Psychology Program Overview
Our online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program provides a broad foundation of psychological science knowledge and emphasizes vital written communication and research skills that can inform and assist you in helping professions and beyond.
Through this intensive online program, you’ll develop the ability to reason about empirical research, write strong, cohesive arguments, and think critically regarding both the theoretical and applied aspects of psychology. With the skills, knowledge, and experience you’ll gain in this program, you can become more competitive in the professional arena.
Upon successful completion of the BA in psychology program, you’ll receive the same distinguished degree as campus-based graduates and be poised to excel in a diverse range of professional roles. If work and family responsibilities take up a large part of your daily schedule, you may find this flexible online program is best suited to your needs.
Careers for BA in Psychology Graduates
An online BA in psychology from The University of Texas Permian Basin provides a solid base of knowledge that can help you thrive in numerous roles, including:
- Public Health Professional
- Case Worker
- Researcher
- Case Manager
- Group Therapy Facilitator
- Management Professional
- Marketing Professional
- Human Resources Professional
- Nonprofit Professional
- Mental Health Worker
- Data Scientist
Psychology General Education
Students must complete 42 credits from the following areas of study to complete general education requirements: communication (ENGL 1301 & 1302); American history (HIST 1301 & HIST 1302); political science (PLSC 2305 & PLSC 2306); BIOL 1306/1106 and another lab science (8 credits); language, philosophy, and culture (3 credits); mathematics (MATH 1314/1332/1324/2412); COMM 1315; component area (COMM 1115); creative arts (3 credits); social science other than psychology (3 credits).
ENGL 1301 - Composition I
8 weeks
3
Composition I offers intensive instruction in the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, and proofreading), emphasizing the recursive nature of the process and the importance of the relationship among writer, audience, and subject. The course will also explore the connection between writing and critical thinking and the usefulness of writing as a tool for learning in all fields of knowledge. Students enrolling in Composition I will be expected to have a good command of standard written English.
ENGL 1302 - Composition II
8 weeks
3
Composition II covers argument, rhetorical analysis and the research paper. In this course students analyze and respond to texts of various kinds through essays and research papers. Students will learn to defend their points of view by using textual evidence and strong rhetoric. Readings and exercises help student learn to write broad-minded, well-informed essays in polished academic prose that moves and educates the reader.
HIST 1301 - History of the United States to 1877
8 weeks
3
A survey of major social, economic, and political developments in the United States from European colonization through Reconstruction.
HIST 1302 - History of the United States Since 1877
8 weeks
3
A survey of major social, economic, and political developments in the United States from 1877 to the present.
PLSC 2305 - American National Politics
8 weeks
3
An examination of American national political institutions and processes. Satisfies state requirement in U.S. government.
PLSC 2306 - State and Local Politics
8 weeks
3
An examination of state and local political institutions and processes. Satisfies state requirement in Texas government.
BIOL 1306 - General Biology I
8 weeks
3
Introduction to the biological sciences, with emphasis on the structure, function, and physiology of the cell: genetics, and bioenergetics. The first of the two semester freshman biology sequence for Biology majors and minors, and all disciplines that require the majors Biology sequence, although students of all majors may take it to fulfill general education science requirements.
BIOL 1106 - General Biology I Laboratory
8 weeks
1
Laboratory methods in the biological sciences, directed toward the structure and function of the cell.
MATH 1314 - College Algebra
8 weeks
4
Study of quadratics, polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and exponential functions; systems of equations; progressions; sequences and series; and matrices and determinants.
MATH 1324 - Applications of Discrete Mathematics
8 weeks
4
Mathematics for modeling in the social and behavioral sciences. Topics include algebra, linear equations in two variables, and exponential and logarithmic functions. Other topics are chosen by the instructor. Course emphasizes application to social science and economics.
MATH 1332 - Contemporary Mathematics I
8 weeks
3
Modern applications of mathematics including graph theory, optimization, data organization, and social decision models.
MATH 2412 - Precalculus
8 weeks
4
College algebra (sets, functions, relations, logic), trigonometry (circular functions, logarithms, and exponential functions), and analytic geometry (standard form conic sections).
COMM 1315 - Introduction to Public Speaking
8 weeks
3
Introduces students to the theory and practice of public speaking, with an emphasis on invention, arrangement, and delivery of informative and persuasive speeches. Further emphasis is given to the reduction of anxieties associated with public speaking.
COMM 1115 - Communication Lab
8 weeks
1
Practical activities across the sub-disciplines of the field of communication.
Psychology Requirements
Below is a list of the courses required for the psychology online major. No more than 12 credits of lower-level psychology hours, including the introductory course, will be applied to the psychology major. Any remaining lower-level psychology hours will be applied toward your 120-credit-hour requirement. Additionally, PSYC 3104 must be taken concurrently with PSYC 3304.
PSYC 1301 - Introduction to Psychology
8 weeks
3
Foundation for the understanding of basic psychological principles affecting human behavior
PSYC 3301 - Introductory Statistics
8 weeks
3
Measures of central tendency, variability, correlation, and hypotheses testing, with emphasis on the application of statistical methods to research in the behavioral sciences and education.
PSYC 3311 - Social Psychology
8 weeks
3
Interrelationships between individuals and their social environment, considering social influences upon motivation, perception, behavior and development, and change of attitudes and opinion.
PSYC 3321 - Abnormal Psychology
8 weeks
3
Variables involved in the development, maintenance, and treatment of a variety of behavior disorders.
PSYC 3344 - Lifespan Psychology
8 weeks
3
Examination of theories and research on biological, cognitive, social, emotional, and personality factors that affect individuals from infancy through old age.
PSYC 3350 - Positive Psychology
8 weeks
3
This course will focus on psychological strengths and areas of personal growth among individuals, such as love, optimism, and self-efficacy.
PSYC 3304 - Experimental Psychology
8 weeks
3
Introduction to the planning and execution of psychological research.
PSYC 3104 - Experimental Psychology Lab
8 weeks
1
This is a research and statistics course that should be taken concurrently with PSYC 3404. Students will collect and analyze data using SPSS.
PSYC 4302 - History and Systems of Psychology
8 weeks
3
Major factors affecting the development of psychology as science of behavior, with emphasis upon philosophical roots of major psychological concepts.
PSYC 4304 - Physiological Psychology
8 weeks
3
Neurophysiology and neuroanatomy. Variables that contribute to behavioral effects in the areas of sensation, perception, motivation, and learning.
PSYC 4305 - Drugs and Behavior
8 weeks
3
Pharmacologic basis of psychotropic drugs and their associated abuses. Theories of cause and treatment of abusers are reviewed. This course is cross-listed with CCJO 4372 and SOCI4305.
PSYC 4306 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology
8 weeks
3
Applications of psychological principles to industrial problems such as personnel selection and appraisal, employee motivation and satisfaction, and the influence of organizations on behavior.
PSYC 4393 - Senior Seminar
8 weeks
3
A capstone course that provides an in-depth examination of contemporary issues in psychology. Course topics (i.e., social, clinical, developmental, cognitive, or controversial topics in psychology) and assignments may vary. This course is writing intensive. The seminar format requires that students make regular and substantial contributions to the course, analyze, evaluate, and integrate the empirical research findings.
Upper-Level Electives
Students need 48 upper-level course credits to graduate. Any 3000- or 4000-level courses may count toward this requirement. It cannot be a course used in general education requirements, major or minor.
There are no Upper-Level Electives courses available.
Electives
Any course/any level, 3 credit hours. Cannot be a course used in general education requirements, major or minor.
There are no Electives courses available.
PSY Minor
A minimum of 18 credits are required for the minor chosen in consultation with the major advisor, at least 12 credits of which must be junior/senior. Psychology majors cannot have a minor in Child and Family Studies.
There are no PSY Minor courses available.
Admission Requirements
In order to prevent delays in processing applications, UT Permian Basin is temporarily modifying the freshman admission process by moving to a test-optional policy for Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Fall 2021. See the Test-Optional Policy section below for additional details.
Transfer Student Admission Requirements
- Minimum of 24 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university
- GPA of 2.0 or higher in previous college-level coursework
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Dual-credit high school courses must be included
- Completed application
Incoming Freshman Admission Requirements
If you have completed less than 24 hours of transferable college-level work from a regionally accredited college or university after graduating from high school or receiving your GED, please provide the following:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (including dual-credit work while in high school)
- Official high school transcript showing GPA, class rank, and expected graduation date or GED scores
- SAT and/or ACT scores from within the last five years (see below for minimum score requirements)
- Completed application
Official Transcripts
Official copies of transcripts must come directly from the school in a sealed envelope and should be mailed to:
UT Permian Basin
Office of Admissions
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762
Official transcripts in electronic format can be sent to admissions@utpb.edu.
Minimum Score Requirements for Freshman Admission
| High School Graduation Class Rank |
SAT |
ACT |
| Top 25% |
No minimum score |
No minimum score |
| 2nd Quarter |
1020 |
20 |
| 3rd Quarter |
1160 |
24 |
| 4th Quarter |
1280 |
27 |
Application Fee
The application fee is $40.
If you are a freshman applicant, you may request a fee waiver when you apply by sending us your official college application fee waiver form provided by the SAT or ACT. You may also request a fee waiver if the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) listed on your Student Aid Report is zero.
Test-Optional Policy
Students will be reviewed on a holistic basis focusing on the strength of the high school record, overall grade point average, grades within the core subjects, dual credit work, and additional information (resume and/or extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and work experience provided with the ApplyTexas application). We also recognize the value of standardized tests as a piece of the review process and will consider scores alongside the other required application credentials, if provided.
