A psychology major ranks as one of the most popular degrees in the United States. Part of the reason why this major has skyrocketed in popularity is due to the increasing number of general-level introductory psychology courses that universities offer to non-major students. What is so appealing about these psychology courses that has propelled the major to such national prominence?
Psychology is a broad, wide-ranging, and highly versatile field. Psychology courses fuse the focus of ‘hard’ science degrees, such as understanding and utilizing the scientific method, with the ‘softer’ skills of humanities degrees, like fostering critical thinking and developing empathetic solutions to problems. Along with these highly portable concepts, psychology students learn about human behavior, workforce dynamics, interpersonal relationships, practical research methods, and more. With all of this, it’s no surprise that a psychology degree can be highly beneficial for prospective students entering college.
Are you thinking about diving into psychology? Read about what a psychology degree can teach you and how ACU Online’s B.S. in Psychology program can guide you toward your greatest potential.
Expand your understanding of people and psychological theories.
Psychology is considered one of the foundational social sciences in academia today. Whether you’re interested in discovering how a child’s brain grows throughout infancy into adolescence or looking for more information about psychological treatments, obtaining a degree in psychology can be helpful when considering what future career you might want.
Generally speaking, you will take classes such as child psychology, statistics in psychological research, theoretical history, and stress and management — giving you a wide assortment of courses and skills for future academic research should you pursue a graduate degree. And while an undergraduate degree only scratches the surface of what is possible within psychology, you can explore many additional things to become more specialized in psychology. For example, in the Introduction to Counseling class, you can increase your understanding of the theory and practice of counseling with a greater emphasis on how to interview and influence clients while maintaining a social/behavioral scientific stance.
Increase your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
One of the many benefits of obtaining a B.S. in psychology is the amount of information given on how to handle conflicts and problems best. According to the British Psychological Society, a degree in psychology will require you to think critically and objectively when evaluating information, clients, or projects. Because of the field’s focus on evidence-based arguments, you will be taught how to formulate an idea, combat false claims, and defend your thoughts by working with peers and expert faculty members like Dr. Stephanie Wanamaker.
Aiming to harness your capacity to further understand quantitative methods via courses like Psychological Tests & Measurements and Statistics in Psychological Research, a bachelor’s in psychology will encourage you to think, analyze, test, and apply scientific methods to comprehend data better, work with people, and manage situations of all sizes.
Increase your emotional intelligence and other critical skills to become an attractive prospective employee.
According to the American Psychological Association, employees with a background in psychology can propel into managerial positions faster because of their understanding of organizational structures, the importance of motivation within the workplace, and the patience to train employees – all of which foster a healthy working environment. References like Indeed, Stafford Global, and Degree Query acknowledge that the skills acquired in a psychology degree often transfer over to a workplace setting, resulting in improved work habits across the board.
As more employers desire employees with high levels of interpersonal, mindfulness, and organizational skills, hiring managers have also concluded that emotional intelligence is becoming one of the most critical skills. Defined as the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around, experts continue to stress the importance of hiring people who can lead while working under pressure, resolving conflicts, responding positively to constructive feedback, and working well with others.
As an undergraduate psychology major, you will be challenged to understand what emotional intelligence is as well as comprehend how emotional intelligence can be detected within people and yourself. By harnessing this critical skill, as well as others like confronting opposing dynamics, administering support, and communicating effectively, you will not only become a more eligible candidate for potential employers seeking well-rounded individuals amidst the pool of over 3 million people holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Interested in starting the exciting journey into psychology and human development? With ACU Online’s B.S. in Psychology degree, you will be provided an in-depth and comprehensive curriculum to prepare you for an entry-level position or future graduate degree. Regardless of your preferred path, a degree in psychology offers you numerous hidden benefits to help you gain the skills, concepts, and confidence to interact with humans of all ages.
Give us a call at 855-219-7300 or visit acu.edu/online to learn more.