Online Psychology Degree in Counseling Foundations
Essential Counseling Skills to Go Further in Your Career
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- Duration 3.5 years
- Cost per Credit $410
- Credit Hours 120
Program Benefits
- Gain the foundational knowledge required for diverse counseling careers
- Access courses on your schedule through an online asynchronous classroom
- Gain the academic credential for graduate study
- One-on-one instruction from expert faculty in a program that accepts up to 90 transfer credits
- Ranked #6 in online counseling bachelor’s programs by University HQ1
The Next Step Towards Becoming a Professional Counselor
Open the door to advanced education and professional counseling opportunities with the online BA in Psychology: Counseling Foundations major from The American Women’s College of Bay Path University (TAWC). This program is designed for those seeking entry-level counseling positions and those who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree after graduation and becoming a licensed counseling professional.
Counseling Foundations
3.5 Years
120 Total Credits
The online BA in Psychology: Counseling Foundations degree requires the completion of 120 total credits, including TAWC’s undergraduate core courses and the Counseling Foundations major courses. The curriculum is founded on the American Psychological Association’s five-pillar model and is aligned with the APA’s guidelines for the undergraduate psychology major.
To view the complete list of program courses, visit the curriculum for all psychology programs.
Required Counseling Foundations Major Courses
In this course students will apply the practices for effective reading and writing introduced in ENG 114 to the distinctive language and forms of various disciplines. This course lays the foundation for academic and professional research and stresses the use of appropriate and effective information sources. Readings for a variety of academic audiences will provide students with strategies to communicate in the sciences, business and technology, psychology, liberal studies, and the social sciences. Research and documentation skills appropriate to the disciplines are stressed. In addition to leading students through the research process from start to finish, this course will examine the many ramifications of academic honesty.
Prerequisite: ENG 114
This course is designed to assist, encourage, and challenge students to develop more fully their awareness and knowledge of self and others in a culturally pluralistic society. Basic concepts and ideas that are relevant to multicultural human service and development will be introduced. Culture and environment will be discussed as interactive experiences and basic dimensions of diverse groups will be explored.
Prerequisite: PSY 101
This course explores a wide range of personality, behavioral, and cognitive disorders. The symptoms, etiology, and dynamics of various disorders are studied, and a variety of therapeutic theories and techniques are discussed.
Prerequisite: PSY 101
This course investigates the major personality theorists from Freud to more recent and contemporary theorists like May and Rogers. Emphasis is placed on the critical evaluation and practical application of each theory reviewed.
Prerequisite: PSY 101 and junior or senior status
This course provides the student with a knowledge of the biological components of behavior. Basic neuroanatomy and neurochemistry are discussed with respect to a variety of topics such as emotions, sensation, aggression, sleep, memory, reproductive behaviors, eating disorders, and certain forms of psychopathology.
Prerequisite: PSY 101 and junior or senior status
This course will provide students with a basic understanding of mental health crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies, milieu management, and how to work and communicate effectively with individuals who may be presenting with impaired judgement or impulsive tendencies. Elements of self-awareness and self-care are embedded throughout this course, as well as components related to ethical considerations and trauma informed care. Students will also gain an understanding of larger systems issues and how to determine appropriate dispositions.
Prerequisite: PSY101 and PSY240
Social behavior is studied from a psychological perspective. Topics addressed typically include: small group behavior, personal perception, attitude acquisition and change, leadership, conformity, and prejudice.
Prerequisite: PSY 101 and junior or senior status
This course introduces fundamental skills used in the helping profession including, interviewing, developing rapport, and elements of the counseling process. The multicultural, ethical and legal considerations, non-verbal behavior, and self-care will also be addressed.
Prerequisite: PSY101, Jr/Sr status
This course provides students with an understanding of the sociocultural context that influence personal biases and the explanations of psychological processes. Students will be invited to consider the roles of power and privilege in the development of psychological theories and methods.
Prerequisite: PSY 101
The Cognitive Psychology course introduces the basic principles and models that fall under the wide umbrella of Cognition. The course includes: models of cognitive psychology, and examination of the basic principles and theories pertinent to the study of thought processes, problem solving, perception, attention, memory, linguistics, neuropsychology, thinking and intelligence, information processing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBTP). The course is designed to permit a large degree of student discussion, with examples to apply the information to the real world.
Prerequisite: PSY 101
The BA in Psychology: Counseling Foundations program requires 41 credits of major electives:
- Developmental Psychology Elective (3 credits)
- Experiential Electives (6 credits)
- General Electives (32 credits)
Learn more about which courses apply to these credits by speaking with an enrollment counselor.
Choose one of the following
This course provides students with the foundation in counseling ethics. This course will cover basic ethical principles such as informed consent and confidentiality; during this course, students will demonstrate an understanding of ethics by comparing codes across the mental health professions. This course will also cover professional issues such as self-awareness and the business of psychopathology.
Prerequisite: PSY 101
Ethics and Professional Conduct in Psychology This course is designed to provide students with a practical awareness of ethical standards and codes of conduct in the field of psychology. Students will review and critically analyze case studies which incorporate such topics as ethical decision making, informed consent, confidentiality, boundary and relationship issues, professional competence, supervision, and multicultural and diversity issues.
Choose one of the following
This course explores some of the key areas within the field of clinical psychology, with particular emphasis on assessment (cognitive, personality, and diagnostic) and treatment (crisis intervention and psychotherapy). Various forms of psychotherapy, including psychodynamic, cognitive, and humanistic/experiential therapy, will also be examined.
Prerequisites: PSY101, PSY240, and Jr/Sr status
This course will focus on the principles of substance use counseling. Substance use counseling theories, orientations and treatment models will be evaluated for effectiveness. Students will learn, discuss and practice different facilitation styles and approaches to individual, family and special population’s substance use counseling. Role playing will be utilized to demonstrate appropriate skill development as it relates to substance use counseling. This class, including role playing, will provide opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge to clinical situations.
What You’ll Learn
The online BA in Psychology: Counseling Foundations degree is aligned with the American Psychological Association to ensure you graduate prepared for the career you want. You’ll gain essential counseling competencies and knowledge identified by the leading researchers and practitioners in the field.
By Graduation, You’ll Have Skills to:
- Gain a deeper understanding of human motivation, cognition, and perception, as well as an appreciation for the mind-body connection
- Explore advanced mental health theories and behavioral research methods
- Analyze, design, implement and evaluate problems and solutions related to human behavior and interaction, counseling foundations, legal and ethical concerns, intervention and assessment, and human dynamics
- Understand how to recognize normal physical, social, cognitive and moral development, as well as identify the etiology of abnormal development
- Learn how to prepare manuscripts and/or research projects using the APA writing format
- Demonstrate awareness of the variety of treatments available for psychological disorders
- Apply skills learned in the classroom and fieldwork experience to communicate a personal philosophy and value system appropriate to a career in psychology
Hands-On Preparation for Professional Counseling Roles
The field of counseling is expected to grow by 22% through 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.2 With thousands of new jobs created in the field each year, now is an ideal time to become qualified for the counseling career you want. This online counseling degree provides the skills for entry-level counseling work, plus the credential to pursue a master’s degree and become a licensed professional counselor.
Explore Major CareersLearn from Industry Experts
At The American Women’s College, your learning is expanded by the rich workplace experience our faculty bring to the classroom. Faculty are professionals who hold an array of titles in the fields they teach. Their involvement in the day-to-day challenges of their role and industry brings curriculums to life with real-world examples as you connect what you learn to what they share.
Faculty Spotlight
Each faculty member at TAWC incorporates real industry experience into each lesson. As a student, you’ll receive personalized, one-on-one support and graduate fully prepared to face the challenges of your chosen field.
Michelle McGrath, MA, Senior Director, Psychology Programs
Michelle comes to Bay Path with a combination of experience in the field of psychology as well as higher education. She began her career working as a licensed clinician in a variety of mental health settings, and eventually transitioned to working in higher education where she could combine her interests.
Prior to coming to Bay Path University, she worked at Southern New Hampshire University supporting students in a variety of roles, including university counselor, academic advisor, and adjunct faculty member. An undergraduate education major, Michelle has found that her passion lies with education and student support. Having worked in both a traditional and online undergraduate program, Michelle is able to apply her broad experience to enhancing The American Women’s College psychology program both online and on ground. She is inspired daily by the stories of her students and the motivation and dedication they have for their education.
Choose Your Major
Customize your BA in Psychology program by choosing from a variety of career-focused majors designed to help you achieve your professional goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
Choosing a major for your degree allows you to gain career-ready skills in a specific area of expertise. These specialty skills will allow you to stand out among other professionals in your field and better compete for the position you want.
You’ll complete 120 total credits to earn the online Counseling Foundations degree. You can review courses now.
No, a major is not required for the online BA in Psychology program. You may choose the standard Psychology degree or one of five major options, which include:
- Child Psychology
- Counseling Foundations
- Forensic Psychology
- Foundations of Alcohol & drug Abuse Counseling
- Human Services & Rehabilitation
You can learn more about coursework for this program on our curriculum page.
The requirements for the online BA in Psychology program include:
- Submit your application.
- Submit official high school transcripts and college transcripts if applicable.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
You can learn more about our admission requirements on our admission page.
Yes. All students of the online BA in Psychology program are required to take the same psychology core courses. This provides the flexibility to change majors during the program without the risk of losing credits.
Those who hold an online Counseling Foundations degree often pursue career titles such as case manager, employment counselor, rehabilitation specialist and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is expected to grow 22% by 2031. Learn more about your career options by visiting our careers page.
Source
- University HQ. Top Rankings for Bay Path University. Retrieved from https://universityhq.org/best-colleges/bay-path-university/#rankings.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm.