O’Boyle finds flexibility in online B.S. program
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B.S. in Applied Psychology
Understand human behavior with a degree in applied psychology.
If you’re passionate about exploring the complexities of human behavior and applying that knowledge to make a difference, our Applied Psychology bachelor’s degree completion program is for you. With 30 transferable college credits, you can build on your foundation and complete your degree online in just one year.
Our online program combines the latest research and techniques from organizational and applied social psychology to prepare you for careers across a variety of fields and industries. Whether you’re interested in counseling, business, education, healthcare, or social services, our program will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to make a real impact.
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we believe in the power of psychology to solve complex workplace, education, and mental health issues. Our program follows the American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major, ensuring that you receive a comprehensive education that meets the highest standards of the field.
Discover what drives human behavior and unlock your own potential with a degree in Applied Psychology from Saint Mary’s.
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B.S. in Applied Psychology Program Highlights
- Save time and money by taking graduate courses that count toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degree. Up to 50% of a master’s degree can be completed as part of your bachelor’s degree, with graduate courses at bachelor’s completion course prices.
- Bachelors to Doctorate – Students enrolled in the B.S. of Applied Psychology may take graduate level courses in the MA in Counseling and Psychological Services Minneapolis program that will count towards both bachelor and master’s degrees. Once you are accepted into the graduate program, you can apply for the “Early Entry Option” into the PsyD in Counseling Psychology program. Admission is contingent on finishing the early entry coursework. Learn more.
- Most courses in this program have free access to course materials.
- Earn the optional Community Health Worker Certificate as you complete your degree.
- Discover scholarships available through our partnerships with several regional and national employers. See if your employer is part of our Trusted Partnership Program. Learn more.
What You'll Learn in the B.S. in Applied Psychology Program
- Psychological principles and working knowledge of psychology’s content domains
- Scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena
- Innovative thinking and problem-solving techniques
- Techniques for interpreting and designing basic psychological research
- Ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice
- Values that impact social change from local to global levels
A degree opens more doors.
Finishing her bachelor’s degree was something Kim Schroeder had considered for a while but timing hadn’t felt right. But she knew having a bachelor’s degree opens the doors to more employment options.
“Even before I became interested in addiction, when I worked in the medical field, I would look at supervisor positions, but think, ‘Oh, but I don’t have a bachelor’s degree.’”
Join us for an information session to learn more about programs, how to apply, transferring your credits, and more. We offer live information sessions where you can meet other prospective learners and faculty, as well as an archive you can view on your own time.
Previous Credits Count Toward Your B.S. Degree
Prior credits earned, past work experience, and military service all count toward finishing your degree. All of them. Apply the credits you already have toward the career you want — and do it faster than you thought possible.
- Your past credits are always eligible – they never expire
- Technical college credits are accepted
- Transfer up to 90 credits (75% of your bachelor of science degree)
- Transfer credits for prior learning
- You can apply standardized tests such as CLEP or DSST toward your degree.
- We accept military, industry, and business training via the American Council on Education (ACE) or PLA.
Submit your transcripts and we’ll get started creating a personalized degree plan for you. Find out how quickly you can earn your degree.
Apply for Admission
Apply anytime to finish your bachelor’s degree. Many of the programs have six start times per year. Start here to take the next step.
- Applicants must demonstrate an overall grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale with evidence of at least 30 transferable semester credits¹.
- These credits must include completion of one basic English composition course with a grade of C- or better.²
- Applicants may be required to complete an interview with a program administrator as part of the admissions process.
¹These credits may be made up of:
- Industry Training and Military Separation Paper carrying American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations or,
- Past College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) exam credits or,
- International credits evaluated by a source accepted by Saint Mary’s University or,
- Any credits transferable from a regionally accredited or non-regionally accredited institution.
²The English composition course requirement helps the student prepare for college level coursework. The applicant may be conditionally admitted if he or she cannot prove competency in this area, in which case the CLEP College Composition exam with essay or a similar university course must be taken within the first semester of study at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Students who have completed 30 credits from an accredited institution within the U.S. or the equivalent of these credits from an institution in an approved waiver country are exempt from demonstrating English language proficiency. Otherwise, students with transcripts from universities located outside of the U.S. are required to take and pass English proficiency testing.
Saint Mary’s accepts:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 72
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
- International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0 or Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
- Duolingo Language Test with a minimum score of 100
- Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
Please see our academic catalog for a list of all approved waiver countries.
Applicants must submit the following:
- Completed application form
- Official transcripts should be issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from all previous institutions attended with a minimum of 30 semester credits (C- and higher) and a college level English Composition course.
- Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, One Earth International Credential Evaluators or any approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.
- Saint Mary’s can order and cover the cost of transcripts from domestic institutions that allow third-party requests for eligible degree-seeking applicants. Contact your transfer counselor for more information.
- Official Transcripts should be sent to Office of Admission:
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404 - Or email: tcadmission@smumn.edu
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
- Fall: August 2nd, 2024
- Spring: December 2nd, 2024
- Summer: April 4th, 2025
- Fall 2025: August 1
Applicants completing the application process by the priority deadline are guaranteed consideration for their intended start date.
- Spring 2024: Jan. 8
- Spring 2024 term 2: March 4
- Summer 2024 : May 6
- Summer 2024 term 2: July 1
- Fall 2024: Sept. 2
You can expect to be notified about your acceptance approximately two weeks following your application completion date.
Explore options to finance your education.
At Saint Mary’s, we are comitted to making your investment as accessible and affordable as possible. Learn more about tuition, fees, financial aid, and scholarships.
Course Catalog
In addition to foundational courses, you’ll take courses such as:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Learning and Cognition
- Brain and Behavior
The course catalog provides complete information about course requirements.
Careers & Salary
Understanding human behavior equips you with problem-solving and critical-thinking skills needed in business, government agencies, and schools.
A bachelor’s degree in applied psychology can serve as a foundation to prepare you for graduate study in counseling, clinical or school psychology, and business or law school.
$62,290 per year*
Training and Development Specialist
$61,570 per year*
$48,520 per year*
Related Programs
Find the right program for right now — or the future. Saint Mary’s offers adult degree completion programs, as well as graduate certificates, master’s, and doctoral degree programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Saint Mary’s offers a generous transfer policy. Many can transfer up to 90 credits toward our degree completion programs. Our transfer counselor specialists will guide you through the process.
At Saint Mary’s, we want you to succeed, and we help you do so, inside and outside of the classroom:
Student Central: Your one stop for student services
Library: Resources and services are available 24/7 to all students.
Writing Center: Offers virtual and face-to-face services to support students
Career Services: Can help you develop your career-readiness skills at any point in your education
The only thing virtual about your online experience is the classroom. Our flexible online programs offer the rigor and reputation you expect from Saint Mary’s.
Explore more here.
If you are in a degree-granting program and enrolled at least half time, you may be eligible for financial aid.
Learn more here.
Life gets busy. Whether you’re raising a family, pursuing your career, or playing an active role in your community, we know you want to keep up with what you love while you take the next step in your career. That’s why Saint Mary’s online programs are flexible and designed to fit your demanding life.
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Sources and Disclaimer
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resouce Specialists at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm (visited February 14, 2023).
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Training and Development Specialists at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/training-and-development-specialists.htm (visited February 14, 2023).
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm (visited April 19 2023).
- All other career data on this page can be found at Lightcast (lightcast.io) Q1 2023 Data, September 2022-February 2023.