Psychology Pre-Counseling
Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Fuel your passion for helping others while also setting the stage for graduate-level work with the online bachelor’s in psychology pre-counseling from Capella University. In this program you’ll gain a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to help you pursue your professional goals. With three graduate-level courses built into the program, you can make progress toward your master’s degree in counseling from Capella during your undergraduate studies. You’ll also be able to choose a focus and start building skills in the areas that most interest you. This program incorporates three master’s-level courses, allowing you to earn credits that can be applied to select Capella master’s programs in the future.

Make progress toward a master’s degree

Build a foundation of psychology skills while choosing from three leading areas to prepare you for future studies in the field of counseling.

Credit for prior learning

Earn credit for knowledge you’ve gained through professional experiences, training and industry certifications with our Prior Learning Assessment.

Study with scholar-practitioners

Learn with faculty who are active within their professions and bring real-world experience to the courseroom.

Classes start December 6

At a Glance

Online
10–13 General education courses
9 Core courses
3 Master's-level courses
11–12 Elective courses
180 Total credits (135 max transfer)

Reduce your tuition by $15,000

Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $15K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your bachelor’s degree.

Apply now

Explore psychology pre-counseling courses

This degree requires a total of 180 program credits
You’ll need to complete 10–13 general education courses, nine core courses, three elective courses and five specialization courses

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PSYC2320 *	Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy This course introduces learners to a variety of mental health disciplines and settings, and presents an overview of the diverse populations with which the disciplines work. Learners build a working knowledge of the communication and psychotherapy skills used in current professional mental health practices, such as addictions counseling, marriage and family therapy, individual counseling, and college counseling. Learners also apply knowledge of psychotherapeutic methods and research findings to problems in living. Prerequisite(s): PSYC1000.	3 quarter credits
PSYC2900 *	Introduction to Psychology of Personality In this introductory course, learners gain and demonstrate knowledge of theories of personality psychology. Learners apply these theories to human traits, behaviors, and emotional issues within the field of psychology. *Prerequisite(s): PSYC1000.*	3 quarter credits
PSYC3110 *	Abnormal Psychology The focus of this course is abnormal behavior, which learners investigate using the framework of mental pathology. Learners evaluate scientific, empirically based analyses of mental disorders and deviant behavior. Learners also examine the range of psychological disorders and assess the disorders’ biological, psychological, and social consequences. In addition, learners demonstrate their knowledge of abnormal psychology treatment methods. *Prerequisite(s): PSYC1000.*	6 quarter credits
COUN5004	Survey of Research in Human Development for Professional Counselors Learners in this course examine theories of lifespan development and behavior from a counseling perspective. Learners describe effective approaches in counseling, evaluate its historical and philosophical relevance to current practice, and apply theories and practices to advocate for diverse clientele. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only. Must be taken during the first quarter by learners who have been admitted to the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling degree programs and the Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, and Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services graduate certificate programs. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.	4 quarter credits
COUN5336	Counseling and Advocacy with Diverse Populations In this course, learners engage with theory, research, and models that inform ethical and culturally competent counseling and social justice advocacy in a variety of settings. Learners analyze counseling theories and evidence-based practices that emphasize the relevance of multicultural counseling and advocacy roles of counselors. Throughout the course, learners investigate cultural assumptions, values, counselor credibility, prejudice, and racism within the counseling context. Learners identify their own overt and covert beliefs, and messages around cultural characteristics to determine how these experiences might influence the counseling process. In addition, learners gain an understanding of the role of the counselor and advocate in promoting social justice at multiple levels. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only.	4 quarter credits

*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.

What you’ll learn

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology Pre-Counseling degree program provides students with instruction across the broad science of psychology, including a comprehensive introduction to counseling theories, professions and practices. The curriculum emphasizes the knowledge, skills and values identified by the American Psychological Association (APA) as fundamental in the undergraduate study of psychology. It is designed to develop your understanding of the complexities of human behavior and thought, as well as the development of the analytical, quantitative and communication skills associated with psychology study. For their graduate-level counseling curriculum, pre-counseling students choose one of three concentrations emphasizing marriage and family counseling/therapy, mental health counseling or school counseling. Successful graduates of this program are prepared to continue their studies at the graduate level, or to pursue their professional aspirations in a variety of public and private employment settings in which psychology knowledge and skills are used to promote human welfare.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:

Apply psychological theory and concepts to individual, organizational and social issues
Solve problems in the field of psychology through critical and scientific analysis and innovative thinking
Use scientific research methods and findings to address psychological phenomena
Apply empirical research findings to issues in psychology
Evaluate decisions or actions based on cultural competence and ethical principles
Integrate your knowledge of psychology with personal values and goals to guide personal, collaborative and professional behavior
Communicate effectively with diverse recipients in a manner consistent with expectations for psychology professionals

Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.

How much does the BS in Psychology cost?

The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.

GUIDEDPATH

A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

Learn more about GuidedPath »

Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term

$18,495–$39,891^* MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS

$357 per 1000-2000 level credit $411 per 3000-4000 level credit, 180 total quarter credits, 135 max transfer credits

Learning outcomes »

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*This is only an estimate, using general program pricing, and it does not include fees (including application and resource kit fees). Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. If transfer credits are allowed in this offering, the prices above show what you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits and the price if you brought in the maximum allowed transfer credits.

Get the details

Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.

92% of psychology master’s degree alumni are satisfied with their Capella education.

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Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2019–2020

Are there scholarships available for bachelor’s degrees?

Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.

Transfer credits

Capella lets you transfer previous college credit to cover up to 75% of your bachelor’s degree, saving you significant time and money.

$15K toward your bachelor’s degree

Apply for a $15K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your bachelor’s degree.

Gen ed courses included

Capella students have a great way to complete gen ed requirements with access to American Council of Education-recommended courses from our affiliate, Sophia Learning.

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability.

See all our accreditations and recognitions.

BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling admission requirements

Applicants to the BS in Psychology, Pre-Counseling program must provide the following information for admission:

High school diploma or equivalent
Transcript of any reported GED
A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs
You must be at least 24 years old. This requirement may be waived for:
- Military applicants and veterans
- Applicants with 24 or more quarter credits of prior college or university coursework (transferable college coursework and/or credentials that map to preapproved Prior Learning Assessment opportunities may be considered toward the 24-credit minimum equivalency total)
Applicants who do not have any credits eligible for transfer must successfully complete a university-approved reading and writing assessment; by evaluating your skills prior to your first course, Capella can more effectively provide resources to prepare you for a successful learning experience
A valid, government-issued form of photo identification

SAT and ACT are not required for admission.

International student requirements

If you live outside the U.S. or aren’t a U.S. citizen, you may be considered an international student.

To meet the requirements for Capella admission, you must:

Earn the minimum score on an acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
Attend an internationally recognized institution
Provide transcripts for evaluation

Learn more about international student admissions.

What support does Capella offer online students?

Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a bachelor’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.

Faculty

Our courses are taught by distinguished faculty members who hold top credentials and have hands-on expertise in their fields.

Enrollment counselors

Our enrollment counselors will set you up for success. They’ll help you find the right degree and program and answer all your questions about Capella. They can also help you with the admissions process.

Academic coaches

Once you enroll, these specialists can help tailor a program to your goals and experiences and help you stay on track to meet program requirements.

Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Pre-Counseling.