Applied Psychology

Overview

Whether you want to finish your bachelor’s degree, change your career, or expand your knowledge and earnings horizon, the University of Saint Mary has the Kansas City area’s most flexible and accelerated undergraduate degree-completion program.

If you’re thinking about returning to the classroom, make no mistake: now is the time. In this competitive job market, a college degree is more important than ever.

USM’s adult degree-completion program in applied psychology offers the same high level of academic excellence as our traditional day classes.

As an applied psychology major, you’ll master the theories, techniques, skills, and ethics involved in the helping professions. And you’ll learn by doing—gaining skills to solve real world problems using a variety of psychological methods.

You’ll benefit from small classes, and your advisors are committed to your success. They’ll work diligently with you to arrange a schedule that fits your life.

Is it for you?

• The University of Saint Mary undergraduate degree-completion program is conveniently located in Overland Park near 115th and Pflumm. Classes are also offered at our Kansas City, Kansas class site in Providence Medical Center
• It’s a perfect option for anyone with an associate’s degree looking to take the next step, a student with a variety of college under their belt wanting to focus on a major, or a professional looking for continue their education and return to the classroom
• You do not have to take courses in a particular order. That means if you have a particularly heavy work schedule or personal scheduling issue, you can choose the courses that best fits your schedule
• It’s flexible. You can opt to go full-time, taking more than one course; or part-time, taking one course at a time
• USM offers affordable tuition and financial aid. Our undergraduate degree-completion program is an excellent value.

Flexible Scheduling

USM’s accelerated degree-completion program is designed to meet the needs of busy individuals balancing work and family commitments.
We offer:

• Evening classes that primarily meet one night a week
• Accelerated 8-week sessions
• Terms begin five times a year. Start at any term

We recommend that you submit your application materials at least three weeks prior to the start of the term.

Apply Now! Request More Information

Curriculum

USM’s adult degree-completion program offers you the same high quality education of as the university’s traditional undergraduate program in a more convenient and flexible accelerated evening format.

Applied Psychology provides a basis for understanding human behavior and is valuable for anyone working in the social services.

Visit our Course Description tab for more information on what classes you’ll be taking and how many credit hours you’ll need.

Core Courses

General Education Courses

Communications — nine credit hours comprising the following three courses

• Composition I
• Composition II
• Oral Communications

Humanities — six credit hours from the following areas:

• Literature/Theatre
• Foreign Language
• History
• Humanities (Art, Music, Religion)
• Philosophy

Social Science — six credit hours from the following areas:

• Economics
• Anthropology
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

Science and Math — nine credit hours from the following areas:

• Natural Science with Lab
• College Algebra and Statistics

AA requirements (including completion of math) need to be met in order for students to enroll in seminar.

IDEA Seminar I
IDEA Seminar II

Applied Psychology Core Classes

• Intro to Psychology
• Intro to Human Services
• Intro to Addictions
• Professional Ethics
• Psychology of Childhood & Adolescence or Aging
• Social Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Methods II Group or Methods III Family

Electives (six credit hours)

• Marriage & Family
• Personal Growth & Development
• Human Sexuality
• Contemporary Social Issues
• Juvenile Delinquency
• Health Psychology
• Criminology
• Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Courts, Probation & Parole
• Race Relations
• Personality Psychology
• Penology

Admission Requirements

The USM adult degree-completion program is ideally suited for students who have completed roughly two years of college (approximately 60 credit hours), although those with fewer credit hours are accepted.

You will work one-on-one with a faculty member to integrate your past learning and college credits into our program—or to complete any required courses you’re lacking within the context of the program.

Other admission requirements are:

• Completed application and $25 application fee
• Official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended
• Minimum grade point average of 2.0 (on a scale of 4.0)

Prerequisites

You will be best prepared to enter the undergraduate degree-completion program if you have completed the following college courses.

Your advisor will work with you if you’re missing any of these requirements.

And you may receive credit for life experiences. A portfolio you prepare detailing your experience will be judged by a committee that determines how much college credit—up to a maximum of 30 hours—you will be granted.

Communications (nine credit hours)

• English Composition I
• English Composition II
• Communications

Humanities (six credit hours/two courses). Must include courses from at least two of these five areas:

• Literature/Theatre
• Foreign Language
• History
• Humanities (Art, Humanities, Religion, Photography)
• Philosophy

Social Sciences/Economics (six credit hours/two courses). Must include courses from at least two of these five areas:

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

Science/Mathematics (nine credit hours). Must include one course from a lab science and one from mathematics.

• Life Sciences (Biology)
• Physical Science (Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology, Physics)
• Mathematics (Equivalent to USM MA185 or above

Graduation Requirements

The USM adult degree-completion program is geared toward students who have completed roughly two years of college (approximately 60 credit hours).

USM requires the successful completion of 128 credit hours to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Faculty

Program Advisor

Pat Howard
Overland Park Campus Director &  Degree-Completion Advisor
(913) 319-3002
HowardP@stmary.edu

Applied Psychology

Leif Leaf, Assistant Professor in Psychology
B.A.; M.A., California State University; Ph.D., Indiana State University

Vickie Dercher, Applied Psychology
B.S., Saint Mary College; M.S.W., University of Kansas

Scott Harvey, Psychology
B.A. University of Missouri, Columbia; M.A. St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas

Ned Istas, Sociology
B.S., Pittsburgh State University; M.A., Saint Mary College

Janine Motl, Applied Psychology
B.A., Creighton University; M.A., Saint Mary College

Dylan Schmitt, Applied Psychology
B.A., Marymount College; M.S.W., University of Kansas

Art Ross, Psychology
B.S., University of North Dakota; M.A., Ph.D, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will all of my credits transfer?
• How long will it take to finish my degree?
• Where will my classes be held?
• Is this an accelerated program?
• What do I need to be admitted?

Will all of my credits transfer?

They generally will, as long as they come from an accredited college or university. You can only have 64 transfer credit hours from a two-year school, so you might have an excessive number of two-year school hours. They will transfer and show up on your transcript, but they will not count toward your degree.

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How long will it take to finish my degree?

There is no firm answer to this. Usually there are several factors to consider:

• How many credit hours you are transferring to USM?
• How many classes you want to take each term?
• The rotation of classes between the sites

To get a better sense of timeframe, speak with a program advisor[ link ]

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Where will my classes be held?

You may take classes at any of our sites. The Overland Park Campus will offer all of the classes for all of the degree-completion programs. Our Kansas City, Kansas site will have applied psychology, business administration, and sociology classes. The main campus in Leavenworth will also offer some evening classes.

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Is this an accelerated program?

Yes. Other than elementary education, most of the classes are in an 8-week format. Classes start August (Fall I), October (Fall II), January (Spring I), March (Spring II) and May (Summer Session).

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What do I need to be admitted?

• An application with a $25 application fee
• An official transcript from any other college or university that you have attended
• A 2.0 cumulative grade point average in your previous coursework