A Guide to the Best Undergraduate Psychology Programs

Everything You Need to Know About the Best Undergraduate Psychology Programs

Kayla Kaszyca

January 21, 2020

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Everything You Need to Know about the Best Undergraduate Psychology Programs

Do you ever find yourself looking at someone and trying to figure out what makes them tick? Are you curious about how the brain works? Do you enjoy helping your friends when they aren’t feeling like themselves? Then psychology might be the right major for you. If you’re considering pursuing the field, you’re probably wondering what are the best undergraduate psychology programs out there.

When you think of psychology, your mind might conjure images of psychiatrists helping patients as they lay on chez lounges, doctors looking at brain scans, or researchers interviewing participants. Although all of these scenarios could be in your future (minus the presence of a chez lounge, perhaps), these aren’t the only things you can do with a degree in psychology. 

Psychology majors can go on to be many things besides doctors or researchers – they could be marketing managers, human resources specialists, educators, advertising executives, career counselors, anything. I myself received a degree in psychology from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and now work at InGenius Prep! Learning about how people’s minds work and what motivates them can help in many different fields.

So you know psychology could help you reach your career goals and you’re interested in studying it. Now what do you do? In this blog, I’ve outlined the best undergraduate psychology programs, what each of these programs has to offer, as well as tips for preparing to major in psychology while in high school. 

The Best Undergraduate Psychology Programs in the Country

Though most universities offer psychology programs, you may be interested in attending one of the best undergraduate psychology programs. These schools have renowned faculty as well as some of the most accomplished research labs.

Below is a list of the universities that are home to US News’ 20 best undergraduate psychology programs, along with their locations:

School Name
Location
Ranking
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
1
University of California – Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
1
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
3
University of California – Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
3
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
3
Yale University
New Haven, CT
3
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
7
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
8
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
8
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN
8
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
8
University of Texas – Austin
Austin, TX
8
University of California – San Diego
La Jolla, CA
13
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
13
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Madison, WI
13
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
13
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
17
Columbia University
New York, NY
17
Duke University
Durham, NC
17
Indiana University – Bloomington
Bloomington, IN
17

As you can see, this list contains a variety of different schools, from Ivy League institutions to schools that don’t rank among the top 20 schools nationwide. Just because a school has a famous name doesn’t mean it has a strong program in any given field. If you are truly passionate about psychology, you should focus on the strength of a school’s psychology department rather than the name or competitiveness of the overall institution.

What do the Different Undergraduate Psychology Programs Have to Offer?

At the core of all of the best undergraduate psychology programs is a general education in psychology concepts. As you progress through a given program, you will be able to take courses in more concentrated areas such as social psychology or neuroscience. At some schools like Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Illinois, you are able to declare a concentration or track for your specific area of interest.

There is also the research and lab courses component. At many of the best undergraduate psychology programs, taking research classes is required for graduation. These schools also offer opportunities outside of the classroom such as working in faculty labs or conducting independent research. I found that the lab courses at the University of Michigan helped me apply the knowledge I learned in class, such as statistical analysis. Whether you plan to become a researcher or not, these courses can be extremely valuable. 

The areas of academic specialty, research opportunities, as well as student organizations for psychology majors at some of the best undergraduate psychology programs are listed below:

School Name
Opportunities
Stanford University
Specialized academic tracks include Cognitive Sciences, Health and Development, Mind, Culture, and Society, and Neuroscience. Research opportunities include independent research for course credit and the psych-summer program. Honors students will partake in a year of intensive, supervised independent research culminating in a senior honors thesis. Student organizations include the Stanford University Psychology Association (SUPA).
University of California – Berkeley
Research opportunities include independent study courses and the research participation program which allows students to earn credit by participating in faculty research experiments. Seniors may complete a year of intensive independent research culminating in an honors thesis. Student organizations include the Association of Psychology Undergraduates, Psi Chi (The International Honors Society in Psychology), Psychology at Berkeley (Undergraduate Journal), and the PsychologiCAL Committee.
Harvard University
Academic concentration tracks include the General Track, the Cognitive Science Track, and Cognitive Neuroscience and Evolutionary Psychology. The Mind Brain Behavior program also includes a concentration in psychology. Students may choose a secondary track if they wish to study more than one. Research opportunities include independent study courses, lab courses, and working in faculty labs. Seniors may complete a year of intensive independent research culminating in an honors thesis.
University of California – Los Angeles
Academic majors include Psychology, Cognitive Science and Psychobiology. Research opportunities include research assistantships and independent research courses. Fieldwork courses that allow students to intern in community settings are available. Students who partake in the honors program complete a year of individual study that culminates in an honors thesis. Student organizations include Psi Chi (the National Honor Society in Psychology), Undergraduate Research Journal of Psychology (URJP), and the Cognitive Science Student Association.
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Academic majors include Psychology and Biopsychology, Cognition, Neuroscience (BCN). Research opportunities include research courses, working in faculty labs, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), and the participation pool which allows students to earn credit by participating in faculty research experiments. Service-Learning courses give students the opportunity to work in the community while earning credit. Seniors may complete a year of intensive independent research culminating in an honors thesis. Specialized programs include the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program and the STAR Scholars Program (Students Tackling Advanced Research). Student organizations include Psi Chi (the National Honor Society in Psychology), the Michigan Association of Psychology Scholars (MAPS), and the Undergraduate Psychological Society (UPS).
Yale University
Academic majors include the standard Psychology major and the Neuroscience track. Research opportunities include working in faculty labs, independent study courses, and directed research courses. All seniors must complete a senior essay, which is similar to a thesis. If students wish to receive a Bachelor of Science (BS) or graduate with distinction, this essay must include original research. Student organizations include the Yale Neuroscience Education Undergraduate Research Organization.
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
Academic concentrations include Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical/Community Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, Diversity Science, Intradisciplinary Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Personality Psychology, and Social Psychology. Research opportunities include beginner and advanced research lab courses. Community internships are available in the following areas: the Counseling Center Paraprofessional Program, the Cunningham Children’s Home Internship, the Social Just Educator Paraprofessional Program, and Mindfulness. The honors program offers a three-semester sequence of courses that culminates in a bachelor’s thesis. Students not in the honors program may complete a bachelor’s thesis through the capstone program. Student organizations include the Human Resources Psychology Organization, the Clinical-Community Psychology Students’ Organization, the Undergraduate Psychology Association and Psi Chi, the Child Development Research Committee, and the Association of Minority Psychologists.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Academic majors include Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Computation and Cognition, which is a Cognitive Science and Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences dual major. Research opportunities include the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Student organizations include the Brain and Cognitive Sciences Society and the Brain Trust.
Princeton University
Psychology majors may receive certificates of study (similar to minors) in the following areas: Cognitive Science, Applications of Computing, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Language and Culture, or Linguistics. Research opportunities include working in faculty labs. All students must complete Junior Papers and Senior Independent Work, which culminates in a thesis.
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Research opportunities include directed research courses and the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Students have the opportunity to gain course credit for their internships and to take service-learning courses through the Psychology major. The honors program allows students to conduct original research that culminates in an honors thesis. Student organizations include the Psychology Club and Psi Chi, the Psychology International Student Association (PISA), the Industrial-Organizational Psychology Club (IOPC), and the Association of Black Psychology Students.

Research opportunities, including the ability to conduct original studies and write a thesis, are a staple of the best undergraduate psychology programs. What will differentiate these experiences are the faculty and labs you will be able to work with on each campus. If you are especially interested in research, look into the specific topics that the faculty labs study to find if any in particular interest you. 

While some of the best undergraduate psychology programs offer additional out-of-class opportunities such as field work, others do not. If you hope to gain more hands-on experience during college, then schools like the University of Michigan, which offers service-learning courses, or the University of Illinois, which offers community internships, might be right for you. 

What to do if You Want to Study Psychology

If you’re interested in studying psychology in one of the best undergraduate psychology programs, you’re probably wondering what you can do while still in high school to start your education and show this interest on college applications. Below are some suggestions for getting involved in the field before college:

Take AP Psychology: My AP Psychology course was what ultimately caused me to want to study psychology further in college. This class’s curriculum covers much of the same material as a college introduction to psychology course, so it will give you a good idea of what you will learn in the field. And at some universities, a high enough score on the AP test will allow you to gain college credit and perhaps skip the introductory psychology course. Having this class on your transcript can show how you’ve actively pursued your academic interest. Start a Wellness Club: If you have a passion for helping others, founding a wellness or mental health group at your school is a great option. Try starting support groups for your classmates who struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses. Invite experts to give talks about topics that impact students and teenagers. Research coping and stress management techniques and share them with your peers.Volunteer with Students Receiving Special Education Services: Students who suffer from learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and mental health issues often receive specialized education services from their schools. Reach out the Special Ed teachers at your school to learn how you can aid these students. This will give you the opportunity to simultaneously learn how psychology affects people’s day-to-day lives and help your peers.Attend Lectures: Research the universities in your local area and find out if their classes and lectures are open to the public. Attending lectures will allow you to get an idea of what your classes will be like when you’re in college. You may also be able to make valuable connections with psychology professors or talk about what you gained from the experience in your college essays.Conduct Research: Doing research can help solidify psychology concepts that you learn. Try reaching out to professors to ask if you can volunteer in their lab or talk to them about their research. This will give you real-life experience utilizing concepts, will give you university connections, and will make for excellent, concrete experiences to put on your application. 

Many schools ask about your academic area of interest in their supplemental essays. For example, Yale asks “Students at Yale have plenty of time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the list provided.” Having first-hand experiences with college-level psychology courses and research would make excellent additions to these essays.

Choosing the best undergraduate psychology program can be a difficult process, but if you start engaging in the subject early, the decision will undoubtedly become easier. Spend time reading and learning about the different concentrations within psychology and find which ones speak to you. Understanding your interests better will help you learn which type of program will benefit you the most. Good luck!

Tags :best undergraduate psychology programs,psychology major,best colleges for psychology,best psychology programs,psychology major in college

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