Applied Psychology & Human Services, B.S.

Become an agent of change on an individual and community level with a bachelor’s in Applied Psychology & Human Services from Vermont State University. Coursework in both areas will lay the theoretical groundwork and give you a practical orientation to addressing human needs with multiple tools in diverse settings.

Through two field placements and experiential learning throughout your coursework, you’ll graduate with relevant experience that will boost your confidence as a professional and prepare you for ​the job market​. With your degree, you’ll be ready to gain entry to graduate programs or find success as a behavioral interventionist, crisis worker, case manager, advocate, or in other human services careers.

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Why Study Applied Psychology & Human Services at Vermont State?

  • Real-World Experience: Grow your confidence and build your skills with two different field placements during your studies. Our program features a broad range of placement opportunities so you can gain the experience that is most relevant to your career direction.  
  • Broad Career Options: With training in both psychology and human services, you’ll have many paths open to you. Find work right away in social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, or educational settings. Or, continue to build your skills with an advanced degree in psychology, social work, human services, or counseling. 
  • Record of Success: Follow a clear path of advancement for careers in human services and psychology. Our graduates have a high job placement rate and a high rate of admission to graduate programs in the field.  
  • A Head Start on Your Master’s: Save time and money ​b​y completing your master’s degree in counseling at Vermont State. Our bridge program allows you to take up to three graduate-level courses in your fourth year that can be applied to your undergraduate degree while also counting toward your master’s. 
  • Social Justice Focus: Be inspired and equipped to work for societal change. Throughout the program, you’ll learn to see social problems in a larger historical and systemic context and explore ways systems and structures can be reformed to improve the quality of life for at-risk populations. 
  • Your Own Unique Focus: Combine your interests and tailor your degree to your unique path. Our program gives you the freedom to double major in a related area (like criminal justice) or add a minor in a variety of fields. Program electives allow you to broaden your knowledge of psychology through courses like Criminal Behavior, Psychology of Addictions, Psychology of Gender, and Child and Adolescent Development.  

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Program Outcomes

80% of 2021 graduates were hired in the field in less than two months after graduating, 100% reported working in the field within 2-6 months after graduating. (Northern Vermont University-Lyndon Career Services, Alumni Graduation Survey, 2021) 

In 2021, 2 alumni received public recognition for their accomplishments in the field, (NVU Building a Culture of Research Report Submitted to the Vermont Biomedical Research Network June 1, 2020-May 31, 2021)  

Between 2020-21, 7 alumni reported being enrolled in graduate programs (master’s degrees in psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, social work, special education and experiential and outdoor education), 5 completed graduate and licensure degrees, (LICSW, ABA) and 25 reported acquiring new career or field based positions. (NVU Building a Culture of Research Report Submitted to the Vermont Biomedical Research Network June 1, 2020-May 31, 2021)  

80%of 2021 graduates were hired in the field in less than two months after graduating

100%reported working in the field within 2-6 months after graduating


Northern Vermont University-Lyndon Career Services, Alumni Graduation Survey, 2021

Sample Courses

  • Introduction to Psychology 
  • Abnormal Psychology 
  • Human Development Across Cultures 
  • Understanding and Working With At Risk Families 
  • Counseling Theory and Practice 

Student Stories

A selfie of a red haired young man with a beard wearing sunglasses laying on the grass.

“I absolutely loved this program. Every psychology class was interesting in its own way. The variety of courses was amazing and I learned about the psychological development of people in all different stages of life and the overall needs of each population.”

John Woodbury
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“What makes the experience unique is the level of support and investment that the faculty, staff, and community have for students. Professors encourage an experiential and compassionate approach to psychology and human services that both challenges and inspires students.”

Olivia Lapierre

Meet Our Faculty

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Assistant Professor

  • Lyndon Campus

Professor of Psychology

  • Lyndon Campus

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