• General Information
• Career Opportunities
• Degrees and Requirements

General Information

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith offers a Liberal Arts Degree with a Major in Psychology. The psychology major will take the core courses in the liberal arts program and then take at least 36 hours of psychology courses and 18 hours in a minor area.

Career Opportunities

Psychology is a broad field that covers a wide range of applications involving both research and practice. A bachelor’s degree in psychology provides a good foundation for working with and understanding others. Students interested in entering the job market will find that a bachelor’s degree in psychology will prepare them for work in a number of areas such as administrative support, public affairs, business, sales, service industries, and health. These students can work as employment counselors, interviewers, personnel analysts, probation officers, sales representatives, and writers.

A major function of the UA Fort Smith Psychology Program is to provide students with a solid foundation in a Bachelor degree program so the student will be equipped to compete in a graduate program. All of the following areas specialization will require graduate degrees.

• Clinical psychology – assesses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
• Counseling psychology – gives guidance in dealing with life problems or career choices.
• Developmental psychology – studies the development of humans throughout the lifespan.
• Educational psychology – studies factors that influence effective learning.
• Engineering psychology – studies how people work with equipment and machines.
• Forensic psychology – applies the principles of psychology to legal issues.
• Health psychology – studies factors that affect health and illness.
• Industrial/organizational psychology – applies the principles of psychology to the work place.
• Neuropsychology – studies how brain function is related to behavior.
• Quantitative and measurement psychology – studies statistical procedures and research practices.
• Rehabilitation psychology – assists patients in adjusting after brain injury, accidents, or disabilities.
• School psychology – works with schools to assess and counsel students, parents, and staff.
• Social psychology – studies how an individual is influenced by interactions with others.
• Sports psychology – assists athletes in dealing with factors that influence competition.

Degrees and Requirements

Students serious in pursuing a career as a psychologist need to be aware that graduate work will be required. A student interested in "helping" others should also consider careers in education and social work as well.

• Liberal Arts — Bachelor of Arts