Social and behavioral sciences - Psychology and sociology

As a science-based branch of psychology, positive psychology emphasizes the strengths that help individuals and communities thrive. This program covers theories, research and applied interventions designed to support mental wellness, resilience and optimal functioning across diverse environments, such as families, workplaces and communities.

By exploring the science behind widely adopted practices, you’ll learn how to reduce stress, increase life satisfaction and build empathy. Areas of study include:

• Forgiveness interventions fostering perspective and emotional regulation
• Gratitude practices supporting positive thinking and self-awareness
• Mindfulness activities improving attention and emotional resilience

This program prioritizes research literacy and interdisciplinary thinking. You’ll engage with data, evaluate popular psychology claims and examine how positive psychology connects with broader movements to reduce inequity and promote well-being at scale.

As a positive psychology major, you’ll scaffold your coursework to real-world applications through ASU initiatives like the Resilience in Social Environments (RISE) project, the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience and the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation. You may also be selected to participate in research with faculty.

If you plan to become a licensed therapist or psychologist, this program can be your starting point. Most roles in clinical psychology require a master’s degree or a PhD, as well as licensure in the state where you plan to practice and potentially other relevant certifications.

The differences between a BS and BA in positive psychology

While both the BS and BA programs lead to similar career paths and prepare you for graduate study, each offering has a distinct academic focus:

The Bachelor of Science in psychology with a concentration in positive psychology:

• Centers on data and quantitative research methods
• Develops skills in statistical analysis and scientific reasoning
• Prepares you to work in research or clinical settings

The Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a concentration in positive psychology:

• Emphasizes applied learning in real-world settings
  Focuses on interpersonal and communication skills
  Prepares you for careers in business, community programs or social services

You can also pursue this program as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. If accepted, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a master’s degree — such as the online Master of Science in psychology with a concentration in positive psychology — in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree, saving time and tuition.

The growing field of positive psychology centers around enhancing quality of life through proven, research-based approaches. This program introduces strategies developed to support emotional well-being, strong relationships, healthy work environments and more.

You’ll learn how to apply and assess these interventions across family, community and organizational settings. Core areas of study include:

• Coping and creativity
• Gratitude and mindfulness
• Hope and optimism
• Joy and love
• Resilience

As a positive psychology major, you’ll scaffold your coursework to real-world applications through ASU initiatives like the Resilience in Social Environments (RISE) project, the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience and the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation. You may also be selected to participate in research with faculty.

If you plan to become a licensed therapist or psychologist, this program can be your starting point. Most roles in clinical psychology require a master’s degree or a PhD, as well as licensure in the state where you plan to practice and potentially other relevant certifications.

The differences between the BA and BS in positive psychology

While both the BA and BS programs lead to similar career paths and prepare you for graduate study, each offering has a distinct academic focus:

The Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a concentration in positive psychology:

• Emphasizes applied learning in real-world settings
• Focuses on interpersonal and communication skills
• Prepares you for careers in business, community programs or social services

The Bachelor of Science in psychology with a concentration in positive psychology:

• Centers on data and quantitative research methods
• Develops skills in statistical analysis and scientific reasoning
• Prepares you to work in research or clinical settings

You can also pursue this program as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. If accepted, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a master’s degree — such as the online Master of Science in psychology – positive psychology — in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree, saving time and tuition.

Applied psychological science connects theory to hands-on counseling practice. In this substance abuse and addictions degree concentration, you'll focus on learning how to counsel clients experiencing forms of addiction.

As an ideal candidate, you’ll be interested in learning a combination of psychological theory and practice related to addiction. This concentration is an especially good fit if you have an associate degree in psychology and are looking to focus your upper-division studies on substance abuse and addiction counseling.

The skills you’ll develop in this program

In this program, you’ll acquire skills in screening, assessing, diagnosing, and developing treatment plans for patients afflicted with substance abuse or related addictions. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with a range of skills that can apply to many career paths in behavioral health, including:

• Applying counseling theory to practice.
• Counseling microskills.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Foundational knowledge of substance abuse and addiction patterns.
• Research methods.
• Understanding group dynamics relevant to substance use and addictions.

Does this lead to substance abuse counseling licensure?

Although earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step towards licensure, this degree won’t qualify you to become a licensed professional counselor. However, this program provides preparation for the master’s degree that leads to the licensed professional counselor credential.

Additionally, the coursework in this program meets the requirements for the Licensed Addiction Counselor Technician (LACT) credential in Arizona. Note: Licensure requirements differ in every state, so it’s important to determine your career goals and the educational requirements needed to achieve them.

State authorization:
We strongly recommend you visit our state authorization page to learn how ASU is authorized to operate in your state, policies for out-of-state students and program exceptions.

In this neuroscience program, you’ll study the brain and nervous system, which are two of the most complex biological structures. You’ll have the opportunity to analyze behavior, thoughts, consciousness and emotion related to the nervous system.

You’ll also learn the basic elements of the nervous system and how it functions in relation to cognition, behavior, thought and emotion in humans and animals through field research. Foundations in biochemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics and psychology provide you with a deeper understanding of the structure and function of the brain and nervous system.

Tailor your studies to fit your interests

Neuroscience provides opportunities to uncover the mystery of consciousness and to gain insight into health promotion and maintenance. With a variety of paths you can take, this program allows you to tailor your curriculum to fit your interests and goals. You’ll have the opportunity to select your upper-division courses from four focal areas of neuroscience that use different levels of analysis:

• Behavioral neuroscience: Learn about the biological processes of neural activity and transmission that underlie subsequent behavior, largely using animal models.
• Cellular and molecular neuroscience: Examine the basic biological processes of the neural cells, both individually and as they connect.
• Cognitive neuroscience: Study the correlation between brain processes and our thoughts and experiences of the world using a range of approaches that draw on neuroimaging and cognitive psychology.
• Systems neuroscience: Explore how the billions of neural cells work together in neural networks.

What can you do with a bachelor’s in neuroscience?

Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for a variety of careers in health and research. While many neuroscience career paths require a master’s- or doctorate-level degree, there are some that don’t, such as a clinical research assistant, health educator and more.

Building skills in computer programming, experimental design, behavioral understanding and data science will equip you as a marketable STEM professional. This degree also provides you with the foundations needed to continue on to medical school; however, it doesn’t prepare you for counseling psychology.

This counseling and applied psychological science degree equips you with foundational training in trauma, lifespan development, group counseling and professional ethics. A unique aspect of this program is its attention to cultural diversity, which focuses on age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion and socioeconomic status. In addition, you’ll also gain transferable skills that will prepare you for many roles, including:

• Adaptability
• Analytical skills
• Cultural sensitivity
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership
• Problem solving
• Research methods
• Understanding group dynamics

Tailor your studies to fit your career goals

In this program, you’ll learn the foundational principles of counseling and explore strategies that promote psychological well-being in others. Ideal candidates include those interested in improving behavioral health among individuals and families. This program is beneficial if you have an associate degree in a related field or are working in human services roles, such as care coordinator, caseworker and clinical school liaison.

Interested in exploring specific areas of counseling and applied psychological science? Check out the three online concentrations available:

• Counseling military members and veterans.
  • In this concentration, you’ll explore the distinct challenges that military members and veterans encounter. You’ll also learn how to effectively address these issues, enabling you to make a meaningful impact in their lives.
• Sports and performance counseling.
  • In this concentration, you’ll discover the psychological challenges athletes face after a major injury or retiring from their sport. You’ll also examine why humans are captivated by sports and how games bring people together.
• Substance abuse and addictions.
  • In this concentration, you’ll focus on counseling strategies for clients experiencing addiction. You’ll learn how to screen, assess, diagnose and treat those with substance abuse problems, behavioral addictions or other related conditions.

Does this program lead to counseling licensure?

While this program doesn’t lead to counseling licensure, it’ll prepare you for graduate programs and other advanced training. Upon graduation, you’ll feel confident supporting licensed counselors in behavioral health care delivery settings or beginning a graduate degree program in a counseling-related field. As part of the program, you’ll also participate in a hands-on internship where you may shadow a licensed therapist and practice counseling theory in a supportive training environment.

Please note: Only the BS with a concentration in substance abuse and addictions offers a pathway to licensure in Arizona as a Licensed Addiction Counselor Technician (LACT).