Graduate Studies in Psychology
- Areas of Specialization
- The Application Process
- Research Experience
- Learning More About Graduate Study in Psychology
- Related article: So You're Considering Graduate Study in Clinical Psychology
An undergraduate major in psychology provides an excellent foundation for a wide range of different careers. Psychology is a valuable major for students interested in careers in management and business, as well as for those considering social service careers such as social work and teaching. Many students planning to enter medicine and other health professions major in psychology, and students hoping to pursue careers in law sometimes choose psychology as a major too.
At Northwestern and elsewhere, only a minority of students who major in psychology go on to become psychologists. Those who do must earn graduate degrees; only individuals with graduate training in psychology, typically at the doctoral level, are referred to as psychologists. Some students pursue advanced psychology training in applied areas such as clinical, counseling, and industrial/organizational psychology. Others prepare for careers in research and/or college-level teaching.
An important point: You don’t have to major in psychology as an undergraduate in order to attend graduate school in psychology. Many graduate programs require specific courses in psychology as a prerequisite, and advanced courses in psychology or related fields are definitely a plus. However, depending on what area of specialization you choose, coursework in other areas – mathematics or biology, for example – might be seen as just as valuable. Also, as discussed below, relevant research experience may be as important as relevant coursework for entry to many graduate programs.
