Psychology programs may not be feeling the pinch yet, but that could be shifting. “Psychology has long been a popular undergraduate major,” said Catherine Grus, PhD, APA’s former chief education officer. “But because that’s what we’ve enjoyed forever, there’s a risk that psychology faculty aren’t taking this seriously.”
Historically, enrollment numbers in undergraduate and graduate psychology programs have shown annual growth. “In the past few years, that growth has been smaller,” Grus said. “And so far, the trends for this academic year suggest we may actually be seeing a small decrease in enrollment.”
At the same time, there is growing recognition that the field of psychology must diversify to meet the needs of individuals and society. Efforts to recruit and support psychology students from wide-ranging backgrounds can help with both aims, ensuring a robust field of psychology professionals that reflects the rich diversity of the United States. “If we want to diversify the field and make sure we have adequate numbers of people in the workforce, we need to strengthen bridges across degree levels, through financial support, mentorship opportunities, and practical, hands-on opportunities to get people excited about psychology,” said Karen Stamm, PhD, senior director of APA’s Center for Workforce Studies, which collects, analyzes, and disseminates data about the psychology workforce and education system.
Those opportunities can start years before a student declares a major. To get young people excited about psychology careers, APA President Debra Kawahara, PhD, associate dean of academic affairs and distinguished professor at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, is launching a presidential initiative called Engaging Psychology’s Future. With partners including APA’s Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools and Committee on Associate and Baccalaureate Education, she is planning a series of local events in as many as 100 communities across the United States. Through these informal events, high school and community college students can hear from psychologists about career options and connect with mentors in the field.
“Given my own lived experience as a first-generation college graduate, I know that if you’re not exposed to the people doing this work, you often can’t imagine yourself in that role. These events can provide that personal connection,” Kawahara said. “I’m hopeful that APA members will step up to participate. It’s a small lift, but it’s so important to engage young people to consider the array of things psychologists do that contribute to society’s well-being.”
This article was written by from www.apa.org
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