Psychology (B.S.)

If you want to develop high-level scientific reasoning and problem solving skills to help you understand yourself and others, then majoring in psychology might be for you.

As a psychology major, you'll gain a strong foundation in psychology and how to apply its principles to the real world.

By the time you graduate, you'll be well prepared to enter graduate programs in all areas of psychology or pursue immediate employment in a variety of careers including business, the non-profit sector, government agencies, and more.

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

Campus Availability

How to Apply

Psychology at ̨��swag

At ̨��swag, you'll receive personalized attention from faculty and have the opportunity to work closely with faculty in all aspects of the research process—from experimental design, to data collection and analysis, to manuscript preparation and professional presentation of research results.

Get Involved

At ̨��swag, you can get involved with the Psychology Club on the Gainesville or Dahlonega campuses, or the Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society. Learn more about psychology clubs and organizations.

Complement Your Psych Skills with a Minor

A minor is required for psychology majors. Popular minors include biology, sociology, and human services and administration. Explore all ̨��swag minors.

Tuition & Fees

Define Your Own College Experience

College life isn't just about academics. It's about the relationships you make, the experiences you have, and the new things you can discover not just about yourself, but about the world around you. ̨��swag provides many opportunities on each campus and beyond to help you explore your interests and find new passions.

student in counseling session — We're Here for You

At ̨��swag, you're not alone. You have access to licensed therapists and other mental health resources to support your well-being.

Student Counseling

students learn leadership skills on the ropes course at Pine Valley — Have a New Adventure

Sign-up for an adventure trip, rent camping equipment, or climb to new heights on the Pine Valley Ropes Course.

Outdoor Pursuits

SMMC Staff working with student — Make Your Money Count

Take control of your personal finances. Attend budgeting workshops, make a financial action plan or connect with a money mentor.

Financial Well-being

Where Can a Major in Psychology Lead You?

Where Our Students Have Interned

Rape Response
Gateway Domestic Violence Center
Enotah Family Treatment Court
Northeastern Judicial Circuit Treatment Services
ACCARES Wellness Center
Laurelwood Hospital
Lumpkin County Division of Family and Children Services
Walker Therapy
DHS – Dawson County Division of Family and Children Services
DRI Consulting
Dawson County Treatment Court
Alpha Hope Counseling
SISU Integrated Early Learning
The Treehouse, INC
CSL Plasma

Where Our Students Found Jobs

The Federal Bureau of Investigation
Health Care settings as Registered Behavior Technicians
Department of Community Supervision Officers
Law enforcement agencies
NASA
Human resources offices in corporate and university settings.
The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse
Insurance companies
Management Consulting Firms
Various positions in educational settings (K-12 and Higher Ed.)
Veterinary practice settings as a Veterinary Assistant
Real Estate group as a Marketing Consultant
Canine Companions for Independence as an animal trainer
Law firms as legal assistants
NOA Domestic Violence Shelter- Victim’s Advocate

Where Our Students Have Gone to Grad School

Brenau University Master’s of Clinical Counseling program
Brenau University’s Occupational Therapy Program
̨��swag Master of Science in Counseling program
Georgia Institute of Technology Doctoral Program in Experimental Psychology
Georgia State University Master’s of Public Health Program
Georgia State University Community Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program
University of Georgia Doctoral Cell Biology Program
University of Georgia Master’s of Child Life program
Ohio State University Doctoral Program in Experimental Psychology
John Marshal Law School Juris Doctorate Program
Texas A & M University Master’s of Public Health and Administration Program
Middle Tennessee State University Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology program
Appalachian State University Master’s of Social Work program
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Master’s of Linguistics program in Glasglow, Scotland

Use the career insights tool to explore different opportunities related to this degree program. Learn about average salary and discover the skills you need to get the job you want.

Going Beyond a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
Master's

Doctorate

What you do with a Master's degree in psychology largely depends on which field you choose to study. Some of the more common psychological fields for a Master's degree are clinical psychology, counseling psychology and industrial/organizational psychology, however, more and more people are choosing to enter into the research end of psychology, and prefer a path of neuroscience, etc.

If you are not sure where you want to go with your Master's degree, talk to your adviser about your interests, and what fields would fit best for you. Depending on the degree, someone with a Masters can get a career in many fields such as:

Jobs in Federal, State, and Local Government

Vocational Rehabilitation Provider

Self-Reliance Specialist

Developmental Specialist

Drug and Alcohol Specialist

Employment Counselor

Human Resources Analyst

Parole Officer

Psychology Program Manager

Rehabilitation Counselor

Social Service Manager

School Psychologist

Child Protection Worker

Social Services Manager

Jobs in Health Care and Mental Health Services

Behavioral Counselor

Drug Specialist

Health Project Coordinator

Psychiatric Technician

Rehabilitation Specialist

Group Home Coordinator

Family Services Worker

Child Protection Worker

Child Care Supervisor

Jobs in Business, Marketing, Advertising, and Sales

Human Resources Manager

Advertising Agent

Market Researcher

Employee Trainer

Public Relations Representative

Project Manager

Sales Representative

Store Manager

In many of these positions, you will still need a supervisor of some sort, so keep that in mind when you are trying to decide whether to stick with a Masters degree or whether to finish with a Doctoral degree.

Doctoral degrees are necessary if you are truly serious about having your own practice, or doing serious research. Again, your choice of degree largely depends on what you are interested in.

If you are doing serious research for your career, then a specialized degree in something such as Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Social Psychology, Neuroscience, Forensic Psychology etc. would work best for you.

If you want to own your own counseling practice, then a Doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling psychology may work best for you.

You also need a Doctoral degree if you want to teach psychology at a College or University.

Keep in mind that a Doctoral degree will take about 5-7 years to complete and is extremely intensive for all who are trying to do it, but your possibilities in your field of choice are near limitless once you complete it.