Why Choose Russell Sage’s Psychology Bachelor’s Program

Psychology students at Russell Sage College have access to the following:

Psychology majors can choose specialized pathways leading directly into graduate programs in counseling and education, nonclinical fields, law, physical therapy, or occupational therapy. Pathway benefits vary by program and may include accelerated timelines, course waivers, or other advantages.

The Master of Arts in Counseling and Community Psychology program at Russell Sage College is the next step for individuals who want to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors.

We also offer a Master of Arts in Community Psychology program that is focused on social change and social justice.

Our B.S. in Psychology is excellent preparation for Russell Sage College’s Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Russell Sage College’s M.S. in Occupational Therapy.

Recent Sage graduates have been accepted to doctoral programs in Psychology at the University of Alabama and Indiana State University.

Russell Sage has the only evening bachelor’s program in Psychology in New York’s Capital Region! Articulation agreements with community colleges help you maximize transferable credits.

You’ll have a wealth of resources to support your overall well-being, including 

BEST Colleges U.S. News & World Report - Top College for Social Mobility 2026

Top 25

For seven consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Russell Sage among the top 25 national universities for social mobility — proof that our students see real returns. Learn more about financial aid at Sage.

BEST Colleges U.S. News & World Report - Top College for Best Value 2026

Best Value

With first-year merit scholarships of $21,000 to $26,000 and one of the lowest private college tuition rates in New York State, Russell Sage ranks #36 nationally for Best Value (U.S. News & World Report 2026).

“What I particularly like about our Bachelor of Science in Psychology program here at Sage is it offers a breadth of experience for students.”

Patricia O’Connor, Professor

Liz Karam

“I don’t think I could have picked a better major and minor for the work I am doing now.”

Liz Karam
Volunteer coordinator and case manager, St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services

Graduate Pathways and Professional Experiences

Direct Routes to Graduate Study

Psychology majors can pursue pathways that connect undergrad study to graduate programs, including:

  • Licensure-track programs:
    Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Education 
  • Nonclinical graduate programs:
    Community Psychology, Forensic Mental Health, Criminal Justice, Sport Science: Coaching and Mental Performance
  • Pre-PT and Pre-OT pathways:
    Psychology coursework can meet prerequisites for Sage’s Doctor of Physical Therapy,  Master of Occupational Therapy, and Doctor of Occupational Therapy programs, including accelerated options. 
  • Law pathways:
    3+3 programs with Albany Law School or Suffolk University Law School
View Program Catalog for Course Requirements

Learn Through Real-World Experiences

  • Internships
    Intern at human service agencies, local schools’ guidance offices, and even in business settings like a brewery marketing department
  • Criminal Investigation Resource Center
    Find on-campus opportunities with the Denise Taber Finard ’80 Women’s Institute and the Criminal Investigation Resource Center
  • Undergraduate Research
    Contribute to faculty-mentored research, and present your work at national and regional conferences, as well as at Russell Sage College’s Undergraduate Research Day

Connect with the Community

When you’re not in clLive out the college’s Be. Know. Do. motto through service learning and engaged learning. Examples include:ass or an applied learning experience, Sage offers a vibrant college experience:

  • Support English-language learners at the Intercultural Café
  • Become a student-ambassador for The Women’s Institute 
  • Volunteer with St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services on a 24-hour confidential hotline
  • Build professional and leadership skills through opportunities such as AmeriCorps VISTA and student government

Affordability, Admissions, and Transferring

Affording a Psychology Degree

We understand that cost and value are top concerns when choosing a college. You have to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid — or FAFSA — to receive a complete financial aid package from any college. For now, we can tell you:

What to Know:

  • Russell Sage prioritizes college access and affordability. We have been included on U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges for Social Mobility list for seven consecutive years.
  • 100% of incoming, full-time undergraduates at Russell Sage receive financial aid.
  • Transfer merit scholarships are generous compared to other colleges – starting at $19,000 a year.
  • In many cases, Russell Sage is more affordable than SUNY or other private schools.
  • We want to make every transfer students’ credits count, just one of the reasons we’ve been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll for six straight years.

Don’t forget! You have to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid — or FAFSA — to receive a complete financial aid package from any college. 

Apply to Russell Sage’s Psychology Program

Full application details and next steps are available through the Admissions Office.

Start Your Application

Transfer to Russell Sage’s Psychology Program

Russell Sage welcomes transfer students and provides a supportive and straightforward transfer process. Psychology students may also transfer through established articulation agreements with select colleges.

Explore Transfer Experience

What Can I Do with a Psychology Degree?

Check Out Our Student and Alumni Success Stories

Explore Career Pathways for Psychology Majors

A Psychology bachelor’s degree can connect you to careers with stable employment prospects, provide job security, and an opportunity to make a real difference.

Work with individuals, families, and groups on challenges like stress, relationships, or anxiety

Demand for mental health counselors is expected to increase by 19% through 2033 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Why Russell Sage: You’ll build a strong foundation in human behavior, research, and applied skills to continue into counseling-related master’s programs, including Sage’s M.A. in Mental Health Counseling, as a next step toward licensure.

Support individuals and families by connecting them with resources, coordinating services, and advocating for their needs.

Roles in human services and social support fields continue to show steady demand.

Why Russell Sage: Psychology majors develop communication, critical thinking, and active listening skills valued in human service agencies, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations, making this a strong option for students entering the workforce after graduation

Help children and young adults build academic and social skills and set education and career goals.

Employment for school and career counselors is expected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033, offering a stable career path (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Why Russell Sage:You’ll gain essential preparation in development, learning, and behavior Sage also offers an M.S. in Professional School Counseling, allowing students to continue their education and prepare for counseling roles in K-12 settings.

Research laws, analyze information, and advocate for clients in areas such as criminal justice, family law, public service, or business.

Law is a competitive but versatile field, with opportunities across government, nonprofits, and the private sector.

Why Russell Sage: Russell Sage’s 3 + 3 programs with Albany Law School and Suffolk University Law School allow qualified students to complete their first year of law school after their junior year at Sage, ultimately saving one year of tuition and earning a bachelor’s and law degree in six years instead of seven.

Help people recover from injuries.

Median pay is $101,020 per year, employment opportunities expected to grow by 14% through 2033 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Why Russell Sage: Sage’s undergrad Psychology program includes the prerequisites to move straight into its physical therapy doctorate program if you meet GPA requirements.

Person in graduation attire sitting in front of flowering bushes.

“Witnessing the role that art can play in supporting mental health has inspired me to encourage all of my clients to engage in creative expression as part of their healing process.”

Raylynne Kuhn
Anti-trafficking case manager, Safe, Inc. of Schenectady

Frequently Asked Questions — Nutrition Bachelor’s Degree

Yes, Russell Sage’s psychology bachelor’s program accepts transfer students. Also good to know: Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, has named Russell Sage to its Transfer Honor Roll for four-year colleges that provide an exceptionally smooth transfer experience, for six years in a row!

As a student in Sage’s B.S. in Psychology program, you’ll explore how people think, feel, and behave across areas like cognitive, social, clinical, and well-being psychology. You’ll also have flexibility to take classes in other fields — from the arts to business or law — and build your resume through internships, research, or both.

Sample psychology courses include:

  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Positive Psychology
  • Psychology of Persuasion and Influence
  • Animal Behavior
  • Expressive Arts in Grief and Healing
  • Victims and Their Experience
  • Women and Crime

Yes. You don’t have to be 100% sure about your career before starting your bachelor’s degree. Psychology is a flexible major that will prepare you for a range of entry level professional positions or graduate programs, and college offers plenty of resources — like advising, internships, and hands-on experiences — to help you explore your options and decide.

Yes. A B.S. in Psychology is one of the most common and flexible starting points if you are  interested in a mental health career. It provides the scientific foundation and prerequisites needed for many graduate programs in counseling, psychology, and related fields.

Yes. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for mental health counselors is projected to grow 19% through 2033, much faster than average. Many students are drawn to the field for both job stability and the opportunity to help others.

Psychology bachelor’s degrees don’t lead directly to licensure as a psychologist or mental health counselor, but location still matters. If you want to eventually become a licensed mental health counselor in New York, studying in New York helps you understand and meet state-specific licensure requirements and gain relevant experience through internships and community-based learning.

In the Capital Region, these opportunities can strengthen applications to graduate programs in counseling, psychology, and related fields.

Have questions about a Psychology degree?

Julie McIntyre
Julie A. McIntyre
Associate Professor of Psychology
mcintj@sage.edu
Julie Verette-Lindenbaum
Julie Verette-Lindenbaum
Associate Professor of Psychology
lindej2@sage.edu
Susan Jenks
Susan M Jenks, Ph.D.
Professor of Biopsychology
jenkss@sage.edu
Justin Kimber
Justin Kimber, Ph.D.
Online Graduate Program Director, Lecturer of Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology
kimbej@sage.edu
Alicia Harlow
Alicia Harlow, Ph.D.
Chair and In-Person Program Director, Associate Professor of Psychology
Marisa Beeble
Marisa L. Beeble
Professor of Psychology
Donald Graves
Donald Graves
Associate Professor of Psychology

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