Good Minors for Psychology Majors

Good Minors for Psychology Majors Student Resources Print Good Minors for Psychology Majors By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on September 16, 2019 PeopleImages.com/Digital Vision/Getty Images More in Student Resources APA Style and Writing Study Guides and Tips Careers If you are majoring in psychology, is it necessary to also pursue an academic minor? Many universities allow students to pursue what is known as an academic minor. This can add yet another element of confusion for students who are trying to figure out which subjects to study and which classes will help them the most. Should you earn a minor? If so, which one should you pursue? Lets start by answering the basic question: What exactly is a minor? A college minor represents a secondary field of study in addition to a college major. While it is similar in many ways to a major, it involves fewer required classes. In many cases, a minor represents approximately two years of study in a given subject. A Few Reasons to Pursue an Academic Minor So why do some students opt to pursue a minor in addition to their major studies? Students might choose to earn one in a topic related to their field or in something that might help them later on in graduate school. Minors, along with double majors, are increasingly popular as students try to master multiple subjects on the way to flexible careers or future education, suggested Michelle Slatalla in an article for The New York Times. For example, a student who plans to enter the workforce after graduation as a case manager or psychiatric technician might opt to earn a minor in a foreign language if they plan to work with clients who do not speak English or who speak English as a second language. In this case, earning a minor not only looks good on a job candidates resume, but it also imparts important skills that will help in the workplace. A Few Good Minor Options for Psychology Majors The specific minor you might choose depends a great deal on your career plans. If you are thinking of a career in social service, a minor in a foreign language, social work, or sociology might be helpful. If you are thinking of earning a graduate degree in a certain specialty area, certain minors can also be helpful. For example, someone planning to become a forensic psychologist might earn a minor in political science while someone planning to become a school psychologist might pursue a minor in education. Some minor options commonly chosen by psychology majors include:Foreign languagesBiologySociologyMathematicsNutritionHealth SciencesEducation Do You Need a Minor? Most colleges and universities do not require students to select a minor. While you might opt to minor in a topic, the reality is that most students do not need to earn one. So what are some reasons why you might decide to earn a minor? In a lot of cases, a minor might represent an interest in a topic that you love but dont necessarily want to earn a degree in. In some instances, a minor might even be something that isnt related to your major. For example, you might choose to earn a minor in a foreign language or art history simply because you love the subject and are interested in taking classes in that area.In other cases, you might want to choose a minor that is more closely allied to your chosen degree focus or a subject that might make you more attractive to potential employers and give yourself an edge over other job candidates. For psychology majors, this might involve taking extra classes in life science such as biology or in a health science such as nutrition or public health.Picking a minor that might help you in the workplace is another great option. For example, a student interested in doing therapy work might opt to minor in Spanish in order to be better able to communicate with Spanish-speaking clients . Career-Boosting Minors for Psychology Majors For psychology majors who are planning to go to graduate school, a minor can be a great way to complete pre-requisites and gain some knowledge and experience in an allied area. For example, a student planning to get a graduate degree in health psychology might choose to earn an academic minor in a health-related topic. A student thinking about a future career in forensic psychology might opt to minor in political science, criminology or philosophy. The choice of what to minor in (or whether to select an academic minor at all) is really up to the individual student in most cases. Is there a subject that you are interested in learning more about? A minor is a bit like a mini-major and can be a great way to explore that interest without committing to a major in the subject. Are you planning to go into a competitive job field after graduation? A minor that might help you in the workforce and make you stand out to employers might be a great idea. Or are you thinking of applying to a graduate program in a subject other than psychology once you graduate? In that case, a minor can help you pick up necessary pre-requisites for your graduate program and give you some extra knowledge and experience in that subject area.