Psychology (BS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Mississippi

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) offers a research-focused education in human and animal behaviour, combining psychological theory with statistics, scientific methods, and data analysis. It is an excellent fit for students who enjoy exploring how people think, learn, feel, and behave and who want to build a strong foundation for careers involving research, human services, behavioural science, or further study in psychology and related health professions.

Curriculum Structure

The catalog specifies degree requirements rather than a mandatory course schedule for each year. The following is a suggested progression; students should confirm course availability, prerequisites, and their individual degree plan with an academic advisor.

First Year: Students establish a foundation in psychology and university-level study while completing general education courses. PSY 201 – Introduction to Psychology introduces the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes, while PSY 202 – Statistics for Behavioral Sciences and PSY 205 – Research Methods in Psychology build the quantitative and research skills used throughout the degree.

Second Year: Students broaden their understanding of psychological research and begin exploring major areas of the discipline. Courses such as PSY 301 – Developmental Psychology, PSY 309 – Learning, and PSY 321 – Social Psychology examine how people develop, acquire behaviours, and interact with others across different situations.

Third Year: Students deepen their knowledge of cognition, mental health, and the biological foundations of behaviour while strengthening their ability to evaluate research. Options include PSY 311 – Abnormal Psychology, PSY 319 – Brain and Behavior, and PSY 320 – Cognitive Psychology; students also complete an advanced statistics requirement, choosing from PSY 303, PSY 503, or PSY 530, as specified in the catalog.

Fourth Year: Students focus on advanced topics and apply their knowledge through approved experiential research courses and a capstone course. Depending on their interests and eligibility, options may include PSY 390 – Lab in Psychology: Behavioral Neuroscience, PSY 405 – Minor Research Problems, or PSY 401 – Undergraduate Internship in Psychology, giving students opportunities to connect psychological concepts with laboratory research or supervised professional experience.

Focus Areas

Scientific psychology, human and animal behaviour, developmental psychology, learning, abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, behavioural neuroscience, cultural perspectives, research design, statistical analysis, experiential research, and applied behavioural science.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop an understanding of major psychological theories and research findings, learn to design and evaluate studies, analyse behavioural data, and communicate evidence-based conclusions. The BS pathway places particular emphasis on scientific inquiry, quantitative reasoning, research experience, and understanding behaviour from biological, cognitive, developmental, social, and cultural perspectives.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The BS in Psychology is an undergraduate academic degree with a strong research and statistics focus. The university is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); the official program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation specific to this bachelor's degree. The BS does not independently qualify graduates to practise as licensed psychologists, which typically requires postgraduate education and meeting the licensing requirements of the relevant jurisdiction.

Reputation (Employability and Rankings)

Ole Miss presents its psychology BS as preparation for graduate study and careers that benefit from understanding behaviour, research methods, and data analysis. Students can engage with faculty researchers, pursue research assistantships, and gain experience through internships, helping them develop practical skills alongside their academic knowledge. A verified employment rate, salary figure, or ranking specific to graduates of this particular degree was not identified in the official program sources reviewed.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Ole Miss, psychology students can move beyond classroom learning by participating in faculty-led research, working in psychology laboratories, and completing supervised internships. These experiences help students practise collecting and analysing data, reviewing scientific literature, observing behaviour, and communicating research findings. The Department of Psychology offers opportunities across clinical, cognitive, developmental, social, and behavioural psychology, allowing students to explore their interests while developing practical skills.

Students can build practical experience through the following program-specific opportunities:

Psychology research laboratories: Work with faculty on research into anxiety, memory, social interactions, child development, emotional regulation, and the relationship between psychological factors and physical health.
HART Lab (Health and Anxiety Research and Treatment): Explore research into anxiety disorders and the behavioural, cognitive, emotional, and physiological factors associated with anxiety.
PANDAA Lab: Learn about research into family processes, adolescent and parent mental health, psychopathology, and substance-use risk.
ISHTAR Lab: Explore how people navigate everyday experiences and social interactions, including the influence of personality and situational factors.
Research assistantships for credit: Eligible students can pursue PSY 405/406 – Research Problems I & II, PSY 420/421 – Readings and Research in Psychology I & II, or PSY 422 – Research Experience, subject to faculty approval and availability.
Undergraduate internships: Through PSY 401 – Undergraduate Internship in Psychology, students can earn academic credit for approved, supervised placements. Examples include behavioural healthcare settings, senior-living facilities, after-school programs, and childcare or developmental settings.
Teaching internships: Students interested in education or academic careers may have opportunities to assist psychology faculty with teaching and student learning.
Psychological research participation: Students can use the department’s Sona Systems platform to find available psychology research studies and participate in research activities.
Research facilities: The George Peabody Building houses psychology classrooms, research laboratories, and departmental facilities that support teaching and research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Psychology at Ole Miss helps students develop transferable skills in research, data analysis, communication, and understanding human behaviour. Graduates can pursue entry-level roles in behavioural services, research support, community programs, human resources, and healthcare support, while students planning to become licensed psychologists or enter other specialised professions should expect to continue their education.

Potential career paths include:

Research Assistant: Support psychological studies, collect data, review research literature, and assist with analysing results.
Behavioural Support Specialist: Help implement behavioural strategies in approved healthcare, educational, or community settings, depending on employer requirements.
Mental Health or Community Services Assistant: Support service delivery, client activities, and community-based programs under appropriate professional supervision.
Human Resources or Recruitment Assistant: Apply knowledge of human behaviour, communication, and interpersonal relationships in workplace settings.

Students can prepare for these opportunities through several university resources and experiences:

Career development services: The Ole Miss Career Center provides career advising, resume reviews, mock interviews, job and internship search resources, graduate-school planning, and professional networking opportunities. Students can also use Handshake to explore available positions and employer events.
Employment and salary information: The Psychology Department reports that its undergraduate alumni work across several sectors. Its published alumni breakdown identifies community services and nonprofit organisations as the largest listed sector at 18%, followed by healthcare at 13%, STEM at 8%, and government or military at 7%. These figures describe the department’s reported alumni distribution across sectors, not the percentage of a particular graduating class employed after graduation. A verified average salary specific to BS Psychology graduates was not identified in the official sources reviewed.
Research experience and professional networking: Faculty research assistantships give students opportunities to build relationships with researchers, develop practical skills, and explore possible postgraduate research interests. Some research activities include literature reviews, participant recruitment, data coding, experimental protocols, and presentations.
Internships and workplace exposure: Approved internships allow students to gain supervised experience in community, developmental, educational, and behavioural healthcare settings. Placement availability and approval depend on the student's interests, eligibility, and arrangements with the department.
University–employer connections: Ole Miss supports employer engagement through career fairs, recruiting events, information sessions, and on-campus interviews. These university-wide services can help psychology students connect with potential employers, although a specific industry partnership guaranteeing placements for this degree was not identified.
Accreditation and long-term career value: The university’s institutional accreditation supports the standing of its academic qualifications. However, a BS in Psychology is not a professional licence; clinical psychology and other regulated careers typically require further education, supervised training, and relevant licensure or certification.
Graduation and postgraduate preparation: The combination of research methods, statistics, advanced psychology courses, and experiential learning helps students prepare for graduate programs and related professional pathways. Ole Miss also provides guidance for students planning to apply to graduate school.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, graduates can consider master's or doctoral study in psychology, clinical psychology, behavioural analysis, cognitive science, neuroscience, public health, social work, or related disciplines, depending on admission requirements. Students interested in becoming clinical psychologists generally need doctoral-level education and the required supervised training and licensure; other paths, such as counselling, social work, or applied behaviour analysis, have their own educational and credential requirements. Ole Miss also offers a Psychology PhD for students interested in advanced research or professional training.