Top 5 Schools to Get a Psychology Degree At And Some Random Facts
Although psychology seems like it has a narrow career path, there are actually a variety of choices that this degree offers. Whether you want to teach, study consumer behavior for marketers, investigate court cases, govern rehabilitation, or serve as a counselor. So what can you do with a psychology degree? A psychology degree marks the start of any of these career choices. The Princeton Review’s “Gourman Report of Undergraduate Programs” (10th Edition) lists the top five non-ivy-league-colleges to obtain a psych degree at as:
Stanford University:
This school’s psychology department is known for the famous Prisoner Experiment in 1971. Testing humanity when normal students were given power over fellow students, the 2 week trial had to be terminated early due to the extreme effects that resulted on both sides. Follow along with the slideshow created by the professor who led the experiment, Dr. Philip Zimbardo.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor:
“The Department of Psychology was awarded the first annual Rhetaugh G. Dumas Progress in Diversifying Award, which recognizes “an outstanding institutional initiative in demonstrating notable progress by an academic unit in achieving ethnic/racial and gender diversity in the professor, clinical professor, research professor, and research scientist faculty ladders/tracks.”
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities:
This school has an excellent staff including the ever gifted Gene Borgida who was the only social psychologist in the entire country to be named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Founded in 1848, “AAAS was the first permanent organization formed to promote the development of science and engineering at the national level and to represent the interests of all its disciplines.”
University of California-Berkeley:
“100% of graduates from the doctoral program passed the license exam over the last five years, which is 7% better than the average for all Psychology Programs. 4 graduate(s) went on to become the chair of a university psychology department, which is considerably more than the average for all Psychology Programs. 7 alumni has/have been recognized as highly cited in scholarly publications, considerably more than the average for all Psychology Programs.. 0 faculty member(s) have been awarded a Distinguished Contribution Award by the APA, which is 10 more than the average for all Psychology Programs.“
University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign:
“From its inception, the department has distinguished itself with outstanding faculty, innovative research programs, an exceptional staff, and the best and brightest students. The department nurtures an environment of collaborative and independent research and outstanding scholarship. The breadth of our program provides students the opportunity to explore their interests across the discipline and alongside some of the finest minds in the country.”
Every student knows there is a vast difference between theory and application, and part of what keeps these schools at the top of the list is their investment in student research. Emphasizing this aspect of learning not only bridges the gap between theory and application but also provides a highly professional, relevant, and realistic experience and preparation for after college. Not to be discouraging, but those of you considering this program of study ought to know that a bachelor’s degree is not going to cut it in this field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states, “although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree or specialist degree in psychology, a master’s degree is sufficient for some positions. Practicing psychologists also need a license or certification…Job prospects should be best for those who have a doctoral degree in an applied specialty.” Therefore, while probing the mind is indeed very interesting make sure you’re truly committed before enrolling!
