Psychology and Human Factors

Psychology Bachelor's Degree

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If you are intrigued by the inner workings of the psyche, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Michigan Tech will allow you to mold that curiosity into a meaningful career.

Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and cognitive processes. This broad discipline seeks to understand the human condition and explain behavior using scientific methods, with the fundamental goal of improving the well-being of individuals and our overall society.

Psychologists can apply their training to help preserve or rehabilitate people's interpersonal relationships and mental health, and to help businesses safeguard assets such as time, finances, and human resources. From health practitioners who manage and treat psychological disorders, to business professionals who foster a healthy and productive workplace, to researchers who solve practical problems—psychology offers diverse applications and career pathways that attract many students to the discipline.

Flexible Degree, Countless Opportunities

A degree in psychology paves the way for a myriad of careers in countless settings, including government, industry, law, sports science, engineering, communications, and computers/technology. New psychology graduates entering the job market may qualify for entry-level positions in mental health, social/human services, and business administration.

Data crunching is the next big thing and a psychology grad is equipped to go beyond the numbers to interpret meaning, track trends, and gather insights. Scientific research, another growing field, requires the use of case study, content analysis, lab and field experiments, and surveys—research approaches that you gain experience with as a psychology major. In a more traditional vein, the demand for counseling and therapy services is expected to continue rising along with awareness of mental health as a component of overall well-being.

Concentrations

Psychology is a broad discipline. Focusing your effort on a concentration allows you to specialize and align with a future career interest, increasing your chances of securing graduate school acceptance or a job post-graduation.

Clinical/Counseling Psychology

The Clinical/Counseling Psychology concentration focuses on theories that inform how people function both personally and in their relationships at all ages; the emotional, social, work, school, and physical health concerns people may have at different stages in their lives; and the assessment and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Students gain in-depth knowledge of normal development, psychological disorders, psychological theories, and treatment techniques.

Cognitive Psychology

The Cognitive Psychology concentration focuses on brain, perception, attention, memory, thinking and decision making with additional courses in the application of cognitive theory to work (e.g., industrial/organizational psychology), social media, and design (e.g., human centered design, cognitive task analysis).

Social Psychology

The Social Psychology concentration focuses on how individuals interact with, and are affected by, each other and their environments. Thematic areas include social and intergroup relations; social justice and perception; social influence; attitude and attitude change; motivation; emotion; industrial/organizational psychology; personality; and social cognition.

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3

concentration options

100%

of psychology students participate in research or a field experience

90%

graduate school acceptance rate—higher than the national average of 20%

Tomorrow Needs Professionals Who Understand The Human Condition

In a fast-moving and increasingly more stressed society, the need for mental health professionals will continue to grow. And psychology graduates can apply their deep understanding of human behavior, motivation, and cognitive processes to various roles in today's tech-driven business world, like customer service, human resources, management, marketing, and sales. With knowledge in psychology, you can help predict employee and customer behavior which leads to better decision-making and more effective strategies.

Be Career Ready

Career Opportunities for Psychology Majors

Those with a BS in Psychology work in some of the most satisfying jobs. Mental Health Counselor is #100, School Psychologist is #94, and Psychologist is #80 of the 100 Best Jobs according to US News and World Report. Some of the other career paths open to you with a BS in Psychology:

  • Account Manager
  • Attorney
  • Behavior Analyst/Technician
  • Case Worker
  • Child Protection Worker
  • College Admissions Counselor or Recruiter
  • Community Recreation Coordinator
  • Corrections Officer
  • Drug/Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Employment Counselor
  • Family Services Coordinator
  • Group Home Coordinator
  • Health and Wellness Coach
  • Hospital Patient Services Representative
  • Marketing Researcher
  • Marketing Specialist/Manager
  • Occupational Analyst
  • Physician
  • Program Manager
  • Public Relations
  • Residential Youth Counselor
  • Social Service Director
  • Training Specialist
  • Youth Development Leader

Michigan Tech's Psychology Program: The Perfect Preparation for Graduate Studies

The growing list of graduate schools that have enrolled Michigan Tech psychology graduates includes:

  • Boston College
  • Brandeis University
  • Canisius College
  • Central Michigan University
  • Florida State University
  • Kansas State University
  • Marquette University
  • Minnesota State University
  • Montana State University
  • Northern Michigan University
  • St. George's University
  • Southern Illinois University
  • University of Denver
  • University of Massachusetts
  • University of St. Thomas
  • Southern Illinois University
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • University of Wisconsin-Stout
  • Western Michigan University

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying psychology at Michigan's flagship technological university.

Watch My Michigan Tech: Hannah DeRuyter video
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"The program is really small and it's a really close relationship with the faculty. There are a lot of chances for research and building those important connections with people in your field."Hannah DeRuyter '23, BS Psychology

Study Psychology and Human Factors at a Technological University

You enjoy studying people—how they think, behave, and interact with other people, technology, or the world around them—to improve their personal and professional well-being. As a psychology or human factors student, you will gain foundational knowledge and develop valuable analytic, quantitative, and communication skills required to succeed in solving problems, whether in research, the job market, or graduate school. And you will do it on a technological campus, working side-by-side with other STEM students to create technology that works better for the humans who use it.

  • Get personalized attention: With a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, nearly every major class is taught by one of our core faculty. Your instructors will  take the time to get to know you and help you explore career possibilities through hands-on experiences. Faculty are doing interesting research in a variety of specialties; join their lab or develop your own research ideas with them.
  • Customize your education: Our programs are flexible by design, allowing you to create a personalized program of study to explore your interests and build a unique portfolio of skills and experiences that sets you apart on the job market. Take any one of Michigan Tech’s 80 minors to tailor your education to fit your individual pathway.
  • Engage in research: As an undergraduate, get involved in research with a faculty mentor in one of our labs. Get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art research methods and tools and graduate with a competitive advantage applying for graduate school and research-based jobs in industry.
  • Gain hands-on experience through internships or Enterprise: Through these signature programs, you can build your skill sets in real-world settings without needing to take a semester off. Past internship locations have included the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being, the Copper Country Intermediate School District, U.P. Kids foster and adoption services, the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter for Domestic Abuse, and many others. Enterprises are student-run business teams that work with industry clients to design solutions for real world problems. These experiences provide students with valuable experience in team building, project management, and end-to-end original product development.

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your analytical skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow's high-tech business landscape.

College of Sciences and Arts

The College of Sciences and Arts is a community of faculty, staff, and students committed to excellence and driven by our passion for education, outreach, research, and creativity across the social and natural sciences, humanities, and the arts. Uniquely situated in the heart of Michigan's R1 flagship technological university, we specialize in human-centered potential and discovery-based learning designed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Knowing that every student at Michigan Tech will pass through our doors, our college strives to be at the forefront of interdisciplinary collaborations that lead to breakthrough solutions.

Our students gain a profound understanding of social and cultural contexts through experiential learning and innovative research. We welcome you to be part of our caring, expansive college community, with 32 undergraduate and 24 graduate degrees to choose from.

The opportunities in Michigan Tech's College of Sciences and Arts are limitless. Transform into a civic leader ready to contribute to a sustainable future. Lead and participate in action-based experiences that are critical to the start of a fulfilling career. Job-shadow at a local hospital or veterinary clinic while preparing for a career in health. Design sound and lighting for a regional production. Conduct community forums on the implications of artificial intelligence. Work to purify vaccines. Study the impact of social media on society. Research the mysteries of space and galaxies beyond our universe. Explore transforming abandoned iron and copper mines into giant batteries. Understand freshwater ecosystem health. Document the nature of changes in cognitive function and motor behavior in aging and dementia.

At Michigan Tech, your academic growth is supported by a variety of learning centers, along with our Humanities Digital Media Zone and Writing Center. Model climate in the only cloud chamber of its kind. Take part in interdisciplinary health research in our state-of-the-art H-STEM Complex. Create amazing sights and sounds in our visual art, sound, and theatre performance spaces. 

Undergraduate Majors in Psychology and Human Factors

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem. Browse the entire list of College of Sciences and Arts majors. Or, give yourself time and declare the General Sciences and Arts major, which lets you decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

"Being curious is part of the culture, because we are so research driven."Katie Ulinski '23, BS Psychology, BS Human Factors