Have you ever wondered why you crave that pre-game pump-up or how best to motivate students in the classroom? You may be curious about the mind-body connection during illness or how our thoughts shape our reality. The world of psychology offers a fascinating lens to explore these questions and countless others as it spans so many different fields of work. We’ll unpack what each field entails, giving you a glimpse into the potential career paths that await you with an LAPU psychology degree. So, whether you’re fascinated by human behavior, development, or the intricate workings of the brain, get ready to discover the perfect psychology field to ignite your future!

Health Psychology

Are you intrigued by how stress can weaken your immune system or why positive thinking might aid recovery? Health psychology is a field within psychology that studies how biological, social, and psychological factors influence our health and illness.  Researchers in this area are interested in understanding how our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and social environments can impact our physical well-being.

Here are some key aspects of health psychology:

• Mind-body connection: Health psychologists emphasize the interconnectedness of our mental and physical health. Stress, for example, can worsen physical conditions like heart disease or ulcers.
• Health behaviors: This field investigates why people make certain health choices and how to promote healthy behaviors like exercise and proper diet.
• Illness prevention and treatment: Health psychologists look at ways to prevent illness and improve treatment outcomes. They might help people cope with chronic diseases or develop strategies for managing pain.
• Healthcare system: Some health psychologists work to improve the healthcare system by focusing on patient communication, adherence to treatment plans, and reducing health disparities.

LAPU’s Psychology in the Healthcare Profession concentration equips you with the foundational knowledge and skills to become a health psychologist – a specialist who helps individuals adopt healthy behaviors, manage chronic illnesses, and improve overall well-being. This concentration allows students to specialize in the aspect of the healthcare industry concerned with how people react and cope with illness, as well as how people make decisions around health and wellness. The concentration brings together biology, psychology, and behavioral and social factors to determine how they influence patients and providers in healthcare professions.

Counseling Psychology

Life throws us curveballs; sometimes, navigating personal challenges can feel overwhelming. That’s where counseling psychology comes in. Counseling psychology is a branch of psychology focused on helping people improve their mental health and overall well-being.

Here’s a breakdown of its key aspects:

• Addressing concerns across different life stages: counseling psychologists aim to address emotional, social, work, school, and physical health concerns across different life stages. They consider how these challenges impact a person’s relationships, families, and social environments.
• Coping & Prevention: This field emphasizes both preventing mental health issues and helping people cope with existing ones. They take a strengths-based approach, aiming to build on a person’s existing strengths to navigate challenges.
• Variety of Clients: Counseling psychologists work with a wide range of clients, including individuals, families, couples, and groups. They address issues like anxiety, depression, relationship problems, career indecision, and difficulties adjusting to life changes.
• Evidence-based techniques: They use a variety of evidence-based techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and interpersonal therapy. The specific approach will depend on the individual’s needs and preferences.

LAPU’s Applied Pastoral Counseling concentration equips you to become a counseling psychologist, a skilled professional who helps people develop their inner strengths and resources to manage mental health concerns, improve relationships, and navigate life transitions. The Applied Pastoral Counseling concentration provides the fundamentals to obtain ministry-related positions in the helping industry. Additionally, this is a progressive step for those who are considering achieving their master’s in counseling or psychology to obtain licensure but desire a more Christian concentration. This concentration is also progressive for those seeking a master’s in divinity or interested in chaplaincy. Potential employment opportunities may be found in lay counseling ministries and Christian service organizations.

Educational Psychology

Have you ever wondered why some students grasp concepts quickly while others struggle? Educational psychology delves into this question, exploring the intricate processes of learning and development. Educational psychology is the scientific study of how humans learn and retain knowledge, specifically within educational settings. It delves into the cognitive, emotional, and social factors that influence learning.

Here’s a closer look at this field:

• Learning processes: Educational psychologists investigate how people learn, remember, and forget information. They explore different learning styles and strategies to optimize the learning experience for various individuals.
• Individual differences: This field acknowledges that people learn at different paces and have unique strengths and weaknesses. Educational psychologists consider factors like age, cognitive development, motivation, and learning disabilities to create inclusive learning environments.
• Classroom management: This field explores strategies for creating positive and productive classroom environments that foster learning. Educational psychologists might study how classroom layout, teacher-student interaction, and behavior management techniques influence student engagement.
• Educational technology: This field investigates the role of technology in education, assessing its effectiveness in promoting learning and identifying potential challenges associated with its use.
• Special education: Educational psychologists play a crucial role in supporting students with learning disabilities by developing individualized education programs (IEPs) and recommending appropriate interventions.

LAPU’s educational psychology concentration provides students with specific knowledge related to special needs and educational advocacy, in addition to child, adolescent, and family needs. Providing a solid foundation for those who want to pursue a master’s degree in education, this concentration also creates diversity for those interested in specializations or degrees in two fields rather than simply an undergraduate education degree. Potential positions include social service positions in the school system, child welfare, and educational aides.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Imagine applying psychology to the workplace! Industrial-organizational psychology, often shortened to I-O psychology, is the field that applies psychological principles and practices to understand and improve the workplace. It essentially studies the relationship between people and organizations.

Here’s a breakdown of the key areas of I-O psychology:

• Employee well-being and performance: I-O psychologists aim to create a work environment that promotes employee satisfaction, motivation, and productivity. They study factors that influence these aspects, such as job design, leadership styles, and work-life balance.
• Selection and recruitment: This field helps organizations develop effective hiring methods for the job. I-O psychologists design and implement assessments, interview techniques, and selection procedures to identify qualified candidates.
• Training and development: They design and evaluate training programs to ensure employees have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform their jobs effectively. They also focus on developing leadership skills and promoting career growth within organizations.
• Organizational change: I-O psychologists help organizations navigate change initiatives by studying how structure, culture, or technology changes impact employees. They develop strategies to minimize disruption and promote employee acceptance of change.

LAPU can prepare you for a career in this field, helping organizations create a positive and productive work environment. The Industrial-Organizational Psychology concentration instills a foundation for motivating and understanding organizational behavior, conflict management, and gender issues. This foundation equips students to engage in careers in human resources, employee support and training, and positions where customer relations are needed, such as insurance, benefits, sales, and customer service. This concentration lays a solid foundation prior to entry into a master’s program in business.

Clinical Psychology

Are you passionate about mental health? Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy research and writing? The field of Clinical Psychology may be a great fit for you! Clinical psychology delves into assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders.

Here’s a breakdown of its core aspects:

• Mental health: Clinical psychologists primarily focus on promoting mental health and well-being. They address a wide range of psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, phobias, eating disorders, personality disorders, and substance abuse.
• Assessment and diagnosis: A crucial aspect of clinical psychology involves using psychological tests, interviews, and observations to assess an individual’s mental state and diagnose any underlying conditions. This information is used to develop a treatment plan.
• Psychotherapy: Clinical psychologists are trained in various evidence-based psychotherapy techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and interpersonal therapy. They work collaboratively with clients to develop coping mechanisms, address negative thought patterns, and improve emotional regulation.
• Treatment planning and intervention: Once a diagnosis is established, clinical psychologists work with clients to develop a personalized treatment plan. This plan might involve psychotherapy, medication management (in collaboration with a psychiatrist), or a combination of approaches.
• Prevention: Clinical psychologists also play a role in preventing mental health issues. They might develop and implement mental health awareness programs, provide early intervention for at-risk populations, and promote strategies for building resilience.

Additional Considerations:

• Client base: Clinical psychologists work with a diverse range of clients, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. They may also specialize in specific populations, such as veterans, couples, or families.
• Settings: Clinical psychologists practice in various settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, private practices, schools, and community organizations.
• Research: While the primary focus is clinical practice, some clinical psychologists also contribute to research in areas related to mental health, psychotherapy effectiveness, and the development of new assessment tools.

This field requires a doctoral degree, but with a strong foundation from LAPU, you can pursue further studies and become a licensed clinical psychologist. The Clinical Psychology concentration targets those desiring to be mental health professionals. Equipping students for graduate education, this concentration also provides the foundation for future counseling licensure through a master’s degree in counseling or psychology. An alternative option engages work in the social service or mental health industries where the role requires counseling or assessment skills, such as residential counselors, intake specialists, etc.

Developmental Psychology

From infancy to adulthood, we undergo remarkable changes. Developmental psychology explores these transformations, equipping you to understand how individuals grow, learn, and develop throughout their lifespan.

Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of this field:

• Lifespan development: Developmental psychologists explore physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes throughout life. They investigate how we develop from helpless newborns into complex individuals with unique personalities, skills, and social connections.
• Influencing factors: This field examines the various factors that influence development. These include biological predispositions, genetics, environmental influences (family, culture, socioeconomic status), and individual experiences. Developmental psychologists explore how these factors interact and contribute to who we become.
• Normative vs. Individual differences: While there are general patterns of development that most people follow, there are also significant individual differences in the pace and timing of these changes. Developmental psychologists study both normative patterns and individual variations.
• Education: Understanding developmental stages helps educators tailor teaching methods to optimize learning for different age groups.
• Parenting: Developmental psychology knowledge can equip parents to support their children’s growth and development at each stage.
• Social policy: Research findings can inform policies related to childcare, education, healthcare, and elder care for different age groups.
• Mental health: Developmental psychology helps us understand how normal development progresses and identify potential delays or challenges that might require intervention.

The LAPU Child and Adolescent Psychology concentration prepares students for working with children and adolescents, distinct from a general Human Service concentration or Clinical Psychology focus. With this concentration, students may find employment working with children and adolescents in schools, social welfare, ministry, etc.

Cognitive Psychology

Memory, attention, and language are just a few of the fascinating areas explored in cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychology is the scientific field that explores the internal mental processes involved in how we think, learn, and understand the world around us. It delves into the mechanisms behind our ability to perceive information, store memories, solve problems, use language, and make decisions.

Here’s a closer look at what cognitive psychology investigates:

• Mental processes: This field focuses on core mental processes like attention, memory, perception, language, problem-solving, and decision-making. Researchers aim to understand how these processes work together to allow us to function in the world.
• Information processing: Cognitive psychologists view the mind as an information processor. They study how we take in sensory information (sight, sound, touch, etc.), process it, store it in memory, retrieve it when needed, and use it to guide our thoughts and actions.
• Cognitive models: Researchers develop models to explain how these mental processes work. These models can be computational, metaphorical, or based on neural mechanisms, aiming to provide a framework for understanding how the mind functions.

At LAPU, the General Psychology concentration is designed for those who want a broad, general degree that can allow them versatility in the job market. The coursework in this concentration provides students with a comprehensive study of psychological approaches. For those still uncertain of their future aspirations, this concentration provides adaptability for various related positions.

Social Psychology

We are social creatures deeply influenced by those around us. Social psychology explores how social interactions, group dynamics, and cultural norms shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of this field:

• Social influence: Social psychologists investigate how others shape people’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. This includes conformity, persuasion, obedience, and social norms.
• Social perception: This field examines how we perceive ourselves and others in social contexts. It explores how we form impressions, make judgments about others, and how social stereotypes influence our perceptions.
• Social cognition: This area focuses on the mental processes involved in social interactions. It delves into how we think about, understand, and remember social information, including people and situations.
• Group dynamics: Social psychologists study group behavior, including how groups form, make decisions, and influence individual members. They explore phenomena like leadership, groupthink, and intergroup conflict.

At LAPU, the Cultural Psychology concentration provides a foundation for employment associated with human services working with diverse populations. In the world’s rapidly changing cultures, positions requiring psychological and cultural sensitivity and training may be found in employment working with children and family services, shelters, inner-city programs, as well as college campuses.

Criminal Behavior Psychology

Why do people commit crimes? Criminal behavior psychology, also called criminological psychology, dives into the minds of criminals and the psychological factors that contribute to criminal activity.

Here’s a breakdown of its core aspects:

• Understanding criminal minds: This field goes beyond simply classifying criminals. It aims to understand the why behind the crime, delving into the motivations, thought patterns, and emotional states that might lead someone to commit a crime.
• Risk assessment and prediction: Criminal behavior psychologists develop tools and techniques to assess an individual’s risk of re-offending (recidivism). This information is crucial for sentencing decisions, parole eligibility, and rehabilitation programs.
• Investigative support: They may consult with law enforcement officials to create criminal profiles based on crime scene analysis and victim characteristics. These profiles can help narrow down suspect pools and identify potential patterns in serial crimes.
• Prevention strategies: By understanding the root causes of criminal behavior, psychologists can contribute to developing preventive measures. This might involve early intervention programs to address social and psychological factors that put individuals at risk for criminal activity.

At LAPU, the Criminal Behavior concentration creates opportunities for positions within the justice system. Due to the concentration content, students may also choose to use this area as the groundwork for further education in law or higher-level government positions.

Human Services Psychology

The world of human services is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals and communities facing challenges. Human services psychology isn’t a single, clearly defined field but rather an umbrella term encompassing a range of psychology applications within the human services sector. It focuses on using psychological knowledge and skills to address the social, emotional, and mental health needs of individuals, families, and communities facing various challenges.

Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of human services psychology:

• Integration of disciplines: It draws on principles and practices from psychology, sociology, social work, and public health to provide holistic support services.
• Focus on social determinants: Human services psychology acknowledges the significant impact of social factors like poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to resources on mental health and well-being.
• Prevention and intervention: This field emphasizes both preventing problems and intervening when issues arise. Psychologists working in this area might develop mental health awareness programs, provide crisis intervention services, or offer support to at-risk populations.
• Client diversity: Human services psychologists work with a wide range of clients, including individuals experiencing homelessness, people with mental illness or substance abuse issues, children in foster care, victims of violence, and families struggling with poverty or social isolation.
• Advocacy and systemic change: In addition to direct service provision, some human services psychologists work on a systems level to advocate for policies that promote social justice, improve access to mental health care, and address the root causes of social problems.

At LAPU, the Human Services concentration creates opportunities for a wide range of jobs in the helping professions, such as social work, healthcare, ministry, justice, and business. Rather than narrowly focusing on a specific industry or cultural group, students gain the knowledge and perspectives to adapt to multiple career fields successfully. Students will be well prepared and uniquely suited for multiple jobs within the helping professions.

The beauty of psychology lies in its versatility. Graduates of psychology programs possess valuable hard skills such as research and statistics. However, a degree in psychology also enhances essential soft skills, including critical and analytical thinking, effective communication, empathy, adaptability, and resilience. Employers value these soft skills greatly, which can set candidates apart from others in the competitive job market.

The LAPU Psychology program opens doors to many occupations, arming you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in various roles in related industries.

So, are you ready to unlock the fascinating world of psychology and chart your unique career path? Visit our website or contact our admissions department today to learn more about the exciting programs that await you!