Psychology
College of Social and Behavioral Science
27
Average
Class Size
1341
Declared
Majors
Bennion
Center
Courses
Getting Started
- Begin Gen Ed with writing & math courses
- Take PSY 1010 - General Psychology & PSY 2010 - Psy as a Science & Profession
- Consider the Honors College for integrated research & thesis work
- Meet with an advisor
Making Progress
- Use major coursework for some Gen Ed requirements
- Get hands-on experiential learning through internships, research, or a teaching assistantship
- Take PSY 3000 - Statistical Methods & PSY 3010 - Research Methods
- Take a course from 4 of the 5 Core areas: Developmental, Social, Clinical, Cognitive, or Behavior/Neuroscience
- Choose a complementary academic program (minor/certificate)
- Check in with an advisor
Finishing Up
- Meet the PSY minimum credit requirement with PSY electives
- Complete allied coursework or minor/certificate requirements
- Check in with your academic advisor
Community
Getting Started
- Join the Psychology Advising Canvas course
- Join Psi Chi, the international honor society in PSY
- Apply to the Honors College
- Consider courses in a LEAP learning community
Making Progress
- Study psychology abroad at the Utah Asia Campus in Incheon, South Korea or meet with a Learning Abroad Peer Advisor for other opportunities
- Are you part of the Honors College? Participate in the Praxis Lab!
- Become an Orientation Leader
- Get a job on campus
- Complete an internship
- Try an Alternative Break with the Bennion Center for volunteer opportunities around the state, country, & globe
- Meet with an Involvement Ambassador
Finishing Up
- Become an undergraduate teaching assistant
- Become a peer advisor for psychology or the Academic Advising Center
- Join the alumni association
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- If you're pre-medicine/law/dentistry or the like, meet with a pre-professional advisor
- Attend the major expo
- Become a Schedule Builder pro
Making Progress
- Become proficient in My Degree Dashboard & navigating your class schedule
- Explore and volunteer in research labs on campus
- Meet with an internship coordinator for internship opportunities
- Meet with an advisor or Career Coach to learn about the process for applying to grad school
- Visit the major exploration website to research complementary academic programs
- Expand your skill set with courses outside PSY
Finishing Up
- Apply to become an Undergraduate Research Scholar and receive a special designation
- Take a test prep course for your grad school entrance exam
- Apply for graduation
Transformation
Getting Started
- Take advantage of faculty office hours
- Develop your Individual Development Plan
- Write down your interests, goals, & dreams
Making Progress
- Focus electives on your career/research interests
- Conduct research under faculty through UROP
- Apply to be a peer advisor or teaching assistant for hands-on experience
- Attend conferences, lectures, & symposiums on a variety of topics
- Take courses based in topics of diversity, social justice, & inequality
- Attend graduate program info sessions
- Update your IDP
Finishing Up
- Be proud of yourself
- Take personal inventory of the skills acquired or enhanced through your undergraduate career
- Participate in commencement & convocation ceremonies
Impact
Getting Started
- Meet & get to know your Student Success Coach
- Explore volunteer options at the Bennion Center
- Develop your plan to get to graduation with an academic advisor
Making Progress
- Become a Bennion Scholar; address a community-identified need & implement a solution
- Apply to be a Solutions Scholar
- Become a CSBS Ambassador
- Develop your own research project for a senior thesis or honors thesis
- Apply to volunteer or intern with the Women's Resource Center, LGBT Resource Center, Wellness Advocates, or ACES Peer Health Education
Finishing Up
- Present during the spring Research Symposium and/or CSBS Research Day
- Publish your work in the Undergraduate Research Journal
- Become a Campus Life Mentor to incoming students
Careers
Getting Started
- Activate your Handshake account
- Make a Career Exploration appointment with a Career Coach in the CPDC
- Conduct personal research on careers or fields that interest you
Making Progress
- Attend Meet & Eat workshops through the CPDC
- Attend career, internship, & graduate school fairs
- Connect with individuals in careers that interest you & learn about their pathway
- Draft your resume and/or CV
- Strengthen your resume through experiential learning
- Consider whether you will go on to grad school or enter the career field after graduation
- Entrepreneur your major through Lassonde
Finishing Up
- Meet with a Career Coach for expert advice on your resume/CV & how to be a competitive applicant
- Apply for graduate school
- Connect with employers through Handshake
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
If you are interested in how the mind works and functions in an effort to help people achieve and maintain mental health, consider studying psychology at the University of Utah! The Psychology curriculum includes coursework in the areas of clinical psychology, cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, social and personality psychology, health psychology, and more. As a hub science, psychology is uniquely positioned to provide a strong platform from which students can launch successful careers into nearly any field or industry. Through coursework and hands-on experience in research, internships, peer advising, and/or teaching assisting, you will gain the knowledge and critical thinking skills you need for success in post-college careers or graduate school.
Learning Outcomes
- Gain knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theories, trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems.
- Learn and develop problem solving and scientific reasoning skills through practicing research design and methods to draw conclusions about psychological phenomena.
- Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice while building and enhancing interpersonal relationships to build community at the local, national, and global levels.
- Gain competency in effective writing and presentation skills.
- Apply your psychological content and skills to career and education goals; gain self-efficacy and regulation, project-management skills, enhanced teamwork capacity, and develop a meaningful direction for life after graduation.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.