<p>I'm interested in behavioral economics, but that's something focused on in grad school. As an undergrad, what would prepare me better? A psych or an econ degree?</p>
<p>Either will be fine; it really depends on the approach that you want to take. I know people with PhDs in both - some PhDs in psychology, and some PhDs in economics - who do research in behavioral economics. Psychologists tend to take a more experimental approach using the basic tenets of psychological research, whereas economists tend take a more theoretical approach or do field-based/survey-based research. But even that’s not strictly true 100% of the time.</p>
<p>Honestly, I would advocate a double major. If that’s not possible for some reason, then I would personally suggest majoring in economics and minoring in psychology. The reason for that is because economics, at the moment, is a more job-ready field should you change your mind and decide not to study behavioral economics. You will also get training in behavioral economics more readily as an economics major than as a general psychology major at most schools (consumer psychology and market research are classes/subfields often not treated in undergrad. In fact, undergraduates learn about a very narrow swath of subfields in college).</p>
<p>Thanks, but ya I can’t do a double since I’ve already done a year of undergrad and I’m looking to switch majors at the last moment. </p>
<p>Does your advice still stand in terms of grad school applications? Like you speak of PhDs, but do you think behavioral finance programs arent too picky based on your undergrad training (econ vs psych training)?</p>
<p>Keep in mind that if you want to do an Econ PhD program, take plenty of math courses as an undergrad.</p>