Thinking about majoring in Psychology?

Students choose to major in psychology for many different reasons. Some students see the psychology major as the first step towards a career as a psychologist and plan to continue their studies in graduate school. Other students choose psychology because it fits into their more immediate occupational plans; majoring in psychology is a good way to start a career in social work as well as many other social service and public sector professions. Psychology is also often a first step toward careers in advertising, business, civil service, personnel/human relations, public relations or any other field that includes extensive work with people. Many psychology majors go on to law or medical school. Finally, many students major in psychology just because it is interesting and fun. (If you ask your instructors, you are likely to find most of them started in psychology because they simply enjoy psychology!) You may have chosen psychology for any one of these reasons, or for some combination of reasons; UMBC’s psychology major is flexible and designed to meet your needs. Whatever your personal and/or professional reasons, we welcome you to UMBC’s Psychology Department and look forward to working with you.

Undergraduate Programs

The curriculum in Psychology effectively blends high-quality teaching and advanced research with social responsibility. It is designed to develop skills in critical thinking, creative problem solving, research techniques and intellectual curiosity. Graduates with such skills are highly sought after by employers and graduate admission boards. Students have the option of pursuing either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Students majoring in Psychology (either B.A. or B.S. degree) may choose to complete a Specialization, which provides depth and breadth of knowledge in a particular area of Psychology. These carefully developed curricula are designed to prepare students interested in bachelor-level careers with skills that can enhance their occupational opportunities, and to provide training for advanced studies in these and allied areas. Specializations are offered in Biopsychology; Developmental Psychology; Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Psychology; and Human Services Psychology. Additionally, the department sponsors a University Certificate program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology of the Workplace, which is open to all students.

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