Psychology is a diverse discipline committed to the understanding of the origins, processes, and applied significance of human and animal behavior.
The study of behavior and its determinants lies at the heart of our understanding of numerous systems ranging from the biological to the economic and social. Professions like medicine, law, and business, as well as the social and life science disciplines, are intricately connected to a behavioral substrate. The most compelling reason to major in psychology should derive from your interest in probing the complexities of this behavioral and psychological substrate. While only a minority of psychology majors go on to become academic or professional psychologists, this emphasis on the understanding of the complexity of behavioral systems and principles serves students well in all their future endeavors.
At Duke, the psychology major, like other Arts and Science majors, prepares students to become well rounded, liberally educated citizens. It also is an excellent base for proceeding to advanced graduate training in the behavioral, social, biological, and health related sciences. While there are few Bachelor degree employment options directly in psychology, a B.A. or B.S. in psychology is excellent preparation for nearly any life endeavor in which an understanding of human behavior is important. Employers understand this virtue, as well as the students themselves who have benefited from the major.
