Psychologists study animal and human behavior and related mental, physiological, and social processes in an attempt to understand the causes of behavior. They also apply this knowledge to the prevention and solution of both individual and social problems. The Psychology Department offers a wide variety of courses in psychology, including abnormal behavior; learning and cognition; physiological, industrial, social, and child, adolescent, and adult development; personality psychology, and research methods and statistics. Theory and research in these areas are used by experimental, clinical, counseling, educational, and organizational psychologists.

Undergraduate psychology majors do not specialize but are exposed to all areas of the field. To be a professional psychologist, a student must obtain at least a master's degree in the field. Some areas of study, especially clinical psychology, are becoming very competitive and often require five years or more to obtain a doctorate.

The bachelor's degree in psychology can provide an avenue into employment in one of the many areas for which behavioral science skills and knowledge are important, e.g., personnel positions, public relations, child care, vocational training, casework, probation and parole, administration and management, health services, teaching, and many others. We've prepared a career guide for psychology majors available in the department office or online at http://www.cwu.edu/psychology/sites/cts.cwu.edu.psychology/files/documen....