Should I Change My Major To Psychology?

Many college students change their major at least once before graduating. Are you unsatisfied with your current major? Perhaps you're considering changing your major to psychology.

If so, keep reading. In this article, we'll answer questions about if changing your major to psychology is a good idea or not.

Should You Change Your Major in College?

Perhaps you're still on the fence about whether changing majors, in general, is a good idea. What are the benefits and drawbacks?

Students who aren't happy with their current major or decide they want to pursue a different career path often decide to change majors. There are many good reasons to do this.

For example, if your career interests change, choosing a different major may be necessary. If you start out wanting to be an engineer but decide halfway through college that you want to be a counselor, changing to a psychology degree may be ideal.

When changing majors, however, it's good to keep in mind that you may have to spend extra time in school and extra money on tuition. This is especially true for those who change their major late in the game.

Many schools encourage their students to pick a major by late in their sophomore year and not change majors after their junior year. This is because core course requirements will vary for different majors.

That said, you can technically change to a different major at any point in your college career; but it will take longer to graduate and you may end up with more student debt if you wait.

Is Psychology a Good Major?

Whether or not psychology is a good major for you will depend on your interests and career goals. In general, a degree in psychology can help you develop many marketable skills for a variety of careers.

For example, majoring in psychology teaches skills such as research and problem-solving, stress management, scientific literacy, and a solid understanding of personality traits and differences.

These skills can be applied to a variety of careers whether you pursue a psychology-related field or not.

That said, if you are thinking of changing your major to psychology, this is most likely because you want to pursue a career in psychology.

Psychology is a good major for students looking to get into counseling, research, education, social work, or healthcare. But it is often a generic degree, making you eligible for entry-level work only.

If you are interested in becoming a more specialized psychologist, such as a clinical psychologist, you will need to pursue a master's or doctoral degree as well.

So, in short, psychology is a good, versatile major for students interested in developing marketable skills or getting their foot in the door in a wide range of careers.

But you may need to pursue additional education if you hope to advance in your career.

Should I Change My Major to Psychology?

Before deciding whether to change your major to psychology, it's a good idea to ask yourself some questions and consider what you want to do with your career and education moving forward.

How Much of Your Degree Have You Completed?

First off, how far are you into your current major? How many core courses have you completed? How many of those will translate into a psychology major? How many additional courses will you have to take?

If you are thinking about changing your major, talk with your academic adviser as soon as possible to find out what it will take to fulfill the requirements of a psychology degree.

What Are Your Career Goals?

Secondly, are you hoping to pursue a psychology-related career path? What specific career are you considering? Is changing your major to psychology necessary to pursue that career?

Many employers are less concerned about the specific degree you have and more interested in your skills. Similar majors can lead to similar types of careers.

If you are currently pursuing a degree in social work, for example, changing to a psychology degree may not be necessary because you can pursue many of the same types of jobs with either degree.

On the other hand, if you are pursuing a more specialized degree, such as nursing or pre-law, you may decide you don't want to pursue that career. You may want to keep your job options more open.

In that case, changing to a psychology degree may be a good idea.

Are You Passionate About Psychology?

Finally, ask yourself if you are really passionate about psychology. The major and many of the careers it leads to often involve conducting research, collaborating with others, and solving complex problems.

If you decide that you have a passion for the subject, want to pursue a psychology-related career, and need to change your major to do so, then switching to a psychology major may be the best move for you.

Consider Changing Your Major to Psychology Today

Psychology is a popular major that can lead to a wide variety of career opportunities. If you are considering changing your major to psychology, consider the factors discussed above and get in touch with your academic adviser for personalized advice.