What Will I Learn in a Psychology Degree Program?

As a psychology student, you'll get a chance to delve into the mysteries of the human mind and learn how to diagnose and treat patients with mental and behavioral issues. Psychology students will hone their skills in communication, observation, patience, flexibility and calmness under pressure to excel in their field. Courses will focus on biology, biochemistry, neurology, statistics, behavior, and human growth and development. Students will often work in clinical settings as well as the classroom to complete their degrees, conducting research or working directly with patients.

AA in Psychology	BS in Psychology	MS in Psychology

What Can I Do With a Psychology Degree?

A psychology degree covers a wide range of potential occupations. For those interested in expanding the field, there are always research positions available, collecting data and observing patients to gain a better understanding of how the mind works. Students can also find work as clinical psychologists, helping people deal with life-altering events, mental illness and emotional disorders. Many other fields of specialization also exist, and psychology students can find themselves working as counselors, forensic psychologists, sports psychologists or as professors. It is important to note that in this field an undergraduate degree will often not be enough to advance and master's or doctoral studies will be necessary.

What Is the Career Outlook for Psychology Degree Students?

The demand for psychology degree students should be good through the next decade, with job growth projected to be about average for the field. Those with doctoral degrees will have the best opportunities for employment as psychologists. Additionally, there will be an increased demand for professionals in the fields of school psychology, counseling and industry psychology, something for prospective students to consider when choosing a specialization. The average pay per year for psychology grads is $64,000. Those working in private or group practices can expect to make more, though the highest wages are earned by those working in industrial-organizational psychology.