Manchester University’s psychology degree offers specialized concentrations that help undergraduate students personalize their learning experience. In addition to the general psychology track, psychology majors can pursue concentrations in cognitive neuroscience, industrial organizational psychology, or psychology & religious culture. Each of these options expands on traditional undergraduate courses while preparing students for unique career paths.

The Cognitive Neuroscience concentration emphasizes psychology research methods and the biological underpinnings of human behavior and mental processes. Students study brain function and neuropsychological disorders, often preparing for careers in neuroscience, medicine, or graduate programs.

The Industrial-Organizational Psychology track focuses on human resources, employee satisfaction, and workplace behavior. Students gain hands-on experience that prepares them for roles in business, consulting, and organizational leadership.

The joint major in Counseling with the Philosophy & Religious Studies Department explores the intersection of psychological development, faith, and social justice. It’s ideal for students interested in counseling psychology, ministry, or community service.

These concentrations allow psychology majors to tailor their academic journey based on their interests and career goals. Whether preparing for a master’s degree program, exploring potential careers in human services, or diving into social psychology, Manchester’s curriculum is designed to prepare students with both foundational knowledge and practical skills for success.

Yes—hands-on experience is a cornerstone of the psychology program at Manchester University. Every psychology major participates in experiential learning designed to expose students to practical applications of psychological theory. From internships to practicums and research labs, these opportunities help build research skills, critical thinking, and communication skills that prepare students for a wide range of potential careers.

Students may work in hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, or even correctional institutions, gaining experience in areas like mental health services, human behavior assessment, or educational instruction. Whether your goal is to become a clinical psychologist, enter the field of criminal psychology, or pursue counseling psychology, Manchester’s psychology degree program ensures you graduate with real-world experience.

Students also conduct faculty-mentored research projects that align with their interests in clinical psychology, social psychology, or health psychology. These projects often become part of a professional portfolio used when applying for a graduate degree or master’s degree program.

Beyond coursework, psychology majors develop professional relationships and build résumés through fieldwork and service-learning initiatives. These experiences are particularly beneficial for students seeking entrance into graduate programs or looking to enter careers in mental health, human services, or research immediately after earning their bachelor’s degree in psychology.

A psychology degree from Manchester University opens the door to many rewarding career opportunities. With a foundation in human behavior, communication skills, and research methodology, psychology majors are well-prepared for positions in mental health, education, business, and social services.

Many students pursue careers as mental health counselors, school psychologists, or case managers. Those with interests in the business world may work in human resources or organizational consulting, applying principles of industrial organizational psychology to improve workplace dynamics. Others choose paths in counseling psychology or clinical psychology, often advancing to a master’s degree or graduate degree program to deepen their expertise.

Graduates can also pursue careers in nonprofit management, social justice advocacy, or research. Community service managers and public relations specialists benefit from the psychology program’s emphasis on interpersonal and critical thinking skills.

Students who aim to become clinical psychologists or researchers may continue into doctoral or master’s degree programs. Manchester provides advising and support throughout the process, helping students connect coursework and field experience to long-term career goals. This combination of academic rigor, experiential learning, and career guidance ensures that psychology majors are well-equipped to pursue meaningful careers or continue their higher education journey.

Absolutely. Many psychology majors at Manchester University combine their psychology degree with a second major or minor to broaden their career opportunities and enrich their academic journey. Popular combinations include sociology, public relations, business management, peace studies, communication, and biology.

This interdisciplinary approach enhances students’ understanding of human behavior across different fields and strengthens their preparation for potential careers in clinical psychology, human services, education, and even the criminal justice system. For example, pairing psychology with public relations can lead to roles in corporate communication or nonprofit outreach. Similarly, a combination with biology may support students preparing for health psychology or neuroscience graduate programs.

The flexibility of Manchester’s curriculum allows undergraduate students to pursue additional minors without significantly extending their time to degree completion. This is particularly beneficial for students planning to pursue graduate school, as it demonstrates a commitment to diverse academic interests and professional relationships.

Whether you want to deepen your research skills, prepare for a master’s degree program, or gain insight into psychological principles through another discipline, Manchester’s program structure supports and encourages customization to align with each student’s individual goals and interests.

Earning a psychology degree at a liberal arts university like Manchester University offers students a uniquely well-rounded educational experience. Unlike larger institutions, Manchester emphasizes personal attention, small class sizes, and strong faculty-student mentorship. This approach supports both academic excellence and the development of soft skills—such as ethical reasoning, communication, and critical thinking—that are essential across many psychology career paths.

Students enrolled in Manchester’s bachelor’s degree program in psychology benefit from a curriculum that includes both general education and advanced psychology courses. These courses explore everything from foundational theories of human behavior to specialized topics like cognitive neuroscience, social psychology, and industrial organizational psychology. Manchester’s liberal arts context encourages students to view psychological principles through interdisciplinary lenses such as peace studies, philosophy, or public relations.

Moreover, psychology majors at Manchester are encouraged to get involved in campus research labs, service-learning projects, and internships. These experiences expose students to hands-on training in counseling psychology, data analysis, and applied psychology research methods. The result? Graduates who are not only academically prepared but also professionally confident and socially aware.

Choosing to pursue your undergraduate degree at a liberal arts institution helps you build lasting relationships, expand your worldview, and prepare

The bachelor’s degree in psychology at Manchester University features a well-structured blend of core and elective psychology courses designed to expose students to all major areas of the field. From the first introductory course to advanced seminars, students build a strong foundation in psychological principles, human behavior, and research methodology.

Early in the bachelor’s program, students take PSYC 110: Introduction to Psychology, which introduces key topics such as memory, learning, motivation, and behavior disorders, therapy and counseling. As students progress, they move into mid-level courses like Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, and Behavior Disorders. These psychology courses help students understand how individuals think, feel, and behave across the lifespan and in various social contexts.

Advanced options include specialized classes in evolutionary psychology, personnel psychology, and counseling theories. All students benefit from a strong research sequence of three statistics and methodology courses, during which they generate and present original research—building skills essential for both graduate school and careers in psychology-focused fields. Students interested in counseling or clinical psychology can select electives aligned with those disciplines or choose the interdisciplinary major in Counseling.

The combination of required and elective coursework within the psychology degree ensures that psychology majors graduate with deep subject knowledge and practical skills. This academic preparation supports successful entry into graduate degree programs, clinical roles, and various careers in human services and beyond.