A series of odd facts surface for most psychology students only after enrolling in a degree program. Students usually undertake the degree with an honest and urgent desire to help people, enthusiastically dive into their degree and try apply the knowledge they’ve gained in their first classes when they realize that some of the assumptions about studying and working in the psychology field were just … myths.
Read up on some of the facts you should know before enrolling in a psychology course, to help mentally prepare you before enrolling in this fascinating field.
Myth 1: Psychologists are Psychic
We’ve all seen the cheesy criminal forensics series where the psychologist has psychic flashes of the crime scene, can reenact step-by-step how the horrendous crime was committed and creates a profile of the criminal, even coming up with a physical sketch that eerily resembles the actual culprit.
Fact 1: Psychologists are Scientists
Well, far from the truth, most studies are based on statistics. Diving into scientific studies and some statistical lingo will be important in understanding human behavior and psychology much more than a gut feeling.
Another clear signal to the scientific nature of the degree is that students earn a B.S. (Bachelor’s of Science) and not a B.A. (Bachelor’s of Arts) degree.
Note the Benefits of the Scientific Method in Psychology
The scientific method tries to filter out as much subjective conjectures out of a hypothesis as possible by utilizing objective surveys, measurements and methods developed through peer testing. Each method is appropriate to answer different types of questions, and even how the question is framed is carefully constructed to be as exact and significant as possible given the population sampled, circumstances and the reason the study is being conducted at all.
This systematic, methodical has the great benefit of helping to predict future behavior and possible solutions.
>> Studies in psychology can be highly, personally rewarding. Discover the exciting classes we offer at FNU in psychology.
Myth 2: We Are All Equal
We’ve advanced as a society, right? Careers are gender equal, we are insisting on equal pay for equal work and anyone can work in any field they want to. The preponderance of the evidence says otherwise, as we all know.
Fact 2. Enrollment in Psychology Programs is Heavily Female, Despite it Being Science Being Traditionally Male-Dominated
Based on statistics by the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics of degrees conferred to men vs. women in the 2015 – 2016 school year, those enrolling in a psychology degree program can expect that around 71% of their fellow students will be female and 29% to be male.
Considering the amount of science and statistics that is actually involved in psychology and that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields in and of themselves are male-dominated (65% of graduates in 2017 were men) it’s odd that psychology programs would be so female-dominated.
This may or may not be an issue or even a consideration when choosing a major for most, it nonetheless is something that highly commented on once enrolled in a psychology program.
Myth 3: Like With Most Baccalaureate Degrees, I Can Work in My Field Immediately
The hope for most graduates is if they put their nose to it and are willing to relocate, tthat they be able to work in their field.
Fact 3: To Become a Licensed Psychologist You May Need a PhD
Psychology as a career is very competitive. You’ll discover that in order to be licensed as a Psychologist per se that states require at least a Masters degree and, actually, most require a PhD.
While you can use your skills learned during your undergrad studies in a variety of positions, such as a counseling, social work, research analyst, teaching, training, behavior and mental health technicians, the term “Psychologist” is reserved for those passing a state certificate program and
Myth 4: You will Be Able to Help Your Friends and Family
Many people get into psychology with a deep passion to help others, or to at least be able to understand others.
Fact 4: Hearing Your Friends’ Problems Might Get Tiring and It Might Baffle You That They Don’t Make Appropriate Changes
At first the exercise of picking apart someone’s background, past experiences, current life situation and being chosen as your friends’ confidant might feel like a privilege, however, many studying psychology soon learn they need to set boundaries to “switch off”.
Announcing that you are a psych major may also have the opposite effect: some people might avoid you hoping you don’t analyze everything they do or say.
Others, however may want to have your ear and your insights, but even when you talk it out with your friends and lead them to discover a useful conjecture, you will likely be surprised at how few times your friends will actually make any changes.
This is disheartening for some students, but rest assured that it’s a combination of a numbers game and whether your friends are truly ready to make changes in their behavior – or not.
As many psychologists have found, keeping the eye on the prize; there is nothing more rewarding than the times where you see a positive change in someone’s life.
Psychology Bachelor Studies at FNU
Now that we’ve given you a 
ersus myth rundown of a degree in psychology, the workings of human behavior and the mind is extremely interesting to study. Whether you take this degree to the end, what you’ve learned about people will be forever useful in your career and life.
These are just some of the fascinating topics covered in the B.S. in Psychology at FNU that will prepare you for an interesting career:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Behavior Modification
- Psychology of Childhood
- Psychology of Personality
- Biological Basis of Behavior
- Cross-cultural Issues in Psychology
- Cultural Diversity in Health Care
- Forensic Psychology
- Psychology of Exceptional Children
Accredited Bachelor of Science Degree from Florida National University
It’s important to ensure that your degree will be recognized nationally for whatever career or future educational path you decide to take.
FNU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Commission for Independent Education and our Certificates, Associates, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are nationally recognized.
Online Classes for Those Who Need the Flexibility of a Digital Studies Program
While interaction with other students and direct one-on-one interaction with professors are some of the more interesting dynamics of a baccalaureate degree, FNU has answered the needs of the community we desire to serve by offering the flexibility of online courses in psychology. You can do a combination of online and in-person classes, just whatever works with your schedule.
We have convenient campuses in Hialeah and South Miami.
Financial Aid
And finally, money should not keep you from fulfilling your potential and dream of studying psychology.
Visit our financial aid page where you’ll find some scholarships dedicated to FNU students, as well as links to some government assistance.
We also offer tuition incentives, see here if you qualify for these particular incentives.
We’re Happy to Answer Your Questions
Speak with someone to discover the psychology degree program at FNU is for you, or just ask us any questions about our other programs at all. Contact us online or just pick up the phone and call us at 305-821-3333explain where you are and where you’d like to see yourself.
