As a psychology major, you will develop the skills and knowledge to understand human behavior and cognition, contribute solutions to human problems and respond to a changing world.

At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    Online | On Campus | Hybrid
  • Degree
    BA

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What courses will you take?

Two students present their poster at the Student Research Symposium.

UMass Lowell's B.A. in Psychology program offers courses in experimental, developmental, social, community, personality and clinical psychology. 

Campus and community-based learning experiences are integrated throughout our curriculum. You can further develop and apply your skills in an advanced two-semester field placement, often within Lowell. Courses for the General concentration

Choose one of our five concentrations, which lead to a wide range of career opportunities. 

  • Behavior Analysis Concentration — Gain an understanding of behavioral assessment and treatment in a variety of applications in the field of behavior analysis. You'll graduate ready for entry-level positions in various educational and human service settings. You will also be prepared for entry into graduate programs in behavior analysis. Courses for Behavior Analysis concentration
  • Clinical Psychology Concentration — Pursue coursework, research, and fieldwork to understand clinical psychology as a science, and the best practices for pursuing diagnosis and treatment within the scientific paradigm. You will graduate prepared for entry-level positions related to the field, as well as entry into graduate study in areas such as social work, counseling, and school psychology. Courses for Clinical Psychology concentration
  • Community Social Psychology Concentration — Engage in courses and fieldwork related to understanding how community-level interventions can influence individual health and well-being, and vice versa. Courses focus on issues related to reducing inequity and pursuing social justice and social empowerment. You will be prepared for entry-level work with a variety of community organizations, as well as preparation for graduate study. Courses for Community Social Psychology concentration
  • Developmental Disabilities Concentration — Build a knowledge base in the rapidly developing field of disability studies, with an emphasis on the assessment and treatment of intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. You will be prepared for entry-level work in the assessment and treatment of disabilities, as well as for graduate-level study in areas such as autism studies and behavior analysis. Courses for Developmental Disabilities concentration
  • Health Psychology Concentration — Learn how psychological knowledge and methods can be applied to health promotion and disease prevention and treatment. Gain work-ready skills and knowledge for entry-level work in hospitals and other healthcare settings that offer programs in areas such as sex education, smoking cessation, alcohol and drug abuse, healthful eating, and exercise. Courses for Health Psychology concentration

Visit the Academic Catalog for a complete course listing and to learn about the Psychology minor.

Visit the Academic Catalog for all degree pathways, including those from prior enrollment years.

  • Students who graduate with a degree in psychology will have:

    1. The ability to place knowledge and skills, including all the knowledge and skills described below, within diverse personal, group, societal, global, and historical contexts.
    2. Psychological content knowledge, including an understanding of:
      1. Major frameworks and approaches
      2. Theoretical perspectives
      3. Historical and contemporary findings
    3. Critical research evaluation skills, including:
      1. The ability to identify and access appropriate scholarly sources
      2. The ability to evaluate research
      3. The ability to consider the impact of personal bias and the biases of researchers
      4. The ability to synthesize concepts and information both within and across topics
      5. The ability to identify gaps in the literature that generate new research questions
    4. Research methods knowledge and skills, including:
      1. An understanding of core research methods
      2. The ability to articulate a research question
      3. The ability to design a research study
      4. Understanding various data collection systems and management skills
      5. Using data analytic skills
    5. Communication skills, including:
      1. The ability to communicate knowledge and research findings effectively using a variety of formats including written, oral and visual.
      2. The ability to provide necessary context, and select language appropriate to a target audience
      3. A familiarity with and proper use of American Psychological Association style
    6. Knowledge of and ability to apply ethics within the discipline, including:
      1. An understanding of the role of ethics in psychological theory, research, and practice
      2. The ability to identify ethically questionable practices.
      3. The ability to apply ethical standards in research and practice.

Why study psychology at UMass Lowell?

Research Opportunities

Participate in cutting-edge research with department faculty and gain opportunities to:

  • Present research at various colloquia and symposia as well as at regional and national conferences
  • Publish papers with department faculty in scholarly journals
  • Participate in the Emerging Scholars Program as a rising junior and senior
Two students in a classroom

Expert Faculty

Work with and learn from our faculty who are leaders in their fields. Many are nationally recognized authors, editors of journals, investigators on groundbreaking research, presidents of national organizations and collaborators in the Lowell community.

Two students in graduation cap and gown

Graduate Programs

Advance your knowledge and career options through our graduate programs:

A child smiles while learning dance moves at Love of the Game, a student-run community outreach program that held a floor hockey clinic for people with developmental disabilities.

Fun Outside the Classroom

Put your learning into practice. Check out some of the fun ways UML students come together.

What can you do with a degree in psychology?

UMass Lowell's psychology program prepares students for graduate training and careers in mental health, community development, education, research, and business and industry.  

Psychology student Jared Socolow headshot

Our versatile graduates can work in a wide range of industries, including:

  • Business
  • Community service
  • Criminal justice
  • Education
  • Health care
  • Mental health services
  • Politics
  • Recreation and travel
  • Research
  • Social work

Meet Our Students and Alumni

UMass Lowell student Debby Fernand stands next to RHSA Director Matthew Hurwitz
Debby Fernand '22
Psychology, Sociology and Race and Ethnic Studies

Debby Fernand says the River Hawk Scholars Academy has introduced her to friends and faculty mentors – and turned her into a leader herself.

The RHSA was the first aspect of college I got to know and love.
Read More About Debby Fernand 
Sara Khun-Leng, seated in her office, speaking with staff members
Sara Khun-Leng '99
Criminal Justice

Sara Khun-Leng ’99 helps immigrants and refugees, veterans and others needing assistance as director of constituent services in the district office of U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan.

I felt like I had to do this, to speak for people who are not always able to help themselves.
Read More About Sara Khun-Leng 
Vania King shakes hands with Serena Williams after a tennis match
Vania King '15
Psychology

Without setting foot on campus, Vania King, a Wimbledon champion, also aced her bachelor's degree in psychology at UMass Lowell.

There were really good discussions, good interactions with the other students. Some days, I almost felt like I was there.
Read More About Vania King 
UMass Lowell Image
Deborah Friedl '83
Criminal Justice, Psychology

Deborah Friedl ’83 broke barriers for women at the Lowell Police Department. Now president of the International Association of Women Police, she’s advocating for women to play a role in police reform.

Women bring a lot of value to building trust with communities.
Read More About Deborah Friedl 
Portrait of Tara Lynch in glasses looking away from the camera
Tara Lynch '15, '19
Psychology, Public Health

Tara Lynch's experience during her undergraduate psychology program practicum working with a community agency to improve outcomes for rape survivors led her to pursue a Master of Public Health.

Designing studies, analyzing risk factors and human behaviors – that's what I'm doing right now, and it's what I love.
Read More About Tara Lynch