What can an Psychology major do for you?

With more than 1,000 students majoring in psychology at UK, the Department of Psychology is constantly growing. Although the number of students is increasing, the psychology faculty members continue to commit to the success of every student. As a psychology major, you will develop a broad understanding of human behavior as well as the skills to understand and interpret research findings concerning human behavior. The psychology curriculum at the University of Kentucky includes courses in cognitive, developmental, behavioral and neural studies, learning, personality, and social and clinical psychology. By directly working with faculty members on various research projects, you gain hands-on research experience and also have an opportunity to work on a senior honor thesis under a faculty member’s yearlong mentorship. Moreover, you gain rich field-based experience from various places including clinical settings through internship courses. Career options available to psychology graduates extend well beyond the domain of mental health to include professions in such fields as law, medicine, market research, and career counseling.

200+ Graduates per year

37 Credit hours required by major

150+ Students doing independent research per year

What skills does studying psychology develop?

• critical thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to understand and solve problems related to behavior and mental processes
• apply psychological theories and concepts to personal, social and organizational issues
• gather information through a variety of means and synthesize findings in a coherent manner
• understand the complexity of socio-cultural diversity
• effectively work in collaborative environments
• flexibility of thought, tolerance of ambiguity and respect for others values
• ability to engage in ethical application of psychological principles

Career opportunities

A bachelors degree (B.A. and B.S.) in Psychology is a versatile undergraduate degree that helps psychology majors gain a wide range of knowledge and skills. Psychology majors are able to: conduct various types of research, evaluate arguments and make decisions based on evidence, apply research skills to personal and professional domains, take human biases into account when making decisions, convey information effectively in written and oral communication and work in diverse groups to achieve common goals.

Career opportunities in Arts & Sciences

• Clinical Psychologist
• Market Analyst
• Counselor 
• Advertising Agent
• Physician
• Personnel Administrator
• Physical Therapist 
• Educator
• Researcher 
• Criminal Profiler 
• Lawyer

A&S Hall of Fame Inductees

Roger Di Silvestro

2015 Inductee