Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

What is Psychological and Brain Sciences?

Psychological and Brain Sciences is your gateway to understanding human behavior at multiple levels — from brain organization to interpersonal relationships — while developing the critical thinking and scientific expertise that transforms lives and communities. Our department empowers you with scientifically rigorous education that prepares you to be both a critical consumer of research and a catalyst for positive change in our interconnected world. With over 1,000 students working alongside nationally recognized researchers, you'll engage in transformative learning experiences from hands-on lab research to community outreach that connects classroom knowledge with real-world impact. 

Our unique opportunities include access to the prestigious Grawemeyer Award in Psychology, which recognizes outstanding ideas with prizes exceeding $100,000, giving you exceptional exposure to leading scholars and cutting-edge research. Here, your curiosity about human behavior transforms into the scientific expertise and critical thinking that drives innovation in mental health, education, business and countless fields where understanding human psychology creates meaningful change.

Career Prospects

Where Understanding Human Behavior Becomes Your Gateway to Transformative Impact

Psychological and Brain Sciences prepares students for one of the broadest and most in-demand career landscapes in higher education. From clinical and counseling psychology to neuroscience, I/O psychology, human factors, and behavioral research, the discipline spans healthcare, corporate settings, education, government, and technology. At the bachelor's level, psychology graduates are the backbone of the human services, social work, research, and healthcare support sectors. At the graduate level, clinical and counseling psychologists and mental health counselors are among the fastest-growing professional roles in the economy.

Mental health counselors are projected to grow 17% through 2034 — far ahead of the national average — with approximately 48,300 openings per year. Psychologists overall project 6% growth, faster than average. Community and social service occupations — where many bachelor's-level graduates begin careers — project more than 313,700 annual openings. Whether you're planning to enter the workforce with a bachelor's degree, continue to a master's in counseling or social work, or pursue a doctoral track in clinical, research, or I/O psychology, this degree is your foundation.

Explore Career Pathways in Psychological and Brain Sciences