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If i really like psychology what should i major and minor in?
I'm a bit lost with what I should be doing as in my minor and majors for college and I need help.
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Kess’s Answer
Hi, Angel! Great question!!!
Unfortunately, there's no straight answer since psychology can be psychology, psychiatry, therapy, etc....
These questions may help you focus your energy a bit:
Where do you see yourself using psychology? For example, do you want to be a clinical psychologist helping people through their problems? Do you want to work in a clinic with group settings or with individual patients? Would you consider researching how the mind works in a lab? Do you want to prescribe medications as well? Do you want to work with adults, children, or a specific population (patients with addiction, PTSD, psychosis....).
But to start, consider a community college. Quite a few of them offer psychology classes as well as others. Don't limit yourself! Take some classes you enjoy! For example, if you like music or art, music and art therapy is a type of treatment modality in psychology.
To treat patients, you'll usually have to have at least a Master's Degree. Keep that in mind when completing classes since you may have to pursue a higher degree which means you'll have to complete prerequisites for that program. To prescribe medicine, you have to be a psychiatrist or other type of physician; both MDs and DOs can prescribe psychiatric meds. A lot of programs don't want to see a student who only took the classes required; they want to see a well-rounded individual with interests outside of their specific field.
In short... it depends. :/
Consider this article on some of the different professions: https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/psychotherapy-professionals
Unfortunately, there's no straight answer since psychology can be psychology, psychiatry, therapy, etc....
These questions may help you focus your energy a bit:
Where do you see yourself using psychology? For example, do you want to be a clinical psychologist helping people through their problems? Do you want to work in a clinic with group settings or with individual patients? Would you consider researching how the mind works in a lab? Do you want to prescribe medications as well? Do you want to work with adults, children, or a specific population (patients with addiction, PTSD, psychosis....).
But to start, consider a community college. Quite a few of them offer psychology classes as well as others. Don't limit yourself! Take some classes you enjoy! For example, if you like music or art, music and art therapy is a type of treatment modality in psychology.
To treat patients, you'll usually have to have at least a Master's Degree. Keep that in mind when completing classes since you may have to pursue a higher degree which means you'll have to complete prerequisites for that program. To prescribe medicine, you have to be a psychiatrist or other type of physician; both MDs and DOs can prescribe psychiatric meds. A lot of programs don't want to see a student who only took the classes required; they want to see a well-rounded individual with interests outside of their specific field.
In short... it depends. :/
Kess recommends the following next steps:
Updated
T.J.’s Answer
Hello Angel!
Kess's Answer is a good one to read! It does depends on your goals within psychology.
Your major will center on the type of work you want to pursue, and hopefully the major will give you the best education foundation for next steps in your career.
Your minor can either help you further your goals, or provide a fun topic to study.
I recommend asking yourself whether you want to do:
- Research in psychology, where you "seek to increase our knowledge." of it.
- Practice in psychology, where you apply knowledge "to solving problems in the real world." [Very Well Mind]
The closest major to psychology that comes to mind is Social Work (BSW), which focuses on the practice.
Many jobs - in both research and practice - require a Master's degree after your bachelor's level.
To learn more, read these articles about the sub-fields in psychology and 9 types of jobs:
- 18 Major Branches of Psychology: https://www.verywellmind.com/major-branches-of-psychology-4139786
- Psychologist Salary Info: https://www.verywellmind.com/the-9-highest-paying-psychology-careers-2794940
Spend some time exploring the branches and career titles out there. Write down things that interest you, and match with your skills, the types of things you want to learn, or responsibilities you'd like to perform.
Sending you encouragement as you look at psychology :)
Kess's Answer is a good one to read! It does depends on your goals within psychology.
Your major will center on the type of work you want to pursue, and hopefully the major will give you the best education foundation for next steps in your career.
Your minor can either help you further your goals, or provide a fun topic to study.
I recommend asking yourself whether you want to do:
- Research in psychology, where you "seek to increase our knowledge." of it.
- Practice in psychology, where you apply knowledge "to solving problems in the real world." [Very Well Mind]
The closest major to psychology that comes to mind is Social Work (BSW), which focuses on the practice.
Many jobs - in both research and practice - require a Master's degree after your bachelor's level.
To learn more, read these articles about the sub-fields in psychology and 9 types of jobs:
- 18 Major Branches of Psychology: https://www.verywellmind.com/major-branches-of-psychology-4139786
- Psychologist Salary Info: https://www.verywellmind.com/the-9-highest-paying-psychology-careers-2794940
Spend some time exploring the branches and career titles out there. Write down things that interest you, and match with your skills, the types of things you want to learn, or responsibilities you'd like to perform.
Sending you encouragement as you look at psychology :)