Psychology, General.

Degree Overview

Psychology, General (CIP 42.0101) is a foundational social science field focused on understanding human behavior, thought, emotion, and mental processes. This degree examines why people think, feel, and act the way they do—both individually and in groups—using scientific methods, research, and evidence-based theory. Psychology sits at the intersection of science and humanity, combining biology, statistics, social science, and critical thinking to explain behavior across everyday life, work, health, relationships, and society.

For a degree search site, Psychology, General represents one of the most versatile and widely applicable majors in higher education. Psychological knowledge is relevant to nearly every profession that involves people—which is almost all of them. This degree appeals to students who are curious about human nature, interested in mental health or behavior, and want a broad academic foundation that supports many different career paths, including graduate study, healthcare, business, education, and public service.

What Is a Psychology Degree?

A Psychology, General degree is an undergraduate program that introduces students to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Rather than focusing on one narrow specialty, this degree provides broad exposure to multiple areas of psychology, allowing students to explore interests before specializing later.

This degree typically emphasizes:

• Scientific approaches to studying behavior
• Biological, cognitive, emotional, and social processes
• Research methods and statistical analysis
• Ethical standards in psychological science
• Application of psychology to real-world problems

Colleges and universities offer this degree to:

• Provide a strong foundation for advanced study in psychology
• Prepare students for people-centered careers
• Develop critical thinking and research skills
• Support interdisciplinary applications of behavioral science

Psychology, General is one of the most common and flexible majors in higher education.

What Will You Learn?

Students learn how psychologists study behavior using observation, experimentation, and data analysis. You’ll explore how the brain influences behavior, how people learn and remember, how personality develops, and how social environments shape decision-making.

Rather than memorizing opinions, psychology trains students to evaluate evidence, test hypotheses, and think scientifically about human behavior.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Graduates typically develop skills such as:

• Understanding human behavior—explaining actions and motivations
• Research and experimental design—testing psychological questions
• Statistical analysis—interpreting behavioral data
• Critical thinking—evaluating claims and evidence
• Written and verbal communication—explaining complex ideas clearly
• Ethical reasoning—handling sensitive human data responsibly
• Observation and analysis—identifying patterns in behavior
• Interpersonal awareness—understanding emotions and social dynamics

These skills are highly transferable across many industries.

Topics You May Explore

Coursework in a psychology program commonly includes:

• Introduction to Psychology: core concepts and subfields
• Biological Psychology: brain, nervous system, and behavior
• Cognitive Psychology: thinking, memory, perception, and language
• Developmental Psychology: human growth across the lifespan
• Social Psychology: group behavior and social influence
• Personality Psychology: individual differences
• Abnormal Psychology: mental disorders and diagnosis
• Research Methods and Statistics: data-driven analysis
• Ethics in Psychology: professional and research standards

Many programs allow electives in health psychology, forensic psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, or neuroscience.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

A Psychology, General degree prepares students for entry-level roles in people-focused fields and serves as a gateway to graduate and professional education. Career outcomes depend heavily on whether students pursue further training.

Common career paths include:

• Mental Health or Human Services Assistant: support roles
• Case Manager or Social Services Coordinator: community programs
• Human Resources or Talent Specialist: workplace behavior roles
• Marketing or Consumer Research Assistant: behavior analysis
• Research Assistant: academic or applied research
• Behavioral Health Technician: clinical support roles
• Graduate or Professional School Path: psychology, counseling, social work, law, or medicine

Becoming a licensed psychologist requires graduate-level education.

Where Can You Work?

Graduates work in environments that focus on people and behavior:

• Healthcare and mental health organizations
• Schools and educational institutions
• Business, HR, and corporate offices
• Nonprofits and social service agencies
• Government and public policy organizations
• Research institutes and universities
• Marketing and analytics firms

Psychology graduates are valued for their understanding of human behavior and communication.

How Much Can You Earn?

Earnings vary widely depending on education level and role.

Typical ranges include:

• Entry-level psychology-related roles: often $35,000–$50,000
• HR, marketing, or case management roles: commonly $45,000–$70,000
• Licensed psychologists or specialists: often $80,000–$120,000+

Graduate degrees significantly increase earning potential.

Is This Degree Hard?

Psychology, General is considered moderately challenging academically. While it is less math-intensive than engineering or physics, it requires strong reading, writing, statistics, and critical thinking skills. Success depends on understanding research methods and interpreting data accurately.

The challenge lies in applying scientific thinking to complex human behavior.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a strong fit if you:

• Are curious about human behavior and mental processes
• Enjoy reading, writing, and discussion
• Want a flexible major with many career options
• Are interested in mental health, education, or business
• Are considering graduate or professional school

How to Prepare in High School

To prepare for a psychology program:

• Take biology, statistics, and social science courses
• Develop strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills
• Practice data interpretation and basic statistics
• Learn about mental health and human development
• Participate in volunteer or peer-support activities

Psychology, General (CIP 42.0101) is a powerful degree for students who want to understand people—and use that understanding to make an impact. It provides scientific insight into behavior, strong analytical and communication skills, and unmatched flexibility across careers. Whether used as a standalone degree or a foundation for advanced study, psychology remains one of the most adaptable and enduring majors in higher education.