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THE
MAJOR
The Psychology
major is a department within the College of Health and Behavioral Studies.
Admission and Progression Standards for this major:
Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major: http://www.jmu.edu/advising/snapshots/SSPSYC.shtml
Description
of Major:
Psychology is offered as a major at JMU. The mission of the undergraduate program is to provide broad
training in psychological principles and in research methodology as applied to the study of psychology. The program is designed to prepare psychology majors for professional and scientific graduate-level training in psychology and related fields, and/or for employment in bachelor's degree-level positions in fields such as human services, education, government, non-profit and business. Students can apply what they learn in the psychology major when they enter such careers in the domains of: Human services (case manager, child protective services worker, Americorps counselor, youth director, volunteer coordinator), business (management trainee, human resources analyst, customer relations specialist, salesperson), criminal justice (court services worker, delinquency prevention specialist, probation officer, police officer), or scientific applications (research lab technician, statistical analyst, technical product sales, animal trainer). Many careers require graduate training and the psychology major well prepares students to enter professional programs that focus on such professions as: counseling psychology, school psychology, education, social work, psychological science, forensic psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, behavior analysis, law school, medical school and many other professions. Students can also use the Psychology major as an enhancement to other majors or minors which would open opportunities to numerous career fields.
Tell
me more about this field of study.
Psychology is the scientific analysis of behavior. Psychology includes the study of human and animal behavior and the psychological, social, and biological processes related to the behavior. Psychology has three faces. It is a discipline, a major subject of study in colleges and universities. It is also a science, a method of conducting research and of understanding behavioral data. And psychology is also a profession, a field that requires one to apply special knowledge, abilities, and skills in order to solve human problems. Whether you are interested in computers, human services, management, education, criminal justice, high technology, sports, or many other fields, you are likely to find individuals with a psychology background working in that field. Since psychology includes the study of human behavior, it is not surprising to find it being applied to so many areas.
Tell
me more about specializations in this field.
At JMU there are no formal specializations at the undergraduate level. One of our goals is to familiarize students with a diverse array of areas and applications of psychology and specialized training is reserved for advanced study at the graduate level. We want every student to complete their bachelor’s degree with the skills necessary to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills that is expected for bachelors-level positions and also be prepared to be competitive applicants to graduate programs. It is not uncommon for psychology majors to be unsure of their precise career path at the time they declare the psychology major, and our coursework is designed to help students discover the options that are available.
At the graduate level there are numerous specializations; too many to describe in this format. However, it would be helpful to describe the more “popular" specializations. Counseling psychologists focus on improving normal human functioning across the life span and help people solve problems, make decisions, and cope with the stresses of everyday life. School psychologists help educators promote the intellectual, social, and emotional development of children. Clinical psychologists evaluate and treat people’s mental and emotional disorders, ranging from normal psychological crises to extreme conditions such as schizophrenia or depression. Industrial/Organizational psychologists specialize in the relationship between people and work. Forensic Psychologists apply the science and profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system. Other specializations include: Cognitive, Developmental, Educational, Environmental, Experimental, Family, Health, Neuropsychology, Quantitative, Rehabilitation, Social, and Sports.
What
common major or minor combinations from other departments
complement this major?
Some common combinations include: Anthropology, Art, Biology, Coaching, Communication Studies, Conflict Analysis and Intervention, Criminal Justice, English, English as a Second Language, Family Studies, Gerontology, Health Communication, Health Sciences, Human Resource Development, Human Science, Humanitarian Affairs, Kinesiology, Management, Modern Foreign Languages – Spanish, Nursing, Political Communication, Political Science, Religion, Sociology, Special Education – non teaching minor, Substance Abuse Intervention, Women's Studies, or Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. Also, many students are enrolled in Pre-Medical Studies, Pre-Physical Therapy, or Pre-Law programs.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
A willingness to work hard is perhaps the characteristic
that describes success for any person in any field,
including psychology. Other characteristics would include
a desire to understand behavior, a questioning attitude,
a tolerance for complexity and statistical and computer
expertise are also assets.
CAREERS
Many graduates choose typical career paths associated
with this major. However, some graduates choose unrelated
careers that utilize skills and experiences developed
during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some
fields will require graduate study or further training.
The listing below offers examples of possible career
paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
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