Major Minor
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
Emmy Braunohler (She/Her)
Major: Psychology
Minor: Philosophy
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
The best thing about the psychology department is the people in it. I adore all of my classmates and how supportive they are.
What has been your favorite class at K? Why?
My favorite class at K has been Feminist Psychology. I made some very close friendships in that class, learned a ton, and learned more about myself. I also think that class gave me a very good perspective of what the Psychological field is lacking when it comes to women’s studies, and how there is so much room for growth as I plan to go into the field.
How have you taken advantage of the open curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
I have studied philosophy, religion, biology, and chemistry at K so far. I am super thankful for my widespread education and how I can apply all of these topics to the study of psychology.
What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?
A reflection of my time working with Hospice Patients.