Majoring in Psychology
Achieving Your Educational and Career Goals
📘 About This Book
Updated to reflect the latest data in the field, the second edition of Majoring in Psychology: Achieving Your Educational and Career Goals remains the most comprehensive and accessible text for psychology majors available today. The new edition incorporates the most up-to-date research, as well as recent changes to the GRE Reveals the benefits of pursuing a psychology degree and shows students how to prepare for a career or to continue with graduate study in the field Features a wide range of supplemental exercises and materials plus topical contributions written by national and international figures in their respective psychology subfields Online support materials for instructors include Powerpoint slides and test banks to support each chapter
📖 Summary
Majoring in Psychology by Jeffrey L. Helms serves as a comprehensive and accessible guide tailored specifically for students navigating an undergraduate psychology degree. Originally published in 2015, this second edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect the most current data, research, and educational standards within the discipline. The book is meticulously structured to help students not only survive their academic journey, but to actively thrive by aligning their coursework with long-term educational and professional aspirations. Helms begins by exploring the fundamental value of a psychology degree, highlighting how the discipline fosters critical thinking, scientific literacy, and a deep understanding of human behavior. These transferable skills are invaluable across a broad spectrum of industries, and the book goes to great lengths to show students how to identify and market their strengths to prospective employers. Beyond entering the workforce immediately after graduation, the text provides an extensive roadmap for those intending to pursue graduate studies. It covers critical milestones in the post-graduate preparation process, including recent changes to the GRE, how to select the right master or doctoral program, and strategies for crafting competitive applications. Throughout the volume, Helms integrates a wide range of supplemental exercises and practical materials designed to engage readers in self-reflection and career planning. Furthermore, the book is enriched by topical contributions written by distinguished national and international figures working within various subfields of psychology, offering students firsthand perspectives on specialized career paths. Whether a student is wondering what classes to take next semester, trying to figure out how to gain meaningful research experience, or planning for rigorous graduate school admissions, this book acts as an indispensable navigational tool. By bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, Helms empowers readers to take full ownership of their academic trajectory and professional future.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Extremely comprehensive coverage of both career and graduate school preparation
Includes insightful contributions from national and international subfield experts
Updated with modern research and recent changes to the GRE
Features practical supplemental exercises for student self-reflection
⚠️ Cons
Graduate school requirements and testing standards may continue to evolve past the 2015 publication date
Primarily tailored for undergraduate students rather than seasoned professionals
❓ FAQ
Who wrote Majoring in Psychology? +
The book was written by Jeffrey L. Helms.
When was this second edition published? +
The second edition of the book was published in 2015.
How many pages are in the book? +
The book contains 424 pages.
Does the book cover graduate studies? +
Yes, it provides guidance on preparing for graduate school and includes updates to the GRE.
Are there supplemental materials included? +
Yes, the book features a wide range of supplemental exercises and topical contributions from field experts.






