Barton College psychology programs include a Bachelor of Science in Psychology built around a 13-course core curriculum, a required internship, and a senior thesis project. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and is located in Wilson, North Carolina [VERIFY: confirm whether the psychology program includes a distance learning component, or whether it is on-campus only].
Barton College traces its roots to the Kinsey Seminary, a school in Wilson, North Carolina that closed at the turn of the century. The North Carolina Christian Missionary Convention purchased the property in 1902 and opened it as Atlantic Christian College, renaming it Barton College in 1990. The college enrolls fewer than 1,200 students on campus [VERIFY: confirm current enrollment figure], keeping most classes small.
Accreditation Details
Barton College’s primary accreditation comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which reviews the college regularly to confirm it meets regional standards. The education program holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, preparing students to teach in North Carolina and other states. Additional program accreditation comes from the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Application Requirements
Barton College reviews applicants holistically, weighing high school coursework, grades, and extracurricular activities rather than a fixed GPA cutoff [VERIFY: confirm current college-prep coursework expectations against Barton’s admissions page]. ACT and SAT scores are considered under Barton’s test-optional policy rather than universally required [VERIFY: confirm current test policy and any program-specific exceptions]. The college reviews applications through an admissions board and notifies accepted students by mail, with acceptance details available online as well. Admitted students confirm their spot with a deposit and by submitting the FAFSA for financial aid consideration.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Barton College’s published tuition is about $37,000 [VERIFY: confirm current published annual tuition rate] a year, with total cost of attendance substantially higher once housing, meals, and other fees are factored in [VERIFY: confirm current total cost of attendance and room and board figures]. Financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work study, is available based on need and merit [VERIFY: confirm current financial aid statistics, percentage of students receiving aid, and average award size]. Barton encourages accepted students to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible, since financial need determines the size and type of aid package offered.
Psychology Programs at Barton College
Barton College psychology programs currently include one undergraduate option, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology built around research methods and core psychological coursework. Understanding the difference between a BA and BS in Psychology can help clarify what to expect from Barton’s curriculum.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The program introduces students to core psychological topics while building research and scientific methods skills. The 13-course core includes learning and motivation, experimental design, developmental psychology, biological foundations of behavior, and abnormal psychology, alongside general education requirements in science, math, history, and philosophy. Students complete at least one internship, with past placements at organizations such as the Wilson Police Department, the Autism Society, Brian Center, and Wesley Shelter [VERIFY: confirm these remain current or recent internship partners].
Electives let students explore topics like sports psychology and the psychology of aging alongside a required research methods course and a senior thesis, where students research and write on a topic of their own choosing. Graduates go on to pursue a range of career paths for psychology graduates, from clinical support roles to research and applied fields.
Comparing Barton College’s psychology program against other accredited schools, on accreditation, program focus, and cost, can help clarify whether it’s the right fit before you apply.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.