Psychology Major

[concon02]

Would majoring in psychology be a beneficial thing both from an intellectual stand point and the stand point of a department looking at an applicant with this major?

[CrymsinSky]

Would majoring in psychology be a beneficial thing both from an intellectual stand point and the stand point of a department looking at an applicant with this major?

As one who has a degree in psychology, I would say it really doesn't matter too much. A bachelor's is only going to give you a summary view of all the schools of thought in the psycho world. You really don't get into the meat of the subject until you start working on a Master's and then it depends on what school of thought the university adopts in the graduate programs. It does give you a little bit of insight into why people do what they do and picking up on certain behaviorial clues. I emphasize, "a little bit."

I would steer away from a criminal justice degree. In my opinion, it's a waste. You're going to learn all you need to know about the CJ system in the academy and your street experience. If you're going to spend 20-30K on a degree, get it in something like business or education maybe. I dunno, psycho-ology is a decent degree to get...far better than a CJ degree in my opinion...unless you're going for a Master's...then a CJ degree might be good for police management.

Just my two cents.

[gotthblues]

Would majoring in psychology be a beneficial thing both from an intellectual stand point and the stand point of a department looking at an applicant with this major?

yes and no...most officers dont like psyc. atleast the state ones,,they help the dopers get their dope, so the state gets their $,,which means the officers get screwed (with EOD's), plus, most depts. only require 60 hrs, cause then you get your prereqs. math, english, reading, so on. a degree wont hurt,,but it doesnt make you a much better applic. just cause you have the paper. it will if you want to eventually get into administration,,, as far as getting a degree for psyc. sociol. or cj,,well its pretty irrelivant to the work you do on the street,,,knowing that the quakers where the founders of the penal institutions did not help me any on the street.

[Azzuri]

Would majoring in psychology be a beneficial thing both from an intellectual stand point and the stand point of a department looking at an applicant with this major?

Sure. After a few years in the job you can psycho-analyze yourself to really find out why you think the way you do..