related coursework in psychology

PSYCH101: Introduction to Psychology

Course introduction.

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Course Syllabus

First, read the course syllabus. Then, enroll in the course by clicking "Enroll me". Click Unit 1 to read its introduction and learning outcomes. You will then see the learning materials and instructions on how to use them.

Unit 1: Scientific Foundations of Psychology

"Psychology has a long past, but a short history." This statement by Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850–1909), a pioneer of psychological research, captures the history of psychology as a discipline. Although it is a relatively new, formal academic subject, psychology seeks to answer questions that have been around since the beginning of humanity.

In this unit, we review the history of psychology as a discipline. We explore its ancient philosophical, prescientific roots and recent reincarnation as a scientific field of study.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 4 hours.

Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior

What makes you "you"? This question gets to the heart of one of the longest-running debates in psychology: the nurture versus nature dispute, which asks whether humans are a product of their environment or of their biological makeup. While it is unlikely that we will ever conclusively answer this question, research has provided us with some important insights that will help you understand the arguments on both sides of the debate.

Early psychologists considered the brain a black box that controlled certain processes, although they did not know how to identify these processes or how the brain controlled them. This is no longer the case; now, scientists insist that the psychological mind and physiological body are fully integrated with one another. Today, knowledge of the biological origins of our psychological states is integral to the study of psychology.

In this unit, we explore biopsychology, which includes the role of genes, the structure and functions of neurons, the parts of the nervous system, and the endocrine system. Finally, we examine the role and function of sleep and the use of substances that may alter our states of consciousness.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 7 hours.

Unit 3: Sensation and Perception

Our five senses – smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch – provide us with information about the world. We must convert this information into a form that is usable by the brain, so it can interpret what those sensations mean. The process of collecting information through the sense organs is known as sensation, and the process of making sense of that information is known as perception.

We usually think of sensation as a physiological process, whereas perception is psychological. Since sensation relies on the elements of information that are out in the world, we consider it a bottom-up process. Since perception relies on past experience and knowledge to aid in understanding, we call it a top-down process.

In this unit, we highlight vision and hearing because humans tend to rely most heavily on these senses. Most of the research on sensation and perception has focused on these two senses, so these are the senses we understand the most fully. We will wrap up with the remaining senses, plus a sense that may not seem like a sense – the sense of balance.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

Unit 4: Learning

Psychologists are concerned with how people learn from experience and create memories. During the first half of the 20th century, behaviorists focused on how animals and humans made associations between stimuli and between their own behavior and its consequences. In this unit, we draw from behaviorism to learn the basic principles of learning.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 10 hours.

Unit 5: Cognitive Psychology

Psychologists are concerned with how people create memories. During the second half of the 20th century, psychologists established the field of cognitive psychology, which explored topics such as decision-making and problem-solving; language acquisition and use; intelligence and creative thinking; memory formation, storage, and retrieval; In this unit, we draw from cognitive psychology and neuropsychology to learn the basic principles of cognitive psychology.

Unit 6: Developmental Psychology

The physical, mental, and emotional changes an individual undergoes throughout the course of their lifetime raise a number of questions about who we are and how we develop as human beings. One question is whether our traits are stable or changeable throughout our lifetime; another is whether development is a continuous, gradual process or a set of discrete stages.

Although these questions remain unresolved, we impart some ways you can think critically about these issues in this unit. We also provide an overview of human development, from infancy to old age.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

Unit 7: Motivation, Emotion, and Personality

In this unit, we focus on personality psychology, which studies how our personalities develop and how our experiences and circumstances shape who we are. We will examine some theories that explain why we behave and think in consistent ways and discover how psychologists assess personality traits.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 5 hours.

Unit 8: Clinical Psychology

Today, we commonly think of psychology as a way to treat mental disorders. However, psychopathology , the field of study Sigmund Freud made famous, is the branch of psychology that addresses these disorders. Clinical psychologists have since refined the field, developing more sophisticated methods for diagnosis and treatment so clients can maintain a normal lifestyle.

Millions of people live with various types of mental illness and mental health problems, such as social anxiety , obsessive-compulsive disorder , drug addiction , and personality disorders . Treatment options include medication and psychotherapy.

In this unit, we explore different perspectives on psychological disorders and learn to identify characteristic symptoms for each. Think about all the factors that may contribute to and alleviate the major mental disorders discussed. What is the interplay between biology, social support systems, and other environmental factors in how human beings cope?

Unit 9: Social Psychology

Human beings are social animals. As psychologists, we acknowledge this fact by studying how our social environment impacts our emotional and mental functioning. This discipline is called social psychology – the focus of this unit. We will discuss the social behavior of individuals, groups, and entire societies, as well as how our relationships with these entities influence us as individuals.

Unit 10: Industrial and Organizational Psychology

In this unit, we investigate industrial and organizational psychology , also known as I/O psychology . This subfield is concerned with studying behavior in an organizational setting (such as in the workplace) and using principles of psychology to understand work behaviors. This is a rather new subfield within psychology, but it is growing quickly due to its interesting line of inquiry.

Psychologists divide the subfield of I/O psychology into industrial and   organizational psychology – the terms are not interchangeable. Industrial psychology focuses on job analysis, such as describing and measuring a task or a job. As such, people specializing in industrial psychology are often tasked with writing job requirements, interviewing and hiring employees, training new employees, evaluating performance, and assuring that an organization abides by equality laws.

Organizational psychologists, on the other hand, are mostly concerned with the social aspects of work life. This includes determining how we ensure job satisfaction, examining the effectiveness of different leadership or management styles, exploring work-family balance options, and conducting diversity training.

Unit 11: Health and Stress Psychology

In this unit, we focus on health and stress in the workplace and in our everyday lives more broadly. First, we define stressors, and then we connect stress and illness. As you work through this unit, think about the stressors in your life and the coping mechanisms you use to handle them. How does the information presented here shed insight into how you handle stress? Is stress always negative?

Study Guide

This study guide will help you get ready for the final exam. It discusses the key topics in each unit, walk through the learning outcomes, and list important vocabulary terms. It is not meant to replace the course materials!

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Certificate Final Exam

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Saylor Direct Credit

Take this exam if you want to earn college credit for this course . This course is eligible for college credit through Saylor Academy's Saylor Direct Credit Program .

The Saylor Direct Credit Final Exam requires a proctoring fee of $5 . To pass this course and earn a Credly Badge and official transcript , you will need to earn a grade of 70% or higher on the Saylor Direct Credit Final Exam. Your grade for this exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again a maximum of 3 times , with a 14-day waiting period between each attempt.

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10 Classes You Will Take as a Psychology Major

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 115,000 students majored in psychology in the graduating class of 2018. That made it the sixth most popular major in the country.

With so many people picking psychology as their major these days, psychology classes in college are absolutely packed. But a lot of those bright-eyed freshmen don’t even really know what the classes required for a psychology major even are.

What courses are required for a psychology major aren’t set in stone, of course. Psychology course requirements will vary from college to college and from concentration to concentration. The psychology courses required for a specialization in forensics will be pretty different from those you find in an industrial-organizational track, for example.

And, you might be wondering, what are all those track options; what are the majors in psychology? Well, the fact is there are so many possible specializations within the field of psychology, that you almost can’t list them all. Some of the most popular include:

• Forensic psychology
• Clinical psychology
• Social psychology
• Industrial-organizational psychology
• Counseling psychology
• Developmental psychology
• Child psychology
• Neuropsychology
• School psychology
• Sports psychology

Still, you will find some psychology courses in common everywhere, whether through campus-based programs in clinical psychology or online schools for psychology offering programs in forensic psychology. That’s exactly what we’ll be covering here in this guide.

And psychology classes aren’t the only subjects you will study as a psychology major. You will have to take the required general education courses for your university as well. Many of those will be in subjects that are also relevant to psychological practice, including everything from math and biology to communications.

Your psychology major classes are where you will spend most of your junior and senior years, however. In the best undergraduate psychology schools , you’ll have plenty of choices for those upper division classes.

So, you arrived here because you’re wondering what courses to take to become a psychologist, or what courses are required for a psychology major? The classes we list here are some of the most common that are required for psychology majors. But you’ll find that each school, concentration, and even type (bachelor of science versus bachelor of arts) of psychology degree has its own unique requirements. You’ll need to consult your department advisor for specifics.

This about the point where you’re wondering, is psychology a hard major? Any serious student of psychology will tell you that they are challenged in their studies, but with so much fascinating stuff to explore, even the hard parts are fun. At the college level, there’s a big difference from that basic psychology class you took in high school. But 115,000 students can’t be wrong! Psychology is a challenging major, but it is challenging in a fun way. As long as you enjoy studying mental processes and people, you’ll be fine.

So, should you major in psychology? A quick review of these 10 courses can help you decide.

1. Introductory Psychology

This is the venerable Psych 101, packed with thousands of freshmen, both those majoring in the field and those filling their general education requirements. This is a broad overview of the topic, which will touch on all the other types of courses and subjects.

2. Fundamentals of Research

Psychology is a science, and science is fueled through research. Even if your ultimate goal isn’t to become an academic, psychology major classes include at least one course that exposes you to the kind of observational and statistical analysis that forms the foundation of the theories that you will put into practice as a psychologist.

3. Social Psychology

It’s tough enough to figure out the knots and snarls of the average human being’s mental processes. Throw that person into a crowd, influenced by and influencing the knots and snarls of everyone around them, and it’s a whole new ballgame. Social psychology courses bring you into this world of crowd psychology, matters of perception and reputation, and how communities are shaped.

4. Behavioral Psychology

Behaviorism is a prominent school of psychology that is important enough to make it onto the core curriculum of psychology major classes. It puts all psychological processes into the context of measurable behaviors, and teaches students how to identify and manipulate the environmental antecedents and consequences of those behaviors in order to change them.

5. Abnormal Psychology

6. Developmental Psychology

These survey-style courses give you an overview of mental development at every stage of the human lifespan, from prenatal to child to teen to adult to elderly. You’ll learn both theories of intellectual development and study some of the research that has been done into aging and cognition, in both individual and social contexts.

7. History of Psychology

Understanding psychology today involves understanding how it got that way. You’re still working off of theories laid down by heavyweights like Freud and Jung, so it’s a good idea to learn who Freud and Jung were and what they really thought. This psychology class lays out the development of the field and the establishment of different theories and schools of thought and how they relate to one another.

8. Biopsychology/Neuropsychology

Everything that you study in psychology rests on the expressions and calculations processed on the incomparable software of the human brain. To become a good psychologist, you have to understand at least a bit of the fascinating physical processes that underlie the mental issues that you will diagnose and treat. Neuropsych is the course that connects the synapse firing to the depression, anger management, or worse issues that you will confront as a psychologist.

9. Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior

The cognition and affect of humans is wrapped up in how we learn. This class is a little bit meta, since you’re going to spend your time learning about how you learn. The introductory level coursework will hit all the major learning theories and study how we learn to regulate our behaviors and organize our emotional experiences for reference.

At least one lab course will be on your agenda of psychology classes as an undergrad. These could include animal behavior, human performance studies, social psychology, or experimental studies. What they have in common is a hands-on approach to research and learning the science of measuring and evaluating mental processes.

So, if you’re wondering, how do you know what courses to take to become a psychologist, you’ll find the answer isn’t that complicated: You talk to your department advisor! Consulting school catalogs is also a great way to see what the course requirements are at your school.But if your syllabus includes a good dose of social, behavioral, abnormal, neuro, cognitive and developmental psychology, along with lab work and a research component, then you can be sure you’re in a solid program.

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Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

• Author: Audrey Stoffle
• Expert Reviewer: William Deric Wilson
• Editorial Process

A bachelor’s degree in psychology is a four-year degree offered at most four-year colleges and universities. Some students may complete foundational coursework at a community or two-year college and later transfer to a four-year institution to complete their bachelor’s degree. If your goal is to practice psychology at the clinical level, you will have to eventually earn a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or a PhD in Psychology to qualify for licensure. A bachelor’s degree in psychology, however, is an excellent first step in securing a fruitful career in the field. The National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) reports that over 1,430 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in psychology. 1

Table of Contents

Reasons to Pursue a Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree

• Program Options

Admission Requirements

• Core Concepts
• Top-Rated Programs
• Select Program Profiles
• Jobs With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

Frequently Asked Questions

1. To get a job. While a doctoral degree is required for clinical work, there are many jobs that require a baccalaureate degree in psychology. Jobs in the psychology field that may require a bachelor’s-level education include community service managers, management analysts, social and human service assistants, and mental health specialists.

2. To explore the field of psychology. A four-year degree in psychology provides students with a foundation in psychological principles and concepts. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree is a good way to learn more about the field before committing to the time commitment and cost of a graduate degree.

3. To prepare for a higher degree in the field. A bachelor’s in psychology can also be a gateway into pursuing a higher degree, such as a master’s degree in psychology . Individuals who want to practice clinical psychology must complete a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) . Graduate students who enter these programs with an undergraduate degree in psychology may be able to secure “advanced standing” status at some schools and skip some foundational coursework.

Bachelor’s in Psychology Program Options

Bachelor’s degrees in psychology can be either Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees. They are offered as traditional on-campus programs or as online or hybrid programs to accommodate those who need more flexibility in their schedules. Since licensure in psychology requires a doctoral degree, the American Psychology Association (APA) does not accredit programs at the undergraduate level. You can read more about how to become a psychologist on our licensure page .

Online Degree Formats

Some bachelor’s degrees in psychology are offered fully or partially online. Online programs can be helpful for self-motivated students who require more flexibility in their coursework and assignments. If you opt to get your bachelor’s in psychology degree online, you should make sure the coursework and faculty are comparable to the on-campus program and that online students have the same support and services as on-campus students. For more information about getting your psychology degree online, check out our Guide to Earning an Online Psychology Degree .

Admission requirements for a bachelor’s program in psychology include a high school diploma or GED equivalent, an average GPA of 3.0 (varies by school), official transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays, and a statement of purpose. Most schools do not require you to declare a major until your sophomore or junior year, but it’s best if you have an idea of your major before that so that you can begin the required coursework earlier.

Core Concepts and Coursework

A bachelor of psychology program gives students a broad overview of the field, an introduction to scientific methodology and core concepts, and specialization areas. Graduates can pursue graduate studies in psychology or work at the undergraduate level in support or non-clinical roles. The APA lays out five distinct fundamental learning goals for the undergraduate in psychology major. These are:

• Knowledge Base in Psychology – Baccalaureate students should understand and be able to describe key components of psychology, its applications, and its principles.
• Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking – Students should be able to engage in scientific reasoning to solve problems and interpret behavior.
• Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World – Bachelor’s students should have a sense of ethical and social responsibility and be able to apply it to science and relationships.
• Communication – Students should be able to write, present information, and communicate with others effectively.
• Professional Development – Baccalaureate students should be able to define their career goals and view their newly-developed skills in relation to their own career paths in order to succeed.

Coursework for bachelor’s degrees in psychology may include:

• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
• Introduction to Drugs and Behavior
• Introduction to General Psychology
• Introduction to Statistics
• Perspectives on Psychological Issues
• Psychological Statistics
• Psychology of Aging
• Psychology of Education
• Sex, Evolution, & Human Behavior
• Social Psychology

Top-Rated Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs

Niche’s best colleges for psychology in america 2023.

• Stanford University (#1)
• Yale University (#2)
• Harvard University (#3)
• Varderbilt University (#4)
• Rice University (#5)
• Northwestern University (#6)
• Duke University (#7)
• Washington University in St. Louis (#8)
• Dartmouth College (#9)
• Princeton University (#10) 2

Select Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs

Traditional programs.

Duke University

Duke University’s Trinity College of Arts and Sciences offers two undergraduate degrees in psychology: a Bachelor of Arts (AB) and a Bachelor of Science (BS), along with interdepartmental and minor degrees. Duke’s psychology program provides students with an in-depth study of the field, an understanding of human behavior, and the ability to research and understand data. The undergraduate degree in psychology examines the field from a scientific and a societal view, giving students a well-rounded foundation. The AB degree requires students to complete 11 psychology courses and courses are laid out by “depth area.” Depth areas of coursework include General, Abnormal/Heath, Biological, Cognitive, Developmental, and Social. One upper-level seminar course is required to graduate as well as one course in methods and statistics. The BS degree requires completion of all AB degree requirements as well as a course in quantitative studies and five electives. The psychology minor comprises five courses in psychology.

Rice University

Rice University in Houston offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology that prepares graduates for graduate, medical, or law school, or for other bachelor’s-level occupations. Rice’s program requires a total of 120 hours to graduate. Students must complete 47 credit hours in Psychological Sciences, including 17 core courses and 30 substance courses, and 27 credit hours must consist of upper-level courses (300 level and above). Over half of the upper-level course requirement (24 hours) must be completed at Rice and a GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in all psychology courses. Courses include Introduction to Social Psychology; Psychology of Language; Abnormal Behavior; Research Methods – Psychology; Psychology of Emotion and Motivation; Election Systems; Organizational Psychology; Medical Human Factors; Stereotyping and Prejudice; and Decision Making/Problem Solving.

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania’s (Penn or UPenn) School of Arts and Sciences offers a bachelor’s degree in psychology that provides a scientific overview of the field’s principal areas, focusing on the study of “how organisms perceive, learn, think, and interact with one another, how they develop, how they are motivated, and how, as individuals and as members of species, they may be compared with one another.” Graduates are prepared to enter graduate school or enter the field of psychology or a related field at the baccalaureate level. The coursework at Penn is divided into three parts: Biological Science, covering courses like Psychology of Motivated Behavior and Drugs, Brain, & Mind; Cognitive Science, covering courses such as Language and Thought and Evolutionary Psychology; and Social Science, including courses like Social Psychology, Positive Psychology, and Social-Emotional Development. To graduate, students must complete one semester of empirical research through a 4000-level mentored research or research experience course, take a semester of Statistics, and maintain a GPA of 2.0 in the psychology classes.

Hybrid and Online Programs

Utah State University

Utah State University (USU) Online offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Psychology that can be completed entirely online. The program at USU is known for its cutting-edge research, high-caliber instructors, and excellent scholarship programs. The psychology program at Utah State focuses on adequately preparing students to enter graduate school and research. The BS is granted to students who complete all required courses in the major and the BA degree is granted to students who, in addition to completing all required courses, can prove proficiency in a foreign language. Courses in the bachelor’s program at Utah State include Lifespan Development; Health Psychology; Research Methods in Psychology; and Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC).

Arizona State University

Arizona State University’s (ASU) Online school offers two undergraduate options in psychology: a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology. The BS in Psychology is part of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences and explores the relationships between psychology and other sciences, like social science and behavioral science. A total of 39 courses, or 120 credit hours, are required to complete the BS degree, and courses include Personality Theory and Research and Developmental Psychology. The online BA degree requires 40 classes and is “fast track eligible,” meaning eligible students may be able to complete the degree faster than normal. The BA degree includes courses like Memory & Cognition; Learning and Motivation; and Sensation and Perception. Faculty for both programs include successful psychologists, anthropologists, sociologists, geographers, and political scientists.

Jobs with a Bachelor’s in Psychology

A bachelor’s degree in psychology qualifies graduates for a broad range of jobs. People with a bachelor’s in psychology may hold job titles including, but not limited to:

• Career Advisor
• Clinical Data Manager
• Health Educator
• Human Resources Generalist
• Mental Health Counselor
• Mental Health Worker
• Outpatient Assessment Counselor
• Psychiatric Technician
• Research Specialist
• Sales Representative
• User Experience Specialist

Can I be a psychologist with a bachelor’s degree in psychology?

No. To be licensed at the clinical level, a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or PhD in Psychology is typically required. At the baccalaureate level, you do not qualify for licensure. For more information about becoming licensed in psychology, read our How to Become a Psychologist page.

What are some bachelor’s in psychology jobs?

A bachelor’s degree in psychology provides a solid foundation for a variety of jobs including career advisors, health educators, or psychiatric technicians. Many BA or BS in psychology grads work in fields other than psychology. You can read more about psychology jobs that require a bachelor’s degree on our careers page .

How do I choose a bachelor’s in psychology degree?

There are many considerations for choosing a psychology degree at the bachelor’s level. Generally, you should look for a school that fits your overall needs, a program with a learning style that suits you, and degree emphases or concentrations in your areas of interest. If cost is a consideration for you, check out our list of Best Value Psychology Schools offering traditional programs.

What can I do with a psychology degree?

Psychology degrees are useful in a wide range of fields including criminal justice, human resources, counseling, research, information technology, and law enforcement. Many bachelor’s grads go on to pursue a graduate degree, not only in psychology but in a wide range of other subjects–even law or medical school. Others may choose to work in support roles in the field or in other fields where psychology degrees are relevant.

How much does a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2022, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn an average of $56,230 per year, social and community service managers earn an average salary of $79,310, management analysts earn an average of $104,660 per year, and social and human service assistants earn an average salary of $41,600. 3-6

Should I get my bachelor’s in psychology degree online?

Many psychology programs, especially at the bachelor’s level, are offered fully or partially online. Consider an online psychology bachelor’s degree if you require flexible scheduling and are self-motivated and do not rely on traditional face-to-face teaching methods. If you decide to pursue your bachelor’s degree online, you should ensure that the program is reputable and offers the same faculty, resources, and support to both on-campus and online students.

References: 1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ 2. Niche’s 2023 Best Colleges: 2023 Best Colleges for Psychology in America: https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-for-psychology/ 3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211018.htm 4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022 Social and Community Service Managers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119151.htm 5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022 Management Analysts: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131111.htm 6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022 Social and Human Service Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211093.htm

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Clinical Coursework

Psychopathology proseminar (psyc 6000).

This course covers fundamental topics in psychopathology, with an emphasis on presenting features and etiological factors, and with attention to strengths and limitations of the current nosological system (the DSM ). Theoretical models of psychopathological phenomena and major syndromes (e.g., emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders) are discussed, with reference to relevant empirical findings. Implications for treatment are also considered.

Clinical Seminars (PSYC 7090)

These courses cover a wide array of specialized topics in the area of clinical psychology. Courses in other departments with highly relevant content, a rigorous syllabus, and a clear evaluation component can often be counted toward this requirement. Some recent courses include:

• Developmental Psychopathology
• Transdiagnostic Processes in Psychpathology
• Treatment of Anxiety and Depression
• Violence: Clinical Neuroscience Approaches
• Approaches to Psychotherapy
• Positive Psychology

Psychological Assessment (PSYC 8100)

This course provides a basic introduction to the theories and tools of psychological assessment. Students learn how to administer and interpret a number of cognitive, learning, neuropsychological, and personality tests including the WAIS, WMS, WIAT, MMPI-3, Delis-Kaplan Executive Function Tests, and so on. Attention is given to serving as a consultant, differential diagnosis, case conceptualization, and integrating test results into formal but accessible reports.

Psychodiagnostic Interviewing (PSYC 8110)

This course, usually taken simultaneously with PSYC 8100, provides a basic introduction to psychodiagnostic interviewing and differential diagnosis. Students learn to take clinical histories and to administer a number of standardized diagnostic interviews, including the mental status exam, DIAMOND, SCID II, ADIS, and various clinician rating scales such as the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Attention is also given to self-report symptom inventories such as the Beck Depression Inventory and the Autism Questionnaire, as well as to computerized diagnostic tools.

Empirically Supported Treatments (PSYC 7090)

This course, which is required for all clinical students, covers a wide range of approaches to the treatment of psychopathology that have a strong evidence base supporting their efficacy. Students will learn the criteria that must be applied to determine whether a treatment can be considered an EST, and will review various research methods and approaches that can be applied to that end.

Ethics and Professional Standards (PSYC 7090)

This course covers issues in professional ethics and the laws governing the practice of clinical psychology. Students learn to understand and apply the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, as well as the Pennsylvania Ethics Code for Psychologists. The course also covers relevant statutes, case law, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology at the state and federal level. Woven into the course at every level is competent clinicial practice, especially multicultural competence and humility.  

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Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Amanda Tust is a fact-checker, researcher, and writer with a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

Psychology Jobs in Therapy and Research

Applied psychology jobs, psychology jobs in the workplace, psychology jobs in healthcare, psychology jobs in education.

• More Options
• Finding the Right Career

So you've decided to major in psychology, but what exactly do you plan to do after you graduate? With the number of college graduates steadily increasing, it's more important than ever to carefully consider your career options and select a field that is in high demand.

There are also lots of career paths in psychology beyond some of the "typical" options of clinical or counseling psychology. In fact, some of the most interesting job options might be those that you don't hear much about such as aviation psychology or traffic psychology.

One exercise you may find helpful is to look through a list of psychology careers to see what your options are and then narrow down the list to those in which you are most interested in.

Obviously, the best job is the one that you truly love, whether it involves providing therapy, conducting research , or solving real-world problems. Before you decide on a career, spend some time thinking about what really interests you and the type of work setting you would most likely enjoy.

As of 2019 , the demand for psychologists is expected to grow by 14% through the year 2026.

While this is not a comprehensive list of every single psychology career out there, the following are just a few of the psychology-related jobs that have a strong projected employment outlook or are considered an up-and-coming field with opportunity for growth.

We highlight a few of these careers to help convey the enormous variety of employment opportunities within the field of psychology. Some of these career options are specifically in psychology while others are less related but still rely on the knowledge and skills acquired while earning a psychology degree .

Consider some of these options as you plan your career path.

Art Therapist

Art therapists utilize the expressive and creative arts to help clients cope with psychological distress and to enhance emotional well-being. People who work in this field are trained in both psychotherapy and art. By using art, clients can communicate feelings, express creativity, explore different aspects, of personality, and cope with stress.

Art therapy is often used in a variety of situations, including:

• Adults suffering from chronic or severe stress
• Children with disabilities
• People who have suffered brain injuries
• People who have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychologists  assess, diagnose, and treat clients struggling with psychological disorders. These professionals typically work in hospital settings, mental health clinics, or private practices.

Although clinical psychology is the single largest employment area within the field of psychology, there are still plenty of jobs available for qualified professionals. In order to become a clinical psychologist, you must have a doctoral-level degree in clinical psychology and most states require a minimum of a one-year internship.

Counselors help people with a wide variety of problems, including marriage, family, emotional, and substance use issues. While requirements vary, almost all states require at least a master's degree in order to become a licensed counselor. Typical work settings include schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, and mental health clinics.

Geropsychologist

As the population of older adults continues to grow, the demand for professionals to attend to their mental health needs also increases. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by the year 2030, 21% of the population will be age 65 or older.

"Geropsychologists do everything from keeping older adults mentally and physically healthy and vibrant to working with those who are frail and have cognitive impairments," explains Deborah DiGilio, director of APA's Office on Aging . Geropsychologists can work in a wide range of areas, from providing mental health services to aging adults to designing products that make life easier for the elderly.

Experimental Psychologist

Do you love creating psychology experiments?  Experimental psychologists  use scientific methods and design research studies that explore many different topics within psychology. Social behavior , cognitive processes, personality, and human development are just a few of the topics that experimental psychologists might investigate.

People working in this field often specialize in a particular area such as cognitive psychology, educational psychology, or personality psychology. They may also be employed in a variety of settings ranging from universities, government agencies, research centers, and nonprofit organizations.

Consumer Psychologist

As retailers become more concerned with attracting new customers, the need for psychologists to understand consumer behavior in order to develop effective marketing campaigns has grown.  Consumer psychologists  not only study why people purchase goods and services, but they also analyze how family, friends, culture, and media messages affect buying behavior.

Some tasks that a consumer psychologist might perform include:

• Working with consumer focus groups to determine how appealing a particular product might be
• Developing advertising and marketing campaigns to appeal to a target audience
• Conducting theoretical research on shopping and buying behavior

Forensic or Criminal Psychologist

Forensic psychologists  apply psychology to the fields of criminal investigation and law. This has rapidly become one of the hottest psychology careers thanks to numerous portrayals in popular movies, television programs, and books.

While the field may not be as glamorous as it is depicted in the media, forensic psychology is still an exciting career choice with a lot of potential for growth. These psychologists often work with other experts to scrutinize insurance claims, perform child custody evaluations, and investigate suspected child abuse.

If you are interested in this area of psychology, you might want to also consider the related field of criminal psychology.  Criminal psychologists  perform a variety of duties such as developing profiles of criminals, assessing convicted criminals to determine their risk of re-offending, and helping law enforcement catch online predators.

Engineering Psychologist

Engineering psychologists  use psychology to investigate how people interact with machines and other technology. These professionals use their understanding of the human mind and behavior to help design and improve technology, consumer products, work settings, and living environments.

For example, an engineering psychologist might work as part of a team to redesign a product to make it more efficient and easier to use in a work situation. Those working in academic settings report the lowest earnings, while those working in the private sector report higher salaries .

Sports Psychologists

Sports psychologists  focus on the psychological aspects of sports and athletics, including topics such as motivation, performance, and injury. The two major areas within sports psychology are centered on helping to improve athletic performance or using sports to improve mental and physical health.

Sports psychologists work in a wide variety of settings including universities, hospitals, athletic centers, private consulting practices, and research facilities.

Traffic Psychologist

Traffic psychology is an emerging field that involves applying psychological principles to understanding driver behavior. Some areas in this field include:

• Designing vehicles that are safer and more ergonomic
• Researching how people use transportation
• Searching for ways to improve traffic safety and prevent auto accidents
• Studying the relationship between driver behavior and traffic accidents

Traffic psychology often involves a multidisciplinary approach, combining fields such as social psychology, behavioral psychology, and cognitive psychology.

For example, traffic psychologists might assess how perception and cognition influence performance during a driving task. They might also look at how individual personality affects a driver's  emotions ,  attitudes , and risk-taking behavior while driving.

Career Counselor

Thanks to the rapidly changing job market, many people are searching for a new job in their chosen field or even changing careers entirely.  Career counselors  help individuals make career decisions and utilize tools including personality assessments, interest inventories, and other evaluation measures.

They often start by looking at a client's interests, job history, education, and skills in order to determine which careers are a good match. They also help clients work on building skills, practicing interviews, improving resumes, and locating job openings. Assisting clients who are dealing with job loss or employment-related stress is also common.

Aviation Psychologist

Aviation psychology is a relatively little-known subspecialty area of  human factors psychology that involves the study of pilots, air traffic controllers, and other flight crew members. People who work in this field perform a number of different duties, which may include:

• Assessing cabin safety
• Conducting research on aviation safety
• Designing flight decks
• Evaluating prospective employees
• Investigating aviation accidents
• Selecting and training pilots
• Training flight crews in communication strategies and ways to assist passengers with in-flight anxiety

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Industrial-organizational psychologists (also called I/O or I-O psychologists) focus on workplace behavior, often using psychological principles to increase worker productivity and select employees that are best suited for particular jobs. There are several different specialty areas within industrial-organizational psychology .

For example, some I/O psychologists train and assess employees, while others evaluate job candidates. While there are some job opportunities at the master's degree level, those with a doctoral-level degree in industrial-organizational psychology are in greater demand and command significantly higher salaries.

One sub-specialty area of the field involves working in human resources management to screen and hire job applicants. These professionals are often involved in designing and administering employment screening tests and selecting job candidates that are the best fit for particular positions within a company.

Genetic Counselor

Genetic counselors help provide information about genetic disorders to couples and families. These professionals typically have graduate training in both genetics and counseling, and many have undergraduate degrees in areas such as psychology, social work, biology, nursing, and public health.

Genetic counselors often work with a team of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and geneticists to offer support, guidance, and assistance to families who have a family member with a genetic disorder or who may be at risk of passing down an inherited disorder to their offspring.

Health Psychologist

Health psychologists  study how psychological, biological, and social factors influence health. Two important areas of health psychology include helping people avoid illness and promoting healthy behaviors. Educating people about the causes of illness and teaching healthier habits are just two things that a health psychologist might do on a regular basis.

These professionals often work in settings such as hospitals, universities, health care centers, and government agencies. Some of the job duties they may perform include helping people to lose weight, stop smoking, eat healthily, and decrease stress.

School Psychologist

School psychologists  work in educational settings to help children deal with emotional, academic, and social problems. Thanks to increased interest in the mental health of children and federal education legislation, school psychology has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing fields.

Special Education Teacher

While slightly outside of a traditional psychology career, the field of special education offers a great deal of opportunity for those who enjoy helping children. Special education teachers work with students with a variety of disabilities.

In order to become a special education teacher, you must have at least a bachelor's degree and complete a teacher training program in special education. Because of the increased enrollments in special education programs and a shortage of qualified teachers, demand is strong and expected to grow.

More Career Options in Psychology

Did one of the careers highlighted above catch your eye? Or are you still looking for something that matches your interests and goals? The specific career you pursue will depend largely on your educational background. Some entry-level jobs are open to those with an undergraduate degree in psychology, while others require advanced or graduate-level study.

The following are just a few of the many psychology-related job titles that you might want to explore. Some are directly in the field of psychology, while others require additional training in another field or specialty area.

In either case, having a solid understanding of the human mind and behavior can be beneficial in any of these careers:

• Academic advisor
• Advanced practice psychiatric nurse
• Advertising agent
• Animal researcher
• Animal trainer
• Case worker
• Child psychologist
• Childcare worker
• Cognitive psychologist
• College admissions counselor
• College admissions officer
• College recruiter
• Community counselor
• Comparative psychologist
• Correctional treatment specialist
• Counseling psychologist
• Criminal investigator
• Crisis counselor
• Customer service agent
• Developmental psychologist
• Education administrator
• Educational psychologist
• Elementary school teacher
• Employment interviewer
• Employment recruiter
• Environmental psychologist
• Family and marriage therapist
• Financial aid counselor
• Grief counselor
• Human factors psychologist
• Human resources manager
• Human resources specialist
• Library assistant
• Literary agent
• Market researcher
• Mental health coordinator
• Military psychologist
• Music therapist
• Neurologist
• Neuropsychologist
• Occupational therapist
• Police officer
• Probation officer
• Psychiatric aide
• Psychiatric social worker
• Psychiatric technician
• Psychiatrist
• Psychosocial rehabilitation worker
• Public opinion surveyor
• Public relations specialist
• Recreational therapist
• Rehabilitation counselor
• Research assistant
• School counselor
• Science writer
• Secondary school teacher
• Social psychologist
• Social services specialist
• Social worker
• Statistician
• Substance abuse counselor
• Technical writer
• University psychology professor
• Vocational rehabilitation counselor
• Youth counselor

Before You Choose a Career in Psychology

As you can see, employment opportunities in psychology are diverse. Some careers require only a bachelor's degree in psychology, while others require more advanced degrees such as a master's or doctorate degree.

Spend some time researching different options and learning more about what's required to enter into those fields. Ask yourself if you have the commitment and drive needed to pursue the necessary educational training.

As you examine the variety of psychology careers that are available, think about some of the following questions.

• How well does the career fit your personality?
• What kind of training and education are needed to enter the field?
• Are the average salaries in a given field satisfactory?
• What kinds of things do people in that particular career path do on a daily basis?
• Does the career sound interesting, challenging, and rewarding?

Finding the right career in psychology takes some careful planning. It is important to start thinking about what you might want to do early on. This way you can start planning your educational map in order to achieve your vocational goals.

A Word From Verywell

The job options listed here are just a few of the many different career paths available in psychology. Remember that no list of predicted "hot jobs" can ever highlight all of the many options that are available in psychology. The important thing is to pick a career that is right for you, your interests, and your long-term goals.

Martin L, Oepen R, Bauer K, et al. Creative arts interventions for stress management and prevention: A systematic review . Behav Sci (Basel) . 2018;8(2). doi:10.3390/bs8020028

Schouten KA, Van hooren S, Knipscheer JW, Kleber RJ, Hutschemaekers GJM. Trauma-focused art therapy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot study . J Trauma Dissociation . 2019;20(1):114-130. doi:10.1080/15299732.2018.1502712

American Psychological Association. Pursuing a Career in Clinical or Counseling Psychology .

U.S. Census Bureau. Projections of the Size and Composition of the U.S. Population: 2014 to 2060 .

Hackett P, Schwarzenbach J, Jürgens U. Consumer Psychology: A Study Guide to Qualitative Research Methods . Opladen; Berlin; Toronto: Verlag Barbara Budrich. 2016. doi:10.2307/j.ctvddzsrf

American Psychological Association. All About Human Factors and Engineering .

Rossier, J. (2015). Personality Assessment and Career Interventions . In P. J. Hartung, M. L. Savickas, & W. B. Walsh (Eds.),  APA handbooks in psychology®. APA handbook of career intervention, Vol. 1. Foundations  (p. 327–350). American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/14438-018

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook .

Hartman, K & Stewart, T. Investing in Your College Education: Learning Strategies With Reading s. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning; 2010.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Psychology Courses

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Online Master’s in Applied Psychology Integrating Psychological Principles for Real-World Solutions and Human Betterment

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Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Transform Lives with Liberty University’s Master of Applied Psychology Online

Are you fascinated by how the human brain works and passionate about applying these insights to improve the lives of others? If so, Liberty University’s master’s in psychology online program – applied psychology is the program for you!

What is Applied Psychology?

Applied psychology takes insights from psychological theories and applies them to a variety of settings like schools, corporations, and clinical environments. Rather than researching and developing theories, you will be on the front lines. You’ll use innovation to determine how to best incorporate these theories to improve your industry. A master’s in applied psychology will help you understand the needs of the people around you and how to meet them.

What Will You Study in Our Master’s Degree in Psychology – Applied Psychology ?

Liberty’s master’s in applied psychology can take you on a fascinating exploration of psychological science and Christian faith. Through 5 essential psychology courses, you can gain advanced training in research methods and statistics in psychology. Our master’s in applied psychology degree program is designed to help you understand how various individual social and cultural factors influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Through 5 core courses in Liberty University’s master’s in applied psychology, you can learn:

• Cognitive psychology theory and research 
• How to design, conduct, and present your own research
• Methodology, statistical techniques, ethics, and data analysis in research
• Theories for human behavior in social contexts 
• The relationship between psychological science and Christian faith

Our applied psychology master’s degree also gives you the unique opportunity to customize your degree with an area of study. These specializations are designed to give you a better understanding of the field of psychology in specific contexts.

The general psychology specialization is the most flexible option. This concentration includes 2 courses in test construction/validation and the psychology of learning. Then, for the remaining 5 specialization courses, you’ll be able to take any 500-600 level psychology courses of your choosing – so you can get the specific training you need to match your unique goals.

The developmental concentration can help you become a critical consumer of developmental research within physical, cognitive, emotional, and social domains and implement empirically supported solutions to real-world problems. 

The industrial/organizational psychology concentration can strengthen your skills in evaluating and applying organizational research so that you are prepared to lead in the industrial and organizational psychology field.

The public mental health specialization can help equip you to address the growing mental health crisis in today’s society – so you can create positive change in communities and in the lives of individuals.

Featured Courses

• PSYC 512 – Social Psychology
• PSYC 545 – Test Construction/Validation
• PSYC 565 – Psychology of Learning
• PSYC 575 – Cognitive Psychology

Master’s in Applied Psychology Information

• This program falls under the  School of Behavioral Sciences .
• View the  Graduate Behavioral Sciences Course Guides   (login required) .

Why Choose Liberty’s Master’s in Psychology – Applied Psychology? 

At Liberty University, your success is our success, which is why we have designed an applied psychology master’s degree that can meet your career goals and academic needs. Our applied psychology master’s degree contains courses that are tailored to whichever specialization you choose. This can help provide you with the foundation you need for any career in psychology while giving you the depth of knowledge required for your specific career goals.

• Specializations Designed for You – With the general psychology specialization, you’ll have the freedom to customize your degree by choosing which courses you’d like to take from a wide variety of options. Through our developmental specialization, you can be better equipped to use empirical research to evaluate developmental issues across the lifespan and offer practical solutions based on sound research. The industrial organization specialization can better equip you to apply psychological concepts to understand human thinking and behavior in organizational settings. The public mental health specialization covers how to promote mental well-being at the community level.
• Gain Experience in Your Field – No matter which specialization you choose, our applied psychology program will focus on using these concepts in real-world settings through application-based assignments and projects. Through this, you can gain the experience you need to succeed in your chosen profession.
• A Faith-Based Education – Our master’s of psychology online — applied psychology emphasizes our Christian worldview and how we can use studies in psychology to optimize human functioning while glorifying God. Our dedicated faculty will challenge you to bridge psychological understandings with a biblical worldview. You’ll learn how psychology confirms and supports the truths taught in God’s Word. By studying applied psychology at Liberty University, you can be better prepared to practice it in a way that complements a Christian worldview.
• Dedicated faculty
• Specializations personalized to your career goals
• Strong academics
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• A flexible online format

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Potential Career Options for Graduates with an Applied Psychology Master’s Degree

• Developmental specialist
• Employment counselor
• Human resource analyst
• Rehabilitation counselor
• Social services manager

MA in Applied Psychology Degree Options

When you pursue the Master of Arts in Psychology, you will choose one of the following specializations to personalize your degree to your unique professional goals.

General Psychology

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Arts in Applied Psychology – General Psychology examines the psychology of learning as well as methods for producing and improving tests and assessments of knowledge, skills, and other psychological constructs. Additionally, this degree track gives you the freedom to take 5 graduate-level psychology courses of your choosing – allowing you to customize your degree and explore the topics that interest you the most. Through this program, you can learn how to use innovative techniques and research-backed methods to help meet the needs of the people around you.

View the  Degree Completion Plan .

Developmental Psychology

Liberty University’s 100% online  Master of Arts in Applied Psychology – Developmental Psychology  examines how humans develop physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially over time and how these theories of development can be applied to real-world problems. You can become better prepared to work with individuals in a variety of settings to make their lives better and help them in whatever chapter of life they are currently in.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Liberty University’s 100% online  Master of Arts in Applied Psychology – Industrial/Organizational Psychology  program can help you understand the psychological dynamics of the workplace so that you can become a leader in the industrial and organizational psychology field. You can gain the knowledge and experience you need to create positive and efficient workplace atmospheres and optimize the workplace experience for employees. With our industrial/organizational psychology specialization, you can foster the skills you need to meet your goals in this field.

Public Mental Health

Liberty University’s 100% online  Master of Arts in Applied Psychology – Public Mental Health  can help you foster mental wellness in your community by deepening your understanding of intervention, behavioral support, substance abuse, mental health issues, and developmental psychopathology. Through this degree, you can become better equipped to organize programs and efforts that help organizations, communities, and individuals achieve psychological well-being.

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

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Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

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Admission Information for Our Master’s in Applied Psychology 

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form .
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
• Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
• If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application .
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Dual Enrollment

Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.

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Unofficial college transcript policy.

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

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• Cumulative GPA
• A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
• Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can i get my psychology degree online.

Yes! At Liberty University, you can earn your applied psychology masters program online without having to come to campus for any courses. This degree program is offered 100% online with no set login times and no required intensives – allowing you to earn a valuable, career-enhancing credential from the comfort of home.

How long does it take to get your master’s in psychology?

At Liberty, you can earn your online master’s in applied psychology in as little as 36 credit hours, with a recommendation of taking 9 credit hours per semester. This applied psychology degree online consists of convenient 8-week courses – which means that you can complete your degree sooner and begin your job search sooner rather than later.

Do I need a bachelor’s in psychology to get a master’s?

Though having earned a bachelor’s in psychology can help prepare you for the coursework of a master’s degree in psychology, our online applied psychology masters does not require a bachelor’s in psychology for admission. This degree program requires a nationally or regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 GPA for admission in good standing. For more information, please see the admissions requirements tab.

What is the best-accredited school for psychology?

When considering accredited schools for your online graduate psychology programs, there are several factors that you’ll likely consider – such as cost, flexibility, degree duration, and academic prestige. 

You don’t want to earn a degree from just any university – you want to earn your degree from a school that can help set you up for career success. At Liberty, we offer a flexible, affordable, and respected online master’s in applied psychology that is backed by institutional regional accreditation and years of experience in distance education. 

Though finding the right university means different things for different people, at Liberty, we believe we are the best-accredited school for psychology. Between our expert professors who have a passion for your success, our carefully designed curriculum, our Christian learning environment, and our experience in distance education, we believe that we offer an online psychology degree that stands out.

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Psychology Degree Concentrations: 5 Examples to Consider

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By Matt Rowley Posted on May 9, 2024

The popularity of psychology degrees has remained steady in recent years. For aspiring psychologists, bachelor’s degrees are important steps in their academic journey, as they typically continue studying in graduate programs. For others, a bachelor’s degree in psychology can be worth it on its own and help graduates advance in other related careers.

In many cases, psychology degree programs include concentrations that help students focus their studies toward specific career fields, whether they’re on the path to becoming a psychologist or otherwise.

In this article, we outline five types of psychology degree concentrations, using examples from our bachelor’s degree programs here at Columbia Southern University.

1. Criminal Justice

Psychology is becoming increasingly essential in the criminal justice field . A criminal justice degree concentration involves a particular focus on criminology and the theories that inform the U.S. criminal justice system. Students grapple with the theoretical reasons for crime, its psychological impact on victims, and the psychology and motivations of criminal justice professionals.

This popular concentration teaches students to develop a functional understanding of the justice system and learn which psychological, emotional and societal factors influence people to commit crimes.

Classes in a criminal justice concentration may include:

• Criminology
• Mental Illness and Crime
• Victimology

Related: Criminal Justice Degree Programs: What to Expect

2. Diversity and Inclusion

As the phrase “diversity, equity and inclusion” continues to grow in usage and become a part of our common language, it’s no surprise that businesses are increasingly hiring DEI experts and universities are launching DEI degree programs .

Psychology degree programs with a concentration in diversity, equity and inclusion are focused on the experiences and difficulties faced by people who are marginalized based on their gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or socioeconomic background. These programs aim to provide insight into how to address the issues of bias, marginalization and discrimination in professional, educational and social settings.

A degree concentration focused on diversity and inclusion may include classes such as:

• Diversity and Cultural Inclusion
• Psychology of Gender
• Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination

3. Forensics

Forensic psychologists work in the criminal justice field, with a particular focus on assessments and research into the mental state of criminals, victims, witnesses and others involved in the criminal justice system. Studying forensic psychology gives students the skills necessary to assess an individual’s mental state and motivations based on interviews, crime scene investigations and other factors.

Lawyers, law enforcement professionals, courts and other entities in the criminal justice system rely on forensic psychology to assess the state, credibility and mental fitness of criminals, victims or others.

Forensic psychology degree programs include classes such as:

• Introduction to Forensic Investigation
• Forensic Psychology
• Pathology of Death

Related: Forensic Science Myths and the “CSI Effect”

4. Industrial/Organizational

Also called I/O psychology , this degree concentration involves applying psychological principles and science to the structure, productivity and outcomes of a workplace or organization. Focusing on the interactions between people and organizational patterns and decisions, I/O psychologists work to uncover the ways personal, emotional and social behavior affects the success or failure of an organization.

I/O psychologists can be focused externally as well, helping companies understand consumer behavior, public relations and ethics. More than some other concentrations, I/O psychology also focuses a great deal on group dynamics and interactions, exploring organizations as large groups, a set of subgroups, and the relations between them. The day-to-day work of I/O psychologists is often strongly intertwined with occupational safety and health , as well as human resources .

Classes in an industrial/organizational psychology concentration may include:

• Human Relations and Development
• Negotiation/Conflict Resolution
• Team Building and Leadership

5. Mental Health

Possibly the best-known psychological discipline, a mental health concentration provides students a foundation in the identification, assessment and treatment of mental health issues. Students explore the history and theoretical basis of psychology as it relates to mental health, learn how to use statistics and academic research, and study real-world situations in which examples of common mental health issues unfold.

Because one in five adults struggle with mental health issues , this discipline touches everyone’s life in some way. Studying the many situations and dynamics that create these mental health issues is an essential part of psychology.

Psychology degree programs focused on mental health include classes such as:

• Close Relationships
• Cognitive Psychology
• Health Psychology

Getting Started at CSU

Here at Columbia Southern University, our psychology degree concentrations enable our students to customize their studies with a specific focus on their career path. The exposure to focused research, interaction with subject matter experts, and intimate knowledge of the field and the psychological principles at play provide a foundation for success.

For more information about all our online degree programs and concentrations, visit our website .

Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.

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Psych Scoop, 5/14/24

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