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Learn about Graduate & Professional School
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WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BRAIN STUDIES? Overview Overview
Psychologists formulate hypotheses to test these factors and then collect data to test their validity, sometimes using controlled laboratory experiments or by administering personality, performance, aptitude or intelligence tests. They also utilize observation, interviews, questionnaires, clinical studies and surveys.2 The first psychological laboratory in the world was founded in 1883 – at Johns Hopkins. Since then, the department has played a leading role in the evolution and progression on American psychology. Its focus on research, rather than clinical training, has allowed it to remain one of the smallest of the top-ranked psychology departments in the country, giving students and faculty the flexibility to develop individual training programs.3 Undergraduates who major in psychology receive an overview of the major sub-disciplines of the field, including courses in biology, biophysics, cognitive science, computer science, philosophy and sociology. Majors must also complete a year-long sequence in statistics and laboratory methods, and are encouraged to take advantage of research opportunities within the department and through the medical school.4 Psychology can be applied to a broad range of fields, including health and human services, management, education, law and sports.5 Psychologists might work with business executives, performers and athletes to reduce stress and improve performance, or they recommend psychologically ideal jurors to lawyers during the jury selection phase of a trial. They team with law enforcement and public health officials following disasters to analyzes the cause, or by helping the victims or witnesses recover from trauma.6 Psychology is applicable in a variety of real world settings, as well as preparation for graduate work in psychology or related fields such as business, medicine, law or computer science. An advanced degree is required to practice most areas of psychology. For a career in academia or research, a PhD is typically required. To practice psychology, a master’s degree is required, often along with a certification process. Those with bachelor’s degrees only are qualified to assist psychologists or counselors in community mental health centers, vocational rehabilitation offices, and correctional programs, or as research or administrative assistants for psychologists.7 Many who do not wish to pursue advanced study in psychology double major in another field, or attend graduate school in a related field such as law or business. Psychology majors can find lucrative careers in fields such as business management, advertising and marketing, education or law enforcement. For those who do obtain an advanced degree in psychology, the field is specialized:
The undergraduate degree in psychology generally teaches students about psychology, rather than training them to do psychology.12 Even without advanced study, foundational knowledge in psychology accompanied by the thinking, language, analytical, statistical and communication skills developed by studying the field are greatly valued by employers. The most common occupations of graduates with only a bachelor’s degree in psychology include management, sales, human resources, marketing and sales, nursing and physicians’ assistants.13 Principles of human behavior and learning theory are useful in almost any profession. 14 Students uninterested in further study of psychology should prepare for the job market with internships and extracurricular activities to demonstrate their interests and abilities in the fields of their choosing. They might also complement their psychology major with a double major or minor. Students who plan to attend graduate school should pursue research opportunities in psychology along with practical experience interning or volunteering in the field. Hopkins Psychological and Brain Studies alumni go into a variety of career fields. Since 2003 the Career Center has surveyed recent graduates about their academic and career plans 6 months after graduation. Here is a summary of their responses. Hopkins Alumni in Psychology and Brain Studies Christine Cheng, Account Manager, Eleven inCircle - a professional and social networking site for Hopkins students and alumn where you can identify alumni by career field, major and orgnaization. LinkedIn.com -a professional networking site where you can identify Hopkins alumni. Join the LinkedIn Johns Hopkins University Alumni Group to add over 4000+ alumni to your network. The Career Center is here to help you navigate the graduate school search process. Click here for guidelines and preparing for Graduate School and Professional School. For information on the specific programs, the best people to talk to are the experts in your field you wish to study, faculty members and graduate students in that specific discipline. We strongly encourage you to talk with your advisor and other faculty members with whom you have a good working relationship. This will also help when you request letters of recommendation. The Career Center has a handout to guide you in asking for letters of recommendation. Professional Associations and Honor Societies The Johns Hopkins Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences maintains an undergraduate chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology. The society is dedicated to encouraging, stimulating and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology by providing academic recognition and fostering creative development.15 The American Psychological Association, with 150,000 members, is the largest association of psychologists worldwide. Its mission is to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives.16 Links Endnotes: 1 Description of Psychological and Brain Studies Major, Johns Hopkins University Office of Academic Advising 3 Description of Psychological and Brain Studies Major, Johns Hopkins University Office of Academic Advising 4 Description of the Undergraduate Program Psychology and Brain Studies, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University 5 Sloan Career Cornerstone - Psychologist 6 Careers in Psychology, APA Online 7 Sloan Career Cornerstone - Psychologist 8 Description of Psychological and Brain Studies Major, Johns Hopkins University Office of Academic Advising 9 Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor 10 Sloan Career Cornerstone - Psychologist 11 Careers in Psychology, APA Online 12 I'm Getting My Bachelor's Degree in Psychology--What Can I Do With It?, Psi Chi, International Honor Society in Psychology 13 ibid 14 Careers in Psychology, APA Online |
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