Psychology

This undergraduate program introduces students to the science and profession of psychology. Culminating in a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, this is a program for students interested in such career areas as human services, public relations, correctional institutions, rehabilitation facilities, program development, and research. The program has been designed to provide UNT Dallas students with the following:

• A broad base of knowledge, including theoretical perspectives from various fields of psychology;
• A strong research orientation and ability to use a variety of research methodologies; and
• Scholarly approaches to evaluating research, theory, and practice.

Description of the Field

Psychology is a scientific study of behavior that leads to careers in counseling, public relations, school psychology, special education, forensic psychology, research, teaching, and work in industry. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology find employment in rehabilitation agencies, correctional institutions, social services, and health related occupations. The demand for psychologists also coincides with concerns about health, aging, engineering technology, sports medicine, and recreation studies. To prepare our students for the challenging job market ahead, UNT Dallas offers a generalist degree in psychology that not only allows students to focus on specific interests, but also prepares them for graduate work in psychology. The American Psychological Association reports that psychology is a popular profession because the field has historically adapted to society’s changes and is currently changing to reflect job market needs in many non-profit and for-profit settings.

Possible Employers

• Sports organizations
• Clinics and hospitals
• Private practice
• Counseling centers
• HR departments
• U.S. Military
• Police departments
• Rehabilitation centers
• Schools (K-12)
• Colleges and universities
• Advertising and public relations agencies
• Social service agencies and organizations

Possible Job Titles

After earning your psychology degree, you can choose from a wide variety of career options. Some are listed below.

• Academic Counselor
• Advanced Psychiatric Nurse
• Advertising Agent
• Art Therapist
• Aviation Psychologist
• Career Counselor
• Case Worker
• Child Psychologist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Community Counselor
• Counseling Psychologist
• Correctional Treatment Specialist
• Criminal Investigator
• Crisis Counselor
• Cognitive Psychologist
• Developmental Psychologist
• Education Administrator
• Educational Psychologist
• Environmental Psychologist
• Experimental Psychologist
• Family and Marriage Therapist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Grief Counselor
• Guidance Counselor
• Health Psychologist
• Human Resources Manager
• Industrial Organizational Psychologist
• Market Researcher
• Mental Health Coordinator
• Military Psychologist
• Music Therapist
• Neurologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Police Officer
• Public Opinion Surveyor
• Probation Officer
• Psychiatric Social Worker
• Psychosocial Rehabilitation Worker
• Public Relations Agent
• Recreational Therapist
• Rehabilitation Counselor
• School Psychologist
• Social Worker
• Sports Psychologist
• Statistician
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• University Psychology Professor
• Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
• Youth Counselor

Success Strategies

• Take your education seriously — Earn good grades. They are an indicator of your commitment to your work and evidence of a strong work ethic. 
• Consider graduate school—If you’re interested in becoming a psychologist or a university professor, you’ll likely need a graduate degree. Keep this goal in mind as you complete your undergraduate degree and always strive to maintain good grades.
• Develop strong communication skills.
• Actively participate in student organizations in college to build leadership skills and to develop networks that will prove useful to you later. After graduation, continue to seek out ways to participate in professional organizations and your community.
• Follow your interests. Listen to your instincts and pursue what you find interesting, fascinating, and fulfilling. It’s important to enjoy the work that takes so much of your time and effort!

Online Resources

Professional Associations

American Psychological Association: www.apa.org
Association of Black Psychologists: www.abpsi.org
Association for Psychological Science: www.psychologicalscience.org
International Association for Applied Psychology: www.iaapsy.org
Society for Personality and Social Psychology: www.spsp.org