What can you do with a Psychology Major?

Academic Coach Facilitators: Sean Varga and Holly Drutarovsky

Psychology 

Definition (from Google):  “The scientific study of the

human mind and its functions, esp. those affecting behavior in a given context”

Why should you study Psychology? 

If you are interested in:  how people think, why they do what they do,

what being “normal” menas, how the brain might affect someone’s behaviors, how a person develops, etc.

Major? Minors? 

At Temple:  Major: Psychology (B.A.) ○ For people who love Psych  Minor: Psychology ○ Psychology Grad School Requirements ○ Can declare if interested in another major, but want a Psych experience too  Minor: Cognitive Neuroscience ○ How does the mind arise from the brain? ○ Can declare with Psych or any other Major

Research 

As a graduate with a psychology degree, you can potentially find a job as a research assistant working under someone with a PhD.

Research 

What you can do:  Work on the projects of the Principal

Investigator  Work under the Principal Investigator and do the work they assign you to do 

What you can’t do:  Conduct your own research  Be the final decision maker about how

things will be done

Research 

Things to consider:  IMPORTANT: you likely will not be able to

find a job with only a bachelor’s degree – you NEED undergraduate research experience!!!!  Jobs might be scarce with only a bachelor’s degree, and Government jobs might be slim to none  You won’t get paid as much  It is likely just a transition job into something else

Research 

If you don’t think you would like being a research assistant and want more power, or if you just don’t think research is for you, you can go to graduate school  Masters Degree  PhD

 PsyD

Research: Masters V PhD 

Masters gives you more power in research



PhD gives you the most power and would eventually enable you to conduct your own research of interest

Masters 2 years schooling  Can possibly get a business/company/place you work at to pay for your schooling if you plan on staying there and benefitting that place  Mostly, people pay for schooling just like they would their undergraduate degree 

PhD / PsyD 5 + years schooling  Can find grants / money to help pay for schooling  If the school has the money, they might also give you a stipend for your research work / being a TA for an undergrad psych class 

 Note: it will likely not be much – only enough

to make ends meet for the time being

PhD V PsyD 

PhD:  Enables you to do research upon graduation  Is more research oriented  You still can do clinical psychology with a

PhD  Or, you can become a professor

PhD V PsyD 

PsyD:  More clinically oriented  Seeing and treating patients is a main focus  You can become a clinical psychologist

PhD V PsyD 

Take Home Message:  You need to do your research on specific

schools to see what they offer in their programs  Different programs have different focuses and different ways they manage their students

Clinical 

Masters  School Psychology



PhD  Licensed Psychologist

Settings of Psychology Careers From apa.org:

For More Information… 

www.apa.org:



Home»Careers»Career Development»Career Guides»Careers in Psychology

Careers Outside of Psychology 

What if you don’t want to make Psychology a career?



Fields you can work in:  Schools or colleges

 Businesses  Really anywhere (which is why psychology

can be a really good or bad major/degree to have)

What You Can Do Now! 

Gain research experience  This will look good on your resume and make

you stand out from competitors, even if you don’t want to go into research ○ Can do research on people OR animals!



Immerse yourself in anything related to psychology or your potential direction of interest  This includes shadowing, volunteering, or

finding a job that allows you to see what might happen in the setting you are interested in

What You Can Do Now! 

Keep getting good grades  Psychology is a competitive area of study,

and grades are extremely important! ○ You don’t want to be the person who doesn’t

get the job because you have a 3.0 and the other applicant had a 3.5, even though you both had the same research experience!

What You Can Do Now! 

Join clubs and organizations on campus related to what you are interested in  This shows employers/graduate schools you

were interested in something even outside of the classroom

What You Can Do Now! 

Visit the Career Center to…  Get your resume/CV critiqued  Practice interviews  Explore further career options that might suit

your personality/strengths