Psychology is the science of
behavior. Courses convey the principles, methods and theories necessary
for a better understanding of human and animal behaviors.
Ample employment
opportunities are available in assessment and treatment, human resource
management, residential care and community and social services. Psychology
graduates also find opportunities in alcohol and drug intervention, impatient
and outpatient facilities for persons with chronic mental illness or developmental
disabilities, educational and occupational testing, group home counseling,
geriatric counseling, youth center management, employment counseling and family
planning.
Psychology provides a foundation for careers in education,
business, sales, healthcare, public health, gerontology, law, administration,
personnel management, government, advertising and public relations. The major allows students to increase their
intrapersonal and interpersonal understanding and
develop problem-solving, project management and information literacy skills.
How will I focus my studies?
Studying psychology allows students to work toward a liberal arts degree rather than a specialized degree that prepares students for a specific type of job. Typically, students tailor their schedules according to their future career paths. These decisions generally fall into three categories: graduate studies, a career applying principles of psychology to human problems, or a career in a non-related field.
Aaron Testoff, Shady Spring, W.Va.
Major: Psychology and German
Aaron has high aspirations to “enter the workforce immediately in an analytical position
within human resources, marketing or something else business-related.” The Department
of Psychology, with a focus on research methods and statistics, has provided opportunities
for Aaron to develop the transferable skills to do just that — land a job he loves,
doing work that matters.When Aaron realized that the “subject and major are very
broad,” he was drawn to the possible research opportunities and subsequent
career prospects in psychology. Aaron’s current research on industrial and organizational
psychology in China, Germany and the United States has him “investigating how emotions
vary across cultures.” He looks forward to applying what he learns to his future
career.
Learn more at the Psychology site