Psychology Major: Courses, Degrees, Universities, and Career Prospects

Psychology is one of the most sought-after fields of study in Indonesia. By understanding human behavior, psychology graduates have unique abilities that are needed in various sectors. Studying psychology provides in-depth insight into human behavior and thought processes. This science is not only about understanding others, but also about knowing yourself. If you are interested in how the human mind works, and how the environment influences behavior, then psychology could be an option.

What is Psychology Major?

First, let's get to know more about psychology. So, psychology is a science that understands human behavior, thought processes, emotions, and social interactions. With a scientific approach, psychology tries to answer various questions about why we act the way we do and how we can understand ourselves and others better.

Meanwhile, psychology is a field of study that studies human behavior and mental processes that involve understanding, interpreting, analyzing, and predicting human behavior. Psychology covers various aspects of human life, including cognition, emotion, motivation, development, and social interaction.

Psychology Major Courses

To give you an idea of ​​what is being studied, here are some psychology major courses:

• Psychological Anthropology

• Introduction to Psychodiagnostics

• Counseling and Psychotherapy

• Sociology

• Developmental Theories

• Psychological Disorders

• History and Schools of Psychology

• Personality Theories

• Construction of Psychological Measurement Instruments

• Biopsychology

• Basics of Research Methods

• Inventory Tests

• Philosophy of Science and Logic

• Psychometrics

• Clinical Psychology

• Behavior and Mental Processes

• Social Cognition

• Projection Tests

• Faculty of Psychology Academic Guide 9

• Intelligence Tests

• Psychoeducation

• Industrial and Organizational Psychology

• Lifelong Development

• Media and Communication Psychology

• Social Psychology

• Contemporary Personality Theory

• Cognitive, Innovative, and Creative Psychology

• Educational Psychology

• Quantitative and Experimental Research Methods

• Cyberspace Psychology

Psychology Major Degrees

People who study this science are usually called psychologists. In Indonesia itself, there are several campuses that provide Psychology majors such as the University of Indonesia. In lectures, students majoring in Psychology will spend approximately four years to obtain a degree that is a sign that someone has gone through Psychology education and graduated.

The degree obtained is S.Psi or Bachelor of Psychology. Graduates of S1 psychology are considered to have become Psychology scientists because they have gone through education up to strata 1 and can already provide scientific psychological services.

While for people who are interested in continuing their studies to S2, the degree obtained is M.Psi or Master of Psychology. While for S3, the degree obtained is Doctor. However, if you continue your studies abroad, the degree obtained is Doctor of Philosophy or Ph.D.

Universities with the Best Psychology Departments

• University of Indonesia (UI)

• Indonesian Education University (UPI)

• Gadjah Mada University (UGM)

• State University of Malang (UM)

• State University of Padang (UNP)

• Airlangga University (Unair)

• State University of Semarang (Unnes)

• Sebelas Maret University (UNS)

• Diponegoro University (Undip)

• Yogyakarta State University (UNY)

• Brawijaya University (UB)

• Padjadjaran University (Unpad)

Here Are Some Career Prospects for Psychology Majors

1. Psychologist

The most common career prospect for psychology students. If you want to become a psychologist, you must take a Masters in Psychology Profession program. This profession also has many areas of concentration, ranging from clinical psychologists, educational psychologists, and social psychologists.

You will be tasked with handling someone's mental health cases, by conducting a series of observations and analyses, it will produce a diagnosis and treatment. A psychologist can work in a company, clinic, or open their own practice. Generally, the cost of a therapy session is calculated per hour.

2. Counselor

For those of you who prefer to teach or work in an educational environment, then the profession of counselor is the right choice to choose. Counselors pay attention to the mental well-being of everyone in the school environment, be it employees or school students. It is easier to become a counselor than a clinical psychologist, because counselors are required to complete a master's degree, not a PhD.

Many schools and organizations need a counselor to help students and people at risk through common problems and refer them to more specialized care if needed. Counselors can work with people with a variety of issues, from depression and drug abuse to the negative impacts of discrimination.

3. Human Resources Development (HRD)

If you want to enter the corporate world, then you can become part of the HRD division. HRD in a large company handles all matters related to employees. Starting from relations between companies and employees, recruitment, bonuses and salaries, as well as training & development. By becoming an HR staff, you can work in any company in various sectors, because every company that has employees definitely needs HRD.

4. Trainer

If you like to 'show off' and have above average public speaking skills, then you have the potential to become a trainer or motivator. Many offices or companies hold training sessions for their employees as a means of self-development.

The topics of training or workshops held also vary, ranging from mental health, work-life balance, financial literacy, teamwork and so on. The material provided must of course be of high quality and informative, based on the knowledge and theories that you have learned.

5. Special Needs Child Therapist

If you are a patient person and like children's behavior, this psychology job prospect is right for you. In Indonesia itself, the number of children with special needs is actually quite large, especially for those with autism.

The problem is, so far, the number of children with special needs is not comparable to psychology graduates who become their therapists. In this job, you will work with certain institutions or schools to help the mental development of children with special needs. The task is related to implementing therapy so that children with special needs can have an independent and orderly life.

6. Researchers

Graduates of psychology majors can also become researchers in the Research & Development (R&D) department. However, to become a researcher, you must be academically tested. This means that to become a researcher, you must continue your studies until you get a Doctorate. For career opportunities, R&D researchers themselves can work at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).