Psychology
Major
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the study of human and
animal behavior. Psychologists in academic settings teach
and conduct research designed to increase our knowledge
about behavior. Psychologists also work in governmental
and industrial organizations carrying out basic and applied
research and providing professional advice. Many clinical
psychologists are employed in clinics or in hospitals
or are engaged in private practice, focusing on the diagnosis
and treatment of psychological disorders. Clinical psychologists
are to be distinguished from psychiatrists, who are physicians
(M.D.'s) with specialized training in the treatment of
mental disorders.
Job opportunities within the profession
of psychology for those with only an undergraduate degree
are quite limited. Most vocational opportunities in psychology
require advanced professional training; usually through
the Ph.D. degree and typically requiring 4 or 5 years
of postgraduate work and including extensive work in research
methods. Some opportunities for teaching psychology at
the junior college or high school level, or for work as
a psychologist in a business, school, or hospital, are
available to those with a master's degree (2 or 3 years
of postgraduate work).
One branch of psychology is Human Factors Psychology. This is the study of human interactions with machines, systems and computers. Students learn about the challenges involved in optimizing the performance and safety of both humans and the mechanical and computer systems they use. Proficiency in safety, ergonomics and functional optimization lead to positions in a broad range of industrial concerns and in government. The automotive and aviation/aerospace industries employ many Human Factors professionals.
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What are Some Specializations
Within this Broad Major?
MyMajors.com cannot pinpoint your interests
beyond recommending this general major. Various specializations
related to this major may be offered by colleges and universities.
These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest
to you. A few of the specializations related to this field
include, but are not limited to:
Biopsychology |
Clinical
Psychology |
Counseling
Psychology |
Social
Psychology |
School
Psychology |
Educational
Psychology |
Industrial
and Organizational Psychology |
Psychoanalysis |
Experimental
Psychology |
Behavioral
And Cognitive Neuroscience |
Developmental
Psychology |
Community
Psychology |
Cognition
And Perception |
Personality
And Social Psychology |
Human Factors Psychology |
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What Kinds of Students Major
in Psychology?
Students who enter this field of profession
are very people oriented and are naturally inquisitive
and curious about human patterns of behavior and of the
way the mind works. Individual interests may vary, but
overall psychology gives the students answers to questions
they have about themselves and others, but its appeal
goes beyond this. The study of psychology is truly an
interdisciplinary endeavor.
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What Courses Do Psychology
Majors Take?
The required and elective courses you
would take for majors vary considerably among institutions.
Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth
of topics you are likely to experience were you to major
in this field.
Psychological
Foundations of Psychology |
Personality |
Counseling
Skills |
Basic
Statistics for Psychologists |
Life
Span Human Development |
Language
Mind and Brain |
Psychological
Research Methods |
Methods
of Inquiry |
Social
Psychology |
Physiological
Psychology |
Animal
Behavior |
Abnormal
Psychology |
Creativity |
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What Types of Positions do
Psychology Majors Take After College?
These professions and professional organizations
illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for
if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly
related to employment than others, however. You should
consider the likelihood of employment after graduation
carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work
in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work
in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you
should determine what the prospects are for this or any
major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by
the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment
in second major or in a minor.
Counseling |
Rehabilitation |
College
Teaching |
Clinical
Practice |
Behavioral
Management |
Behavioral
Research |
Psychological
Testing |
Psychiatric
Social Work |
Personnel
Training |
Human
Resource Management |
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Are you interested in detailed information
about the forecasted demand for a particular profession?
Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions
are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you
to search on a particular job, whether listed here or
not, to give you this information.
Bureau
of Labor Statistics
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Related Links
If you are interested in learning more
about what professionals in this field do and what kinds
of activities they engage in, you might want to begin
with the following web sites. Also check the departmental
web sites of colleges and universities, which offer this
major.
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University Departments to Consider
The following institutions are the featured
institutions on MyMajors because they support MyMajors
and you in your search for the best major available. They
offer excellent curriculums in well-rounded programs for
you to consider.
Other fine institutions offering this
major offer excellent programs to consider.
For information on options available
to campuses wishing to see their majors listed
on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Two-Year College Curriculums
to Consider
Suggest to your two-year college
advisor that their institution's majors be included
to show you their course requirements and unique
resources. Two-year college representatives should
contact admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Want
More Information? Look at major descriptions prepared
by university academic advisement staffs.
Psychology Major
