Vanessa
What are the subjects needed for psychology?
I need to choose a career! #psychology #psychology-education #career-path
2 answers
Daniela Silva
Daniela’s Answer
If you are thinking about majoring in psychology when you get to college, it is a good idea to start preparing as soon as possible.
Taking the right high school courses can help you succeed in your college-level psychology classes.
Some of the courses you should consider taking in high school include:
AP Psychology
If your high school offers an AP Psychology course, then you should benefit from this great opportunity. Not only does this course provide a great introduction to psychology, but it may also allow you the chance to earn college credits that will give you a head start on your degree.
Writing / English / Speech
Psychology students are expected to communicate effectively, both in verbal speech and in writing. Taking writing and speech courses in high school is a good way to develop solid communication skills that will be very useful later on.
Biology
Psychology and biology have a great deal in common, so taking high school biology courses can be very helpful. During your university studies, you will cover topics such as cell biology, human anatomy, brain anatomy, genetics, and evolution — topics all covered in high school biology courses.
Algebra and Statistics
Statistics play a vital role in psychology research, and nearly all psychology programs require at least one statistics course. Taking math classes in high school is a great way to ensure that you are prepared for the demands of college. High school courses in algebra and statistics will help you learn more about concepts including independent and dependent variables, exponents, probability, and graphs.
Social Sciences
Many university psychology programs recommend that high school students take plenty of social science courses including economics, history, government, geography, and sociology. These courses help increase your general knowledge base and help you develop critical thinking skills that will be important later during your academic studies and professional career.
Final Thoughts
Even if your high school does not offer psychology classes, there are still plenty of courses you can take that will help you later on in college. Psychology majors need a solid background in topics such as life science, social science, math, and communication. Concentrating your studies on such topics during high school will help give you the knowledge you need to succeed as a psychology major.
Source: https://www.verywell.com/high-school-subjects-2610106
Good luck and good studies!
This was very helpful but if I live in Nigeria, do I have to write biology in WAEC? Can't I just have a knowledge of it?
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa,
Many thanks for your question!
It would be better to ask for information in the Institution that you are doing classes.
Daniela Silva
Linda Ann Robinson, Ph.D.
Linda Ann’s Answer
While I agree with the response given by Ms. Silva, if your high school does not have AP Psychology, don't be too concerned. Focus on developing your writing skills and analytic skills (mathematics/statistics) in preparation for a psychology curriculum in a college or university.
Each college/university will have it's own requirements for the psychology major. There will be options within that curriculum. All of them will include, of course Introduction to Psychology, Descriptive Statistics and probably a course in Research Design. Beyond those 3 course, there will be significant differences from one college to the next to complete the requirements for the major.
What I suggest you do is this: go to the websites of the various colleges and universities that you are considering attending. In particular, look at the psychology department's website and what the requirements of the major entail. Compare those curricula. Then, go to open houses at these schools to ask very specific questions of the faculty there! Take a campus tour, especially the psychology laboratory facilities where research is conducted.
Know this: in order to "do psychology," you will need an advanced degree (at least a master's degree but usually a doctorate). That is why it is important that you view those psychology laboratories so that you can get involved as an undergraduate with research experiences! Those research experiences will serve you well in getting into a graduate program when you have completed your bachelor's degree.
Good luck!!!