Psychology (Purdue degree)
Offered by: Department of Psychology We’re a community of learners and students thrive here. Students here reap the benefits of an interactive learning environment, challenging material and lab work, and unparalleled research and internship opportunities.Why choose this program?
We’re a community of learners and students thrive here. Students here reap the benefits of an interactive learning environment, challenging material and lab work, and unparalleled research and internship opportunities. As early as their freshman year, our undergraduates are able to participate in research with renowned faculty. Students support each other through peer-advising, providing a unique environment where students become leaders by helping others.
What will you learn?
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The goals of psychology are to describe, explain, predict, and change behavior (observable actions) and mental processes (thoughts, feelings, memories, beliefs). In our department, we focus on four major themes throughout the undergraduate curriculum: (1) psychology is a science; (2) behavior is a function of person variables, environmental variables, and the interaction of person and environment; (3) psychology has evolved in a socio-historical context, and its major theoretical perspectives reflect this phenomenon; and (4) socio-cultural context influences how psychological concepts are understood and applied.
IUPUI psychology specialties include: psychobiology of addictions, health psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, severe mental illness, stereotyping and prejudice.
The psychology department provides our majors with a well-balanced and scientifically rigorous curriculum. Students completing an undergraduate degree in psychology will graduate with a strong background in communication skills, critical thinking, scientific methodology, ethics and diversity – skills that are in high demand.
What will you do?
With a bachelor's degree in psychology, your career opportunities will be many and varied. After graduation from IUPUI, you could go to graduate school, earning a masters or doctoral degree in psychology. This advanced training could lead to a career as a clinical or counseling psychologist, a psychology professor, a researcher, or some combination of the three. You may opt for another professional school, such as law, physical therapy, or medical school. Many of our majors plan to earn a masters degree in social work. Your psychology background would be extremely helpful in any of those career paths.
However, the vast majority of undergraduates who major in psychology do not go on to earn advanced degrees. Instead, they take a job immediately after graduation. Because our graduates can think critically about behavior and mental processes, they can use their knowledge in almost any setting. Although the job possibilities are too long to list, psychology majors can be found in mental health services, social service, child development, and human resources.
Learn more about career resources and opportunities for Psychology majors.

Student researches the relationship between skin conductance and pain disorders
Jenya Chumin Psychology, Neuroscience, Undergraduate