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Bachelor's in Applied Psychology
Apply the power of psychology.
Finish your degree and use the power of psychology to solve mental health and behavioral health issues. Get started with just 30 prior credits and discover what drives human behavior while reaching that educational milestone you’ve been dreaming about.
Our fully online program incorporates cutting-edge research from organizational and applied social psychology, preparing you for a range of careers in counseling, business, education, healthcare, and social services.
Plus, you’ll build a strong foundation to continue your education and pursue graduate programs in counseling and psychology at Saint Mary’s — home to Minnesota’s largest university program for preparing licensed mental health professionals — or other colleges and universities.
The education you’ll receive meets the highest standards of the psychological field. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our program follows the American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major.
Talk to us about our credit transfer policy to fast-track your degree by making the most of your previous hard-earned credits.
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B.S. in Applied Psychology Program Highlights
- Earn the optional Community Health Worker Certificate as you finish your degree
- Free access to course materials in most program courses
- Check if your employer is part of our Trusted Partnership Program, offering scholarships through our partners with several companies, school districts, and organizations. Learn more.
What You'll Learn in the B.S. in Applied Psychology Program
- Psychological principles, theories, and concepts
- Scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena
- Techniques for research design and interpretation
- Ethical standards in science and practice
- Values impacting social change globally
Bachelor’s to Graduate Bridge Pathways
Fast track your path to a master’s degree — and even a doctoral degree at Saint Mary’s. Enroll in graduate-level courses while completing your bachelor’s degree. Ask your transfer counselor for details.
Why pursue a graduate degree simultaneously?
- No extra cost — your current bachelor’s completion tuition remains unchanged while taking graduate classes as an undergraduate
- Meet and network with graduate professionals
- Choose the pathway that best fits your career goals
A degree opens more doors.
Kim Schroeder considered going back to school for a while. “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.’” She knew having a bachelor’s degree would lead to more employment options.
How can I transfer my credits? How long will it take me to finish? Sign up for an information session to get these questions answered and more or watch a recorded session on your time.
Accelerate Your B.S. Degree
Take advantage of our credit transfer policy to possibly avoid retaking classes and speed up your degree completion.
- Your past credits never expire and are always eligible
- Transfer up to 90 credits (75% of your bachelor of science degree)
- Associate degree or technical college credits are accepted
- Get credit for your military experience and training
Learn more about accepted credits or submit your transcripts for a personalized degree plan.
Apply in two easy steps
With six start dates throughout the year, you can apply for admission now and begin your program when it works best for you. Plus, we may be able to order and cover the cost of transcripts for you — making the application process even easier.
| Application Deadlines | Start Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | December 2, 2024 | January 6 Term 2: March 3 |
| Summer 2025 | April 4, 2025 | May 5 Term 2: June 30 |
| Fall 2025 | August 1 | September 2 October 27 |
| Spring 2026 | December 5, 2025 | January 5 |
Applicants who complete the application process by the priority deadline are guaranteed consideration for their intended start date and will be notified of acceptance about two weeks after application completion.
- 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
Tuition & Financial Aid
Only pay for the credit you need with the credits you’ve already earned. Plus, there are resources to help cover the cost of your degree, including loans, grants, and exclusive Saint Mary’s financial aid programs. Our counselors will guide you to find a financial aid plan that works for you.
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
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
Advance your career with flexible online programs designed for busy adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.