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Quick Guide: Your College Degree Options

Find the right college for you.

There are generally four categories of college degrees: associate degree, bachelor’s degree, graduate degree, and doctorate or professional degree. Each category comes with its own particular subcategories, and there are some subtle differences between a doctorate and a professional degree.

If you ever find yourself lost in the sea of abbreviations for degrees, you're not alone. This quick guide is here to clear the air regarding the types of degrees available to you and what each one means.

Guide to College Degrees, Professional Studies & Certifications

Associate degree.

An associate degree is a two-year degree typically offered at community colleges, technical colleges, and career colleges. However, some four-year universities offer them as well. Examples of some associate degrees include Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS).

AS degrees are generally more narrowly focused and prepare students for science and math-related careers. AA degrees are broader and focus on fields outside of math and science such as liberal arts, business administration, criminal justice, and culinary arts.

Some students who earn an associate degree transfer to a four-year program to earn a bachelor’s degree. Others complete associate degrees and then go straight to work.

Bachelor's or Baccalaureate Degree

Bachelor’s degrees require students to complete four- or five-year programs in a specific academic discipline. The two most common types of bachelor’s degrees are bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS). Other types of bachelor’s degrees include the bachelor of fine arts (BFA), and bachelor of architecture (BArch).

Because bachelor’s degrees train students to enter a specific field, many professional careers require them. Earning a bachelor’s degree can open the door to many job opportunities and increase your potential income.

Some institutions offer a liberal arts and career combination program, also called a 3-2 program. This is a type of dual degree in which a student completes three years of liberal arts study followed by two years of professional or technical study. In the end, students earn two bachelor’s degrees, usually a BA and a BS.

An example of this is Columbia University’s 3-2 Combined Plan program in which students can earn a BA and a BS in five years.

Some colleges also let you earn a teacher certification by combining bachelor's degree study with state certification requirements. State requirements vary, but these programs usually feature professional education courses, including student teaching.

Graduate Degree

Graduate degrees are advanced degrees that some students pursue after earning a bachelor’s degree. The two most common are master of arts (MA) and master of science (MS). Other examples include master of fine arts (MFA) and master of business administration (MBA). A graduate degree is like an extension of a bachelor’s degree whereby a student further enriches their knowledge of their field and narrows their f ocus of study .

Graduate degrees usually take around two years to attain, but this can vary based on the degree. Many institutions allow students to enroll in a graduate program in a field unrelated to their bachelor’s degree. This may require some extra credit hours, though.

Professional Degree

Students earn professional degrees to become licensed to work in professions like medicine or law. The M.D. degree is an example. Professional programs generally require a college degree before you start them and then at least three years of study to complete.

Doctoral Degree and Professional Degree

The doctorate and professional degrees are the highest levels of education one can attain. They signify mastery of a subject and often come with the coveted title “doctor.” Although the two are similar, there are some important differences.

A doctorate or doctoral degree is a research-oriented degree focused on scholarly development. The most common doctorate is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Despite the name, a PhD covers many disciplines, not just philosophy.

A professional degree is an application-oriented degree, meaning it prepares students for a specific working position. There are many types of professional degrees. Some examples are: doctor of medicine (MD), doctor of pharmacy (PharmD), and doctor of medicine in dentistry (DMD) in the field of medicine, and juris doctor (JD) and doctor of juridical science (SJD) in the field of law.

A graduate degree does not need to precede a doctorate or professional degree. Often, students will go straight into a doctorate or professional program following their bachelor’s, however some programs will require a master’s degree to gain entry. Completion can take anywhere from four to eight years, depending on the field of study.

Many doctoral students work either full-time or part-time while they study in the program. This, along with the field they are studying, will significantly affect the time it takes to complete their degree.

Joint Degrees

Some students may choose to pursue a joint degree, also known as a dual degree, which means they simultaneously study for a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree. Joint degrees can be pursued in the same college or can be split between two different colleges. For example, Berklee College of Music and Harvard University offer a dual bachelor’s/master’s program in which a student receives a bachelor of arts (BA) at Harvard and a master of music (MM) or master of arts (MA) at Berklee.

Depending on the program, it may be possible to study at the same time for a master's degree and a doctorate. For example, the University of Southern California offers a program leading to doctor of pharmacy and master of public health degrees.

How do academic degrees go in order?

There are four types of degrees. In order of level of education, they rank as associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s or graduate degrees, and doctorate or professional degrees.

How many degrees are there in college?

Most community colleges offer only two-year associate degrees, while most four-year colleges offer bachelor’s, graduate, and doctorate or professional degrees. Some four-year colleges may also have associate degree programs.

How many years do you have to be in college to achieve certain degrees?

Though it will vary between academic disciplines, associate degrees usually take two years to achieve, bachelor’s degrees take four years, master’s degrees take two years, and doctorate or professional degrees can take anywhere from four to eight years.

What is an eight-year degree?

An “eight-year degree” typically refers to a doctorate degree or PhD. Although some doctorates can be completed in as little as three years, these degrees typically require more time studying highly specialized subjects. Students in these programs often must defend a dissertation while already working a professional job.

What are the four years of college called?

The first four years of college are the undergraduate years, and a student studying for a bachelor’s degree is called an undergraduate. The four years refer to the total accumulated credit hours; a student may take fewer or more than four years to attain their undergraduate degree.

What does a graduate degree mean?

A graduate degree or master’s degree is an advanced degree that some students pursue after earning a bachelor’s degree. Earning a graduate degree signifies mastery of a particular field of study and focuses more intensely on a subject than a bachelor’s degree does. Graduate degrees usually take two years to attain.

What do you call a master's student?

A master's student is called a graduate student or “grad student” for short. A student still studying for a bachelor’s degree is called an undergraduate student or “undergrad student.”

How many years is a master's degree?

Graduate degrees usually take around two years to attain, but this can vary based on the degree. Many institutions allow students to enroll in a graduate program in a field unrelated to their bachelor’s degree, although it may require some extra credit hours.

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Undergraduate study.

At Yale, we view college as a time for students to explore, exercise curiosity, and discover new interests and abilities.

We provide students with an immersive, collaborative, and inspiring environment where they can develop a broadly informed, highly disciplined intellect that will help them be successful in whatever work they finally choose.    

Our students graduate with the values and knowledge they need to pursue meaningful work, find passion in life-long learning, and lead successful and purposeful lives.

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Browse available majors, academic requirements, and other key info about our undergraduate curriculum.

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Writing and science programs, directed studies, seminars, and more … students can choose from a number of special academic offerings during their time at Yale.

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Undergraduate degree guide for international students.

Spanning a typical duration of four years, undergraduate study in the USA encompasses a broad range of academic disciplines and opportunities for personal growth. Students can choose from a vast array of majors, from traditional fields like engineering, business, and humanities to emerging disciplines like data science and environmental studies.

The flexibility of the American undergraduate system allows students to explore their interests through a combination of required core courses and elective subjects, fostering a well-rounded education that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and independent research.

How much is an undergraduate degree in the USA?

On average, international students can expect to pay anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 or more per year for tuition and fees at a public university. Private universities generally have higher tuition rates, with costs ranging from $30,000 to $70,000 or more per year. These figures are approximate and can significantly differ based on factors such as the reputation of the institution, the state of residence, and the chosen field of study.

How long do undergraduate degrees last in the USA?

Undergraduate programs in the USA typically have a standard length of four years for full-time students, which is based on full-time enrollment. Part-time students, who take fewer courses per semester, may take longer to complete their degree.

Some universities offer accelerated degree programs that allow students to graduate in less than four years. These programs might involve heavier course loads, year-round study, or credit for prior learning. Students engaged in honors programs, research projects, or internships might need extra time to complete their degree due to the additional academic commitments.

Where can I study for an undergraduate degree?

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Duke University offers 53 majors, 52 minors and 23 certificates . With the ability to create combinations of the three, you have 437,989 unique academic combinations available.

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Undergraduate vs. Graduate: Educate Yourself On The Difference

• Undergraduate Meaning
• Undergraduate Student And Degree
• Graduate Meaning
• Graduate Degree And Student
• Graduate Origin
• Postgraduate Meaning

⚡ Quick summary

The main difference between undergraduate and graduate is that undergraduate is always used in the context of the first level of college or university education (the level where you can earn a bachelor’s degree ). In terms like graduate student and graduate degree , graduate refers to a level of advanced education beyond the undergraduate level, especially a master’s degree or doctorate . The noun graduate is more general, simply referring to a person who has completed a level of education (someone who has graduated ).

The difference between undergraduate and graduate is a difference of degrees (*throws graduation cap in the air to celebrate the pun*).

The level of education that each word involves varies depending on how the word is being used, and there are situations in which both words can be used in the same situation. For example, you can become a graduate student after graduating with an undergraduate degree.

The word graduate can mean very different things depending on whether it’s used as a noun (as in recent   high school graduates ), an adjective (as in graduate student and graduate degree ), or a verb (as in I plan to graduate next May ). The same goes for its shortened form, grad , which can be used as a noun (as in Congrats, grads! ) or an adjective (as in grad program ).

Undergraduate can also be used both as a noun (as in I’m an undergraduate at Stanford University ) or an adjective (as in I’m working toward my undergraduate degree ). It can be shortened to undergrad in both cases.

By the end of this article, you’ll have an advanced degree in all the different ways graduate, grad , undergraduate , and undergrad are used, and what they mean in each case.

What does undergraduate mean?

An undergraduate is “a student in a university or college who has not received a first, especially a bachelor’s, degree.” For example, a college student might say I’m an undergraduate at the University of Texas if they were pursuing a bachelor’s degree there.

Undergraduate is also commonly used as an adjective in this same context, in terms like undergraduate student , undergraduate degree , and undergraduate studies.

Undergraduate is often shortened to undergrad as both a noun and an adjective.

In undergraduate, the prefix under- is used to indicate a lower rank or status. The educational status of an undergraduate student is below that of a graduate student.

What’s the difference between wisdom and knowledge ? Here’s a lesson on the two terms.

What is an undergraduate student ? And what is an undergraduate degree ?

An undergraduate student is a student who is pursuing a degree at the first level of higher education (meaning the level after high school) at a college or university. Undergraduate students are typically those working to earn a bachelor’s degree (or, less commonly, an associate’s degree ). These degrees are often referred to with the general term undergraduate degree.

Outside of the US, an undergraduate degree is sometimes called a first degree. There are also other types of undergraduate degrees outside of the US, such as a foundation degree (which, like an associate’s degree, is typically a two-year degree).

What does graduate mean?

As a noun, the word graduate  [  graj -oo-it ] refers to “a person who has received a degree or diploma on completing a course of study.” In other words, a graduate is someone who has completed a particular level of schooling or an educational program—a child who just finished kindergarten and a doctor who just completed medical school are both graduates. It can even be used figuratively , as in She’s a graduate of the school of hard knocks.

As a verb, graduate [  graj -oo-eyt ] means “to receive a degree or diploma on completing a course of study.” The process of graduating—and the ceremony itself—is called graduation .

As an adjective, graduate [  graj -oo-it ] means something more specific. It’s used to indicate that a student, degree, or educational program is an advanced one, beyond the level of a bachelor’s degree. This sense of graduate is most commonly used in terms like graduate degree, graduate school , graduate program, and graduate student.

What is a graduate degree ? And what is a graduate student ?

Graduate degree typically refers to a degree beyond a bachelor’s, most commonly a master’s.

A graduate student is a student who’s pursuing an advanced degree after having earned their undergraduate degree (such as a bachelor’s degree) by graduating from an undergraduate program. Calling someone a graduate student most often means they are pursuing their master’s degree, but it may be another advanced degree, such as a PhD (You’d most commonly call such students PhD students. Or you might say they are working toward their doctorate or their doctoral degree.)

To earn a graduate degree, graduate students go to a division of a university known as graduate school , and such a program is often called a graduate program. In all of these terms, graduate is often shortened to grad : grad school , grad student , grad program . (A student doesn’t become a graduate student until they take graduate-level courses. For example, if a student graduates with a bachelor’s degree and then later pursues a different bachelor’s degree, they are still an undergraduate student .)

Some graduate studies are referred to in more specific ways: medical students go to medical school to earn their medical degree ; law students go to law school to earn their law degree.

Do you know the difference between these highly-esteemed graduate degrees and titles: PhD, MD, and Dr ?

Where does the word graduate come from?

Graduate comes from the Medieval Latin graduārī, meaning “to take a degree.” It ultimately derives from the Latin gradus, meaning “a step.” Each time you graduate, you take a step to the next level of education.

What does postgraduate mean?

The adjective postgraduate is sometimes used in the same way as the adjective sense of the word graduate, especially in the UK, as in postgraduate student or postgraduate studies.

Postgraduate should not be confused with postdoctoral , which refers to studies, research, or professional work above the level of a doctorate.

How to use undergraduate vs. graduate

The best way to sort out the different meanings of undergraduate and graduate is to determine whether each word is being used as a noun, an adjective, or a verb. Here’s an easy breakdown of the differences.

• undergraduate (noun): A college student pursuing a non-advanced degree, most commonly a bachelor’s degree. Can be shortened to undergrad.
• undergraduate (adjective): Used in the context of colleges and university programs ( undergraduate programs ) where students are pursuing a degree (generally referred to as an undergraduate degree ) that is not an advanced degree. Also sometimes shortened to undergrad.
• graduate (noun): A person who has completed a particular level of schooling or educational program. Can be shortened to grad.
• graduate (verb): To complete a level of schooling (and, typically, to receive a degree or diploma). You can graduate from kindergarten, high school, college, graduate school, medical school, etc.
• graduate (adjective): Used in the context of advanced schooling—a level beyond a bachelor’s degree, most commonly a master’s program. Used in terms like graduate student , graduate school , graduate degree , graduate program , graduate courses , etc. Often shortened to grad.

Examples of undergraduate, undergrad, graduate, and grad used in a sentence

Let’s look at some examples of these words in actual, real-life use to get the meanings straight.

• As an undergraduate, she had studied engineering; as a graduate student, she switched to architecture.
• I completed my undergraduate degree after five years and a lot of hard work.
• As a graduate student, you will be expected to complete a thesis.
• You should start thinking about graduate school applications before you graduate.
• Most of the applicants for this position are recent college graduates.
• I’m still an undergrad, but I’m hoping to start grad school next fall.
• I’m a UGA grad, but I almost went to Georgia Tech.

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What’s the Difference Between a Graduate and Undergraduate Degree Program?

When you’re starting to consider your path in higher education, degrees — such as BBA, BS, MBA and MS — can look more like alphabet soup than the academic accomplishments they are.

An undergraduate degree, which commonly refers to a bachelor’s degree, is the next educational step you can pursue after high school. After you earn a bachelor’s degree, you can consider pursuing a graduate degree, which commonly refers to a master's degree. A bachelor's degree is required before a master’s degree because master’s programs generally build on bachelor-level education with more in-depth study.

If you’re considering a path in higher education, use this guide to learn more about undergraduate and graduate degrees.

What is an undergraduate degree? Undergraduate degrees usually require students to take general education courses in areas such as math, language and culture, as well as courses focused on their majors.

Many institutions offer bachelor's degrees in a wide range of subjects. Bachelor's degrees can look slightly different depending on which subject you major in. For example, if your major is information technology, you might earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Technology. If you major in English, you might graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English.

While the term undergraduate degree most commonly refers to a bachelor's degree, some students earn a two-year degree called an associate degree after high school before or while pursuing a bachelor's degree.

What is a graduate degree? If you want to continue your studies after completing your bachelor's degree, the next level of education is a graduate degree . Graduate degrees vary significantly depending on the type of degree and the specific program you pursue. Overall, graduate studies provide a more advanced, in-depth curriculum and often practical industry experience to help prepare you for a specific career or field.

There are many types of graduate degrees. You might pursue a master's degree, such as a Master of Arts (MA), Science (MS), Education (MED), or Business Administration (MBA). Other graduate degrees include doctoral and professional degrees, such as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Juris Doctor (JD) and Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Undergraduate vs. graduate degrees: What’s the difference? While both undergraduate and graduate degrees involve courses and developing new skills, there are significant differences between the degrees, including:

Order of degrees Consider degrees as educational building blocks. After completing high school, you have the foundation to pursue an undergraduate degree, such as a bachelor’s degree. Once you've earned a bachelor's degree, you can pursue further studies in your chosen field through a graduate degree.

Course of study The academic content and focus vary between undergraduate and graduate degrees. For example, if you are completing an undergraduate degree in business, the concepts will be more foundational and general. These concepts lay the groundwork that allows business graduate students to study more specific disciplines, concepts and applications.

Number of courses Given the foundational nature of bachelor’s programs, they typically require more courses to graduate than master’s programs, which are more specialized. For example, the Strayer University Bachelor of Business Administration program has 40 courses, and its Master of Business Administration program has 10 courses. Remember that the time it will take you to complete a degree program can vary depending on the specific program and your academic performance.

Is earning a degree worth it? Undergraduate degrees can help you explore your interests, gain valuable knowledge and skills, expand your professional connections and pursue your career goals. Meanwhile, graduate programs can help you learn the more specialized skills you might need to further your career goals.

Some institutions offer their students assistance to offset costs and support every step of the way. At Strayer University:

• Enroll in a bachelor’s program and we’ll give you a brand-new laptop to help you with your coursework.*
• We offer access to up to 10 no-cost gen ed courses through our affiliate, Sophia, to help you save time and money.*
• For every three bachelor's courses you pass, earn one on us tuition-free, to be redeemed near the end of your program with the Strayer Graduation Fund .*
• You’ll have a dedicated student service coach who will help guide you through your program.
• Access our Career Center with on-demand tools, tips and resources to help you succeed during your program and after graduation.

Still wondering if an undergraduate or graduate degree is worth it? This is a worthwhile question for each potential student to explore. Many careers require a certain level of education or specific skills, so research the career pathways you're interested in and weigh the qualifications needed against your priorities to determine the best next step for you.

*Eligibility rules and restrictions apply. Connect with us for details.

Learn more about Strayer University’s online degree offerings .

Category : Value of a Degree

Published Date : MAY 5, 2024

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Don’t think it is just about ‘working the land’. You’ll study land-based industries, such as rural management, animal medicine, GM crops, food security and climate change.

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Involves the study of life, nature and literally everything that surrounds us! You’ll develop scientific thinking, high numeracy skills and methodical approach to problems.

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Business and Management

Covering finance, accounting, marketing, HR management and administrative studies, you'll gain skills that can open doors for your own initiatives as well as global companies projects.

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Computer Science and IT

Want to be at the edge of technological innovation? Learn about the design, production and use of computing, information systems and software engineering.

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Creative Arts and Design

Develop your talent in a creative and practical way! You’ll study the creation of visual work, from painting to computer graphics and video games, including fine art and product design.

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Education and Training

You will study of how people develop and learn. You can enrol at undergrad or postgrad teacher training. You will have a hands-on experience at a school or university.

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Engineering

The practical and innovative application of maths and sciences will be used to design, develop and maintain infrastructures, products and systems on a large scale.

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Health and Medicine

You will study all aspects of the human body for the diagnose, treatment and assessment of patients’ health needs. You’ll have a hands-on learning approach for medicine and surgery.

• Complementary Health
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You will be trained to think critically and ethically, as well as in good historical knowledge which allows you to interact in various spheres. Other areas include literature, art and social studies.

• Archaeology
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You will learn how legal systems operate around the world. International law and related areas are popular among international students looking for opportunities worldwide.

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The Masters in Business Administration equips students with practical skills to succeed in the world of business. Graduates are highly demanded in all sectors of the world economy.

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Personal Care and Fitness

It involves an understanding of human wellbeing and how to enhance it physically and aesthetically. You will learn about hair, beauty, therapies and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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Social Studies and Media

You will study how we as human beings interact as part of society. The subject includes practical expressions such as film and media, and theory from sociology and anthropology.

• Anthropology
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Travel and Hospitality

You will study hospitality and travel industry, and its global impact. You will have the possibility to make your passion for travel your career and possibly develop your own business.

• Food and Drink Production
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What You Need to Know About Becoming a Psychology Major

Psychology majors study the science of human behavior and mental processes. This includes examining the mind, the brain, and human and animal social interactions. The major touches on multiple aspects of the field, such as social, cognitive, abnormal, personality, developmental and clinical psychology.

Becoming a Psychology Major

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What Is a Psychology Major?

Psychology is a widely customizable major that can prepare students for a variety of career paths as well as graduate-level programs in psychology, education, law, medicine and business. Psychology majors learn basic methods for conducting psychological research, reasoning and problem solving. After their research is complete, students write papers on their findings in the American Psychological Association, or APA, format, which calls for specific citation methods.

These majors also explore the history of psychology by studying past experiments and learning from t early breakthroughs in the field. Throughout their psychology courses, they can expect to become very familiar with the theories of famous psychologists like Sigmund Freud, Albert Bandura, Ivan Pavlov, Wilhelm Wundt and others who helped shape the science.

Psychology major vs. sociology major: What’s the difference?

While psychology and sociology are both social sciences, their core difference is the scope of human behavior that these majors study. Psychology primarily focuses on the mind of the individual, while sociology examines groups of people – like communities, organizations or countries – and how individuals in these groups relate to one another.

Common Coursework Psychology Majors Can Expect

Undergraduate courses for a psychology degree might include general psychology, research methods in psychology, statistical methods in psychology and lab courses.

General psychology courses cover the core types of psychology, the history of the science, and the relationships between the brain, behavior and experience. Psychology lab courses allow students to gain experience conducting research, designing experiments, learning observation and measurement techniques, and analyzing behavioral data.

After learning the basics, students meet major requirements by enrolling in courses on more specific topics like:

• Developmental psychology. 
• Learning and behavior. 
• Social psychology. 
• Theories of personality, drugs and behavior. 
• Affective neuroscience. 
• Child psychology. 
• Introduction to clinical psychology. 

Many schools offer course credit for independent research projects, though they may require a certain GPA and approval of a student’s topic through the psychology department. This research experience can be especially beneficial to students who plan to continue their psychology studies in graduate school. To complete their bachelor’s degree, schools usually require undergraduate students to take courses in math, social science and physical science.

How to Know if This Major Is the Right Fit for You

A psychology major might be a good choice for students who want to work with people and are interested in understanding human behavior and mental processes. Helpful skills for psychology majors to have include open-mindedness, the ability to think critically, problem-solving techniques and effective communication abilities. By learning how humans tick, students can apply some lessons to their own lives and potentially learn about themselves, too. Undergraduates who don’t want to be psychologists might still want to major in psychology, as it can apply to many career paths and provides a general understanding of people as well as transferable writing, research and analytical skills.

What Can I Do With a Psychology Major?

Graduate school and licensing are necessary for those who want to work as psychologists , therapists or in most counseling roles, including school counselor. Psychology degree-holders can also apply to graduate programs in law , medicine, business and other applicable fields, as psychology can be a solid educational base to build upon. Specializations in psychology cover many facets of the human experience, as students can pick specific interests like the environment, crime, animals, children, social work, rehabilitation or the military, and practice in that area of psychology.

Possible career options for psychology majors that don't require a graduate degree or license include law enforcement or corrections officer, human resources manager, marketing or advertising manager, research assistant, and some nonprofit positions.

Data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent estimates of annual salary by occupation and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook .

What Psychology Majors Say

"I would say that for me, being a Psychology major is a chance to learn more about yourself, others, and the world at large. Many people discount the major as unimportant, saying it is oversaturated or overgeneralized. However, I believe that is farthest from the truth, particularly seeing the importance of mental health care professionals and human centered roles following quarantine. Additionally, being a student of Psychology is honestly such a fun time. I love the shared understanding we have of entering a lecture hall, talking about the content while we wait for class to start, and the fury of typing I notice only after the instructor teaches us how our brains automatically filter the sound out."

– AJ Vollrath , University of Minnesota, class of 2024.

"As a psychology major, I’ve been given a phenomenal opportunity to pursue my passion for working with children. I strongly recommend considering psychology if you’re seeking a field that has hands on experience with people. For future psychology students, embrace the diverse learning experiences that come with the major as it allows for you to not only be a well-rounded scholar but a comprehensive person."

– Brandon Janse Van Vuuren , Temple University, class of 2024.

"As a psychology student at the University of the District of Columbia, I have had the privilege to explore the range of topics that psychology has to offer and build professional and leadership skills. The department is a family of students, faculty and staff who have shown profound perseverance in the face of global change, and dedication to the pursuit of students’ academic and professional careers. The small classes lend to an invaluable learning experience. The rigorous curriculum equips you with the core foundations of research and understanding contributions to the field that help you grow as a critical thinker and advocate for an improved society. In the classroom, expect to expand your boundaries of thought beyond the North American lens and explore global concepts applicable to dynamic world cultures. Lastly, take advantage of the faculty driven research laboratories that use high-impact practices in applied research experiences beyond the classroom."

– Zachary Roberts , University of the District of Columbia, class of 2024.

Schools Offering a Psychology Major

Check out some schools below that offer psychology majors and find the full list of schools here that you can filter and sort.

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The beauty of biology

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When Hanjun Lee arrived at MIT, he was set on becoming a Course 5 chemistry student. Based on his experience in high school, biology was all about rote memorization.

That changed when he took course  7.03 (Genetics) , taught by then-professor  Aviv Regev , now head and executive vice president of research and early development at Genentech, and  Peter Reddien , professor of biology and core member and associate director of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.

He notes that friends from other schools don’t cite a single course that changed their major, but he’s not alone in choosing Course 7 because of 7.03.

“Genetics has this interesting force, especially in MIT biology. The department’s historical — and active — role in genetics research ties directly into the way the course is taught,” Lee says. “Biology is about logic, scientific reasoning, and posing the right questions.”

A few years later, as a teaching assistant for class  7.002 (Fundamentals of Experimental Molecular Biology ), he came to value how much care MIT biology professors take in presenting the material for all offered courses.

“I really appreciate how much effort MIT professors put into their teaching,” Lee says. “As a TA, you realize the beauty of how the professors organize these things — because they’re teaching you in a specific way, and you can grasp the beauty of it — there’s a beauty in studying and finding the patterns in nature.”

An undertaking to apply

To attend MIT at all hadn’t exactly been a lifelong dream. In fact, it didn’t occur to Lee that he could or should apply until he represented South Korea at the 49th International Chemistry Olympiad, where he won a Gold Medal in 2017. There, he had the chance to speak with MIT alumni, as well as current and aspiring students. More than half of those aspiring students eventually enrolled, Lee among them.

“Before that, MIT was this nearly mythical institution, so that experience really changed my life,” Lee recalls. “I heard so many different stories from people with so many different backgrounds — all converging towards the same enthusiasm towards science.” 

At the time, Lee was already attending medical school — a six-year undergraduate program in Korea — that would lead to a stable career in medicine. Attending MIT would involve both changing his career plans and uprooting his life, leaving all his friends and family behind.

His parents weren’t especially enthusiastic about his desire to study at MIT, so it was up to Lee to meet the application requirements. He woke up at 3 a.m. to find his own way to the only SAT testing site in South Korea — an undertaking he now recalls with a laugh. In just three months, he had gathered everything he needed; MIT was the only institution in the United States Lee applied to.

He arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2018 but attended MIT only for a semester before returning to Korea for his two years of mandatory military service.

“During military service, my goal was to read as many papers as possible, because I wondered what topic of science I’m drawn to — and many of the papers I was reading were authored by people I recognized, people who taught biology at MIT,” Lee says. “I became really interested in cancer biology.”

Return to MIT

When he returned to campus, Lee pledged to do everything he could to meet with faculty and discuss their work. To that end, he joined the MIT Undergraduate Research Journal , allowing him to interview professors. He notes that most MIT faculty are enthusiastic about being contacted by undergraduate students.

Stateside, Lee also reached out to Michael Lawrence , an assistant professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School and assistant geneticist at Mass General Cancer Center, about a preprint concerning APOBEC, an enzyme Lee had studied at Seoul National University. Lawrence’s lab was looking into APOBEC and cancer evolution — and the idea that the enzyme might drive drug resistance to cancer treatment.

“Since he joined my lab, I’ve been absolutely amazed by his scientific talents,” Lawrence says. “Hanjun’s scientific maturity and achievements are extremely rare, especially in an undergraduate student.”

Lee has made new discoveries from genomic data and was involved in publishing  a paper in Molecular Cell and  a paper in Nature Genetics . In the latter, the lab identified the source of background noise in chromosome conformation capture experiments, a technique for analyzing chromatin in cells.

Lawrence thinks Lee “is destined for great leadership in science.” In the meantime, Lee has gained valuable insights into how much work these types of achievements require.

“Doing research has been rewarding, but it also taught me to appreciate that science is almost 100 percent about failures,” Lee says. “It is those failures that end up leading you to the path of success.”

Widening the scope

Lee’s personal motto is that to excel in a specific field, one must have a broad sense of what the entire field looks like, and suggests other budding scientists enroll in courses distant from their research area. He also says it was key to see his peers as collaborators rather than competitors, and that each student will excel in their own unique way.

“Your MIT experience is defined by interactions with others,” Lee says. “They will help identify and shape your path.”

For his accomplishments, Lee was recently named an  American Association for Cancer Research Undergraduate Scholar . Last year, he also spoke at the Gordon Research Conference on Cell Growth and Proliferation about his work on the retinoblastoma gene product RB. Lee was also among the 2024 Biology Undergraduate Award Winners, recognized with the Salvador E. Luria Prize for outstanding scholarship and research of publication quality.

Encouraged by positive course evaluations during his time as a TA, Lee hopes to inspire other students in the future through teaching. Lee has recently decided to pursue a PhD in cancer biology at Harvard Medical School, although his interests remain broad.

“I want to explore other fields of biology as well,” he says. “I have so many questions that I want to answer.”

Although initially resistant, Lee’s mother and father are now “immensely proud to be MIT parents” and will be coming to Cambridge in May to celebrate Lee’s graduation.

“Throughout my years here, they’ve been able to see how I’ve changed,” he says. “I don’t think I’m a great scientist, yet, but I now have some sense of how to become one.” 

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HEQSF alignment

All universities in South Africa were obligated by law to take part in a National Project driven by the regulatory bodies (Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), to align all qualifications with the Higher Education Qualification Sub Framework (HEQSF). The NWU is thus currently in an ongoing process of aligning our qualification and programme offering with the requirements of the HEQSF.

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