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Psychology

Psychology is a scientific discipline that employs systematic methods of inquiry to study and explain human and animal behavior, both normal and abnormal, in terms of a variety of underlying variables, including neural, physiological, and cognitive processes; developmental factors and individual differences; and social and interpersonal influences and contexts. There are three undergraduate majors* and three undergraduate minors offered at UCLA:

Majors
1. Psychology (BA)
2. Cognitive Science (BS)
3. Psychobiology (BS)

Minors
1. Applied Developmental Psychology
2. Gerontology
3. Cognitive Science

*A specialization in Computing is offered to all three majors

Contact InformationContact Information

UCLA Department of Psychology
Undergraduate Advising Office
1531 Franz Hall
Box 951563
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563
310.825.2730
310.206.5895 (fax)
undergraduate@psych.ucla.edu

Career Center
Strathmore Building, Floors 2&3
501 Westwood Plaza
310.206.1915
Internship and Study Abroad
310.825.0831
career.ucla.edu

Graduate School

If you are planning to continue your education, it is important to start planning early! There are numerous resources to assist you, including your professors, TA’s, and anyone currently working in the field. Additionally, the UCLA Psychology Department website and Career Center have useful information, workshops, that can assist you with the overall application process.

A. Web sites for Graduate Schools

 

a. www.graduateschool.com and www.petersons.com
These web sites list graduate programs across the country. Students can search by both subject area and location.

b. There are numerous areas of specialization in the field of psychology. A few examples, all offered at UCLA, can be found at the following web site: www.psych.ucla.edu/Grads/
Click on the links under “Graduate Program” for information regarding the various graduate programs in psychology at UCLA.

c. Other advanced degrees relating to the field of psychology at UCLA

  1. Psychological Studies in Education:
    1. gseis.ucla.edu/division/psych/psych.html
  2. Psychiatry:
    1. www.psychiatry.ucla.edu/
  3. Social Welfare:
    1. www.spa.ucla.edu/
  4. Sociology:
    1. www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/

B. Publications – (all available at the UCLA Career Center Lab)

  1. Peterson’s Graduate and Professional Programs, Book 1 An Overview, © 2004.
  2. Graduate Study in Psychology, © 2005
  3. Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, © 2005

Opportunities for Involvement in and around UCLA

UCLA offers a plethora of resources and opportunities for undergraduates to immerse themselves in the field of psychology. Ranging in interests from academics and publishing to fieldwork, research, and internships, UCLA Psychology students can be sure to find the proper foundation on which they can base future careers!

1. Involvement Through Academics at UCLA: Involvement Through Academics at UCLA: The Psychology Department’s website provides an invaluable source of information pertaining to various student opportunities to be involved in the field of psychology with Research, Fieldwork, and Teaching Assistantships. These opportunities can enhance your resume in career searches in psychology after graduation. Research is also an essential preparation for graduate school psychology. A few opportunities are listed below, but for a complete list, visit this link: www.psych.ucla.edu/Undergrads/research_int/

  1. The Undergraduate Psychology Journal (UPJ): It is a publication that features outstanding research work performed by undergraduates across the country. An online undergraduate journal whose primary goal is to encourage students to explore the opportunities that lie with publishing their research, and to allow them to showcase their writing for the scientific psychology community: Their website can be found at: www.studentgroups.ucla.edu/upj/index.html
  2. Psi Chi National Honor Society: Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. By joining Psi Chi, you will be able to meet other psychology majors, establish contacts with faculty, learn about research and scholarship opportunities and participate in community service activities.
    www.studentgroups.ucla.edu/psichi/
  3. Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference (PURC): Every Spring, psychology students are invited to present the research they have conducted in the field of psychology. More information can be found at: www.psych.ucla.edu/Undergrads/dept_evnts/event_purc.php
  4. Psych 196 – Research Assistantship: Did you ever want to work with a UCLA professor whose research you have admired? This course offers undergraduate students the opportunity to assist regular faculty members and graduate students in the Psychology department and earn 4 units of Upper Division course credit. Psych 196 is often taken in preparation for Psych 199.
  5. Psychology 199: Directed Individual Research and Study: Open to Psych, Psychobio, and Cog Sci majors, Psych 199 provides the opportunity for students to design and carry out their own program of study and research, under the direction of a faculty mentor in the Psychology Department. Students will submit a completed research paper to the faculty sponsor at the end of the quarter. Enforced pre-requisite: Psych 100B (Research Methods in Psychology).
    www.psych.ucla.edu/Undergrads/Internships/info_199.php

2. Involvement through Fieldwork and Internships:

  1. Psychology 195 – Fieldwork in Psychology: This course offers undergraduate students the opportunity to work (non-paid) in a community setting that has a psychological orientation and earn 4 units of upper division course credit. Students are required to work a minimum of 6 hours per week and attend a two-hour mandatory weekly seminar every Friday from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Please note that fieldwork course is not offered during summer sessions. www.psych.ucla.edu/Undergrads/research_int/info_193.php
  2. The UCLA Career Center Internship Services: You can apply your psychology degree into almost anything in your everyday life, why not a career? With a psychology degree you can virtually work in any field, and the best step to get a feel of a prospective career, is to do an internship. Internships in a wide variety of career fields, including law, business, finance, media, entertainment, public relations, engineering, science, marketing, sales, the arts, education, public affairs, social services, and government are just the beginning. The Internship Services office at the Career Center can work with you in finding and landing the perfect internship!
  3. UCLA BruinViewTM: This on-line search engine, exclusively available toUCLA students, provides you access to hundreds of online jobs and internship postings, campus interviews, an information sessions held at the UCLA Career Center. Visit our Website, Career.ucla.edu, for additional information.
  4. Student Health Advocate Program (SHA): This program provides services and resources that assist all students in attaining the optimal quality of life. Asides from treating acute physical ailments, the SHAs receive training by applying developmental and psychological theories in counseling techniques to best serve the health needs of UCLA students. More information can be found at their website: www.sha.ucla.edu or at the student health website: www.studenthealth.ucla.edu/healthed/he-volunteer.html
  5. Student Psychological Services (SPS): For current or prospective students in a graduate psychology program, SPS is an accredited training facility that offers training to graduate students in psychology and social welfare and to residents in psychiatry. They also serve as consultants and collaborate with other departments on campus; for example, they partake in the training of RA’s and Residential Life staff in undergraduate student housing. Their website can be found at: www.sps.ucla.edu/train/index.html

3. Involvement through Volunteer Work:

  1. Student Psychological Services: Provides 24-hour crisis intervention and counseling referrals at 310.825.0768. Trained volunteer listeners (any major) are sought to gain valuable skills and experience in listening, counseling, and communication, in helping people with issues such as depression, suicide, rape, and eating disorders. For information: www.sps.ucla.edu
  2. Community Counseling Service: This bilingual/bicultural mental health clinic serves primarily low- and moderate-income people over 18 years of age. The agency is primarily interested in serving Central American refugees and people who are chronically mentally ill. The services provided include individual, conjoint, family and group counseling which may focus on a variety of problems that are specific to immigrant and refugees. For more information: Michelle, 213.481.7464, 1200 Wilshire Blvd. #208, Los Angeles, CA 90017.
  3. La Shanti: A not-for-profit organization, La Shanti provides emotional support, prevention, and education services for people affected by HIV, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses. Volunteers are needed for general office support, language translation, community outreach, and many more other opportunities within the program. For more information: www.lashanti.org, or 323.962.8197 (extension *315).
  4. Los Angeles Free Clinic: The LA Free Clinic provides dental, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, health services, legal services, and mental health services primarily for children and young adults who live in the greater Los Angeles area. To volunteer call, 323.330.1617 or email volunteers@lafreeclinic.org. They have three clinic sights in the LA area. For more information, you can contact administration offices at 323.653.8622, 6043 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028. You can also check out their website for more information: www.lafreeclinic.org
  5. Planned Parenthood Los Angeles: The largest private, non-profit provider of family planning and reproductive health services has served the people of Los Angeles County for over 30 years. PPLA clients receive expert health care from a team of highly trained physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physicians in English and Spanish as well as other languages. For information about volunteering and internships call: 310.395.0098. For general information: 310.787.2666, www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/losangeles/
  6. Rosa Parks Sexual Assault Crisis Center: Volunteers are needed to answer the hotlines, accompany rape survivors to hospitals, and assist at the health fairs. For information: 4182 Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062, 323.290.4119. Contact person: Felicia Gray, Volunteer and Emergency Response Coordinator.
  7. Sojourn Services for Battered Women: This is a full-service domestic violence agency in Santa Monica providing crisis shelter, support groups, emergency response teams, court accompaniment, and a comprehensive children’s program. Volunteers, especially bilingual and persons of color, are needed for all programs. Training is provided twice a year. For information, contact Catalina 310.264.6646, extension 221. www.opcc.net
  8. Students Honestly Opening Up Together (SHOUT): SHOUT seeks to have a positive impact on the lives of multicultural lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals through providing referrals, peer relationships, and acceptance for students. SHOUT also attempts to provide information and increase awareness among heterosexual students. For information: 500 Kerchkoff Hall, 310.825.8053.
  9. UCLA Special Olympics: Special Olympics strives to improve the physical, emotional, and educational needs of developmentally disabled youth, by combining positive encouragement with physical fitness training. Through coach/athlete interaction, volunteers encourage the athletic participants to take pride in their abilities. For information: www.usaccsc.org (go to Projects, find Special Olympics). Contact: phone 310.206.8025, or e-mail fnpolice@ucla.edu For general information, 408 Kerckhoff Hall, 310.206.8025.
  10. Unicamp: Unicamp is one of UCLA’s oldest service programs, providing a recreational and educational summer wilderness camp experience in the mountains for underprivileged children. It also provides community service and leadership development for UCLA students. Students serve as camp counselors and are responsible for most aspects of the camp’s administration. For information: 310.208.8252, fax 310.824.1949, www.unicamp.org
  11. Venice Family Clinic: This clinic provides comprehensive primary health care that is affordable, accessible and compassionate, for people with no other access to such care. We are the largest free clinic in the nation, providing over 75,000 patient visits per year. Volunteer opportunities are open for medical providers, translators (primarily English/Spanish/Farsi and/or Russian), photocopiers, clerical children’s activity assistants, readers, fundraising support, etc. For information: www.venicefamilyclinic.org; or contact Anne-Marie Williams, Volunteer Services Supervisor at 310.664.7909.
  12. L.A. Works: L.A. Works makes it easy to volunteer by organizing free hands-on community service projects throughout greater Los Angeles. Their programs impact on all the issues facing Los Angeles including at-risk youth, education and literacy, the environment, HIV/AIDS, hunger and homelessness, and seniors. For convenience, L.A. Works projects are scheduled on weekends and after work hours. For more information, check out L.A. Works’ website: www.laworks.com

4. Publications/Web sites:

  1. Volunteer Match: www.volunteermatch.com Search for internships online using specialized categories such as interest and location.
  2. Rainbow Resource Directory: Listings of social services resources across Los Angeles. (Available in the Career Center)

Careers – What can I do with my Psychology Degree?

Students with a degree in psychology are employed in a wide variety of occupations after graduation. A career choice should be based on a thorough exploration of various alternatives so that your interests, abilities, and values are related as closely as possible to your work. The UCLA Career Center has many resources to assist you in this journey.

Where do Psychology majors work?*

Psychology majors work in wide variety of industries. As many as 75%, work with fields that are not closely related to psychology. About 50% work for businesses and corporations in the private, for-profit sector. Another 13% are self-employed and in their own business or practice. The government sector employs 16% and 14% of psychology majors work for educational institutions. The remaining 9% work in the private, non-profit sector for tax-exempt or charitable organizations. Less than 25% of psychology majors work in jobs that are closely related to the field of psychology; that’s because many of the jobs in the field of psychology require specializations and advanced degrees.

* College Majors Handbook, 2nd edition. (2004) Fogg, N., Harrington, P., and Harrington, T. Published by JIST Works in Indianapolis, IN.

A. Examples of Careers for Psychology Majors:

Academic Advising
Admissions/Financial Aid
Bank Management
Community Services
Court/Juvenile Services
Educational Services
Employment Services
Government/Legislative Services
Human Resources
Insurance Claims/Underwriter
Law Enforcement/Police
Market Research
Private/Nonprofit Management
Property Management

Purchasing
Residential Services
Stocks/Bonds Sales
Substance Abuse Services
Teaching
Travel Services
Youth Services
Advertising
Child/Youth/Elder Care
Consulting Services
Customer Services
Employee Relations
Financial Services

Hotel Management
Manufacturing/Production
Military Service
Production/Quality Control
Public Relations/Media Services
Real Estate Sales
Restaurant Management
Retail/Wholesale Sales
Special Populations Services
Supply Management
Technical Writing
Volunteer Services

There are many sources to help you find out what the above careers entail! Don’t pick a career without having an accurate assessment of job responsibilities, requirements, salary and other pertinent information. Visit the UCLA Career Center for resources to assist with all your internship, job, and graduate school preparations.

The first step to utilizing the resources of the UCLA Career Center is to attend a 15 minute drop-in counseling session. Visit our website, career.ucla.edu for current drop-in counseling schedules.

How can I find these jobs?

The UCLA Career Center can assist you with career exploration, job search strategies, resume writing and interview preparation. (career.ucla.edu)

The UCLA Alumni Networking also provides great opportunities for you to interact and connect with fellow Bruin Alumnus, specializing in psychology! (www.uclalumni.net)

For career opportunities at UCLA, visit the UCLA Campus Human Resource website at www.chr.ucla.edu/cjo/html/bulletins.html

Other References and Websites:

Additionally, listed below are websites with references to Psychology. They carry career information, internships, and other career opportunities.

National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov
American Psychological Association: www.apa.org
American Psychological Society: www.psychologicalscience.org
Psychonomic Society: www.psychonomic.org
California Psychological Association: www.calpsychlink.org
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute: www.npi.ucla.edu
UCLA Brain Mapping Center: www.brainmapping.org
American Psychologist: www.apa.org/journals/amp.html
Social Psychology Network: www.socialpsychology.org
Journal of Neuroscience: www.jneurosci.org
Monitor on Psychology: www.apa.org/monitor


This handout was created by Diala Haddin, Career Center Intern and Matt Fox, Career Counselor and revised on July 10th, 2006.
 
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