three-quarters-time |
| 6-8 credits | Half-time |
| price per quarter credit: $535 | |
| Bachelor's degree students must be enrolled as half-time or greater to receive financial aid. | |
Please note: Additional fees for all AUSB programs may include (but are not necessarily limited to) charges for materials, late registration, enrollment maintenance, graduation, transcripts, tuition payment plan, late registration, and returned checks.
Financial Aid
A majority of AUSB students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships and grants—are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at AUSB.
How to apply for financial aid
Undergraduate-to-Graduate Pathway
Eligible applicants can apply to a graduate program at the same time as they apply to their undergraduate program through AUSB's Undergraduate-to-Graduate Pathway Program. Those accepted receive grants toward undergraduate and graduate program tuition. Extra admissions requirements may apply. Talk to your admission counselor or [email protected] to learn more.
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