A Helpful Guide for Aspiring Psychology Majors
Whether you’re fascinated by how people think, eager to help others thrive or curious about what drives human behavior, a psychology degree is a powerful way to turn curiosity into a career.
This guide shares all things bachelor’s degree in psychology related: what psychology is and its various fields of study, what to expect as a psychology major, what you’ll learn, career information for psychology degree jobs and alumni success stories.
Psychology is one of the most flexible and wide-reaching majors out there. Students who choose this path often start with a simple question: Why do we do what we do? Over time, that question grows into more—How can we improve mental health? How do children learn? What happens in the brain when we make decisions? How can I use psychology to make a difference in schools, workplaces, hospitals or communities?
You can earn your bachelor’s degree in psychology in person or fully online, with both delivery modes leading to the same employer-valued degree. Your degree will not say it’s an online psychology degree or an in person psychology degree.
Where a Bachelor’s in Psychology Can Take You
Many graduates steer their careers into areas where their degree is centered in the work they do. This involves careers in human services, mental health and other community-centered roles.
Many other psychology graduates also leverage their degree in non-service type of roles, typically in business, communications, human resources, government and more.
For some, the B.A. in Psychology is also the first step toward advanced study.
What Does a Psychology Major Learn?
Psychology majors begin with the fundamentals—courses including, but not limited to:
- Essentials of Psychology
- Psychology of Scientific Thinking
- Statistics in Psychology
These classes introduce key concepts in brain function, behavior, memory, emotion and development. In addition, these core courses help students develop research and critical thinking skills.
Upperclassmen explore specialized areas, through classes such as, but not limited to:
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Psychology of Personality
- Abnormal Psychology
Throughout the major, students also learn to design and interpret psychological research. A required Research Methods in Psychology course prepares students to ask big questions—and find meaningful answers.
Psychology majors at Rowan complete a senior capstone experience, which includes options like an applied field internship or independent research project. Many students also participate in faculty-led research or present their work at local or national psychology conferences. Whether you are pursuing an online psychology degree or an in person psychology degree, you will have an in-depth, well rounded academic experience.
Wide Range of Psychology Disciplines & Areas of Study
Psychology is a multi-faceted discipline. This expansive list provides insight as to what aspiring psychology majors can choose study. Undergraduate programs typically offer specialities that are more broad in focus, while graduate programs typically expand into the areas of more narrow focus.
More Broad in Focus
- Clinical Psychology: Focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders.
- Cognitive Psychology: Studies mental processes like thinking, memory and problem-solving.
- Developmental Psychology: Examines how individuals change throughout their lifespan.
- Social Psychology: Investigates how people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors are influenced by others.
- Abnormal Psychology: Deals with the study of mental disorders and abnormal behavior.
- Behavioral Psychology: Focuses on observable behaviors and how they are learned.
- Biological Psychology: Examines the biological basis of behavior and mental processes.
- Counseling Psychology: Helps individuals cope with personal and interpersonal issues.
- Forensic Psychology: Applies psychological principles to legal and criminal justice systems.
- Health Psychology: Studies the relationship between psychological factors and physical health.
- Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology: Focuses on workplace behavior and improving organizational effectiveness.
More Narrow in Focus
- Educational Psychology: Studies how people learn in educational settings.
- Personality Psychology: Explores individual differences in personality traits.
- School Psychology: Focuses on the psychological well-being of students in schools.
- Sports Psychology: Applies psychological principles to enhance athletic performance.
- Environmental Psychology: Studies the relationship between people and their environment.
- Neuropsychology: Examines the relationship between brain function and behavior.
- Community Psychology: Focuses on promoting well-being in communities.
- Experimental Psychology: Utilizes scientific research methods to study psychological phenomena.
- Cross-Cultural Psychology: Studies the impact of culture on psychological processes.
- Evolutionary Psychology: Explores the evolutionary roots of human behavior.
- Positive Psychology: Focuses on the study of happiness, well-being and human strengths.
Psychology Degree Jobs You Can Pursue with a Bachelor’s in Psychology
A undergraduate psychology degree offers a wide range of job opportunities across mental health, education, business and public service fields. Here are just some of the psychology degree jobs you can pursue after graduation:
💼 Human Services & Mental Health
- Mental health technician
- Behavior analyst assistant
- Residential counselor
- Case manager
- Crisis intervention specialist
- Psychiatric technician
- Rehabilitation specialist
- Substance abuse support worker
- Direct support professional (DSP)
- Community health worker
🏫 Education & Youth Services
- Youth advocate
- Child development specialist
- Paraprofessional or classroom aide
- After-school program coordinator
- Academic advisor (with experience)
- Camp counselor or program director
- College admissions associate
🧠 Research & Clinical Support
- Research assistant
- Laboratory technician (behavioral or social sciences)
- Survey researcher
- Data collection specialist
- Clinical study recruiter
- Psychometric assistant
💼 Corporate, HR & Business Settings
- Human resources associate
- Recruitment coordinator
- Training and development assistant
- Customer success representative
- Market research assistant
- Sales support analyst
- User experience (UX) research assistant
🏛️ Government, Law & Advocacy
- Probation officer (in some cases with further training)
- Social services assistant
- Public policy assistant
- Corrections intake coordinator
- Court appointed special advocate (CASA)
- Victim advocate
🧘 Health & Wellness
- Wellness coordinator
- Patient advocate
- Health coach (entry-level, often with certification)
- Support specialist in medical or rehabilitation clinics
Alumni Success Highlights
Lauren O’Donnell
Over the past 11 years, Lauren O’Donnell (2000) has risen the ranks within human resources at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Now a program manager II with a focus on employee engagement and appreciation programs, Lauren’s leverages psychology to support CHOP with employee engagement and retention.
In the early part of her career, Lauren worked in event management, where she honed skills in budgeting, time management and creativity – skills that pair beautifully with her psychology degree and the work she does today. While at CHOP, Lauren earned a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification, the gold standard for HR professionals.
Adelyn Simeone
Two months after her 2018 graduation, Adelyn Simeone started a job as a behavioral therapist with Partners in Learning, Inc., an early childhood inclusion education center. She earned her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2021, and a few months later accepted a promotion as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Adelyn provides behavioral therapy services for students ages 2.5 through 5 years old who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using Discrete Trial Training (DTT). She trains employees in DDT, the implementation of behavior support plans and other behavior analytic protocols.
James Castorina
The owner of You First Integrative Wellness, founded in 2023, James Castorina is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who provides counseling and therapy. As owner, he oversees client care, manages a team of practitioners, develops integrated treatment approaches and handles business operations.
Previously he served as clinical director for Greater NJ Creative Counseling, where he conducted clinical reviews of documentation, developed treatment plans for behavior assistants, carried a caseload of outpatient clients and oversaw the internship program. A 2012 graduate, James earned a master’s degree in mental health counseling in 2014.
What Pairs Well with a Psychology Major?
If you’re thinking about customizing your education, many students choose to pair their psychology major with a second major, minor or certificate to sharpen their focus and expand their career options.
Here are 10 popular and strategic combinations that complement a psychology degree:
- Sociology: Deepens understanding of social structures, inequality and group dynamics—great for careers in social work or public health.
- Criminal Justice: Ideal for students interested in forensic psychology, law enforcement or rehabilitation services.
- Biology: Supports interests in neuroscience, pre-med or mental health research.
- Health & Wellness: Pairs well for careers in community health, coaching or behavioral health education.
- Education: Helps prepare for school psychology, special education or youth advocacy roles.
- Business or Human Resource Management: Opens doors to workplace psychology, leadership and HR development paths.
- Communication Studies: Enhances interpersonal and media communication skills—key for counseling, mediation or outreach roles.
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Prepares students for certification and direct intervention work with children or individuals with autism.
- Neuroscience: Great for students pursuing research or graduate programs in cognitive science or mental health treatment.
- Data Analytics or Statistics: Equips students for research-heavy roles and graduate work involving psychological data.
Why Rowan for Your Psychology Degree?
As a Top 100 public research institution, the 3rd fastest growing university in the country and a 100 year old institution, Rowan University is poised to land on your short list as one of the psychology programs you consider.
One of the largest majors at Rowan, the psychology major offers a robust and flexible curriculum, allowing students to pick and choose which areas of psychology to explore.
The program is offered both through in person or fully online modalities. In addition, psychology majors can choose an accelerated format through our Degree in 3 program or as a 3+1 program with our community college partner, in which students graduate in four years with both a bachelor’s and a master’s.
Whether you choose to earn your bachelor’s as an online psychology degree or in person, Rowan provides the support and resources you need to succeed.