Mapping your Psychology Major

Please note that sample four-year plans are examples. Students, in consultation with their advisor, will discuss an individualized degree plan reflecting their academic preparation, interests and goals. Actual sequences will vary based on course availability, need for developmental coursework, and student preference. For complete information on degree requirements, reference the Undergraduate Course Catalog at hood.smartcatalogiq.com.

Year One

Year Two

Year Three (Example A)

Year Three (Example B)

Year Four

NOTES:

1. PSY 101, PSY 211, and PSY 312 must be completed with a grade of C- or better to count in the major and to fulfill the prerequisite for higher level courses.

2. Statistics courses completed in another discipline will fulfill the requirement but will not count toward the 38-credit minimum in psychology courses.

3. Selection of ‘Year 3’ PSY courses will require consultation with faculty advisor.

4. A PSY course taken to fulfill the Holistic Wellness portion of the Core may also serve as the required major PSY elective. Thus, students taking a PSY Holistic Wellness course are not required to take an additional PSY-prefixed elective in their third year.

5. We encourage all majors to complete multiple high-impact learning experiences in addition to required coursework, such as a research assistantship, internship, study abroad, departmental honors project etc.

6. In consultation with faculty advisor, consider appropriate double major, minor(s), or certificates.

7. Those wishing to pursue graduate school should consult with their faculty advisor as early as possible to discuss feasibility as well as appropriate extracurricular experiences and research opportunities.

8. All majors must take the ETS's Major Specific Test in their senior year and meet a proficient standard.

Learning, Self-Exploration, and Academic Excellence

The Hood College Center for Career Development and Experiential Education is here to support you through your four-year educational journey. Whether you are headed toward additional educational pursuits after graduation or on to the exciting world of work, we recommend that you investigate all your opportunities through three distinct types of exploration. These include Cultivating knowledge of your major and occupations related to your studies, Engaging in activities that give you hands-on experience, and taking practical steps toward Preparing for life after college. Below are three tables that will help you understand these areas and associated activities. Want to know more? Meet with a counselor in the Career Center. Email careers@hood.edu to make an appointment. 

Cultivate

Explore your Major and Related Occupations

Year 1

• Explore careers in sociology through the Hood College psychology website. Explore the backgrounds of faculty and learn about course offerings.
• Visit the What Can I Do With the Major? and the CareerOneStop websites.
• Take the O*NET Interest Profiler to learn more about additional areas of career interest.
• Meet with Career Center staff to begin developing a resume and CV.

Year 2

• Visit with a counselor in the Career Center to update your resume and CV.

Year 3

• Update your resume and CV to include classes from the previous year and any experiences that are relevant, including employment or those related to psychology.
• Engage in your internship; enroll in PSY 399 to gain work experience and college credit after gaining approval from a faculty member in the Psychology & Counseling Department.

Year 4

• Update your resume and CV to include classes from the previous year and any experiences that are relevant, including employment or those related to psychology. Be sure to include your research skills.
• If you’re planning to apply to graduate school, meet with the Career Center and your faculty advisor to review your CV early in the fall semester.
• If you haven't already, engage in your internship; enroll in PSY 399 to gain work experience and college credit after gaining approval from a faculty member in the Psychology & Counseling Department.

Engage

Locally and Globally

Year 1

• Explore club and engagement opportunities such as Psychology Club.

Year 2

• Work with a Career Center counselor to identify alumni working in mental health. Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni pursuing mental health careers.
• Shadow professionals or alumni who work in the field.
• Participate in Career Center workshops on interviewing for success.
• If you’re interested in going to graduate school, volunteer in a faculty member’s lab to gain research experience.

Year 3

• If you’re planning to apply to graduate school in your senior year, meet with the Career Center and your faculty advisor to review your CV in the spring semester and to learn about exams you may need to take to apply.
• Attend Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and how to conduct a job search.
• Work with a Career Center counselor to identify alumni working in mental health. Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni pursuing mental health careers.

Year 4

• Consider who will be able to write you great letters of recommendation for graduate school or recommend you to a future employer. Talk to those individuals to verify that they’re willing to offer their recommendation.
• Work with a Career Center counselor to identify alumni working in mental health. Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni pursuing mental health careers.

Prepare

For Post-Graduation Success

Year 1

• Attend the Fall and Spring Community Engagement Fairs to learn about not-for-profit agencies that you could volunteer with to gain experience in the field and explore your interests.
• If you’re interested in going to graduate school, volunteer in a faculty member’s lab to gain research experience.
• Consider what you’ll do in the summer. Could you engage in an opportunity to move your future career forward?

Year 2

• With a Career Center counselor in the spring, explore and consider locations for a psychology internship for your third year.
• Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers in the mental health field who may need interns.
• Regularly check the Handshake events page to see employers providing information sessions on campus.
• If considering part-time employment, work with the Career Center and consult faculty to learn about opportunities within the field.

Year 3

• Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair and/or STEM Career Expo to meet directly with employers in the mental health field who may need psychology interns or who might make good future employers.
• Select part-time jobs and internships in your field of interest.
• If you’re interested in going to graduate school, volunteer in a faculty member’s lab to gain research experience.
• Attend conferences of professional associations. Consider presenting your research at a conference with the help of a faculty member.

Year 4

• Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair and/or STEM Career Expo to meet directly with employers in the mental health field who may be recruiting psychology new hires.
• If you’re interested in going to graduate school, volunteer in a faculty member’s lab to gain research experience.
• Attend conferences of professional associations. Consider presenting your research at a conference with the help of a faculty member.

• Utilize resources at the Library and Learning Commons
• Meet regularly with your academic adviser
• Work with tutors at the Writing Center
• Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships

Learn more about careers in psychology: whatcanidowiththismajor.com

• Direct care:
  • Counseling
  • Psychotherapy
  • Applied behavior analysis
  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Case management
  • Mental health services
  • Physical health and wellness
  • Crisis work
  • Rehabilitation services (e.g., speech, physical, vocational therapies)
  • Performance enhancement
  • Testing/Assessment
  • Law enforcement
• Federal government:
  • Health and Human Services
  • Justice
  • Veterans Affairs
• State government:
  • Departments of Human Services
  • Departments of Mental Health
  • Departments of Justice
  • Community mental health centers
  • State psychiatric hospitals
  • Facilities for individuals with intellectual impairments
  • Boards of probation and parole
• Local government
• Senior citizens’ centers
• Nursing homes
• Social service/Nonprofit organizations
• Religiously-affiliated service organizations
• Hospitals/Healthcare providers
• Private psychiatric facilities
• Outpatient clinics
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• College and university counseling centers and career centers
• Pain clinics
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Testing centers
• Private practice

Explore more career opportunities in psychology: onetonline.org