Psychology

"You can’t forget that it is the men and women who populate the armed forces of the United States who are the decisive advantage, because you can’t copy the human dimension.”

- GEN Martin Dempsey

Why Psychology?

• Psychology is interdisciplinary - the study of psychology investigates human behavior, cognition, and emotion by analyzing the complex interactions between environmental, social, cultural, organizational, and biological influences.     
• Psychology majors can be found in every sector of the professional world: in the military, industrial, retail, non-profit, consulting, academic, and research & development sectors.
• Organizational Psychology is ranked as the #1 fastest growing career fields in America by the US Department of Labor.
• As an Army leader you must understand and influence people as individuals, and their effectiveness as a unit.

Psychology is the Key to the Human Dimension

Psychology is immensely applicable for future Army officers. You will gain skills and knowledge that allow you to better understand the people you will lead. You will apply the lessons learned in the major every day in a variety of settings. Make your life better, understand your world and the people in it – major in Psychology! The study of psychology is interdisciplinary and investigates human behavior, cognition, and emotion by analyzing the complex interactions between environmental, social, cultural, and biological influences. 

Student Goals

Leaders teach, train and counsel. Good teaching and training enhance proficiency and build the self-confidence necessary to confront difficult tasks. Sensitive and insightful counseling ensures discipline, lifts morale and promotes the cohesion essential to keep going under the most stressful conditions. The Psychology Program will help you acquire these skills. You will start by learning how to frame questions, generate alternative solutions, gain information and make decisions. You will then learn how people learn and develop; finally, you will use this knowledge to learn how to help others develop and become more effective in their service to the nation.

Student Outcomes

• Understand how to build effective teams
• Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to be an adaptive leader  
• Understand how to impact individual motivation, organizational culture, and personal/unit resiliency 
• Understand the roots of prejudice, violence, and aggression and how to reduce and resolve conflict  
• Understand how to leverage diversity constructively to make units more effective
• Be able to manage difficult situations and high-stress environments 
• Develop the interpersonal and counseling skills required of leaders 
• Understand interventions that can reduce distress in Soldiers and their families

The major offers a pre-med track for those interested in medical school.

Applied Track

Focused on applying knowledge of psychology to improve the development, performance, and well-being of individuals (soldiers) 

Organizational Track

Focused on applying knowledge of psychology to select and develop leaders, and improve the effectiveness of groups, teams, and organizations. 

Watch this video on choosing Psychology as your major.

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To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership.