Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and the mental processes that determine behavior. Psychology also applies the accumulated knowledge of this science to solve practical problems.

A psychology degree prepares students for a wide variety of in-demand careers, some of which require additional education beyond the bachelor’s degree. Recent national statistics show that a degree in psychology, sometimes combined with a minor in a second area (such as business or chemical dependency), has become increasingly marketable. Psychologists work in these areas: • Aerospace and defense industries: system design (human factors), human/machine interaction • Community health centers: helping individuals and families in crisis • Computer industry: software design, training software users • Corporate offices/industry: employee assistance program developer, teamwork development, personnel decisions, public relations manager • Government/law: consulting, lobbying, forensics, law enforcement, advising lawyers on jury selection, working to reform prisoners • Hospitals: drug addiction counseling, work with mentally ill and/or physically ill • Research firms: marketing research, data analysis • Private practice: family and marital counseling, personal counseling • Schools and universities: school counselors, teachers, professors