Bachelor [Psychology] From Kansas State University

Additional course work and experiences are available for students preparing for advanced study at the graduate level or interested in social service careers. The minimum requirements for completing a major in psychology are small enough that some students are able to complete the requirements of a second major in the College of Arts & Sciences or another college in four years.

Psychology is both an academic discipline and a profession. To become a professional, you must receive advanced training. Our undergraduate program does not train you to become a professional psychologist. We do offer the opportunity to earn academic credit for participating in research and in supervised field experiences in social service agencies, industry and government settings. Students can gain experience working with professional psychologists.

Careers

Many of our graduates seek employment immediately after graduation, and they are successful in a variety of settings including social services, business and industry, and government. The remaining students enter graduate or professional programs in psychology (clinical, industrial/organizational,experimental, school) social work, law, medicine, etc.

A psychology background allows graduates to compete for a variety of positions that draw upon knowledge and skill in the areas of learning, perception, motivation, memory, personality and social groups. While such positions do not require that the person be a psychologist, having a major in psychology provides a background that is useful in many endeavors.

Many employers have an interest in hiring people with knowledge and experience in people-oriented activities. For example, K-State psychology graduates now hold such positions as marketing analyst for a motel chain, research assistant for an aircraft company, director of a college admissions office, vice president of a pipe supply company, advertising consultant to a soap company and parole officer.

Degree options

Both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree are offered. The chief difference between these degrees is that the B.S. requires more courses in the natural sciences and mathematics, while the B.A. requires a sequence of courses in modern languages. Two graduate degrees are also offered: the Master of Science and the Ph.D. We also offer an undergraduate concentration in clinical psychology. 

This option is available for students with good academic records who are interested in careers in social services. Students accepted into this option take a set of courses and can arrange to receive academic credit for satisfactory performance in a social service setting under the supervision of professional psychologists and other mental health professionals.