Psychology

Overview of major
Potential job titles
Examples of internships
Possible career fields
Possible work settings
Important skills and abilities
Sample web resources
Print resources
Sample graduate programs pursued by Psychology majors

Overview of major

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Students are exposed to many specialty areas of psychology, while obtaining a solid, broad-based appreciation of the discipline as a whole. Graduates may venture into human services, business, law, medicine, or careers in mental health (counseling, social work), which almost always require advanced education and training, at least through the master’s level.

Resources

Potential job titles

Applied Behavior Analysis Instructor
Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Career Counselor
Child Development Worker
Employee Training Instructor
Health Psychologist
High School Guidance Counselor
Human Resources Manager
Forensic Psychologist
Industrial Relations Specialist
Mental Health Counselor
Occupational Therapist
Marketing Assistant
Residence Counselor
Research Assistant
Social Worker
Sports Psychologist
Vocational Rehab Counselor

Examples of internships

Arc of Monmouth
Baltimore County Dept of Social Services
Bloomberg, LP
Correctional Mental Health Center
Family Violence
East Baltimore Mental Health Partnership
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Johnson & Johnson
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Loyola University, Office of Campus Ministry
Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital
Sheppard Pratt Health System
St. Mary’s School
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Villa Maria

Possible career fields

Human Services

Counseling
Advocacy
Mental health services
Administration
Case management
Programming
Community relations

Research

Human Resources

Employment & recruitment
Labor relations
Compensation & benefits

Public Relations

Research
Programming
Writing & editing
Event planning
Media placement
Public speaking
Fundraising

Advertising

Creative
Media
Account services
Research

Market research

Sales & retailing

Management

Teaching

Possible work settings

Local, state & federal government
United way agencies
Clinics
Private practice
Non-profits
Hospitals
Schools & colleges
Employment agencies
PR & advertising firms
Market research
Firms
Department, specialty, discount stores
Retailers
Insurance companies
Real estate companies

Important skills and abilities

Communication
Patience
Empathy
Quantitative & statistical
Computer
Active listening
Negotiation
Counseling
Teaching
Persuasion
Social perceptiveness
Customer service
Leadership
Team work
Research

Sample web resources

Print resources

(All available in the Career Resource Library in The Career Center)

Great Jobs for Psych Majors (PSY/SOC Category)
What to do with your Psychology or Sociology Degree (PSY/SOC Category)
Quick Guide to College Majors and Careers (CP Section)
Great Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors (CP Section)
Graduate Programs in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (Grad Section)
Graduate Study in Psychology (Grad Section)
Cracking the GRE Psychology Test (Grad Section)
Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology (Grad Section)

Sample graduate programs pursued by Psychology majors

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
Masters or PhD, Clinical, Counseling, Cognitive, Developmental, Educational, Experimental, Social, School, Forensic, or Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Master of Public Health
Master of Social Work
Higher Education Student Affairs
Nursing School
Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy
MBA, Human Resource Management