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PsychologyMajor

Psychology is the science of behavior. This major allows you to increase your intrapersonal and interpersonal understanding and develop problem-solving, project management and information literacy skills.

By the numbers200

WVU graduates 200+ Psychology students each year.

Overview

What is Psychology at WVU like?

Description

Psychology is the science of behavior. Courses convey the principles, methods and theories necessary for a better understanding of human and animal behaviors.

Studying Psychology allows you to work toward a liberal arts degree rather than a specialized degree that prepares you for a specific type of job. The major allows you to increase your intrapersonal and interpersonal understanding and develop problem-solving, project management and information literacy skills.

Typically, students tailor their schedules according to their future career paths, which generally fall into three categories: graduate studies, a career applying principles of psychology to human problems or a career in a non-related field.

The Department of Psychology also offers a Behavior Analysis Certificate Program. The certificate may be particularly valuable if you're interested in special education, drug and addiction research, animal training, impulsivity, promoting health, physical rehabilitation and muscle dynamics, or human or animal behavior.

Psychology program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Psychology at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

Psychology students can participate in Professional Field Experience in Psychology, a course that involves placement at a community agency performing work relevant to psychology.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

About 25 percent of our graduates pursue graduate training in psychology, medicine or law. Over 50 percent enter the work force immediately.

Employment opportunities are available in assessment and treatment, human resource management, residential care and community and social services. Psychology graduates also find jobs in alcohol and drug intervention, impatient and outpatient facilities for persons with chronic mental illness or developmental disabilities, educational and occupational testing, group home counseling, geriatric counseling, youth center management, employment counseling and family planning.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Psychology major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Psychology at WVU?

PSYC 302/302L:
Behavior Principles

Principles of behavior and learning and the significance of these principles for psychological theory and application; laboratory exercises and demonstrations.

PSYC 345:
Adulthood and Aging

Psychological issues in the study of adulthood, with an emphasis on the characteristics of older adults. Topics include the psychosocial and biological context of aging, cognitive and personality changes from early to late adulthood, psychopathology in later life, dementia, issues in caregiving, and death and dying.

PSYC 370:
Emotions and Mood

Theories, concepts and methodologies pertaining to emotions and mood. Topics also include development and socialization of emotions, and outcomes.

PSYC 423:
Cognition and Memory

Theoretical and empirical issues in cognitive psychology. Topics include mechanisms and theories of attention, memory, language, and conceptual processes.

PSYC 491:
Professional Field Experience

(May be repeated up to a maximum of 18 hours.) Prearranged experimental learning program, to be planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.

Cost and Aid

How much does Psychology at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

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Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here is a way for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Psychology at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Psychology major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Psychology at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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