Psychology Colleges & Universities


A Look at Psychology Programs and Careers
At its most basic, psychology is the study of how our minds work. As a psychology major, you'll examine what biological or environmental factors influence our behavior. And the skills such studies will teach you can be invaluable in numerous career fields.

What It Means to Study Psychology
Psychology majors have a natural curiosity about what makes people tick. They like to solve problems, work with others, and effect change. They may have an interest in medicine or treating the sick. And because the work of psychologists can be stressful, patience and a thick skin are important attributes. In general, analytical thinkers and effective communicators make good psychology students.

Psychology students spend a lot of time, performing experiments, recording observations, asking difficult questions, communicating ideas, writing reports, and proposing actions. Courses may begin with a liberal arts bent--English, math, sociology, and basic psychology courses are generally part of your first year sequence. As you progress through your program, courses may begin to emphasize scientific methods more heavily; typical courses include abnormal or developmental psychology, neuroscience, research methods, social psychology, statistical methods, perception and sensation, and learning.

Putting Psychology Degrees to Work
To become a practicing psychologist in a healthcare setting, you'll most likely need to complete graduate work. However, with an undergraduate psychology degree, you may also find career opportunities in the following:
  •   Advertising/marketing/market research
  •   Social services
  •   Industrial psychology
  •   Marriage and family therapy
  •   Substance abuse counseling
  •   Community outreach

Numerous surveys of employers show that the skill most desire from applicants is the ability to effectively communicate, which is heavily emphasized in psychology schools and programs, as is critical thinking and problem-solving. For these skills alone, those with psychology degrees make good candidates for a wide variety of careers.
Campus Programs
Online Programs