Why Study Psychology at K?
Small class sizes, hands-on research, and opportunities to apply your learning in real-world settings make K one of the best colleges to study psychology.
Our courses explore the wide breadth of psychological research, including human growth and development; the neurological organization and components of the brain; the social-cultural influences on thought, behavior, and identity; as well as the study of abnormal behaviors and its treatment through psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.
In courses like cognitive science, theories of personalities, psychology of prejudice, and health psychology—to name a few—you will explore the relationship between individual human behavior, cultural influences, and neural anatomy through case studies and experimentation. Taking your learning outside of the classroom, psychology majors also get applied experience working in community settings near campus, including at a crisis “hot line,” the county juvenile home, a school for autism-spectrum children, a domestic abuse shelter, and public elementary, middle, and high schools.
With practical experiences, research methods, and the completion of your Senior Integrated Thesis built-in to your psychology degree, our graduates are well prepared to enter careers in social services, counseling, health, education, business, public administration, and academia. For those who want to continue their education beyond K, the psychology department ranks among the top 20 in the country for the percentage of majors who subsequently receive Ph.D.s in psychology.
What can you do with a psychology degree?
Below are some of the careers, employers, and graduate schools of our psychology alumni.
Careers
- Therapist
- Human Resources Administration
- Behavioral Technician
- Pharmacologist
- Research Analyst
Employers
- Michigan Department of Community Health
- Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
- Americorps
- Walter Reed Reed Army Institute of Research
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders
Graduate Schools
- University of Michigan
- University of Pennsylvania
- Yale University
- University of Chicago
- Northwestern University
Meet the Current Departmental Student Advisor
Mia Pellegrini (she/her)
Majors: Psychology and Spanish
Study Abroad: Caceres, Spain
Best Adjectives to Describe You: Enthusiastic and Caring
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
I’ve formed relationships, both with professors and fellow students, that I know will last far beyond college. The psychology department is a space where I feel genuinely understood and supported. Professors are deeply invested, and students are passionate and open-minded. Psychology at K isn’t just about memorizing theories…it’s about questioning, exploring, and growing. There’s always something new to uncover, and you’re never exploring it alone.
What drew you to the department?
Psychology is incredibly broad, but I found myself drawn to so many of its subfields: development, diversity, and social psych especially. My interest really began when I started seeing a counselor after losing my mother. Through that experience, I realized how powerful it is to feel understood, and I became passionate about understanding others in return. I want to contribute to the field on both an academic and deeply personal level. Psychology allows me to explore empathy, identity, and human behavior in a meaningful way.
What is your favorite thing about K?
Study abroad, hands down, it opened up so many opportunities for me, academically and personally. But beyond that, the community here is incredible. I’ve connected with people who have genuinely shaped my life.
How have you taken advantage of the flexible curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
I took an Arabic history class abroad that I never would have discovered otherwise, it was fantastic and eye-opening. I’ve also explored ANSO and theater, both of which helped me develop communication and cultural competency skills that complement my psych studies.
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a focus on trauma and diversity. I’d love to use my degree in clinical practice, and maybe in teaching at a university level someday as well.