Cognitive and Learning Sciences

Psychology—BS

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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%
  • 6%
    projected job growth for psychologists

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.

Career Opportunities for Psychology Majors

Those with a BS in Psychology work in some of the most satisfying jobs. Mental Health Counselor is #37,    School Psychologist is #40, and Psychologist is #49 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 at a Technological University

A rapidly changing world demands professionals who think critically, communicate clearly with a variety of audiences, and engage with empathy and understanding in diverse workplaces. Put your keen understanding of how and why people think, feel, and behave the way they do to make a difference in people’s lives and impact the way humans live, work, and play.

  • Get personalized attention: 6:1 student to 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. Faculty are doing interesting research in a variety of domains; you can 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. Choose a concentration in clinical psychology and counseling, social psychology, or cognitive psychology. You can also use your free electives to pursue a minor without increasing your time to graduation. Many of our students choose minors in areas that complement psychology, including pre-health professions, business, public health, diversity studies, math, and computer science.
  • Engage in research: As an undergraduate, work on research with a faculty mentor in one of our labs or research groups. Gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art research methods and tools. Research experiences give students a competitive advantage when applying for graduate school and for research-based jobs in industry. All psychology students gain foundational research skills through a two-semester research course in which they work in teams to design, conduct, and present the results of a study of their choice. 
  • Gain hands-on experience through internships: You can complete an internship to explore job possibilities and build your skill sets in real-world settings without needing to take a semester off to do so. 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.

Undergraduate Majors in Cognitive and Learning Sciences

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem.
Just declare the General Sciences and Arts major,
give yourself time, and decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Undergraduate Minors

Specialize in a secondary discipline outside of or complementary to your major, expand your knowledge base, and boost your potential career options with a psychology minor. Want a future career in law or medicine? A minor in a pre-professional program such as Law and Society or Pre-Health prepares you for graduate school. Or choose any of the other 80+ minors. Although you can declare a minor anytime, we recommend that you begin your minor studies as early as possible in your academic career. To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your understanding of people. Apply your knowledge to help preserve or rehabilitate people’s interpersonal relationships and mental health, or to help businesses safeguard assets such as time, finances, and human resources. You’ll join the ranks of health practitioners who manage and treat psychological disorders, business professionals who foster a healthy and productive workplace, or collaborative researchers from a variety of fields who work together to solve some of the most important social problems through innovative solutions. Diverse applications and career pathways await.

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