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
Ryley White (She/Her)
Major: Psychology
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
Psychology is applicable to several career fields from healthcare to business. Psychology truly opens a world of endless possibilities.
What has been your favorite class at K? Why?
Developmental Psychology has been my favorite class at K because I was able to use the information from class and incorporate into my skillset to better work with children.
How have you taken advantage of the open curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
If it wasn’t for the open curriculum at K, I don’t think I would be a psychology major today. I came to K thinking I was going to be a biology major since I’ve always loved science, but taking classes in other disciplines helped me discover all the interconnectedness that exists. I didn’t have to sacrifice my love for science with my newfound passion for psychology at K.
What experiential education opportunities have you participated in?
I participated in the Community Advocates for Parents and Students (CAPS) program during my first year. Currently, I am the Civic Engagement Scholar (CES) for Woodward Elementary. I’ve also been a TA for Developmental Psychology and Social Development. Lastly, I am a Presidential Student Ambassador for the 2022-2023 academic year.
What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?
I’m planning to do an experiential SIP. I will work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in a variety of clinics. At the end, I will write a reflective paper where I will connect my experiences to psychology concepts and reflect on why I want to pursue a career in medicine.
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
I plan to apply to Physician Assistant (PA) school after K. My dream is to work as a Pediatric Oncology Physician Assistant.