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
Laura DeVilbiss (she/her)
Majors: Psychology and Spanish
Study Abroad: Santiago, Chile
Best Adjective to Describe You: Adventurous
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
The variety of topics and applications within the courses. There’s an application of psychology for any potential interest.
What drew you to the department?
I’ve always been interested about the way that people think, and I’ve learned a lot through my classes in the department.
What is your favorite thing about K?
The communities on-campus. I’ve met people with the same interests as me, people with completely different interests, and overall a variety of different groups and clubs that support one another.
How have you taken advantage of the flexible curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
I’ve taken courses in disciplines I was interested in, but didn’t necessarily want to major in. While music is not one of my degrees, I’ve been able to take a lot of courses in it alongside my major requirements. Study abroad also provided opportunities for a wide variety of courses, including religion and film.
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
I am considering a career in HR after I graduate, but I’m open to taking whatever opportunity is the best fit for me and my interests.