Prospective Students

Why Psychology?

A career in psychology offers many rewards including the opportunity to assist people with personal, family, social, educational, mental health, and career decisions. Psychology provides a solid background for entering fields as diverse as personnel management, addictions counseling, elementary and secondary school teaching, and criminal justice. Most of MSU Denver’s Psychology majors plan careers in counseling. Psychology serves as a springboard for many psychology graduate programs at the master’s and doctoral level including the fields of clinical counseling, school, industrial/organizational, health, forensic and sports psychology; educational psychology (psychological test development, school psychology). The doctoral level degrees can lead to teaching at the college and university level, as well as various positions in governmental agencies and the private sector. In addition, many students seek advanced degrees in related fields such as education, business management, law, criminal justice, nursing, social work, or public health. Duties depend on the individuals served and the work settings. The demand for well-qualified people is expected to grow faster than average for most occupations through 2031.

Upon completion of a degree program in psychology students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the major historical contributions and themes, basic principles, current issues and emerging developments in psychology.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate knowledge of the field of psychology both orally and in writing, the latter following the American Psychological Association guidelines.
• Demonstrate the ability to relate knowledge of human behavior and mental processes to problems and issues in other disciplines.
• Demonstrate an enduring respect for the use of critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
• Demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology as required by psychology.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply the fundamentals of research methodology, research ethics, and statistical analysis to the interpretation and evaluation of research.
• Recognize, understand and respect the complexity of all aspects of human diversity, both local and global.
• Demonstrate a realistic application of psychological knowledge, skills and values in occupational pursuits or graduate education.