Are you trying to decide on your undergraduate major? Maybe you’re one of the lucky students with an arsenal of strengths and interests you can draw on as you carve out your academic path.
If a Bachelor of Science in Psychology is one of your top contenders, read on. Following are just some of the many reasons why this very popular undergraduate degree may be a perfect fit for you.
1) It prepares you for a variety of careers.
Psychology is one of the most versatile undergraduate degrees. You gain a myriad of valuable life skills that are flexible and fundamental to achieving success in many careers.
These skills include having a solid understanding of human motivation and behavior, analyzing data, and communicating complex information. You’re a well-rounded candidate in the eyes of prospective employers in industries such as:
- Social services
- Advertising
- Marketing
- Sales
- Management
- Education
- Healthcare
- Human Resources
- Social work
- Criminal justice
A white paper compiled by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Florida Psychology Department Chairs found that fewer than 25% of all psychology majors actually work in the field of psychology after graduation. The majority are hired into entry-level positions in the above-mentioned fields.
2) You sharpen your research and writing skills.
A key part of your undergraduate psychology coursework involves research methods and statistics. The ability to gather, organize, analyze, and interpret data while documenting your findings is a required skill in many careers. Advertisers, marketers, finance managers, educators, and scientists all employ these methods to evaluate progress and make decisions about the efficacy of campaigns, projects, and experiments.
3) You hone your critical thinking skills.
In tandem with developing the above skills, you’ll be learning how to think critically and use problem-solving processes. The many psychological paradigms you will learn give you a deep well from which to draw when you’re analyzing and evaluating information.
4) Job growth is promising.
Trained psychologists are expected to enjoy bright employment prospects between now and 2026. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an overall job growth rate of 14% during this period for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists. That’s faster than the average for all occupations. This greater demand for psychological services will be seen in schools, hospitals, mental health centers, and social service agencies.
While those numbers apply to people who hold a master’s or doctoral degree, the white paper from the APA found the following for Bachelor’s level psychology majors:
- Over 40% work in for-profit jobs in business and industry.
- Between 20-30% work in educational institutions.
- Approximately 15-20% work in government and not-for-profit organizations.
- The remainder are self-employed.
5) You grow in self-awareness.
It’s not surprising, therefore, that psychology appeals to so many undergrads. Exploring the human mind, emotions, and patterns of learned behavior in depth can offer personal insights that lead to a richer understanding of the self. As students study topics such as coping with stress, dysfunctional family dynamics, and addictions, they develop tools they can use to manage their own challenges.
6) You develop greater empathy for others.
Studying psychology is all about “putting yourself in another’s shoes,” (or mind/heart), and that’s the cornerstone of developing empathy. You may study the effect of cultural, environmental, and genetic influences on human personality development. The ability to truly understand how another person’s perceptions lead to the reality they experience and the behaviors they display creates bridges and connects people.
Empathy is an important soft skill to possess, even if you don’t go into the psychology profession. Employers in all industries value soft skills more than hard, or technical, skills, according to LinkedIn’s survey of 2,000 business leaders. Your ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and build positive business relationships with customers depends on how empathic you are.
7) It’s a solid foundation for graduate work.
A Bachelor of Science in Psychology can be a launchpad for your master’s or Ph.D. About 25% of psychology baccalaureates attend graduate school in psychology, according to the American Psychological Association. Others switch to a related field, such as sociology, counseling, or education.
Ready to dive deeper into what makes humans tick? ACU Online’s B.S. in Psychology degree provides you with an in-depth understanding of human behavior. You’ll also learn history, theory, concepts, and skills in the application of psychology to industrial, clinical, and other settings. Whether you’re seeking immediate career options or want a solid foundation for graduate school, a B.S. in Psychology from ACU can lead you into a rewarding future.
Give us a call at 855-219-7300 or visit acu.edu/online to learn more.