纽约州立大学水牛城分校

Why study Psychology BA at UB?

UB’s modern, vibrant Department of Psychology has cutting-edge research facilities, highly productive faculty, and effective undergraduate classroom and laboratory education that reflect the latest in psychological science.
The BA degree in Psychology provides students with an undergraduate major that emphasizes the scientific foundation of psychology.
The BA degree program is flexible, providing students with the opportunity to tailor coursework, research experiences and experiential learning to their particular interests, as well as pursue an additional major or minor.
The background in psychological science that is at the core of the BA program helps to prepare students for graduate study in psychology or related fields (e.g., law, business, education, social work).
For students who wish to enter the workforce directly, the BA program provides knowledge and skills that are sought after in a wide variety of careers.

Learning Outcomes

The Psychology BA is designed to address the standards established by the American Psychological Association for an undergraduate psychology major. Five goals and learning outcomes represent departmental expectations for the undergraduate psychology major.

• Knowledge Base in Psychology: Students should demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems.
• Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: The skills in this domain involve the development of scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods.
• Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World: The skills in this domain involve the development of ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity.
• Communication: Students should demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Professional Development: The emphasis in this goal is on application of psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills, and career preparation.

Career Outlook

Psychology majors develop a highly desirable skill set that includes an understanding of the scientific method and psychological principles, critical analysis, problem solving, evaluation of evidence, statistical analysis and scientific writing.
Career possibilities include:

• Directly related clinical practice in psychology (with PhD in psychology) or psychiatry (with MD and residency).
• Directly related work in mental health as a counselor (e.g., vocational, rehabilitation, probation, alcohol and drug), school psychologist, or social worker (with further education at the master’s level).
• Directly related work in psychology research and teaching (with further education at the master’s or PhD level).
• Allied fields involving the analysis of human behavior (e.g., market research, government programs and agencies, personnel manager, human resources, management analyst, human factors specialist, public relations specialist, research/research technician, administrative services, community service, sales).
• Allied fields involving public health (e.g., behavior modification management, caseworker, occupational therapist, administration of hospitals and mental health facilities, medical technician).
• Allied fields involving education (e.g., teacher, vocational rehabilitation counselor and youth worker, guidance counselor, youth worker).
• Work in criminal justice, probation officer.