[Bamboo_RedPanda]

So I'm currently in college majoring in education, but I'm not as interested in education as I am in psychology, but I've been discouraged many times from pursuing a degree in psychology. Should I double major, or major in one and minor in another? I know I have a lot more passion and interest in psychology, but education, though not the wealthiest career choice, is probably a safer choice?

What do you all think I should do? Do you think I should double major, major/minor, or choose one and major in that.

This is my second year as an education major, so I don't know if I can really change majors, but I really do prefer psychology over education.

[Christina86]

Hi there. I graduated with my Bachelors degree in psychology.

Honestly, the 4 year undergrad degree in psychology is completely useless. Unless you're planning on pursuing a Masters or PhD/Doctorate in psychology... an undergrad degree is a lot of theory but you can't do anything once you graduate with it. (Unless you're living somewhere 'non-typical' you need a Masters degree to become a therapist at the very least).

With a degree in education, you could go into teaching (if you're doing a bachelor degree in education at least).

Depends what you want to do where a career is concerned. You could do both. Guidance counsellors in schools typically have a degree in psychology but also education experience.

I did a bachelors in psychology then a social service worker diploma. I can call myself a counsellor (not a therapist) and I can work in schools with kids as an assistant and I can work in social services but I'm not as trained or qualified as a social worker (who typically have their Masters in social work).

Have you thought about speaking to a career counsellor at your college?

[Bamboo_RedPanda]

Thank you for responding. Someone else told me I could get the degree in education and go back and get a degree for psychology, as it could be helpful, maybe I'll do something like that, or major in education, minor in psychology or something. I really do have a lot more interest in psychology though.

I'm transfering universities, so I haven't thought about talking to a career counselor, I'm hoping to discuss what could be done, what options I might have when I do get to the new university.

So would it be a good move to get a degree in both, maybe go further with one or both of them later on? What do you think?

[Bamboo_RedPanda]

Hmm, I guess my last post didn't show up (if it does later, sorry lol).

I really do have a lot more interest in psychology, but education is a better bet. Someone I know told me I should get the education degree and then go back for psychology, as it could be helpful.

I"m thinking maybe major in education and minor in psychology, get degrees in those and go back later to get a higher degree in one or both, do you all think that would be a good idea?

As I'm transferring universities right now, I haven't thought about talking to a career counselor, but was thinking about talking to the people at the new university to get their input.

[catrules]

How about becoming a school psychologist one day. You could major in education now, then go on to grad school after that in psychology

I have a bachelor's in psychology, and there is nothing to really be done with it other than become a social worker.

[IceCreamKid]

Originally Posted by Bamboo_RedPanda

Hmm, I guess my last post didn't show up (if it does later, sorry lol).

I really do have a lot more interest in psychology, but education is a better bet. Someone I know told me I should get the education degree and then go back for psychology, as it could be helpful.

I"m thinking maybe major in education and minor in psychology, get degrees in those and go back later to get a higher degree in one or both, do you all think that would be a good idea?

As I'm transferring universities right now, I haven't thought about talking to a career counselor, but was thinking about talking to the people at the new university to get their input.

Assuming you have the time and the finances, I'd double major. I'd also get over the idea of "not being able to do something with it" regarding a degree in psychology. If you have an interest in it, your interest, your willingness to pursue that interest to the point of a degree, plus an education degree will make you stand out among a sea of graduates. You can do volunteer work that will give you good experience and contacts; one doesn't always need to run the show (which might require grad degrees, licensure, etc) in order to enjoy the work. I've spent a lot of hours in classrooms. The classes I took that reflected my true interests were what got me work and have kept me employed for lo, these many years--and none of those classes were on anyone's practical list. Courage!

[Perna]

I think I'd try to merge them, work on becoming an educational psychologist?

http://www.educationalpsychology.net...ogy-education/

You could get your degree in education and teach while you went to grad school?

[Travelinglady]

I double majored in English and psychology, with a degree in high-school education. So, I did have an option to teach when I graduated. I applied to grad schools in English (writing specifically) and in psychology. I got into the grad school I wanted to get into in psychology, and I earned a Ph.D. I taught psychology in various colleges and universities for a number of years.

I agree that there's not much opportunity in a psychology field with just a Bachelor's degree. And psychology is not a major for education, since very few high schools would offer such a class. I did teach intro psych classes in two high schools for one term, but it was as an adjunct college professor.

I do need to ask you this question: How are your grades? Do remember that getting into a decent grad school does require a respectable G.P.A. However, as other folks have said, Educational Psychology might be a possibility. It's a research degree, however. If you actually wanted to work in a school system, then you might consider School Psychology.

I definitely encourage you to go to a career counseling center, research the requirements for various grad programs, and even talk to some folks who actually work in fields you might be interested in.

What area of psychology interests you the most? You would need to pick a certain area to go to grad school in, of course. Could it possibly be Ed Psych or School Psych? When you took the intro psych class, which I assume you did, what chapters in the textbook were the most appealing to you?

[Bamboo_RedPanda]

@PAYNE1

Let me answer your questions

For my grades, I know they're not the best, I know I need a 3.0 GPA to get into grad school, my GPA isn't that, it's a few .somethings away, math and science courses have kicked my butt, I'm hoping to bring this up, I really am trying hard, the information for those courses just doesn't stick in my head.

I did take a psychology course, it was child pyschology, and I find the more abnormal side of psychology most interesting (mental health), so I would say the sections on childhood mental health (ADD/ADHD, ODD, CD, so on) interested me a lot, but I'm also interested in what makes a person who they are and how that defines how they work and handle daily life, so personality type psychology.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I'll have to talk to the people at the new university, see what they have to say as well.

[Oxidopamine]

I recently graduated with a HBSc where I did a double-major biology and psychology with a minor in sociology, although my field of interest is a little bit different. I did a bit of social-cognitive psychology but the majority of it was focused toward biological, neurophysiology and neuroscience, so those courses were hardcore sciences as opposed to more arts-oriented courses. I was the opposite of you, the hardcore sciences just "clicked". I will say that the biology aspect of the degree certainly opens more doors than just the psychology degree, so if you are also interested in education, then I'd say to pursue it as well. I don't know much about educational psychology or personality psychology but I'd venture to guess you could combine the two quite easily. It is also in the realm of occupational therapy and the psychology component of rehab sciences if those fields interest you.