For many people, psychology is the profession that understands or cures the mentally ill. These images, while legitimate, represent only two specialty areas of psychology counseling psychology and psychotherapy. Some psychologists are referred to as social or behavioral scientists.
Scientific psychologists study behaviors through use of research methods including experiments.
At the end of this brochure, you will find descriptions of some of the many subfields of psychology. Psychology now ranks as the second most popular undergraduate major, just under business administration. With a doctoral degree, you can teach at colleges and universities and independently conduct research. In addition, if you acquire from your state a license to practice psychology, then you also can have a private practice, work in a psychiatric unit in a public or private hospital, or direct a mental health clinic or program. These psychologists seek to develop tools and techniques that are tailored to the cultural behaviors and worldviews of persons of color.