<p>I'm a first year transfer student (junior) currently pursuing a BFA in graphic design. Finishing up the first semester, this major is leaving me with a very uncomfortable (career wise) feeling. My grades are great but in the long run I know this field won't be satisfying.
Psychology has always been my ideal major but I felt it may be too difficult (as math and science are not my strong points). As this semester is wrapping up I'm about ready to talk to my advisor about switching.
Before changing majors I would like some advice from current psychology undergrads. How much (after general credits) of a psych major involves specific math or science credits?
Any advice/suggestions are appreciated.</p>
<p>Personally, I think visual communication is extremely relevant to many fields. For example, my D is planning a business major and I am encouraging her study of design and the like. Perhaps your program is too focused on a single aspect of design, like say fonts. This may well be an unwise specialization -- I do not know. But the study of visual and interactive communication seems like a good bet.</p>
<p>The only relevant math for Psychology is statistics which you need to <em>really</em> understand at the conceptual level. Out of curiously, what specifically appeals to you about Psych?</p>
<p>My close family members have told me numerous times I would make an ideal psychologist (before going to college). < not really a valid reason, but you get the point.
I took a couple psych classes at a community college and loved them. I would like to understand the field further.<br>
I also feel more confident about the job outlook in terms of $ and security (with at least a masters).
In the long term I feel like I would be more satisfied with myself if I was helping/understanding people on a personal level. Maybe because I've spent so much time searching to understand myself that I feel it may be of benefit to others.
At the moment design feels like a hobby, not a career choice.
I should also mention that if I do switch, art will be my minor. Personally I think psychology plays the most important role in art.</p>
<p>Graphic design is also very amenable to freelance. The Math/Science part is minimal. Make sure you really pay attention in statistics.
Sounds like a plan. Go for it.</p>
<p>Nightfly is correct that almost all psychology undergraduate majors are required to take at least one semester of statistics. Many programs are also offering and sometimes requiring a course in neuroscience and/or physiological psychology which is the study of the brain and its relation to behavior. Beyond these courses there are no specific science/math courses for most programs. However to practice psychology you need to obtain a Ph.D. (or a PsyD) which will likely involve a calculus based statistics course. At the graduate level psychology is very much a science and understanding other sciences is becoming more and more a must to do well because of the increasing level of integration among the sciences. If the idea of research is a turn off you might want to pursue social work as an alternative.</p>
<p>have you looked into art therapy? it would combine your two interests. general psychology has a lot to do with science- most introductory classes focus on the brain and cognitive processes, and as already stated, at least one stats class will be required.</p>
<p>I would encourage you to complete at least one upper-division psych course before committing yourself. Community college courses may or may not have provided a good sense of what the field is like. It's always good to be extra-sure about entering a field with such a tight job market.</p>
<p>I think it's failry common for psych programs to have their students taking at least some biology courses.</p>
<p>Biology is hardly ever a prerequisite course to fullfill the requirements for a psychology major. Advisors will recommend natural science courses as part of a good preparation, but they are rarely required.</p>
<p>Thanks for the good advice so far.
Mary, I read the job market for psych is supposed to increase faster than average. I don't think that there will be near as much oversaturation in psych as there currently (always) is in the art field.
On the topic of art or music therapy, i've considered both. What drew me to psych was the percieved level of job safety and generous income I would have. Art is extremely competetive and jobs are sporadic.
Am I wrong in believing this?</p>
<p>Last I heard, psychology, as a major, is not only the most common, but also the fastest growing!</p>
<p>Alright, mo10e, I though more psych programs had their students take a bio class or two. Do you think that, at the very least, it's very likely that one bio heavy psych class will be required of psych majors in many programs?</p>
<p>Eventually although I imagine that the prerequisite will be neuroscience which is more or less neuroanatomy and neurochemistry.</p>