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Through observation and research, psychology majors study the mind and human behavior including mental, physiological, and social processes. They apply that knowledge to help understand, prevent, and resolve both individual and societal problems. They form theories to attempt to explain why people behave the way they do by focusing on what motivates a person’s actions.

The Colorado Mesa University psychology program has two concentration options for students, Psychology and Counseling Psychology. The Psychology concentration prepares students to work in a wide variety of settings, including human services (counseling and social work), public affairs, business, sales, criminal justice (probation or corrections officer), the hospitality industry, teaching and research. The Counseling Psychology concentration is designed to prepare undergraduate students to either work in the field of counseling and human services or to go on to graduate studies in areas like counseling, social work, and clinical psychology. The capstone of the counseling program is the practicum course where students work off campus at various treatment centers, in therapy settings, or at local agencies employing counseling and other human services skills to gain experience and network with other professionals.

Students can expand their understanding of psychology and participate in conferences, community service projects, and national societies by joining one or several of the psychology clubs offered on campus. Campus clubs and organizations also offer the opportunity to work closer with faculty, other students, and professionals from various fields in settings beyond the classroom.

Learn more about CMU's Psychology program

• Art Therapist
• Behavior Analyst
• Career Counselor
• Case Worker
• Child Protection Worker
• Child Psychologist
• College Student Affairs
• Community and Social Service Worker
• Community Relations Director
• Corrections Officer
• Correctional Caseworker
• Crisis Intervention Counselor
• Developmental Psychologist
• Director of Volunteer Services
• Employment Agency Counselor
• Family/Marriage Counselor
• Forensic Psychologist
• Group Home Coordinator
• Hospice Coordinator
• Industrial/Organizational Psychologist
• International Student Advisor
• Market Research Analyst
• Marketing/Sales Manager
• Mental Health Coordinator
• Personnel Administrator
• Probation Officer
• Professional Employment Recruiter
• Professor
• Program Developer/Manager
• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Public Opinion Surveyor
• Rehabilitation Counselor
• Residential Youth Counselor
• School Counselor
• Social Psychologist
• Social Service Professional Staff
• Social Worker
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Technical Writer/Communicator
• Television/Media Research
• Training and Development Professional
• Youth Corrections Officer

Note: Some of the occupations listed above may require additional education, experience, or training beyond a Bachelor’s Degree. To research these occupations use the Career Research Resources links below.

• Counsel individuals, groups, or families on a range of issues from helping them to understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems to helping them with education/career goals to improving organizational dynamics for a business
• Research through observation, experimentation, administering psychological instruments, interviews, surveys, and clinical studies to find patterns of behavior
• Provide crisis intervention in difficult situations
• Analyze data for a variety of purposes such as determining the effectiveness of treatments on clients or advertising on consumers
• Assess, diagnose, or treat mental/emotional disorders, behavioral problems, or learning disabilities
• Maintain accurate and detailed records and prepare reports on clients as needed by schools, businesses, or hospitals
•Assisted Living Centers
• Business and Industry
• Colleges/Universities
• Community Organizations
• Correctional Facilities
• Counseling Centers
• Crisis Counseling Agencies
• Hospitals
• Mental Health Agencies
• Private Practice
• Recreation Facilities
• Rehabilitation Agencies
• Schools
• Social Service Organizations
• State/Federal Government

Skills Needed by Psychology majors:

• Ability to make decisions
• Ability to observe, analyze, and interpret data
• Ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to resolve or mediate crises and conflict situations
• Ability to understand and interpret statistics and research data
• Concern for people and sensitivity for working with them
• Critical thinking skills
• Interpersonal communication skills
• Knowledge of community resources
• Knowledge of human development
• Listening and interviewing skills
• Problem solving skills
• Understanding of group interactions
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Other Psychology resources