University of Kansas

What you'll study

The psychology degree provides a broad foundation in the major domains of psychological science and practical research skills. Core subjects typically cover:

• Foundations of psychology – introductions to research methods, statistical reasoning and the history of the discipline.
• Core topical areas – biological bases of behaviour, social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, personality and abnormal psychology.
• Research and quantitative training – courses in statistics, experimental design and laboratory methods, with opportunities to work in faculty-led research labs.
• Applied and clinical topics – courses in assessment, therapeutic approaches, and applied interventions, often including practicum or supervised experience options.
• Electives and specialisation – options to take advanced seminars in areas such as neuroscience, health psychology, industrial–organisational psychology, or forensic psychology.

Students can expect a mixture of lectures, small seminars, laboratory practicals and independent projects. Many undergraduates undertake a capstone or honours thesis if they intend to pursue graduate study, and there are extracurricular research, practicum and internship opportunities to develop applied skills.

Entry requirements

Admission to the University of Kansas undergraduate programmes follows the university’s general undergraduate entry process. Typical expectations for psychology applicants include:

• Secondary-school completion with a strong overall academic record; specific GPA thresholds are set by admissions and may vary by applicant type.
• Recommended academic preparation – coursework in mathematics (particularly statistics or algebra) and laboratory sciences helps prepare students for research methods and biological psychology courses.
• International applicants – an equivalent recognised secondary-school qualification and proof of English language proficiency where required.
• Transfer students – submission of college transcripts; previously completed credits in psychology and statistics will be evaluated for transfer and placement.

Because admissions criteria and processes are maintained by the university, applicants should consult the official KU admissions pages for the most current guidance and any programme-specific notes (for example, competitive entry to honours pathways or internships).

Career prospects

A bachelor’s degree in psychology from KU prepares graduates for a wide range of entry-level roles and for further professional study. Common career paths include:

• Research assistant or technician in academic, healthcare or industry research settings.
• Roles in human services and community organisations such as caseworker, behavioural technician or rehabilitation support worker.
• Positions in business and public sector areas like human resources, training and development, marketing, and user experience research.
• Further professional training leading to careers as a clinical psychologist, school psychologist, counsellor, or neuropsychologist; these require postgraduate study and licensure.
• Other pathways into education, social work, law, public policy, and data analysis where understanding human behaviour and research methods is valuable.

Graduates typically combine practical experience, internships and, where required, postgraduate qualifications to progress into specialised professional roles.

Why study at University of Kansas

The University of Kansas offers an undergraduate psychology programme with strong emphasis on research-led teaching and ample opportunities for hands-on experience. Students benefit from:

• Active faculty research across diverse areas of psychology, allowing undergraduates to join labs and contribute to real research projects.
• Experiential learning through practicum placements, community partnerships and internship links that build applied skills valued by employers and graduate programmes.
• Support for progression including advising for graduate-school preparation, honours supervision, and career services focused on helping students translate psychology training into careers.
• Extra-curricular enrichment such as student societies, honours and research symposiums, and opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary work with related departments.

Together, these features make KU a programme choice for students seeking a rigorous, research-informed psychology education with clear routes into both employment and further study.