Psychology, in terms of humans, is the study of the behaviors and mental processes that occur when people interact with each other and with their environment. Psychology schools are charged with preparing students for a variety of career options, including but not limited to, counseling, becoming clinical psychologists, school psychologists, advising businesses, or working in social work. Many undergraduates who complete their degree in psychology go on to complete graduate degrees in other areas such as business, law, or political sciences. A select few with a true gift and compassion for others go on to get graduate degrees in psychology that allows them to work toward helping their fellow man.

Psychology schools, in terms of undergraduate degree candidates, are not terribly difficult to gain admissions. However, competition for graduate programs is steep, especially for doctoral study programs. During undergraduate studies, students can expect to study topics such as abnormal psychology, personalities, developmental psychology, psychological testing, as well as research and statistical methodologies. Students will learn how an individuals' behavior and mental processes change over the course of a lifetime. This is often accomplished by studying psychology for different age levels such as child psychology, adolescent psychology, and lifespan development psychology.

There are many facets and variables that can play a part in a person's behaviors and how they interact with people around them. Therefore, psychology schools also prepare students with course offerings involving sexuality, motivation, memory, death, cultural differences, and the differences in psychology between men and women, minorities, and people from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Each area of development, emotional triggers, and major life events are extensively studied, both in the classroom and in clinical settings during a students' educational career. This provides a well-rounded experience for the student and exposure to a variety of situations, diagnoses, and personality types from which to draw knowledge for future cases.

Psychology schools and universities that offer undergraduate studies in psychology require a certain number of credit hours for graduation. The exact number varies from school to school, and depends on if the student is seeking a degree with a major in psychology or merely a minor. According to the American Psychological Association (APA,) the average number of hours to complete a major in psychology is 38 credit hours. For a minor, the average four year college requires 18-20 credit hours. These credit hours are a mix of classroom study, field exercises, and clinical work.

Before settling on a degree in psychology or shopping around for psychology schools, the APA recommends students assess if they have the right core personality and psychological traits for a career in psychology. These traits include maturity and emotional stability, as well as strong communication and leadership skills. These skills and traits apply primarily to those wishing to become active in direct patient care. Those with a strong interest in psychology who are not necessarily good with people can still find satisfying careers in research, industrial psychology to help develop programs and strategies for businesses, or in administrative positions.