Explore the science behind human thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Psychology aims to describe, understand, and predict the behavior of living organisms. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in the College of Letters & Science gives students a foundation in biological, clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social-personality psychology, fostering methodological, statistical, and critical thinking skills that are relevant to all of these areas. The Department of Psychology has been an international leader in psychological research and our superior undergraduate and doctoral programs. Psychology is an exciting major full of endless opportunities—whether you are focused on graduate school, making lasting change through social justice, or finding out what makes people tick, there is an opportunity for you.
Highlights
- Get involved with one of the many Psychology student organizations.
- Gain experience as a Psychology research assistant.
- Create your own research project in the Psychology Honors Program.
Curriculum
Our major program is designed to ensure that all students gain broad exposure to the field of psychology. In addition, students are encouraged to develop a deeper understanding of at least one major content area in psychology.
Our program learning goals focus on fostering methodological, statistical and critical thinking skills that are not tied to any one particular content area in psychology but are relevant for all of them. Most of our program level goals are introduced in PSYCH 1 General Psychology, which is a lower division prerequisite for the major. Students then complete the major with a set of five upper division Tier II “survey” courses, taking one from each area of Psychology, and three Tier III elective courses where they can further customize the degree to their specific interests.
Learn more at psychology.berkeley.edu/students/ undergraduate-program
Study Options
In addition to the major, the Department of Psychology offers:
- Summer minor program in Clinical and Counseling Psychology.
- Courses that fulfill American Cultures and L&S breadth requirements.
- Freshmen and Sophomore Seminars and Psychology DeCals.
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for post-graduates inspired to enter the field of psychology.
- PSYCH 199, an opportunity to earn credits for work as a Research Assistant in one of our many Psychology labs.
Applying to the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student.
- If you were admitted to UC Berkeley Fall 2024 or later, you must apply to the Psychology major and be admitted through a holistic review process.
- If you were admitted to UC Berkeley prior to Fall 2024, you may be eligible to apply to or declare the major depending on entry year and satisfaction of major requirements.
For complete details on eligibility and applying, visit psychology.berkeley.edu/students/undergraduate-program/major-requirements.
Whether you plan to enter the workforce after graduating or continue in academia, your bachelor’s degree in Psychology will provide you with a diverse and broadly applicable liberal arts education. Problem-solving, effective communication and teamwork, a background in statistical analysis techniques and critical thinking are important skills that prepare you for a broad range of careers in today’s world.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Psychology. The Psychology Department offers grad school workshops, pre-health information, and other career resources. The Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program helps prepare students for internships and the job market. The College of Letters & Science offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Behavioral Technician
- Case Manager
- Clinical Psychologist
- Consultant
- Data Analyst
- Health Educator
- HR Generalist
- Paralegal
- Project Manager
- Recruiter
- Research Scientist
- School Counselor
- Teacher
- Therapist
- UI/UX Designer
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Business
- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling
- Data Analytics
- Design
- Education
- Law
- Medicine
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Social Work
- Speech Pathology
Francesca, class of 2024
Francesca Crosio is Lead Peer Counselor at SOMETHINGS, connecting teenagers with young adult mentors and clinicians.
“After graduating with a Psychology major and Nutritional Sciences minor, I started working as a peer counselor supporting teens’ mental health. My time at Berkeley—especially through SSPC, Lean On Me, and as a peer advisor—really shaped my passion for clinical psychology.
My biggest advice is to explore beyond the classroom. Every experience, even the unexpected ones, helps shape your path in meaningful ways. Stay curious, and don’t be afraid to seek out Berkeley’s resources; some might be a bit hidden, but they’re there for you. It’s okay to ask for help along the way. You’re not alone!”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and the L&S New Freshman Student Guide.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Psychology major; see sample program plans.
- Enroll in PSYCH 1 and two other courses from Tier I prerequisites.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or Berkeley Changemaker course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a Psychology or other student organization.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Attend Psychology seminars, talks, and other department events.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Psychology website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in PSYCH 101 and an additional quantitative course.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Consider study abroad or learning a foreign language; see guidelines from the department and options for Psychology abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Education.
- Verify you have completed all Tier 1 prerequisites and apply to the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Support mental health on campus through student-led efforts.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Get to know the Institute of Personality and Social Research and Institute of Human Development.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and Psychology websites; apply to URAP, REP, a Psychology lab to work on a faculty research project.
- Take part in the department’s Research Participation Program.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; look into the Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin taking upper division Tier II survey courses.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus through UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Consider applying to the Psychology Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Psychology Peer Advisor.
- Browse grants from the Center for Race and Gender and Greater Good Science Center.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Look into the Swan Undergraduate Research Award.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the American Psychological Association.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Visit the Psychology website for pre-health resources.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Complete upper division Tier II survey courses and Tier III elective courses.
- Join a research workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Broaden your horizon by exploring courses in other disciplines.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to Psychology at Berkeley or the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs such as Destination College Advising Corps.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like PSYCH 1.
- Go abroad through UCEAP or Berkeley Study Abroad; check out the Psychology program in Berlin.
- Get hands-on research experience in the Othering & Belonging Institute Summer Fellowship.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out Clinical and Counseling Psychology.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and the L&S New Transfer Student Guide.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Enroll in PSYCH 101 and an upper division Tier II survey course.
- If you have completed PSYCH 101 during the summer, verify you have completed the major prerequisites and apply to the major.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a Psychology or other student organization.
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Take part in the department’s Research Participation Program.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Attend Psychology seminars, talks, and other department events.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Psychology website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Apply to the Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Apply to the major if you have completed PSYCH 101 and major prerequisites.
- Enroll in three upper division Tier II survey courses.
- Consider study abroad or learning a foreign language; see guidelines from the department and options for Psychology abroad.
- Consider applying to the Psychology Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get to know the Institute of Personality and Social Research and Institute of Human Development.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and Psychology websites; apply to URAP, REP, or a Psychology lab to work on a faculty research project.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Browse grants from the Center for Race and Gender and Greater Good Science Center.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE.
- Visit the Psychology website for pre-health resources.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Take a Tier II survey course to complete your Tier II requirement; enroll in a Tier III electives course.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Education.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus through UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Psychology Peer Advisor or Transfer Peer Advocate.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Support mental health on campus through student-led efforts.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Look into the Swan Undergraduate Research Award.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the American Psychological Association.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs such as Destination College Advising Corps.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in two Tier III electives to complete your Tier III requirement.
- Join a research writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
- Broaden your horizon by exploring courses in other disciplines.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to Psychology at Berkeley or the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like PSYCH 101.
- Go abroad through UCEAP or Berkeley Study Abroad; check out the Psychology program in Berlin.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out Clinical and Counseling Psychology.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Psychology or choosing a major?
The Department of Psychology offers undergraduate advising for students interested in the Psychology major. Psychology Peer Advisors help with major exploration, course suggestions, major or minor requirements, research opportunities, study abroad, and campus resources. Psychology Undergraduate Major Advisors assist with applying to the major, tracking academic progress, navigating administrative concerns, and preparing for graduation; provide information on Psychology courses; and also support students with independent study opportunities, research programs, and graduate school preparation. For more information on advising, visit psychology.berkeley.edu or email psychsso@berkeley.edu.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
Related Programs
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