Skip to main content

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University
Advanced search
Information For...
  • Current Students
  • Parents & Family
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
Quick Links
  • COVID-19
  • Give
  • Maps
  • Employment
  • Library
  • AppalNet
  • AsULearn
  • A-Z
Main Menu
  • Why Choose App?
  • Visit
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Campus Life
  • About
  • Home
  • Academics
  • Undergraduate Programs

Psychology (BS) - Sustainability

About

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Appalachian State University’s Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a concentration in sustainability is ideal for students desiring broader study to prepare them for a career that requires an understanding of the behavioral and cognition aspects of human-implicated environmental problems. In addition, students who focus on this area of study will develop an appreciation of how increasing human well-being and health is a key component of developing sustainable communities.  

This degree’s curriculum provides a background for pursing a graduate degree in experimental research on this topic. In addition, students in this concentration who choose a career in the non-profit or for-profit sectors will benefit by their understanding of the psychology of sustainability issues.

Understanding the behavioral and cognitive aspects of sustainability has implications for:

  • Working in industrial/organizational psychology, human resource management, interpersonal relationships, health and wellness;
  • Helping community members thrive and overcome barriers;
  • Developing the necessary infrastructure for scaling up psychological services in rural areas.

After Graduation

Employment: Psychology majors are competitive for many bachelor’s entry-level jobs because of their ability to think critically, their strong oral and written communication skills, and their tendency to be concerned by real-world problems and ability to pull from scientific literature to solve them.

Graduate school: Many students from this major pursue master’s or doctoral level graduate education in experimental or developmental psychology, medicine, counseling, or other allied health professions. Because these professional programs are highly competitive, students are advised to apply to many different programs in order to maintain their competitiveness.

Career Exploration website
Careers in Psychology, American Psychological Association

People

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Amy T. Galloway
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Amy T. Galloway

    Appalachian’s Dr. Amy T. Galloway researches sustainable and community food systems and is part of the interdisciplinary team of researchers called AppalFRESH.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • Psychology (BA)
  • Psychology (BS) - Business
  • Psychology (BS) - Health Studies
  • Psychology (BS) - Human Services
  • Psychology (BS) - Natural Science
  • Psychology (BS) - Social Science
  • Psychology (BS) - Education Studies
  • Interdisciplinary Studies (BA) – Individually Designed
  • Sustainable Development (BA) - Environmental Studies
  • Sustainable Development (BS) - Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
  • Sustainable Development (BS) - Community, Regional, and Global Development
  • Sustainable Development (BS) - Environmental Studies

Minors

A minor is not required, but it is possible to complete with a Sustainability concentration.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

  • Appalachian State University Chapter of Psi Chi - A chapter the national honor society in psychology sponsored by the American Psychological Association. It is open to students who complete nine hours of psychology course and meet a cumulative GPA requirements. 
  • Students in the department are involved with research presentation days and competitions through the Council on Undergraduate Research, including the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.
  • Southeastern Psychological Association - a regional psychological association affiliated with the American Psychological Association (APA).

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

apply

Apply

visit

Visit

connect

Connect

programs

Degrees

Want to learn more?

Register for Info Session
Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

  • Appalachian is a leader in sustainability, a framework for creating a world where environmental, societal and economic qualities exist in balance to meet the resource needs of today and of future generations. 
  • Students will have the opportunity to interact with faculty doing sustainability-related research and teaching both within the Department of Psychology and across campus, exposing them to a transdisciplinary approach to sustainability.
  • Students at both the undergraduate and graduate level participate in research with faculty on a volunteer basis or for academic credit. Each semester, approximately 70-100 students participate in research per semester.
  • The Department of Psychology offers four graduate degrees in clinical, school, experimental psychology and industrial/organizational-human resources management, which provide undergraduate students a useful window to see what graduate training is like.
  • Students are encouraged to pursue an internship with the help of the department’s internship coordinator and to take service-learning courses.
  • Scholarships are available through the department.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

This concentration began in 2018. Possible career paths include management, supervisory, advocacy or other positions with sustainability-related businesses or non-profits.

View more career possibilities

Careers in Psychology, American Psychological Association

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Psychology

Dr. Rose Mary Webb
Chair
webbrm@appstate.edu
828-262-2272

  • Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology

    Appalachian’s Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology serves more than 1,000 undergraduate majors seeking the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, as well as 80 graduate students in three master’s programs (experimental psychology, school psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management) and the clinical psychology (Psy.D.) doctoral program. Learn more at https://psych.appstate.edu.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

  • App State at Hickory
  • Accessibility
  • Bookstore
  • Contact Us
  • Emergency
  • Employment
  • Equal Opportunity Policy
  • Maps
  • Pay Bills
  • Policy Manual
  • Title IX

Connect

Facebook logo Twitter logo Youtube logo Insatgram logo

Connect with Appalachian's social media accounts from university programs, departments and administrative units..

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University

287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608 | 828-262-2000 | Copyright 2023 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer | Privacy | Website manager: waterworthae (wycoffdn) | Website feedback