Psychology

  • BA
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Teacher Certification
A college professor stands at the front of a lecture hall, addressing a classroom filled with students who are seated in curved rows and taking notes.

Explore the science of mind and behavior with Psychology – a program for students eager to understand themselves, others and the world around them, offered in online, on-campus, and hybrid formats. Through the study of biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality processes, you’ll uncover what drives human thought and action. Psychology empowers you to use evidence to draw meaningful conclusions and make a positive difference in people’s lives. 

What You’ll Study

  • Explore biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality processes
  • Gain expertise in scientific methods, critical thinking and statistical analysis
  • Appreciate what drives human thought and action through research-based learning

Opportunities for Growth

  • Conduct research in more than 20 labs
  • Connect with a vibrant student and alumni network
  • Earn college credits through cooperative education internships and study abroad
  • Online students have the opportunity to meet, connect and receive guidance from Psychology faculty through monthly Q&A Zoom Sessions

Career Preparation

  • Apply knowledge in education, healthcare, counseling, business or law
  • Prepare for versatile careers and advanced graduate studies
  • Receive mentorship from dedicated faculty

Psychology focuses on understanding, predicting and solving problems related to human behavior in today’s information-rich world, making it one of the most relevant and versatile fields of study.

See the curriculum.

Your Degree, Your Way

Our Psychology undergraduate online program is designed with you in mind. Courses are fully online and asynchronous – which means you can work around your busy life – with opportunities to engage and collaborate with faculty and classmates. Combining convenience with the personalized support of a success mentor, you can finish what you started.

Earn your bachelor’s degree in Psychology fully online – build expertise in understanding human behavior for diverse careers or graduate study.

  • Flexible, respected Montclair degree completed from anywhere
  • Explore biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality processes to understand why people do what they do
  • Develop scientific methods, critical thinking and statistical skills
  • Gain valuable experience in problem-solving and empathy for professional and personal growth
  • Study cognition, emotion, social dynamics and mental health to deepen understanding of yourself and others
  • Open versatile career paths in social services, research, counseling, education, business or graduate study through a program tailored to fit your life

Tailored specifically for the working learner, pursue Montclair Online undergraduate degree completion programs as a transfer or readmit student. You are able to transfer to a Montclair Online program if you have earned 45 or more credits.

Minors

Supplement any major with a Psychology minor – gain insight into human thought, behavior and valuable skills for your chosen profession.

  • Complements any major on campus with foundations in human behavior
  • Learn why people do what they do from multiple perspectives, including biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality
  • Use 18 free electives (six courses) to add a Psychology minor
  • Knowledge of psychology is useful for success in clinical, corporate, research, educational and nonprofit roles
  • Pick up research and critical thinking skills that enhance your major and broaden career options
  • Apply scientific methods to understand, predict and solve problems related to behavior

See the curriculum.

Combined Programs

Explore a flexible selection of accelerated 4+1 programs in Psychology, where ambitious students can earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. These programs are designed to align with diverse interests and career goals, combining rigorous academics, specialized tracks and applied research experiences.

The Combined BA/MA in Psychological Science is a rigorous five-year program designed for students seeking advanced research skills and early graduate-level training. You’ll complete undergraduate coursework, then begin graduate study during your senior year, with mentored research, opportunities to present at conferences and publication in recognized journals. Coursework emphasizes research design, data management and data analysis, giving you valuable quantitative reasoning skills and mastery of large databases. This path prepares you for entry-level roles in data-driven industries – such as health, pharmaceutical, banking, insurance, advertising or consulting – or offers a strong foundation for doctoral study.

  • Early graduate study and mentored research
  • Conference presentations and publication opportunities

Intensive training in research design, data analysis and communication

  • Valuable experience as part of a research team
  • Cost and time savings compared to separate degrees. Graduates earn two diplomas – a BA and an MA in Psychological Science.

Important: This program does not provide training in clinical or counseling psychology and does not provide preparation for careers in clinical, counseling or mental health professions. Students interested in mental health professions, forensic psychology or school psychology should plan to apply to the MA in Clinical Psychology program after completing the regular BA degree in Psychology. This program does not grant access to the MA in Clinical Psychology. See the curriculum.

Pair a Psychology education with business expertise in the combined BA/MBA program – ideal for students who aspire to leadership roles in corporate, healthcare or nonprofit sectors.

  • Streamlined path to dual degrees in five years
  • First three years: complete Psychology bachelor’s coursework
  • Fourth year: take 6 credits of graduate business (MBA) “swing” courses, fulfilling both undergraduate and graduate requirements
  • Fifth year: finish the remaining MBA courses in a full-time format
  • Apply for program admission in junior year – transition to MBA in senior year upon meeting GPA requirements
  • Graduate with both a Bachelor’s in Psychology and an MBA
  • Cost-effective – swing courses at the undergraduate tuition rate
  • Gain a competitive edge by integrating psychology and business – broaden career opportunities and enhance employability

See the curriculum.

Pair a Psychology BA with a Master of Public Health through Montclair State’s accelerated 4+1 program and earn two degrees in less time. Tailor your studies by choosing one of two concentrations — Community Health Education, focused on developing public health professionals who advance wellness and prevention initiatives for communities, or Health Systems Administration and Policy, which trains leaders for hospitals and healthcare organizations with a strong emphasis on prevention, social justice and health equity. Through swing courses that count toward both degrees, students graduate with interdisciplinary expertise and are well prepared for impactful roles in health, policy or community settings. 

See the curriculum.

Teacher Education Programs

The Department of Psychology offers programs that can help lead to teacher certification at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The psychology major is an excellent option for students who wish to pursue K-5 teacher certification in New Jersey.

Psychology Major with Teacher Certification in Elementary School Teacher in Grades K-6 Psychology majors interested in K–6 teacher certification must apply and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program – once admitted, you’ll be enrolled in the B.A. in Elementary Education program as a second major.

  • Review the Teacher Education Program website for professional course sequences, program requirements and procedures
  • Consult the Teacher Education Program Handbook for guidance and details
  • 120 credits are required for the degree, with a minimum 3.0 overall GPA
  • Psychology majors must earn at least a C- in all Psychology courses; any Psychology course with less than a C- must be repeated
  • Only courses with a minimum grade of C- will count toward the Psychology major

For more details, review the Teacher Education Program Handbook and official resources. 

See the curriculum.

Psychology Major with Teacher Certification in Social Studies (Preschool-Grade 12) 

Psychology majors who wish to pursue P–12 teacher certification in Social Studies must apply to and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program – upon admission, students will be matriculated into the B.A. in Secondary Education program as a second major.

  • Visit the Teacher Education Program website for course sequences, program guidelines and procedures
  • Review the Teacher Education Program Handbook for up-to-date requirements
  • SASE 401 Methods of Teaching Social Studies is a required departmental course
  • Social studies teachers must complete coursework in economics, geography, history, political science and religion
  • A full list of requirements is available from the Social Studies Teacher Education Coordinator
  • 120 credits are required for the degree, with a minimum 3.0 overall GPA Psychology majors must earn at least a C- in all Psychology courses – grades below C- require repeating and do not count toward the major

See the curriculum.

Combined BA/MAT with Teacher Certification in Elementary School Teacher in Grades K – 6 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities 

The Combined BA/MAT with teacher certification in Elementary School Teacher in Grades K–6 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities is a five-year Dual Degree Dual Certification program.

  • Apply to and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program as an undergraduate
  • Earn teacher certification in two areas: Elementary School Teacher (K–6) and Teacher of Students with Disabilities
  • Complete the baccalaureate degree with at least 120 credits and a minimum 3.0 overall GPA – major GPA requirements may differ
  • After successfully finishing undergraduate coursework and requirements, enter the Graduate School for the one-year master’s portion
  • Review the Teacher Education Program website and Handbook for course outlines, requirements and important program guidelines
  • Psychology majors must earn a grade of C- or above in all Psychology courses – any course below C- must be repeated to count toward the major

See the curriculum.

Career Opportunities

Human Resources Specialist
Market Research Analyst
Case Manager
Mental Health Technician
Rehabilitation Specialist

Social Services Coordinator
Youth Counselor
Career Counselor Assistant
Research Assistant (in labs, universities or companies)

Customer Experience Analyst
Sales Representative (with behavioral focus)
Public Relations Associate
Administrative Coordinator (nonprofit or healthcare settings)

Psychology Leading to Real-World Impact

A Psychology degree from Montclair prepares students to tackle big challenges, drive positive change and excel across diverse fields.

Michael House, Psychology '24

Policy Brief Winner – Climate Justice

Michael House ’24, Psychology major, won the Spring 2024 Policy Brief Competition on Climate Justice, recognized for outstanding work addressing environmental issues through Montclair’s Research on Interdisciplinary Global Studies.

Wasayef Bsharat, Psychology '25

Autism Research Fellowship Recipient

Wasayef Bsharat ’25, Psychology combined BA/MA graduate, received the Autism Science Foundation Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship for her work improving autism service access in South Asian and MENA families, advancing equity for underrepresented groups.

Flexible Learning in Psychology

Portrait of Desiree Habersham.
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One of the things that I like about [the Psychology program] is that there’s different styles that you can take the courses in… hybrid classes, online classes or all of them in person – so it’s really flexible for the students.

Desiree Habersham
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A clinician holds up a page of illustrated images and points to it while assessing a child seated across the table. Assessment materials and notes are visible on the table in a professional clinical setting.

Explore Research Labs

  • Join research labs in the Psychology Department to build professional skills and gain hands-on experience with faculty experts
  • Labs cover autism and neurodevelopment, child and youth mental health, cognitive and language development, forensic psychology, leadership, and employee well-being
  • Featured labs include Autism and Neurodevelopment, Cognition and
  • Neurocognitive Disorders, Evidence-Based Practices & Interventions in Communities, Forensic Mental Health and Correctional Psychology, and Youth Mental Health Service
  • Research topics span memory, anxiety, decision making, social perception and technology’s impact on behavior
  • Opportunities available for undergraduates and graduate students – assist with study design, data analysis and presentations
  • Students may participate in publications, conference presentations and receive mentoring as they contribute to research
Graduate student on laptop studying.

Montclair Online: Support to Help You Succeed

From day one to graduation, access tools, guidance, and real-world advice to help you excel. Build confidence in online learning, balance school and life, and stay motivated with support designed to keep you prepared, inspired, and on track.

Honor Society and Clubs

Psi Chi Honor Society
Recognizes academic excellence in Psychology. Open to high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students, Psi Chi offers networking and scholarship opportunities and is affiliated with leading professional organizations. 

Multicultural Psychology Scholars
Provides information, support and community to Psychology students, with a special focus on recruiting and retaining multicultural scholars and preparing students to be effective psychologists in an increasingly diverse society.

The Psychology Club
This student-run group hosts guest speakers, discussions on psychology careers and tips for choosing graduate programs.

Among the Nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees

For the first time, Montclair’s online bachelor’s degrees have been ranked among the top programs in the country in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings.

Emblem for Best Online Bachelor's Programs from U.S. News and World Report.

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Department of Psychology

Get in contact with the Psychology department for course planning, electives and faculty guidance.