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Psychology is the study of thinking and behavior, and the Psychology Department at Penn State New Kensington offers a broad curriculum and the opportunity for hands-on involvement in research that will provide a basic foundation of knowledge and critical thinking skills that can lead to success in a range of future endeavors.
Penn State New Kensington students can now earn a four-year degree in applied psychology. This 127-credit B. A. program combines the advantages of a liberal arts degree in psychology with the development of practical skills easily applied to a variety of government, social service, business, and industry occupations.
A key way in which students learn and apply these skills is during the required 12 credits of internship experiences. The degree is most appropriate for students who wish to develop a set of applied scientific and human relations skills that will prepare them for entry-level employment in a wide range of government and private human service organizations and agencies, and in business and industry. The degree is also suitable for students who wish to continue in their studies of psychology in graduate school, or who are interested in graduate or professional school in business, human services, law, or the social sciences.
Some of the entry-level positions graduates of the APSYC degree program could hold are detailed below. Additional information about these jobs (and hundreds of others, as well) can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook (see Books on Careers for Psychology Majors)
Business Area
(A minor in business would be helpful)
Advertising trainee, advertising agent, customer relations, employee counselor, employment counselor, job analyst, loan officer, marketing representative, marketing researcher, media buyer, personnel worker/administrator, public information officer, public relations, sales representative, staff training and development.
Mental Health/Social Services Area
(A minor in family and child studies, justice studies, health and aging studies or sociology would be helpful)
Behavior analysis, case worker, child protection worker, corrections officer, counselor aide, director of volunteer services, drug/substance abuse counselor, family service worker, group home coordinator, mental retardation unit manager, program manager, rehabilitation advisor, residential youth counselor, veteran's advisor.
Other Positions
(Various other minors may be helpful when combined with psychology in these fields)
Affirmative action officer, child care worker, college admissions counselor/recruiter, community relations officer, congressional aide, director of alumni relations(college), director of fund raising (college), hospital patient service representative, newspaper reporter, statistical assistant, technical writer.
For more job titles, visit http://www.psywww.com/careers/entry.htm
Need more information about applying? Contact:
Penn State New Kensington
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
3550 Seventh Street Road, Rte. 780
New Kensington, PA 15068-1798
Telephone: 724-334-5466
1-888-968-PAWS
E-mail: nkadmissions@psu.edu
Questions about the program requirements, curriculum, or job options? Contact:
Dr. Arlene Hall
Director of Academic Affairs
724-334-6031
E-mail: aeh3@psu.edu
