Psychology has long been a popular choice for undergraduate majors, and once you look at the data, it's easy to see why. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for psychology jobs to grow by about 3% between 2019 and 2029— an average growth rate for most jobs. A job in the psychology field can also pay well — as of 2019, this field had a median salary of $80,370 — and it can be especially lucrative if you obtain your doctorate degree.
Psychology is also an appealing route for students because it's broad enough to give you the space to explore careers in other industries, such as business, marketing, law, education, social services, medicine, and healthcare.
Keeping job growth opportunities and median salary in mind, a psychology degree can be a great way to start carving a path to future employment. If you're considering your undergrad options and are thinking of pursuing a B.S. or B.A. in Psychology, you're probably weighing multiple factors, including affordability and selectivity, while looking for the colleges with the best schools for psychology. Keep reading to learn more about how to get the most value out of your dollar and the best education in a college psychology program.
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Psychology Degree Overview
The requirements to graduate with a degree in psychology will depend on which school and program you choose to attend. However, there are generally a few typical expectations you'll need to meet in order to graduate from most psychology programs. These include:
General education courses
Most universities and colleges require you to take general core classes and electives in order to graduate with a degree in your major. This can include courses in math, science, English, languages, and communication. These courses will give you a chance to explore introductory classes to other programs at your school and provide you with a well-rounded education.
Major course requirements
If you want to graduate with a degree in psychology, all universities and colleges will require you to complete courses specifically focused on psychology. At Georgia Tech, you'll have to take a general psychology course before moving on to more in-depth psychology classes, such as Cognitive Psychology, Human Development Over the LifeSpan, and Abnormal Psychology.
Elective requirements
Many psychology programs will require you to take coursework that isn't specifically focused on your major but will tie in to your studies. For example, the University of North Carolina requires B.A. psychology majors to take Principles of Biology as well as a computer programming or calculus course in order to graduate.
Senior thesis, capstone, or internship
To finish off your undergrad in psychology, most programs require you to complete a senior thesis, capstone, or internship to graduate. At BYU, for example, students can choose to take an academic internship or senior practicum course in either teaching, research, or community projects. These types of experiences will offer more practical experience in the specific areas of psychology you're interested in working in.
Common Psychology Degree Courses
General Psychology Most psychology programs will offer an introduction to psychology course that you will have to complete. This class will often serve as a prerequisite for your other psychology courses. In a general psychology class, you can expect to learn an overview of the major principles of psychology and scientific approaches to thoughts and behavior.
Abnormal Psychology In an abnormal psychology course, you'll learn the most common forms of psychological disorders. You'll also learn about the major theories regarding the causes of abnormal psychology and how to classify and treat psychological disorders.
Child Psychology In a course like child psychology, you'll learn about the social and intellectual behavior developments in children as well as the processes that guide these progressions. Courses like this typically emphasize theory and research.
Research Methods in Psychology Psychology is a major that relies on and heavily utilizes research, so chances are you'll have to take a research course or two to learn how to conduct research. In a course like this, students will explore the various methodologies used in psychology to conduct research. These approaches vary depending on the practice. Students can also expect to conduct research on their own and write up the results of their project.
Career Path for Psychology Degrees
One of the perks of getting a psychology degree is the wide range of career options you have at your disposal once you graduate. However, while you may get hired if you only have your undergrad or masters degree, many positions in the psychology field will require you to take the steps to obtain your doctoral degree.
Career options within the psychology field include conducting research, meeting with clients or patients, and working in healthcare, social work, or in schools. Most psychologists will also be required to get a license, especially if you choose to work with clients.
Job Outlook & Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average income for a psychologist is $80,370, as of May 2019. Employment opportunities for psychologists are projected to grow by about 3% from 2019 to 2029, which is about as fast as the average occupation.
In particular, these states pay the highest median wages for psychologists: Oregon ($112,010), California ($111,750), District of Columbia ($106,900), New York ($96,170), and Louisiana ($96,040). Keep in mind, however, that most high-paying job prospects for psychologists are geared toward those who obtain their doctoral degree in psychology. That said, your masters or even your undergrad degree can also be considered suitable depending on the specific field you go into.
Scholarships & Financial Aid for Psychology Students
The American Psychological Association lists more than 100 financial aid opportunities for high school and undergrad students alone. Some options you can consider applying to include:
Point Foundation LGBT Scholarships: The Point Foundation provides scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated leadership and academic excellence and identify as a member of the LGBT community. To qualify, you must be at least a senior in high school and be enrolled full-time for a full academic year.
Amount: $5,000 to $28,000
Deadline: January 30, 2022
Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships: The Brehm Scholarship recognizes psychology undergraduate students who demonstrate academic excellence as well as financial need. To qualify, you'll need to provide a resume, your transcript, a personal essay, a letter or recommendation, and the following documents to demonstrate financial need: your most recent financial aid award letter from your college or university, your FAFSA Student Aid Report, cost of attendance, expected family contribution (EFC), and amount of financial aid.
Amount: Six $5,000 scholarships
Deadline: July 1, 2021
AP-LS Award for Best Undergraduate Paper: This award recognizes outstanding undergraduate research papers focused on the study of psychology and law. To qualify for this award, you'll need to submit an APA-style paper of up to 25 pages as well as a letter of recommendation.
Amount: $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $150 for third place
Deadlines: June 30, 2021; June 30, 2022; June 30, 2023
Common Psychology Degree Majors
Neuroscience:
In a neuroscience major, you'll study subjects like psychology and chemistry in order to understand the human brain and nervous system. With a degree in neuroscience, you can pursue careers in medicine, research, clinical psychology, and pharmaceuticals.
Social work:
If you pursue a degree in social work, you'll learn how to offer support services to children, adolescents, and adults. To do this job well, you'll need to have some working psychology knowledge in order to better understand those in your care. With a social work degree, you can find work as a social worker or work in other various human services positions.
Education:
With an education degree, you'll be learning how to teach and manage students within the K-12 grades. A working knowledge of psychology within this field will also come in handy — child psychology in particular — so you can best understand how to help the students you're working with. Careers with this major include teaching or tutoring.
