Careers In Psychology For Psychology Majors
There are many different degrees available for those interested in psychology. Degrees exist for undergraduate and graduate studies. Job and career choice may depend on the psychology major or degree. Some psychology careers may be specialized and require specific criteria for working in that field. Depending on the major or degree, choices in psychology can vary widely, but specialization can make your skill set more unique.
Careers in psychology
Specialized fields in psychology include but are not limited to child psychology, educational psychology, experimental psychology, and organizational psychology. The wide variety of specialties is one of the reasons why psychology is one of the fastest-growing job niches. The American Psychological Association is a professional organization which represents psychology in the U.S.
In addition to the large variety of choices for specialty, there are also many areas in which a psychology degree can be helpful. These areas can include corrections, social work, schools, research, human resources, all types of businesses and companies, and writing.
A career in psychology can take many directions, and those directions may not initially sound like a career for psychology majors. For undergraduate psychology students, those with an associate’s degree, or those with a bachelor’s degree, career choices are limited to those that do not require a professional license, as licensed professional counseling positions require at least a Master’s Degree; and licensed psychologists must have completed a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree in addition to spending a particular amount of time in the field interning and completing supervised clinical hours.
Entry-level psychology jobs can provide the experience necessary for getting the most out of an undergraduate degree. Salary can often be directly related to experience and taking an entry-level position can give that experience, but the pay might be lower. Graduate degrees may require residency or another type of job training experience, too; this can depend on the degree.
Choosing a career path with a degree in psychology can be a bit overwhelming, as there are a wide variety of careers available. It might be a good idea to explore all the options available before deciding on any one path. Different careers can require different levels of education, certification, and licensing, so it can be important to research career choices and plan your education accordingly. Experience on the job is another important requirement for many career choices. Two years is usually the minimum requirement for proving experience for most careers in psychology.
Career choices with an associate degree in psychology
An associate, or AA, degree in psychology can be very useful for many different career paths. The skills obtained with an AA degree can be applied in many occupational fields. The median salary for an AA degree in psychology is around $45,000. The salary can depend on years of experience, the city in which you work, and the company that hired you.
Researching job opportunities to find the right pay and the perfect skill fit can be important. The pay rate is in part based on the city where one works. Some cities may have a higher average pay rate. The average salary is also affected by the number of people and the number of job opportunities. Another area one may want to research is companies hiring; some companies pay more than others.
Occupations for people with an AA degree in psychology
- Human Resource and Development
- Executive Assistant
- Case Manager
- Administrative Assistant
- General Manager
- Social Worker
Other career choices exist, but this list shows the most popular and typically best-paying choices.
Career choices with a bachelor's degree in psychology
A bachelor's in psychology is an undergraduate degree that provides the skills needed to work in a variety of occupations. A BA in psychology has a median salary of $50,000, but the pay can vary depending on the city, company, and years of experience. Like an AA degree, most individuals with a BA will begin their careers in an entry-level position, work for a few years to gain experience, then graduate to higher-paying roles.
When job searching, it can be a good idea to research the specific career in which you are interested. Research which cities have the best average pay and lowest competition for positions. Always research the company you are interested in working for.
Jobs for people with a BA degree in psychology
- Human Resource Management/Director
- Social Worker
- Operations Manager
- Executive Director
- Executive Assistant
- Marketing Manager
- Program Manager for Non-Profit Organization
This list of career choices is not all the career choices available, but these may be the best-paying. Undergraduate degrees may bring a higher paycheck than associate degrees, but the degree is not the only thing needed, and work experience can be another important requirement for many career choices.
Career choices with a master's degree in psychology
An MA in psychology provides a variety of options when it comes to career choice. With a master's degree in psychology, the median salary is $60,000. Going to graduate school and pursing your master’s degree in psychology might bring more options.
Career choices for a MA degree in psychology
- Mental Health Therapist
- Certified Behavior Analyst
- Director of Operations
- Clinical Director
- Mental Health Clinician
- Licensed Counselor
- Research Analyst
This list of careers is not complete, as new areas and applications for psychology are often on the horizon. There are various other fields you can explore with a master’s degree; one example would be school psychology. School psychologists focus on development mechanisms and the promotion of healthy development in children and youth. If you choose to be a school psychologist, you will likely work directly with students, or work on improving the systems that service them.
The point is that the skill gained while working toward a master's degree in psychology can provide a strong base for many different careers. Some jobs are more specialized, while others require the basic skills learned while working toward a degree in psychology. Some specialized career choices may require a license or other certification to practice. Some examples that would require these certifications include licensed counselors, industrial organizational psychologists, and certified behavior analysts.
Career choices with a doctoral degree in psychology
A licensed psychologist may have many career choices from which to choose. The average or median pay for a licensed psychologist is around $90,000. A licensed psychologist must complete a residency or internship before a license is granted.
After graduation, newly licensed psychologists may choose to look for an entry-level job or to open their own practices.
Career paths for people with a PhD in clinical psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Organizational Psychology
- Industrial Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Sports Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
The career choices in this list may be the most popular and can pay well. Some careers may have higher pay or satisfaction rates than others. For example, counseling psychologists make an average of $70,166 per year in the United States, while a clinical psychologist can have an average base salary of $111,314. Clinical psychologists also report high levels of job satisfaction, with 93% saying they were either somewhat or very satisfied with their occupation. This can be favorable when compared to the average satisfaction rating for other psychology careers. Forensic psychologists, for example, can have a considerably lower satisfaction rating.
There are other choices available to psychology graduates with a Ph.D., such as research and even writing. Opening your own practice can be another great choice. With a Ph.D., specialties have likely already been explored, and for the most part, career choices may be wide open.
Exploring your psyche with a mental health professional
Psychology can be a heavy topic to study, and many people who go into psychology-related fields chose to attend therapy themselves to help ease the burden or deal with their own mental health issues. For example, social workers, counselors, and even teachers, often take on a lot of the troubles of the people with whom they work, which can become difficult.
The benefits of mental health care through online therapy
For those reasons, we suggest speaking to a certified counselor with BetterHelp. Not only can a licensed professional tell you about their journey and what experience and education may be necessary to have a successful psychology career, but they can also get to know you personally and help you work out your mental health difficulties.
Studies have shown that online therapy is as effective as its traditional, face-to-face counterpart. Other studies have demonstrated that online therapy is also more cost-effective, especially when considering hidden expenses like taking time off work to go to a session, finding childcare, or paying for transportation.
To learn more about BetterHelp, get started with this brief questionnaire to then be matched with a professional, certified therapist.
Takeaway
Studying psychology can lead to an enormous array of different career options, and becoming a licensed therapist or counselor is only one of them.
Frequently asked questions
Is psychology a good career for those interested in mental health professions?
Psychology can be an extremely rewarding, satisfying career for some people. Here are some signs that psychology might be a good career path for you:
You enjoy being with people
Some psychologists don't work directly with patients. However, many do. For example, clinical psychologists, health psychologists, organizational psychologists, and counseling psychologists must enjoy working with others. That doesn't necessarily mean one needs to be an extrovert to be a successful therapist; they just need to have a desire to empathize and connect with other people.
You are curious and love to learn
Psychology is an ever-evolving field, and research continuously reveals new understandings about how the mind works. As such, ongoing education is necessary for psychologists to maintain licensure in most states. Whether it's discovering something new or studying pre-existing issues in a more in-depth way, psychology often includes curiosity and a love of learning.
You are a good problem-solver
A large portion of psychology work involves applying empirically based theories to issues that arise in a real-life clinical setting. Many psychological problems are complex and require thinking about a situation from all perspectives, identifying the information you need to inform your approach, and adjusting as needed.
Your loved ones trust you to offer sound advice
If your family and friends frequently ask your advice or confide in you with sensitive information, you might make a good psychologist. When others turn to you for guidance, it's likely because you make them feel safe and accepted without judgment. It may also demonstrate that you are available to help when they need you.
You are a good listener
A large part of providing excellent care as a psychologist is listening actively and clearly understanding what your client is saying. This might take patience, but a good counselor can create space for clients to express themselves by listening carefully and asking thoughtful questions at the right time.
You are open-minded
Human behavior is complex and doesn't always match our understanding or expectations. As a psychologist, you'll need to consider multiple factors that can influence behaviors, like genetic, social, environmental, and cultural factors. Working closely with people from diverse backgrounds might bring up things that challenge your worldview. To be a good therapist, you must be open to changing your perceptions and opinions as you receive new information.
You are detail-oriented
Observation skills are critical for psychologists to study a client's behaviors and attitudes. You must be capable of interpreting body language, verbal cues, expressions, and interactions.
Is a BS in psychology worth it for a career as a clinical psychologist?
In addition to being a requirement for state licensure in some areas of psychology, a BS (Bachelor of Science) degree might be useful in branching off into different areas of study or career choices. For example, you may further your education on a graduate level in areas of specialty like education if you're interested in working as a school psychologist, medicine if you'd like to be a clinical psychologist, business if you're interested in industrial/organizational psychology, and law. A BS also allows for flexibility in the workforce, as it can be applied to multiple career options.
Is it worth studying psychology if you're aiming for jobs in clinical psychology?
Studying psychology has its advantages and disadvantages, as does continuing post-graduate work in the field. Many people find it to be a fascinating field of study that leads to a rewarding career. In some cases, it can offer more scheduling flexibility and allow individuals to work from abroad as long as they are licensed to practice in the state where their clients reside.
On the other hand, some people find it draining to interact and collaborate with others on such a deep level. Some jobs in psychology can be highly stressful and, at times, overwhelming. Job burnout is relatively common; some studies reveal that almost half of mental health practitioners reported feeling burned out in 2022.
Is a psychology BS or BA better?
Whether a BS or BA in psychology is better for your goals depends on the field of study you're interested in. Both degrees require four years of schooling, but curriculum and graduation requirements might differ. For example, a BA in psychology might require specific credits in a foreign language and additional humanities courses. In contrast, a BA may require extra credits in science courses like biology, chemistry, or natural sciences.
If you'd like to earn a graduate degree, most programs don't prefer one over the other. However, if your undergraduate coursework complements your graduate school focus, it might help you get into some specialized programs more easily.
Is a psychology degree worth it?
It depends on your educational preferences and future plans. If you're interested in pursuing psychology as a career, you'll likely need to obtain psychology undergraduate and graduate degrees. If you aren't interested in pursuing a graduate degree, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology can help you obtain entry-level positions in various professions.
Should I get a BA or a BS degree in psychology?
Whether you choose a BA or BS in psychology depends on where your interests lie, what kind of classes you prefer, and your area of focus should you continue to graduate school. Both degrees may meet the curriculum requirements for specific fields like counseling psychology or organizational psychology, while others, such as experimental psychology, may require a BS.
Is psychology hard to study?
As with any area of study, psychology can be highly challenging for some people and easy for others. Some may consider it difficult because it requires in-depth study in fields like statistics and research or other advanced math courses. It also often requires learning how to conduct research, think critically, and develop strong problem-solving abilities.
What degrees can I get in psychology?
If you've earned your associate's or bachelor's degree in psychology (a BA or BS), you might go on to earn a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS). From there, individuals may continue their education and receive a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology) or a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology). The American Psychological Association (APA) typically establishes accreditation requirements for these types of degrees.
How do I know if psychology is for me?
While it might not be possible to predict whether psychology will be the right field of study and career for you in the future, there are a few things you might consider when determining if it's right for you before you begin:
Psychology is rooted in the study of the human mind and behavior
If you aren't interested in studying patterns of human behavior, helping individuals overcome personal challenges, or understanding the diversities of human behavior, psychology might not be for you.
Many types of psychology focus on serving others
When considering if psychology suits you, ask yourself whether helping people motivates you in your work. Are you energized and fulfilled by the idea of making a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities? Health psychology, school psychology, and clinical psychology are just a few examples of psychology fields that emphasize service.
Additionally, it might be prudent to consider your ability to draw boundaries between your personal life and career as a psychologist. Becoming easily "attached" or finding it difficult to separate your life and work might create challenges for becoming a psychologist.
You must obtain an advanced degree to become a clinical psychologist
In order to reach your career goals, you'll likely need a graduate degree. Psychology might not be the right choice if you're not interested in continuing your education or any specialized fields in graduate programs.
The disadvantages of pursuing careers in psychology
While studying psychology has many pros, it has its downsides. For example, the coursework can be complex and challenging and require considerable effort to succeed. Studying psychology can be emotionally overwhelming, as it addresses subject matter involving emotionally intense topics like trauma, abuse, and other sensitive subjects. Additionally, studying psychology can be costly due to tuition fees and supplies. Some programs require students to complete unpaid internships or clinical placements, which can hinder one from taking a job to pay the bills— particularly if they're now obligated to begin repaying financial aid.
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