WHAT CAN I DO WITH A
MAJOR IN...
PSYCHOLOGY
www.sc.edu/career
psy·chol·o·gy
1. The science that deals with mental
processes and behavior.
2. The emotional and behavioral
characteristics of an individual, group,
or activity*
*"psychology." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the
English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin
Company, 2004. 06 Aug. 2009. <Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/psychology>.
Psychology Majors Study
• Basic human processes and behaviors
at the individual, social, and cellular
levels
• Techniques and uses of descriptive and
inferential statistics in evaluating human
behavior theories of emotion,
perception, motivation, personality,
learning, and thinking
...and more
Specializations
Most undergraduate programs offer only a general course of study.
However, many specializations can be pursued with additional study.
These include, but are not limited to:
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Art/Dance/Music Therapy
Clinical Psychology
Community Psychology
Counseling Psychology
Consumer Psychology
Educational Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Guidance (School Counseling)
Health Psychology
• Industrial or Organizational
Psychology
• Law
• Medicine
• Occupational Therapy
• Personality Psychology
• Recreation
• School Psychology
• Social Work
• Speech Pathology
• Sport Psychology
Psychology at the
University of South Carolina
Undergraduate Degrees
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: Experimental Psychology
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Major: Experimental Psychology
• The university also offers a Minor in Psychology
and Neuroscience
Psychology at the
University of South Carolina
Graduate Degrees
Master of Arts (MA)
• Experimental Psychology
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.)
• Experimental Psychology
• Clinical-Community Psychology
• School Psychology
Psychology Majors
Develop Skills In
• Using insight to deal
effectively with people
• Promoting positive
relationships with
groups or individuals
• Applying knowledge of
human needs to
counseling and crisis
intervention
• Critical reading
• Using interviewing
techniques in
investigative reporting,
social service, or
marketing research
• Conducting surveys and
interpreting results
• Analyzing statistical
data
Psychology Majors
Develop Skills In
• using computers and
assisting in lab research
• conducting library
research and
developing reports
• teaching and speaking
to groups
• managing and advising
people
• using effective verbal
and written
communication to
convey facts, theories,
and ideas
• problem solving,
conceptual, and
analytical thinking
• observing human
behavior
Employment
The undergraduate degree alone in
psychology does not directly lead to a
career as a psychologist or professional
counselor.
The degree does provide you with an
excellent liberal arts background and is
valuable for almost any type of work
involving people.
Employment Settings
• Business & Commerce:
Includes management and direction
of for-profit organizations including
the development of business plans,
marketing strategies, product
development, and human resource
management
Sample Occupational Titles
Associated With Business &
Commerce
• Account Executive
• Community Relations
Representative
• Corporate
Merchandising Manager
• Customer Service
Representative
• EEO/AA Specialist
• Junior Market Analyst
• Labor Relations
Manager
• Marketing Director
• Mediator
• Operations Manager
• Recruiter
• Regulatory
Administrator
• Statistician Analyst
Employment Settings
• Communication & Journalism:
Includes print, television, radio, and
Internet media. Encompasses
everything from business planning
and capital development to producing
and writing original news or
entertainment material.
Sample Occupational Titles
Associated With
Communication & Journalism
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Advertising Director
Casting Director
Copywriter
Editor
Foreign Correspondent
Media Buyer
Media Planner
News Anchor
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Personnel Interviewer
Press Director
Producer
Public Relations
Specialist
Publications Director
Publisher
Reporter
Technical Writer
Employment Settings
• Consulting:
Includes historical and ethnographic
research; political surveying,
social/cultural assessments,
designing bilingual and bicultural
curricula; assessing services, and
more.
Sample occupational titles
associated with Consulting
• Bicultural Curricula
Developer
• Business Consultant
• Community Planner
• Corporate
Communications
Consultant
• Employee Relations
Specialist
• Marketing Strategist
• Mediator
• Management
Consultant
• Policy Analyst
• Public Health Advisor
• Public Relations
Consultant
• Recruitment Consultant
• Training Specialist
Employment Settings
• Education:
Includes classroom instruction, curricula
development, research, writing,
administration, program management,
and lecturing.
Teaching and research positions at
colleges and universities require an
advanced degree. Most other teaching
positions require proper certification.
Sample Occupational Titles
Associated With Education
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Administrator
Admissions Evaluator
Author/Writer
Career Counselor
College or University
Professor
Financial Aid Director
Guidance Counselor
Health Educator
Lecturer
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Primary School Teacher
Program Manager
Residence Hall Director
Secondary School
Teacher
• Student Affairs
Professional
• Text Writer
Employment Settings
• Social Services:
Includes among others counseling,
social work, program management,
public service, non-profit work, ministry,
and positions in correctional facilities.
Most ministry and counseling positions
require the completion of a certification
or advanced study program.
Sample Occupational Titles
Associated With Social
Services
• Art Therapist
• Career Planning
Professional
• Child Psychologist
• Community Worker
• Corrections Worker
• Crisis Intervention
Counselor
• Expressive Therapist
• Mental Health
Coordinator
• Occupational Therapist
• Parole Officer
• Psychiatrist
• Public Health
Statistician
• Social Worker
• Speech Pathologist
Distribution Of Employed Persons
With A Bachelor’s Degree In
Psychology By Sector
Government/
Military, 16%
Self-Employed,
13%
Private-forprofit, 48%
Education, 14%
Non-Profit, 9%
Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College
Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.
TOP 10 Occupations That Employ
Persons With Only A Bachelor’s
Degree In Psychology
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Top- and mid-level managers, executives
Sales (including retail)
Social Workers
Other management-related occupations
Personnel, training and labor relations specialists
Other administrative (i.e. record clerks)
Insurance, securities, real estate, business services
Other marketing and sales occupations
Registered nurses, pharmacists, therapists,
physician assistants
10.Accountants, auditors, other financial specialists
Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College
Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.
Strategies For Developing Skills
To Get The Job You Want
• Pursue an excellent
academic record
• Obtain part-time,
summer, or internship
work experience
• Volunteer with service
and counseling
organizations
• Become fluent in a
foreign language
• Obtain a minor in a
related area (i.E.
Criminal justice,
psychology, gender
studies or education)
• Obtain an advanced
degree and/or
certification to perform
counseling
• Develop strong writing
and speaking skills
Strategies For Developing Skills
To Get The Job You Want
• Develop strong
quantitative and
statistical skills
• Become comfortable
working with people
from different
backgrounds and
cultures
• Take courses focusing
on inequality and
families
• Become active in peer
mediation groups if
available
• Secure leadership
positions in campus or
community groups
• Obtain teaching
certification
• Acquire survey and
evaluation skills
Books And Web
Resources
Books
Career Paths in Psychology by
Robert J. Sternberg
Web Resources
APA: American Psychological
Association http://www.apa.org/
Careers in Psychology:
Opportunities in a Changing
World
by Tara L. Kuther and Robert D.
Morgan
American Psychological
Society http://www.psychologic
alscience.org/
Great Jobs for Psychology
Majors
by Julie Degalan and Stephen E.
Lambert
Psych Web
http://www.psywww.com/
Resources For More
Information
Department of Psychology
www.cas.sc.edu/psyc
Career Center Library
http://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html
Psychology Related Websites
www.sc.edu/career/la/psych.html
CAS Career Development Website
www.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html
Career Center Contact
Information
University of South Carolina Career Center
6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)
Columbia, SC 29208
Phone: (803) 777-7280
On-call counseling without an appointment:
M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm
(Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the
website at www.sc/edu/career)