Good Minors for Psychology Majors

Many universities allow students to pursue what is known as an academic minor, or secondary field of study, in addition to a college major. This creates another decision-making point for psychology majors who are trying to figure out which subject to choose as their minor and which classes may help them the most.

In many cases, a minor represents approximately two years of study. While most colleges and universities do not require students to select a minor (making it optional), for those who want to pursue this academic option, it can help to know some good minors for psychology majors. It's also helpful to understand the benefits of adding a minor to one's resume.

Why Pursue a Minor as a Psychology Major?

The choice of what to minor in (or whether to select a minor at all) as a psychology student is up to the individual in most cases. Is there a subject that you are interested in learning more about? A minor is a bit like a "mini-major" and can be a great way to explore that interest without committing to a major in the subject.

Students also sometimes choose to earn a minor in a topic related to their field or in something that might help them later on in graduate school. For example, a student who plans to enter the workforce after graduation as a case manager or psychiatric technician might opt to earn a minor in a foreign language if they plan to work with clients who don't speak English or who speak English as a second language.

A minor might also represent an interest in a topic that the student loves but doesn't necessarily want to earn a degree in. In cases such as this, a psychology major may choose a minor that isn't related to their major in any way.

They may declare a minor in creative writing because they enjoy crafting short stories, for example. Or they might choose to earn a minor in a foreign language or art history simply because they love the subject and are interested in taking classes in that area.

Good Minors for Psychology Majors

The specific minor a psychology student might choose depends a great deal on their career plans. For students who are thinking of a career in social service, a minor in a foreign language, social work, or sociology can be helpful.

For those who are thinking of earning a graduate degree in a certain specialty area, certain minors can also be helpful. For example, someone planning to become a forensic psychologist might earn a minor in criminology, while someone planning to become a school psychologist might pursue a minor in education.

As you can see, some of these minors are connected to health, and may help you gain a more holistic view of overall mental and physical wellness. Others can provide critical skills that can help supplement your major. Math, for example, may help you better understand statistics—a critical subject in the world of psychology research.

How to Choose a Minor as a Psychology Major

Several factors can affect a psychology student's decision as to which minor to pursue. One to consider is the level of education the student intends to achieve.

For psychology majors who are planning to go to graduate school, a minor can be a great way to complete prerequisites and gain some knowledge and experience in an allied area. For example, a student planning to get a graduate degree in health psychology might choose to earn an academic minor in a health-related topic.

Maybe you are thinking of applying to a graduate program in a subject other than psychology. In this case, a minor can help you pick up the necessary prerequisites for your graduate program and give you some extra knowledge and experience in that subject area.

Another factor to consider is the level of competitiveness in your chosen job field. If you are entering a highly competitive market, declaring a minor that complements the psychology major might help you stand out more to potential employers after graduation.