'Would you major in psychology again?"

Abstract

pivotal criterion for evaluating the success of an undergraduate program is whether baccalaureates would repeat the program. This criterion was the focus of the following study, which succeeds previous attempts to determine what psychology graduates were doing with their education, and how they felt about it retrospectively (Lunneborg, 1974; Lunneborg & Wilson, 19821. Titley and Titley (1982) recommended that surveys investigating the potential of a degree in psychology can improve academic advising of current majors. The results of this study are dedicated to that end.University of Washington offers two undergraduate degrees: the bachelor of science (BS), designed as preparation for doctoral (PhD) programs in psychology, and the bachelor of arts (BA), intended for everything else. In contrast to many requirements for the BS, a BA requires only a 2.0 grade-point average (GPA) and courses in the following: introductory psychology, methodology, statistics, and laboratory. The remaining hours of the 50 quarter-credits for a BA are elective. Students seeking BAS are urged to supplement psychology with another field and to adopt a career orientation, to take both basic-skills courses such as English composition and job-related courses such as computer programming.

Undergraduate Psychology Alumni: Gender and Cohort Differences in Course Usefulness, Postbaccalaureate Education, and Career Paths

“…The survey included a series of brief questions, similar in format to those used by other researchers (Lunneborg & Wilson, 1982, 1985Ware & Meyer, 1981). We asked respondents to list their name, address, psychology courses "found useful since graduation," postbaccalaureate education, and current occupation.…”

“…Although many researchers have noted a gender imbalance among undergraduate psychology majors (e.g., Hall, 1986;Lunneborg & Wilson, 1985;McGovem & Hawks, 1984), few have attempted to explain why men seem to be rejecting (or failing to consider) psychology as a major, despite the continuing interest of women in psychology. Instead, investigators have focusecl attention on other issues related to undergraduate education, including students' evaluations of the psychology major and psychology courses, postbaccalaureate plans, and career choices.…”

“…Lunneborg and Wilson (1985), for example, surveyed students graduating with a psychology rnajor from the University of Washington between 1978 and 1982 and found that 69% said they would major in psychology again. These findings were similar to those of Lunneborg and Wilson ( 1985). question, they did find gender differences in graduates' ratings of specific courses.…”

Vocational Preparation within a Liberal Arts Framework: Suggested Directions for Undergraduate Psychology Programs

“…First, male graduates have been more likely than their female counterparts to be employed in business-related occupations (Keyes & Hogberg, 1990;Lunneborg & Wilson, 1985;Titley, 1978;Ware & Meyer, 1981 ). First, male graduates have been more likely than their female counterparts to be employed in business-related occupations (Keyes & Hogberg, 1990;Lunneborg & Wilson, 1985;Titley, 1978;Ware & Meyer, 1981 ).…”

“…Second, the proportion of male psychology undergraduates has dropped sharply (Howard et al, 1986;Keyes & Hogberg, 1990), leading to fears that a stereotypical perception of psychology ;IS a wom-Teaching of Psychology en's major will emerge and cause losses in status, income, and career options for graduates. When graduates were asked whether they "would major in psychology again" (Lunneborg & Wilson, 1985), 70% answered in the affirmative. Those alumni frequently reported feeling inadequately prepared for the kind of work they were doing.…”