Psychology
Psych is one of those majors that applies to just about anything you want to do in life. As one of our students said, "It touches everything, from the sciences, to the law, to politics, to interpersonal relationships." This program is designed for people who are fascinated by human behavior and want to use science to understand how people form opinions and make decisions. If you think this area of study might be the right fit for you, then keep reading to learn more about psychology—and yourself.
What will I learn?
As a psych major, you’ll study how we perceive information and learn new things. You’ll discover how the mind—and our personalities—develop over time. And you’ll explore psychology in different contexts, including behavioral disorders (clinical psychology), interacting with others (social psychology) and how to improve mental health. You can even choose electives in subjects like memory, addiction, development, and how psychology relates to music, food and other parts of your life.
BA vs. BS
- The BA is a more flexible degree program, typically for students who are thinking about getting a job after graduation, or going to grad school in psychology or a related field.
- The BS is a more in-depth degree program (including more bio and chem classes) for students who want a career in medicine or neuroscience.
What can I do with a psychology degree?
Because a psychology degree helps you better understand people and behavior, it’s a great foundation for many different careers, from working directly with patients in a hospital to studying human behavior for a marketing agency.
Career paths (some of which may require an advanced degree) may include:
- Behavior modification caseworker.
- Clinical practice (working directly with patients).
- Forensic psychologist.
- Guidance counselor.
- Human resources manager.
- Market research specialist.
- Mental health counselor.
- Probation officer.
- Professor.
- Psychiatrist.
- Public relations consultant.
- Researcher.
- School psychologist.
- Sales manager.
- Sports psychologist.
- Teacher.
Many psych students go on to medical school, law school or grad school in fields such as psychology, cognitive science, education, criminal justice, business, social work and neuroscience.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $47,950.00 | $23.05 | Rapid Growth, Many Openings |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | $101,940.00 | $49.01 | Rapid Growth |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $55,320.00 | $26.59 | Rapid Growth |
| Psychologists, All Other | $104,070.00 | $50.03 | |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $93,610.00 | $45.01 | Rapid Growth |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $59,600.00 | $28.65 |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.