Psychology is one of the most versatile degrees students can pursue in college. It serves as a guide to improved critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving, all of which are valuable in the workforce. Understanding human thought and behavior not only prepares students for graduate study but also makes them adaptable and employable in a constantly changing job market.
At Villa, students can combine psychology courses with other areas of study to expand their knowledge and prepare themselves for unique career pathways:
- Double major in psychology with another program
- Major in another field and add a minor in psychology
- Major in psychology and choose complementary minors
Each path blends behavioral science with practical training, giving students a flexible, personalized education that supports careers, internships, and graduate opportunities.
Best Double Majors With Psychology
Pairing psychology with a second major means you can explore multiple interests and prepare for a wider range of professional opportunities at the same time.
Business Administration + Psychology
Psychology offers a look into human social dynamics, decision-making, and motivation. This insight goes a long way when it comes to business administration roles in leadership, human resources, or marketing. When combined with a business administration degree, students earn the knowledge to run organizations and the psychological awareness to connect with people, which is essential to good business.
Together, these degrees prepare graduates to manage teams effectively, understand consumer actions, and drive organizational success. It’s one of the best double majors with psychology for students interested in blending people skills with business strategy.
Criminal Justice + Psychology
A double major in criminal justice and psychology is ideal for students drawn to careers that protect and serve others. Criminal justice provides a foundation in legal systems, law enforcement, community support, and correctional practices, while psychology adds a deeper understanding of behavior, mental health, and decision-making.
These programs enable students to analyze criminal demeanor, develop rehabilitation-focused approaches, and better support victims. This is a valuable combination, especially for roles where empathy and justice intersect.
Crime Scene Investigation + Psychology
Crime scene investigation demands a sharp eye to catch fine details, strong logical reasoning, and core scientific skills. Adding psychology to CSI studies creates a broader perspective by offering insight into offender conduct, witness reliability, and trauma responses.
Double majoring in these programs helps students not only collect and analyze evidence but also interpret the human factors behind crimes. It’s an excellent choice for students interested in careers that blend forensic science with behavioral analysis.
Sport Management + Psychology
In sports, success depends on more than just physical ability; mindset, motivation, and teamwork are essential to victory. A double major in sport management and psychology gives students an edge by combining industry knowledge with behavioral understanding.
This pairing prepares graduates to excel in coaching, athletic administration, marketing, or performance-focused careers. Students gain a well-rounded comprehension of both the business of sports and the psychology that drives athletes and teams.
Choosing a Major With a Minor in Psychology
Choosing a psychology minor offers students the flexibility to deepen their understanding of human actions without the added course load of a double major. Programs like business administration, criminal justice, crime scene investigation, and sport management already have a psychology course built into the curriculum. For students in creative fields such as graphic design or interior design, a psychology minor can also be valuable, offering insights into how people perceive spaces, visuals, and messages. Declaring the subject as a minor lets you formalize that knowledge and add depth to your understanding.
A minor in psychology is also a strategic choice for students who want to keep their schedules open for electives, internships, or graduating early. It provides many of the same benefits of pairing psychology with another field—insight into motivation, decision-making, and communication—without requiring the heavier credit commitment of a second major.
Minors for Psychology Majors
Adding a complementary minor to your psychology major strengthens your degree. For psychology majors at Villa, complementary minors provide a way to combine people-centered knowledge with creative and professional skills.
Art Therapy Minor
Art therapy blends creativity with psychology to help people process emotions, reduce stress, and improve mental health. For psychology majors, an art therapy minor involves hands-on experience with how artistic expression can be used as a therapeutic tool. It’s a smart choice for students who want to work in counseling or clinical settings, since it demonstrates both scientific knowledge of behavior and the ability to apply creative approaches in treatment. This pairing also lays a strong foundation for graduate study in art therapy, where professional credentials are required.
Music Therapy Minor
Music has a profound effect on emotion, memory, and overall well-being. By adding a music therapy minor, psychology students explore how sound, rhythm, and melody can be used as therapeutic tools. This combination prepares students for graduate-level music therapy programs or for roles where psychology and creative therapies overlap, from clinical practice to wellness programs.
Graphic Design Minor
Design isn’t just about visuals; it’s about how people perceive and interact with them. Pairing psychology with graphic design allows students to study human motivation, perception, and behavior while also learning how to apply that knowledge in real-world contexts like marketing, UX design, and communications.
Interior Design Minor
The psychology of space, known as environmental psychology, studies how surroundings influence mood, focus, and behavior. With an interior design minor, psychology students learn how to design spaces that are not only functional but also supportive of mental health and productivity.
Why Villa
Whether pursuing a double major, adding a minor in psychology, or combining a psychology major with a complementary minor, students at Villa benefit from small class sizes, personalized faculty guidance, and hands-on learning opportunities. Our programs connect psychology to fields like business, justice, sports, art, design, and marketing, allowing students to gain practical skills while exploring their passions. Check out our psychology program for more details or contact us to learn more!
