Careers for Psychology Majors
WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?
Psychology is the study of how people think, feel and act. Psychology majors at the University of Denver seek to understand and explain normal and abnormal behavior, development, perception, memory, and reasoning, as well as how individuals and groups function.
COMMON CAREERS FOR PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS
With their in-depth understanding of human behavior and fine-tuned communication and research skills, psychology majors are well-suited to careers in community advocacy, communications, education, journalism, management, marketing, mental health, public relations, research, and sales.
Generally, two out of three graduates with a BA in psychology work in for-profit settings, usually in sales, service or management, while the remaining third work in non-profit companies or government agencies.
Graduates with an MA or higher in psychology often work in private practice, colleges and universities, medical centers, research institutes or government or non-profit human service agencies.
SPECIFIC JOB TITLES HELD BY GRADUATES WITH A BA IN PSYCHOLOGY INCLUDE:
- advertising manager
- camp director
- child/youth program director
- community outreach director
- development director
- college recruiter
- disability services administrator
- event coordinator
- financial planner
- forensic psychologist
- human resource manager
- insurance account manager
- probation/parole officer
- real estate agent
- research assistant
- rehabilitation therapist
- residential treatment facility counselor
- sports manager
- volunteer coordinator
JOB TITLES HELD BY GRADUATES WITH AN M.A. OR HIGHER INCLUDE:
- clinical psychologist
- therapist
- counselor
- researcher
- engineering psychologist
- human factor psychologist
- professor
Students with a BA in psychology may also go on to earn advanced degrees in other fields and become physicians (including psychiatrists), lawyers, social workers, teachers, nurses, occupational or speech therapists or executives.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS OF PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS
In addition to the careers listed above, psychology majors are well-suited to fields that require the following skills:
- information analysis
- communication
- critical thinking
- data collection and analysis
- decision making
- interpersonal skills
- research
- teamwork
THEY ALSO THRIVE IN ENVIRONMENTS THAT REQUIRE AN UNDERSTANDING OF:
- behavior
- brain function
- developmental disabilities
- deviant behavior
- emotion and emotion regulation
- group dynamics
- human motivation
- information processing
- learning and memory
IS A PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Still unsure if you should major in psychology? Schedule a session with a career counselor, attend our “Choosing a Major” workshop, and attend career events where you can network with employers that hire psychology majors and alumni who majored in psychology. Also, schedule a session with the department chair, where you can explore other possible career paths
CAREER RESOURCES FOR PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS
