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 by Design

Most universities have a psychology program—but not like ours. Our program is flexible by design, allowing you to create a personalized program of study to help you meet your career goals. For example, you can opt for a general psychology degree or 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, media production, math, and computer science.

Research and Internship Opportunities

Engage in research and internships opportunities. In our two-semester research methods course, work with a team to design and carry out your own research. At the end of the class, present your research findings at a local, regional, or even national conference. Many students also work on research with faculty in one of Michigan Tech’s psychology research labs.

Through our local internship program, explore job possibilities and build your skill sets in real-world settings without needing to take a semester off. Recent students have interned at places including Michigan Tech’s Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being, a crisis support and outreach center, local schools, the drug court, and social service agencies.

Career Pathways

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, including:

  • Behavior Analyst
  • Case Worker
  • Child Protection Worker
  • College Admissions Counselor or Recruiter
  • Community Recreation Coordinator
  • Corrections Officer
  • Drug/Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Employment Counselor
  • Residential Youth Counselor
  • Family Services Coordinator
  • Group Home Coordinator
  • Hospital Patient Services Representative
  • Marketing Researcher
  • Occupational Analyst
  • Program Manager
  • Public Relations
  • Store Manager
  • Staff Trainer
  • Social Service Director

The scope of opportunities for psychology graduates dovetails with businesses predicted to flourish in the future. 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 ever-increasing 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.

Advance Your Career

Michigan Tech psychology students are accepted into graduate school at a rate of 90 percent—much higher than the national average of 20 percent.

Our faculty and undergraduate advisors provide support with the application process, guiding students in identifying programs, writing compelling personal statements, and marketing their skills and experience in their resumes. Many students pursue graduate studies in a psychology-related program—like applied behavior analysis, clinical psychology, social work, neuroscience, industrial-organizational psychology, or human factors. Other students pursue graduate degrees in specialties that require a keen understanding of human behavior—like business, medicine, or law. 

We also offer Accelerated MS, MS, and PhD degreesin Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors. Our PhD program is research-intensive and focuses on optimizing performance, health, and safety at the interface of humans and technology.

Ready to take the next step?

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

"A lot of chances for one-on-one research and building those important connections with people in your field."Hannah DeRuyter, psychology