career options for phd in psychology

10 PhD in Psychology Jobs

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Careers in psychology can last for decades, so you definitely want to pick the right path before you get started.

Psychology is a huge field, and jobs after a PhD in psychology cover a huge spectrum of interests, specialties, and industries.

You’re probably already well aware that those kind of qualifications don’t come cheap. According to 2020 data from NCES, the six or seven years you will spend in grad school getting that PhD or PsyD will run you anywhere from $73,000 to over $155,000 depending on the university.

Before you fork over that kind of cash, you probably want to know what jobs you can get with a PhD in psychology.

PhD in psychology careers are both lucrative and fulfilling. But they require specialization and focus, so you need to think about what area you want to concentrate in before you begin your PhD in psychology program.

These 10 doctorate in psychology jobs are some of the options on the table after you graduate.

1. Clinical Psychologist

Doctorate in psychology jobs don’t get any more iconic than work as a clinical psychologist. You want the office with a couch and people laying on it telling you about their childhood? This is the PhD in psychology career you pick to get it.

Clinical psychologists work directly with individuals and groups who need professional psychoanalysis to help them through mental health issues. Private practice isn’t the only option in this role, though. Plenty of clinical psychologists work in hospitals, clinics, and larger rehabilitation or long-term care facilities. You have a wide range of subspecialties you can choose from, ranging from addiction issues to couples counseling. Or you can remain a generalist, and enjoy the variety of challenges that walk in the door needing your assistance.

2. Research Psychologist

If you aren’t as much of a people-person, but are fascinated by behaviors and thought processes, then becoming a research psychologist may be the right pick for you. Research psychologists don’t engage in one-to-one therapy work, but instead investigate the causes and cures of mental illness in general. That can involve devising and executing psychological experiments, or mining huge databases of behavioral data to uncover trends.

3. Industrial/Organizational Psychologist

I/O psychologists make their mark in the psychology of work. Businesses and other organizations need to understand how group psychology effects productivity, happiness, and cohesion in the workplace. There is a science to workplace dynamics. A doctorate in psychology gives you the toolset to understand how groups interact under the hierarchy and pressure of a factory floor, a hospital ward, or a trading desk. Public and private companies can pay out big bucks for the right kind of advice to make their organizations more efficient and effective.

An online PhD degree can make it easy for you to build up the practical experience you need in this specialty even while you are still studying.

4. Forensic Psychologist

With shows like Criminal Minds and the popular CSI series making a splash in popular culture, a lot of people are pursuing a PhD in psychology with the idea of becoming a forensic psychologist. If you want to understand exactly how twisted and dark the human brain can become, a doctorate is definitely in your future.

But forensic psychologists aren’t usually chasing shadowy figures into dark allies and deducing where serial killers work and play. Forensic psychology is really a specialty that has to do with the psychology of law and legal process. That goes far beyond criminal justice, extending to jury evaluation in civil trials, public policy analysis, and even reviewing laws before they are passed to assess the impact on individuals and society.

5. Educational Psychologist

The human brain is in many ways a learning machine. How we process, absorb, and interpret the world around us is a constant consideration for all psychologists. But educational psychologists specialize in understanding how we acquire, process, and interpret knowledge.

Many educational psychologists work in schools, offering counseling to children, but it’s a broader role than that. Psychologists in this job may evaluate textbooks and curricula to make sure they are optimized for delivering information, or evaluate standardized tests to be sure they are accurately measuring knowledge. Educational policy and legislative development lean heavily on research pioneered by these doctorate in psychology jobs.

6. Developmental Psychologist

Developmental psychology is also concerned with how the brain learns and grows, but it’s a field with bigger fish to fry than just educational matters. It’s the study of mental processes across the lifespan, as the brain and sensory systems grow, mature, and eventually began to deteriorate. Developmental psychologists study and diagnose developmental mental health disorders, playing an important role in pediatric healthcare. But they are also active in researching some of the biggest issues at the other end of the lifespan, looking for ways to cure or treat Alzheimer's and other age-related psychological issues.

7. Social Psychologist

If you’ve ever wondered why a meme goes viral, the social psychology might be the PhD in psychology career for you.

Social psychologists take on some of the most fascinating challenges in the field: they specialize in how individuals both influence and are affected in their thinking by interacting with others. Group think is a thing, and how it happens is the province of the social psychologist. They examine how cultures come from shared thought patterns, and how those patterns both fulfill and constrain the thoughts of people within them.

Understanding social interactions and psychological effects is important for big companies, governments, and healthcare organizations. Social psychology researchers also have plenty of impact on marketing and sales campaigns, right down to picking out the colors for product logos.

8. Health Psychologist

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, health psychology has developed into one of the most fascinating branches of the field. The world has turned into a showcase of reactions to the coronavirus, from panic to outright denial, providing data that will feed future health psychology PhD dissertations for decades.

But it’s also a moment in which more people than ever need the kind of help and advice that health psychologists can offer. From counseling patients on ventilators and in isolation to advising public health agencies on the best campaigns to increase vaccine acceptance rates, health psychologists have had their shining moment thrust upon them. With new recognition of the importance of professional PhD counseling in healthcare, that moment isn’t likely to fade anytime soon.

9. Sports Psychologist

Becoming a sports psychologist is a dream job for any sports fan. Since there are a lot of sports fans in the United States, that makes it a particularly tough field to get into. But the rewards are massive.

Sports psychologists can and do work with pro athletes in any kind of competitive event, including big names who play for major teams. They might work for the teams themselves, advising on team building and coaching processes. In other cases, they work with individual athletes to maximize performance or help with injury recovery.

But sports psychologists play important roles in rehab and assisting amateur athletes, too. Not everyone needs to work for an NBA team to get satisfaction and deliver real results in this field.

10. Neuropsychologist

We saved the toughest job for last. Neuropsychologists explore the boundaries between the mental and the physical. They study the physiological processes underlying thoughts, perceptions, and feelings for a better understanding of how people think. That gives them an edge in determining when problems are purely psychological, or have a basis in physical injury or disease.

The reverse is also true, and neuropsychologists play an important role in research by helping the field of brain science interpret findings of imaging and experiments by translating them into effects on mental processes. New understanding of traumatic brain injury and diseases like Alzheimer's come out of neuropsychology research. It’s one of the most rewarding PhD in psychology jobs you will find.

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What Can I Do With a PhD in Psychology? – PhD in Psychology Career Options

Professionals who earn their Ph.D. in psychology have many more career options available to them than Masters level and Bachelors prepared individuals.

Not only are incomes generally higher with a Ph.D. but jobs are more plentiful and varied after the completion of doctoral level training. Also, in order to actually be considered a psychologist, a doctoral degree in psychology is generally mandatory .

Doctoral prepared professionals generally choose between applied psychology careers and research oriented careers . Applied psychology careers consist of the professional delivering psychological services directly to clients.

Psychologists deals with the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders. They also frequently provide preventative services for various entities. Some psychologists also apply psychological theories to help businesses overcome challenges and improve workplace productivity.

Other doctoral level professionals choose to dedicate their careers to conducting research. In many universities, doctoral level faculty only spend a small amount of time teaching classes as they spend the majority of their time engaged in research. They often manage laboratories, recruit research trainees, and publish their findings in academic journals.

Research psychologists also spend a lot of time giving talks about their research findings, attending conferences, and more experienced professionals are sometimes called upon to give peer reviews for well-respected academic and professional journals.

Additionally, many research psychologists also find themselves writing grant applications to get funding for their research projects.

What are the Career Options With a PhD in Psychology?

Listed below are some of the popular career options that you can pursue with a PhD in psychology:

Clinical Psychologist

Industrial organizational psychologist, forensic psychologist, rehabilitation psychologist, experimental psychologist, school psychologist.

• Sports Psychologist
• Educational Psychologist
• Social Psychologist
• Child Psychologist
• Mental Health Psychologist

Clinical psychologists often work in private practice providing evaluations and treatment for individuals who are experiencing mental health issues. However, you will also find a significant amount of these professionals working in hospitals, clinics, residential facilities, and other institutions that provide mental health services. A clinical psychologist in these settings might be a practitioner or an administrator.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinical psychologists earn an average mean wage of $102,740 annually, as of May 2023.

Companies hire industrial-organizationalpPsychologists to develop strategies to increase productivity and improve employee retention rates. These professionals focus on organizational structure, employee recruitment and selection, job satisfaction, and the development of better machines and systems for employee comfort. Industrial-organizational psychologists identify methods that work best in the workplace and make recommendations for improvement.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, industrial-organizational psychologists earn an average mean wage of $144,610 annually, as of May 2023.

Forensic psychologists take psychological insights and apply that to legal matters. This specialized area of psychology focuses on criminal and civil matters to include law enforcement, jury selection, probation and parole, victim advocacy, family law, mental status competency, risk assessments, civil commitments, juvenile delinquency, insurance claims, and many other areas of the justice system.

Careers for forensic psychologists are diverse and can include functioning as a court consultant, providing mental health services in correctional facilities, working with law enforcement, or providing victim advocacy.

Although a specific wage for a forensic psychologist was not noted, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Forensic Science Technicians who also serve as Expert Witnesses, earn an average mean wage of $147,585 annually, as of January 2024.

Rehabilitation psychologists work with people who have suffered a significant loss or are struggling with adjusting to life with a disability. These professionals focus on the psychological aspects of loss, disability, and rehabilitation.

Typical clients could include someone who has recently become a paraplegic, is dealing with cancer, or is experiencing a chronic medical condition. Practitioners give their clients the support that they need as they adjust to their new life with the condition.

Researchers in the field of rehabilitation psychology explore how various factors, including biological, social, and environmental issues, affect people with disabilities and other chronic illnesses.

According to ZipRecruiter, the related field of rehabilitation counselor earns an average mean wage of $95,854 annually, as of January 2024.

Experimental psychologists are professionals who specialize in the study of human behavior and cognition. Their research generally explores thinking, learning, attention, motivation, and other cognitive functions. Although they do work with humans, they also study animals such as rats, monkeys, and pigeons.

Experimental psychologists can work in research settings, as consultants for businesses, and are even called upon to develop strategies to help lessen the psychological impact of high intensity training on military personnel.

School psychologists are employed by public school districts, private schools, and learning centers to help students overcome challenges related to disabilities, emotional issues, social adjustment, or other behavioral problems that impede learning. They evaluate the effectiveness of the educational process for students and use available resources as well new strategies to help students improve performance.

School psychologists also help students indirectly by working with teachers, parents, and school administrators to create individualized educational programs for students who are struggling to learn.

In many school districts, they also help administrators with the development of programs for Gifted learners. The goal of school psychologists in this role is to support teachers and parents in implementing individualized instructional strategies for students.

Some professionals specialize in working with specific groups of students such as children with Learning Disabilities, Gifted learners, or Adult learners.

According to ZipRecruiter, school psychologists earn an average mean wage of $92,813 annually, as of January 2024.

Sports psychologists are qualified professionals who help athletes to overcome problems, improve performance and achieve their goals. They draw their knowledge from many fields such as physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and kinesiology.

Sports psychologists explore the link between the psychological and physical factors that affect performance and try to establish what issues are preventing athletes from performing at full potential.

Their role may also involve acting as a consultant, a trainer or a therapist. Therapy may be needed for issues such as career transitions, eating disorders or off-field problems that effect on-field performance.

Working as a trainer may include assistance with rehabilitation after an injury. Athletic teams often consult with sports psychologists or employ one to help with various issues such as group dynamics and leadership issues.

Some sports psychologists become researchers who explore issues such as factors that lead to success, the effects of athletic participation on individuals or the psychological effects of a physical injury.

According to the American Psychological Association’s (APA), sports psychologists can expect to earn between $60,000 and $180,000 a year, with some annual salaries reaching $100,000.

What is the Job Outlook for Psychology Careers?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that although the employment growth of psychologists is expected to grow by 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, career prospects are far better for those who have a doctoral degree in psychology.

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Doctorate in Psychology (Ph.D. and Psy.D.) – everything you need to know in 2024

What’s in this guide, ph.d. or psy.d., why do a doctorate in psychology, entry requirements, phd in psychology jobs, how long does it take to study, is a doctorate program all theory/studying, career path, earning potential , find psychology doctorate degree programs.

By PsychologyJobs.com Staff Writer

A doctorate in psychology is the highest level of graduate degree in the field. As a result, there are lots of career options to choose from, including research roles, and clinical roles.

There are many reasons you may want to pursue a doctorate degree in Psychology, the following guide will provide everything you need to know; from the options, costs, timeframes, career advantages and more.

First up, what are the two types of doctorate degree you can get and what are the differences?

The two doctorate degrees you can get in psychology are Ph.D. and Psy.D.

In simple terms, a Ph.D. in psychology is more research-focused, while a Psy.D. emphasizes clinical practice. The best choice between the two depends on your career goals and whether you prefer research and academia or direct clinical work.

• Doctorate-level psychologists typically have higher earning potential compared to those with a master’s degree or bachelor’s degree in the field.
• Gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in your chosen area of specialization within psychology.
• Potentially make significant contributions to the field.
• Advanced career opportunities in various settings, such as academia, research institutions, government agencies, hospitals, and private practice.
• Connect with other professionals, researchers, and academics in the field of psychology, expanding your professional network

The minimum requirements to study a doctorate degree in psychology will vary from institution to institution. However, there are several common requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree:  all programs require applicants to have completed a  bachelor’s degree , in psychology or a related field. Some programs may accept candidates with a degree in another discipline if they have completed prerequisite coursework in psychology.
• Master’s degree : Some doctoral programs require applicants to have a  master’s degree in psychology  or a related field. Others may admit students directly from their bachelor’s degree and incorporate a master’s degree into the doctorate program.
• GPA : Many programs have a minimum GPA requirement, usually 3.0 or higher. Some competitive programs require a higher GPA.
• Letters of recommendation : Applicants typically need to submit letters of recommendation from professors or professionals who can speak to their academic and research abilities.
• Research experience : Prior research experience is often valued by doctoral programs in psychology. This may include experience working on research projects, completing a thesis, or participating in research internships or assistantships.
• Personal statement:  Applicants usually need to submit a personal statement or statement of purpose that outlines their academic and research interests, career goals, and why they are interested in the specific doctoral program.
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• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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• School Psychologist
• Organizational Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Sports Psychologist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Counseling Psychologist
• Research Psychologist
• Professor of Psychology
• Child Psychologist

*Outside of the licensed psychologist jobs listed above many of the above roles  do not require  a PhD but it is important to note that employers for these roles are increasingly favoring candidates with a PhD. 

For the majority of students, a doctorate in Psychology may take anywhere from 4-7 years to finish, which will include a research dissertation and most likely residency or an internship in clinical or medical environments.

No. Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs in clinical or counseling psychology usually require students to complete a pre-doctoral internship as part of their training.

This internship typically lasts one year and involves supervised clinical practice in various settings, such as hospitals, mental health clinics, or community agencies.

The internship experience is intended to provide students with practical, hands-on training in their chosen area of specialization and help them develop the skills necessary for independent practice.

For Ph.D. programs in other areas of psychology, such as experimental, social, or  developmental psychology , internships or practicum experiences may be less common or not required. Instead, these programs may emphasize research experience and skills development.

With a PHD in psychology, you have a whole host of options when it comes to your career. With this kind of degree, you can work in specialty areas of psychology, depending on your studies and particular interests, or you can work as a researcher, an educational consultant, a forensic psychologist, political strategist, staff psychologist, private psychologist, professor of psychology, psychiatrist, or a clinical psychologist.

The earning potential for psychologists with doctoral degrees or PHDs can vary greatly depending on the specific specialty of psychology in which they work. General psychologists may earn around $90,000 a year, with the average salary around $84,000 per year.

On the other hand, clinical, counseling and school psychologists with PHDs tend to earn around $81,000 per year. The highest paying psychology careers can average up to $167,000, so studying a PHD in psychology will be worth it in the long run when it comes to career prospects.

• PhD in Organizational Psychology
• PhD in Educational Psychology
• PhD in Forensic Psychology
• PhD in Counseling Psychology
• PhD in Behavioral Psychology
• PhD in Child Psychology
• PhD in Clinical Psychology
• PhD in Neuropsychology
• PhD in Sports Psychology

What Can You Do with a PhD in Psychology?

If you’re passionate about building a successful career in psychology, earning a doctorate in psychology could get you there. For those who are passionate about the subject but wonder, “What can you do with a PhD in psychology?“, we’ll help you explore your options so you can decide whether a PhD in psychology is worth the shot. 

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With a PhD in psychology, you can pursue various career paths, including research psychology, psychotherapy, forensic psychology, neuropsychology, and even management consultancy. Alternatively, a doctorate also helps you pursue different areas of specialization within the field of psychology.

If you are considering a PhD degree in psychology, you’ve likely already earned your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. However, to progress further into the roles of research, academia, authorship, or lectureship, you have to take the next step. If you’re already employed in a field of psychology, earning a PhD helps you level up.

While a doctoral degree gears you up to become a licensed clinical psychologist, there are plenty of other career options to explore. Here’s a list of the most popular career pathways you can pursue with a PhD in psychology, along with their salaries and growth statistics.

Psychological Researcher

Psychological researchers, or research psychologists, deeply understand the human mind. Their primary duties include conducting experiments to test procedures to explore various aspects of psychology. This includes selecting candidates for clinical trials, administering tests, and carefully observing and documenting the outcomes of their research.

By the time they are done with PhD, psychological researchers are capable enough to review existing literature and contribute to scholarly discussions. Some may serve at universities, while others may work for hospitals or government agencies. If you’re passionate about research and writing, this might be a pretty lucrative field with tons of career opportunities.

• National average salary: $99,577 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 14% from 2018 to 2028

Clinical Director or Supervisor

The clinical director is one of the most highly paid yet growing careers in psychology . Clinical supervisors monitor psychologists and other mental health professionals to oversee the quality of clinical care provided. They establish best practices for the workplace and check whether the institution complies with regulations in the mental health field.

As a clinical director, you’ll serve in various settings, including mental health clinics, hospitals, universities, or even private practices. Also, these professionals arrange development opportunities for staff members, gather feedback from patients, and delegate cases to team members.

• National average salary: $120,761 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 28% from 2021 to 2031

Psychotherapist

Like clinical psychologists, psychotherapists support individuals with mental health conditions and help them live a fulfilling life. Unlike clinical psychologists, psychotherapists diagnose more general mental health issues. They closely monitor their client’s behaviors, emotions, and thoughts to develop specific treatment plans for them.

Additionally, they use different tools and therapeutic techniques to develop coping strategies for their patients and improve the way they regulate emotions. A PhD in psychology potentially makes you a perfect fit to deal with the complexity involved in psychotherapy. Ultimately, you understand your clients better to know where they’re coming from.

• National average salary: $115,281 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032  

Psychometrics Specialist

A psychometric specialist looks at assessments to gather information about a patient’s personality, symptoms, and cognitive abilities. They often join hands with mental health specialists to facilitate research or diagnose and treat patients. On top of that, these professionals play a key role in collecting data for research and ensuring its accuracy.

They use a combination of interviews, examinations, and standardized tests to gather data about a patient’s psychological state and decode it to help clinicians and researchers reach conclusions. As a psychometric specialist, you’ll work in research or educational institutions, clinics, government agencies, or independently as a consultant.

• National average salary: $62,264 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 6% from 2018 to 2028 

Human Resource Director

If you would rather work in an organizational setting, a PhD in psychology also helps build a mindset that prepares you to work in HR. HR directors are highly paid individuals responsible for shaping the recruitment and selection process in an organization. They create and implement corporate policies in areas like talent management, employee relations, and workplace culture.

With a PhD in psychology, you bring a deep understanding of human behavior, emotions, and motivation to the role. Plus, as an HR director, you can use the knowledge from your doctorate to develop thoughtful policies, systems, and resources to support employee well-being.

• National average salary: $116,601 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031

Marketing Director

With a PhD in psychology, you can also serve as a business or marketing director and build a fruitful career. Marketing directors use the knowledge of psychology to bridge the gap between relevant products and customers. Serving at multiple profit or non-profit sectors, these graduates contribute to public relations, management, and technical services.

As a marketing director, your background in psychology equips you with the right knowledge of consumer behavior and effective ways to communicate with them. This, in turn, helps you develop successful marketing campaigns that resonate perfectly with your audience.

• National average salary: $120,014 per year
• Growth: Expected to grow 10% from 2018 to 2028

Management Consultant

Management consultancy is another productive career path you can choose after a doctorate in psychology. Management consultants improve an organization’s efficiency, productivity, and performance. With a deep understanding of psychology, you can easily identify and deal with the underlying issues and patterns within your company.

Plus, management consultants provide feedback and recommendations on addressing employee and business management problems. They might also join hands with top-level management to devise practical solutions that align with the company’s core values.

• National average salary: $108,555 per year 
• Growth: Projected to grow 10% from 2022 to 2032

Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychology is a rapidly growing field  that requires individual practitioners to obtain a state license. Psychologists in this field work closely with law enforcement to investigate crimes. For a license, you need to complete a doctoral degree from an APA-approved program and have clinically-supervised work experience.

Licensed forensic psychologists assist legal professionals with addressing the psychological aspects of the cases they’re dealing with. For instance, they conduct evaluations, assessments, and psychological testing to understand the case. Once they have come up with logical reasons, they present their findings and opinions to judges and juries.

• National average salary: $87,877 per year
• Growth: Expected to grow 6% between 2021 and 2031

Behavioral Health Specialist

As the name suggests, behavioral health specialists counsel and support individuals with behavioral or mental health problems. They use therapeutic techniques to help patients develop new behaviors and cope with their existing condition. Most importantly, they use their psychological knowledge to identify the root causes of their patient’s behaviors.

If you have a PhD in behavioral health, you can work with patients who have severe mental illness or developmental disorders like autism. The advanced degree helps you set developmental goals for your patients and implement evidence-based treatment plans to guard their well-being.

• National average salary: $54,663 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 9% between 2018 and 2028

Addiction Counselor

PhD in psychology also enables you to serve as an addiction counselor, where you support patients on their journey to recovery from addictive behaviors. Typically, addiction counselors guide through the rehabilitation process and help manage withdrawal symptoms. They often work together with medical professionals to effectively detoxify clients from drugs and alcohol.

In addition to one-on-one counseling sessions, addiction counselors arrange group therapy sessions. This provides clients with peer support and learning about new experiences and coping mechanisms. They monitor clients throughout the rehabilitation process till they finally achieve sobriety.

• National average salary: $65,310 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 18% from 2022 to 2032

Prerequisites for Earning a PhD in Psychology

If you’ve made up your mind and want to earn a PhD in psychology, you’ll generally need at least a bachelor’s degree to get in. While some institutions may also require a master’s degree as a prerequisite, it largely depends on the program you’re opting for. Some universities offer combined master’s and doctoral degrees, so you get both degrees at once.

However, the most integral part of your PhD program is the area you’ve chosen. When applying, it’s recommended to thoroughly research the specialties the universities on your radar are offering. This isn’t just about coursework since the topics of your dissertation will also depend on your chosen concentration.

Plus, to make sure you quickly get through the admission process, it’s important to prepare for it beforehand. While the specific requirements depend on your university, here’s a list of some basic prerequisites when applying for a PhD in psychology:

• A bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field
• A master’s degree (depending on the institution)
• Strong academic record
• Letters of recommendation
• Relevant research experience or coursework
• Statement of Purpose (SoP)
• Interview (as a part of the application process)

Benefits of Earning a PhD in Psychology

Even if you’re sure about earning a PhD in psychology, it’s best to take a look at the benefits to check whether they align with your future goals. While the time required to complete a PhD may be significant, the benefits you reap make it worthwhile. Here’s an overview of the pros of getting a PhD in psychology:

Obtaining a License

Earning a doctorate in psychology is the only path to practice independently as a licensed psychologist. A license allows you to diagnose and treat mental disorders and provide therapy sessions to clients.

Better Employment Opportunities

Many employers, including those in the educational sector, prefer PhD holders over candidates with a master’s in psychology . This is due to years of experience and practice acquired through a doctoral program. For instance, PhD holders are often preferred for faculty positions, research roles, and leadership positions.

Skill Development

PhD holders are seen as authorities in the field of psychology  and research. Through extensive training and coursework, PhD students develop advanced knowledge and skills in areas like research methodology, statistical analysis, and clinical assessments.

High Paying Positions

Doctoral degree holders in psychology are paid way higher than those with bachelor’s degrees. The difference in salary reflects the higher earning potential that comes with advanced degrees in psychology. For instance, candidates with a PhD may easily qualify for higher paying positions in academia, clinical practice, research, or consulting.

Related Questions

What do you learn in a doctorate program for psychology.

In a doctorate program in psychology, you dig deeper into the field of psychology. For instance, you study research theories and methods and do your own research for a dissertation. Most PhD programs also allow you to gain hands-on experience in real clinical settings through an internship program.

Where can you Work with a Doctorate in Psychology?

Fortunately, you can choose from plenty of workplace options once you get your PhD in psychology. You may work as a psychologist in a clinic or even begin practicing privately. Some individuals with a doctorate serve at government agencies, hospitals, and even educational institutions.

How Long does it Take to Get a PhD in Psychology?

Generally, getting a PhD in psychology takes around 5-8 years , including some hands-on experience and a year-long internship. However, it’s worth noting that PhD programs are highly competitive. So, the earlier you prepare for your dream university for your psychology degree , the sooner you can secure a spot.

We hope we’ve adequately answered the question “What can you do with a PhD in psychology?” for you and you have more clarity about whether this is the right path for you. Whether you’re into clinical practice, research, or social service, a doctorate in psychology can accommodate your personal preferences if you pick the right area for yourself.

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80+ Jobs in Psychology to Consider

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Amanda Tust is a fact-checker, researcher, and writer with a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

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Applied psychology jobs, psychology jobs in the workplace, psychology jobs in healthcare, psychology jobs in education.

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• Finding the Right Career

So you've decided to major in psychology, but what exactly do you plan to do after you graduate? With the number of college graduates steadily increasing, it's more important than ever to carefully consider your career options and select a field that is in high demand.

There are also lots of career paths in psychology beyond some of the "typical" options of clinical or counseling psychology. In fact, some of the most interesting job options might be those that you don't hear much about such as aviation psychology or traffic psychology.

One exercise you may find helpful is to look through a list of psychology careers to see what your options are and then narrow down the list to those in which you are most interested in.

Obviously, the best job is the one that you truly love, whether it involves providing therapy, conducting research , or solving real-world problems. Before you decide on a career, spend some time thinking about what really interests you and the type of work setting you would most likely enjoy.

As of 2019 , the demand for psychologists is expected to grow by 14% through the year 2026.

While this is not a comprehensive list of every single psychology career out there, the following are just a few of the psychology-related jobs that have a strong projected employment outlook or are considered an up-and-coming field with opportunity for growth.

We highlight a few of these careers to help convey the enormous variety of employment opportunities within the field of psychology. Some of these career options are specifically in psychology while others are less related but still rely on the knowledge and skills acquired while earning a psychology degree .

Consider some of these options as you plan your career path.

Art Therapist

Art therapists utilize the expressive and creative arts to help clients cope with psychological distress and to enhance emotional well-being. People who work in this field are trained in both psychotherapy and art. By using art, clients can communicate feelings, express creativity, explore different aspects, of personality, and cope with stress.

Art therapy is often used in a variety of situations, including:

• Adults suffering from chronic or severe stress
• Children with disabilities
• People who have suffered brain injuries
• People who have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychologists  assess, diagnose, and treat clients struggling with psychological disorders. These professionals typically work in hospital settings, mental health clinics, or private practices.

Although clinical psychology is the single largest employment area within the field of psychology, there are still plenty of jobs available for qualified professionals. In order to become a clinical psychologist, you must have a doctoral-level degree in clinical psychology and most states require a minimum of a one-year internship.

Counselors help people with a wide variety of problems, including marriage, family, emotional, and substance use issues. While requirements vary, almost all states require at least a master's degree in order to become a licensed counselor. Typical work settings include schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, and mental health clinics.

Geropsychologist

As the population of older adults continues to grow, the demand for professionals to attend to their mental health needs also increases. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by the year 2030, 21% of the population will be age 65 or older.

"Geropsychologists do everything from keeping older adults mentally and physically healthy and vibrant to working with those who are frail and have cognitive impairments," explains Deborah DiGilio, director of APA's Office on Aging . Geropsychologists can work in a wide range of areas, from providing mental health services to aging adults to designing products that make life easier for the elderly.

Experimental Psychologist

Do you love creating psychology experiments?  Experimental psychologists  use scientific methods and design research studies that explore many different topics within psychology. Social behavior , cognitive processes, personality, and human development are just a few of the topics that experimental psychologists might investigate.

People working in this field often specialize in a particular area such as cognitive psychology, educational psychology, or personality psychology. They may also be employed in a variety of settings ranging from universities, government agencies, research centers, and nonprofit organizations.

Consumer Psychologist

As retailers become more concerned with attracting new customers, the need for psychologists to understand consumer behavior in order to develop effective marketing campaigns has grown.  Consumer psychologists  not only study why people purchase goods and services, but they also analyze how family, friends, culture, and media messages affect buying behavior.

Some tasks that a consumer psychologist might perform include:

• Working with consumer focus groups to determine how appealing a particular product might be
• Developing advertising and marketing campaigns to appeal to a target audience
• Conducting theoretical research on shopping and buying behavior

Forensic or Criminal Psychologist

Forensic psychologists  apply psychology to the fields of criminal investigation and law. This has rapidly become one of the hottest psychology careers thanks to numerous portrayals in popular movies, television programs, and books.

While the field may not be as glamorous as it is depicted in the media, forensic psychology is still an exciting career choice with a lot of potential for growth. These psychologists often work with other experts to scrutinize insurance claims, perform child custody evaluations, and investigate suspected child abuse.

If you are interested in this area of psychology, you might want to also consider the related field of criminal psychology.  Criminal psychologists  perform a variety of duties such as developing profiles of criminals, assessing convicted criminals to determine their risk of re-offending, and helping law enforcement catch online predators.

Engineering Psychologist

Engineering psychologists  use psychology to investigate how people interact with machines and other technology. These professionals use their understanding of the human mind and behavior to help design and improve technology, consumer products, work settings, and living environments.

For example, an engineering psychologist might work as part of a team to redesign a product to make it more efficient and easier to use in a work situation. Those working in academic settings report the lowest earnings, while those working in the private sector report higher salaries .

Sports Psychologists

Sports psychologists  focus on the psychological aspects of sports and athletics, including topics such as motivation, performance, and injury. The two major areas within sports psychology are centered on helping to improve athletic performance or using sports to improve mental and physical health.

Sports psychologists work in a wide variety of settings including universities, hospitals, athletic centers, private consulting practices, and research facilities.

Traffic Psychologist

Traffic psychology is an emerging field that involves applying psychological principles to understanding driver behavior. Some areas in this field include:

• Designing vehicles that are safer and more ergonomic
• Researching how people use transportation
• Searching for ways to improve traffic safety and prevent auto accidents
• Studying the relationship between driver behavior and traffic accidents

Traffic psychology often involves a multidisciplinary approach, combining fields such as social psychology, behavioral psychology, and cognitive psychology.

For example, traffic psychologists might assess how perception and cognition influence performance during a driving task. They might also look at how individual personality affects a driver's  emotions ,  attitudes , and risk-taking behavior while driving.

Career Counselor

Thanks to the rapidly changing job market, many people are searching for a new job in their chosen field or even changing careers entirely.  Career counselors  help individuals make career decisions and utilize tools including personality assessments, interest inventories, and other evaluation measures.

They often start by looking at a client's interests, job history, education, and skills in order to determine which careers are a good match. They also help clients work on building skills, practicing interviews, improving resumes, and locating job openings. Assisting clients who are dealing with job loss or employment-related stress is also common.

Aviation Psychologist

Aviation psychology is a relatively little-known subspecialty area of  human factors psychology that involves the study of pilots, air traffic controllers, and other flight crew members. People who work in this field perform a number of different duties, which may include:

• Assessing cabin safety
• Conducting research on aviation safety
• Designing flight decks
• Evaluating prospective employees
• Investigating aviation accidents
• Selecting and training pilots
• Training flight crews in communication strategies and ways to assist passengers with in-flight anxiety

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Industrial-organizational psychologists (also called I/O or I-O psychologists) focus on workplace behavior, often using psychological principles to increase worker productivity and select employees that are best suited for particular jobs. There are several different specialty areas within industrial-organizational psychology .

For example, some I/O psychologists train and assess employees, while others evaluate job candidates. While there are some job opportunities at the master's degree level, those with a doctoral-level degree in industrial-organizational psychology are in greater demand and command significantly higher salaries.

One sub-specialty area of the field involves working in human resources management to screen and hire job applicants. These professionals are often involved in designing and administering employment screening tests and selecting job candidates that are the best fit for particular positions within a company.

Genetic Counselor

Genetic counselors help provide information about genetic disorders to couples and families. These professionals typically have graduate training in both genetics and counseling, and many have undergraduate degrees in areas such as psychology, social work, biology, nursing, and public health.

Genetic counselors often work with a team of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and geneticists to offer support, guidance, and assistance to families who have a family member with a genetic disorder or who may be at risk of passing down an inherited disorder to their offspring.

Health Psychologist

Health psychologists  study how psychological, biological, and social factors influence health. Two important areas of health psychology include helping people avoid illness and promoting healthy behaviors. Educating people about the causes of illness and teaching healthier habits are just two things that a health psychologist might do on a regular basis.

These professionals often work in settings such as hospitals, universities, health care centers, and government agencies. Some of the job duties they may perform include helping people to lose weight, stop smoking, eat healthily, and decrease stress.

School Psychologist

School psychologists  work in educational settings to help children deal with emotional, academic, and social problems. Thanks to increased interest in the mental health of children and federal education legislation, school psychology has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing fields.

Special Education Teacher

While slightly outside of a traditional psychology career, the field of special education offers a great deal of opportunity for those who enjoy helping children. Special education teachers work with students with a variety of disabilities.

In order to become a special education teacher, you must have at least a bachelor's degree and complete a teacher training program in special education. Because of the increased enrollments in special education programs and a shortage of qualified teachers, demand is strong and expected to grow.

More Career Options in Psychology

Did one of the careers highlighted above catch your eye? Or are you still looking for something that matches your interests and goals? The specific career you pursue will depend largely on your educational background. Some entry-level jobs are open to those with an undergraduate degree in psychology, while others require advanced or graduate-level study.

The following are just a few of the many psychology-related job titles that you might want to explore. Some are directly in the field of psychology, while others require additional training in another field or specialty area.

In either case, having a solid understanding of the human mind and behavior can be beneficial in any of these careers:

• Academic advisor
• Advanced practice psychiatric nurse
• Advertising agent
• Animal researcher
• Animal trainer
• Case worker
• Child psychologist
• Childcare worker
• Cognitive psychologist
• College admissions counselor
• College admissions officer
• College recruiter
• Community counselor
• Comparative psychologist
• Correctional treatment specialist
• Counseling psychologist
• Criminal investigator
• Crisis counselor
• Customer service agent
• Developmental psychologist
• Education administrator
• Educational psychologist
• Elementary school teacher
• Employment interviewer
• Employment recruiter
• Environmental psychologist
• Family and marriage therapist
• Financial aid counselor
• Grief counselor
• Human factors psychologist
• Human resources manager
• Human resources specialist
• Library assistant
• Literary agent
• Market researcher
• Mental health coordinator
• Military psychologist
• Music therapist
• Neurologist
• Neuropsychologist
• Occupational therapist
• Police officer
• Probation officer
• Psychiatric aide
• Psychiatric social worker
• Psychiatric technician
• Psychiatrist
• Psychosocial rehabilitation worker
• Public opinion surveyor
• Public relations specialist
• Recreational therapist
• Rehabilitation counselor
• Research assistant
• School counselor
• Science writer
• Secondary school teacher
• Social psychologist
• Social services specialist
• Social worker
• Statistician
• Substance abuse counselor
• Technical writer
• University psychology professor
• Vocational rehabilitation counselor
• Youth counselor

Before You Choose a Career in Psychology

As you can see, employment opportunities in psychology are diverse. Some careers require only a bachelor's degree in psychology, while others require more advanced degrees such as a master's or doctorate degree.

Spend some time researching different options and learning more about what's required to enter into those fields. Ask yourself if you have the commitment and drive needed to pursue the necessary educational training.

As you examine the variety of psychology careers that are available, think about some of the following questions.

• How well does the career fit your personality?
• What kind of training and education are needed to enter the field?
• Are the average salaries in a given field satisfactory?
• What kinds of things do people in that particular career path do on a daily basis?
• Does the career sound interesting, challenging, and rewarding?

Finding the right career in psychology takes some careful planning. It is important to start thinking about what you might want to do early on. This way you can start planning your educational map in order to achieve your vocational goals.

A Word From Verywell

The job options listed here are just a few of the many different career paths available in psychology. Remember that no list of predicted "hot jobs" can ever highlight all of the many options that are available in psychology. The important thing is to pick a career that is right for you, your interests, and your long-term goals.

Martin L, Oepen R, Bauer K, et al. Creative arts interventions for stress management and prevention: A systematic review . Behav Sci (Basel) . 2018;8(2). doi:10.3390/bs8020028

Schouten KA, Van hooren S, Knipscheer JW, Kleber RJ, Hutschemaekers GJM. Trauma-focused art therapy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot study . J Trauma Dissociation . 2019;20(1):114-130. doi:10.1080/15299732.2018.1502712

American Psychological Association. Pursuing a Career in Clinical or Counseling Psychology .

U.S. Census Bureau. Projections of the Size and Composition of the U.S. Population: 2014 to 2060 .

Hackett P, Schwarzenbach J, Jürgens U. Consumer Psychology: A Study Guide to Qualitative Research Methods . Opladen; Berlin; Toronto: Verlag Barbara Budrich. 2016. doi:10.2307/j.ctvddzsrf

American Psychological Association. All About Human Factors and Engineering .

Rossier, J. (2015). Personality Assessment and Career Interventions . In P. J. Hartung, M. L. Savickas, & W. B. Walsh (Eds.),  APA handbooks in psychology®. APA handbook of career intervention, Vol. 1. Foundations  (p. 327–350). American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/14438-018

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook .

Hartman, K & Stewart, T. Investing in Your College Education: Learning Strategies With Reading s. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning; 2010.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree?

Experts say a graduate degree in psychology can prepare you for a clinical or nonclinical career.

What to Do With a Psychology Degree

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According to psychology degree holders, a formal education in how the human mind works is useful for numerous career paths.

A common misconception among those pursuing an advanced degree in psychology is that the degree will automatically lead to a career as a mental health care provider. While opportunities are available to those interested in seeking a career to help people struggling with mental illness, there are also many nonclinical jobs for those with a graduate degree in psychology.

What Jobs Can Someone Get With a Psychology Degree?

• Clinical psychologist
• Cognitive and perceptual psychologist
• Community psychologist
• Counseling psychologist
• Developmental psychologist
• Educational psychologist
• Engineering psychologist

"There's a general impression, which is incorrect, that if you major in psychology, you immediately want to go into the health professions, and you immediately are going to be a psychotherapist or work with people with emotional problems and that sort of thing," says Donald Leitner, a behavioral neuroscientist and professor and chair of psychology at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. "And that is only true of a branch of psychology, which is clinical psychology. There are many other branches of the modern discipline of psychology."

For instance, some psychology degree holders become researchers who use scientific experiments to clarify how the human mind works, while others design and administer IQ tests and personality assessments.

Also, therapists and counselors don't necessarily cater to individuals who suffer from serious mental health problems. "We're not only dealing with people with specific psychological, let's use the word, 'illnesses' or 'challenges,'" says William Gibson, an associate professor of psychology at Brandman University in California who specializes in family therapy and counsels people about gender and sexual identity.

Gibson, who also counsels families that have lost loved ones to suicide, says psychologists sometimes help psychologically healthy individuals find happiness.

Psychology Careers

The American Psychological Association offers an overview of the many types of jobs someone can get with a psychology degree in its online publication, " Careers in Psychology ." The publication notes that the term psychologist is reserved for psychology degree holders who have doctorates, and identifies more than 15 types of psychologists.

Here's a breakdown of different types:

• Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat short-term and chronic mental health issues.
• Cognitive and perceptual psychologists focus on how people see, understand and communicate with the outside world and how people remember past experiences. Researchers look for treatments for people with brain disorders while clinicians provide support to those with brain disorders.
• Community psychologists advise communities that are facing significant crises, such as disease epidemics and crime sprees, on the psychological aspects of such problems.
• Counseling psychologists are therapists and counselors who help people cope with difficult personal situations and provide guidance on how to achieve life goals.
• Developmental psychologists are experts in how the human mindset changes over the course of a lifespan and often conduct aging-related research. As clinicians, they assist children and adolescents struggling with psychological growing pains.
• Educational psychologists specialize in the psychology of teaching and learning and focus on improving student outcomes.
• Engineering psychologists , often called "human factors specialists" or "human factors psychologists," help design machines that are easy for people to use.
• Environmental psychologists are experts in how a person's physical and social environments affect the way that person feels and thinks.
• Evolutionary psychologists examine how natural selection has shaped human brains and influenced the way people think.
• Experimental psychologists conduct psychological experiments on humans and animals to answer scientific questions.
• Forensic psychologists focus on issues with legal implications, such as whether a criminal defendant is psychologically fit to face a trial, and may help law enforcement solve crimes.
• Health psychologists figure out how people with poor health habits can maximize their well-being.
• Industrial-organizational psychologists concentrate on the way human psychology affects the performance of businesses and other organizations.
• Neuropsychologists , sometimes called behavioral neuropsychologists, are experts in how the biology of the brain and nervous system impacts human behavior, thoughts and feelings.
• Quantitative and measurement psychologists are mathematically inclined professionals who ensure that data from psychological experiments and assessments is accurately interpreted, and create models that aid precise data analysis.
• Rehabilitation psychologists provide counseling and treatment to people with traumatic physical injuries or serious disabilities.
• School psychologists offer psychological support to students and their families.
• Social psychologists focus on the ways that society influences how people think and act and study the way people in relationships interact with each other.
• Sport psychologists focus on helping athletes maintain motivation and resilience during and outside competitions.

Nonacademic, Nonclinical Psychology Careers

Karen Stamm, director of the Center for Workforce Studies at the American Psychological Association, says it's common for people with psychology doctorates to have jobs outside of academia and health care.

"Only about half of psychology doctorates work in 'traditional' occupations (psychologist or psychology professor)," Stamm, who has a Ph.D. in psychology, wrote in an email. "The other half work in a variety of occupations, such (as) professors in fields other than psychology, managers and administrators, writers, etc."

Psychologists often conduct research for clients and serve as industry consultants, says Susann Doyle-Portillo, a department head of psychological science at the University of North Georgia .

"For example, a human factors psychologist [an engineering psychologist] may work for an auto manufacturer to help design instrument panels in cars that promote safety and ease of use by consumers," Doyle-Portillo wrote in an email. "A social psychologist may consult with trial attorneys on ways to best persuade juries. A developmental psychologist may help design educational toys or software and so on."

Psychology degree holders say that a formal education in how the human mind works is useful for numerous career paths. Understanding how people think is especially useful in professions that involve understanding or influencing public opinion, such as advertising or politics, experts suggest.

"I would say that psychology programs impart a very critical and marketable skill: the ability to measure, predict, and statistically analyze human behavior," says Nick Schweitzer, an associate professor at Arizona State University's School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. "These skills are highly sought after in a very large variety of employment sectors."

Here are some brief descriptions of a few of the many nonclinical and nontherapeutic applications of psychology.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Individuals can leverage psychology education at for-profit companies by using their people skills to figure out which people are worth investing in and relying upon, according to psychology experts. Psychology grads' perceptiveness about how people think and feel makes them a great fit for human resources roles, experts emphasize, and also helps them become managers since they are often excellent at relating to others.

Executives with psych degrees are often skilled at finding precisely the right words to say to motivate subordinates, and they tend to be good at assessing credibility, experts say.

"Emotional intelligence is enormously important in business," Anthony Babbitt, a change management consultant, business strategist and executive mentor with South Dakota-based Babbitt Consulting, wrote in en email.

"A degree in psychology not only assists in developing one's own emotional intelligence but also helps in coaching others to develop their own," adds Babbitt, who has a master's degree in psychology.

Experts note that some psych programs involve a significant amount of mathematics, and those programs can provide strong preparation for business analytics positions.

Knowing why students misbehave can help educators empathize with those students, psychology experts say, so the education sector is an area where a psychology degree comes in handy. Educators with a psychology background are often especially good at encouraging students with emotional difficulties, so this is a context where a psychology credential is valuable.

Katie Burns, a master college admissions counselor with the IvyWise admissions consulting firm, says she uses her psychology training "every day" when she interacts with students.

"Knowing the difference between normal teenage moodiness and actual depression, understanding the variety of treatment interventions that can be effective for teenagers struggling with various mental health issues, and being equipped with skills in motivational interviewing, executive functioning, and personal introspection are all things that help me to provide the best holistic counseling for my students," Burns wrote in an email.

Legal and Law Enforcement Careers

Intensive education on how to assess character that is provided via a psychology degree is helpful for careers in law or law enforcement, experts say. "I feel like more and more students are turning to forensic psychology as they apply psychology to the field of criminal investigation and the law," Julia Simens, a retired school counselor with a master's degree in clinical psychology, wrote in an email.

Media, Advertising and Marketing

An understanding of peoples' deepest desires is helpful if you are trying to sell them something, experts say.

"Social psychologists with expertise in persuasion can develop effective marketing campaigns and advertisements," Doyle-Portillo explains.

Product and Service Invention and Design

Psychology knowledge can inform predictions about what types of products and services consumers would be most interested in and offer insight into which features consumers would be willing to pay a premium for, according to experts.

Understanding the way voters think and feel can help someone anticipate how voters might react to political speeches and policies, so a psychology background is helpful in politics, experts say.

Psychology degree programs typically include a lot of coursework in data analysis and statistics , and skill in those two areas is useful for nearly any kind of research, experts explain.

"The statistics and research methods foundation you will learn in psychology coursework opens the door to conduct research in the area of human psychology, but also across industries," Erin Reynolds, a Texas-based clinical sports neuropsychologist with a master's degree and Psy.D. doctorate in clinical psychology , wrote in an email.

Sport and Performance Coaching

Sports and performance psychologists specialize in assisting individuals who need to excel in high-pressure environments and do well despite being nervous, says Casey Horton, who has a master's degree in sport and performance psychology and is pursuing a doctorate in the field.

"We all work with athletes and performers to help them maintain their mental focus during performance," Horton, the founder of Texas-based Clutch Play! Performance Psychology, wrote in an email.

"For example, athletes have important shots to make, routes to run, and victories needed. We help them focus on their ability to perform with their nerves under control. For a salesperson or a business person, they have meetings, sales pitches, and PowerPoint presentations to make to ensure the company lands a sale or a contract. In all of these scenarios, they have to be focused and deliver an error free performance."

Psychology degree recipients are often hired by prestigious tech corporations like Facebook, Netflix, Twitter and Google, since those companies are interested in creating an excellent user experience, according to experts. Schweitzer notes that grads of the ASU psych program often work in the technology industry, and their jobs typically focus on assessing how users interact with technology and recommending adjustments to that technology based on what users need and want most.

Job Opportunities Vary Depending on the Type of Degree

Julie Gurner, an executive performance coach who has a Psy.D. degree in clinical psychology, says the jobs that psychology degree holders are marketable for depend on their specific discipline.

"For example, someone who is in experimental psychology would spend their career conducting research, while someone with a clinical psychology degree would likely be in academics or health care. There are so many different types of psychology that are not related to counseling that most do not realize," Gurner said via email.

A Psychology Doctorate Can Lead to Lucrative Jobs

A doctorate in psychology is typically more marketable and profitable than a less advanced degree, Reynolds says.

"Only those with a doctorate in psychology can use the title 'psychologist,'" she wrote in an email. "This opens many more doors in terms of what you can do and how much autonomy you can have in the workplace. It also allows you to bill for services at a higher rate than a master's level clinician in many cases."

Reynolds says a bachelor's degree in psychology "is a great generalist degree that allows you to apply to grad school, law school, or even medical school, but on its own doesn’t amount to much more than a liberal arts degree."

However, some who have only a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology say that a psychology doctorate was not necessary for them to achieve their career goals. Meg Schmitz, a senior franchise consultant with FranChoice, a company that matches prospective franchise owners with a business that fits their skills and interests, says her bachelor's degree in counseling psychology provided her with training for her first job at a personnel agency.

A Master's or Bachelor's Can Offer an Array of Career Paths

Someone with a bachelor's or master's in psychology can use that degree in many ways, experts emphasize.

"A psych degree is like a skeleton key, or a universal degree," Schmitz wrote in an email. "You can unlock anything with a psych degree. Its utility is industry agnostic, not specific. Any career that includes interacting with others in order to influence or guide them, like customer service or sales, influencers or activists, parents and children to increase engagement, will benefit from greater knowledge of the human condition and common personality traits, triggers and behaviors."

Psychology-related jobs exist in multiple industries, according to experts.

"Many undergraduates find employment after graduation in areas such as human resources, law enforcement, employment counseling, insurance companies, nonprofit organizations, child care, mental health, health care settings, public affairs, business, sales, administrative support and so on," Doyle-Portillo says.

Simens notes that she did not need a doctorate in order to establish a fulfilling psychology career .

"In my position, having a doctorate would have made no difference whatsoever," Simens says.

The Difference Between a Psy.D. and a Ph.D.

Experts note an important distinction between a research doctorate in psychology, known as a Ph.D., and a clinical doctorate, known as a Psy.D. While the Ph.D. is the traditional degree for aspiring psychology researchers, the Psy.D. is designed for future psychology clinicians.

"Ph.D. programs are the gold standard for those going into psychological research, and Ph.D. degrees are typically required or desired for most academic and high-level industry jobs," Schweitzer wrote in an email.

Clinical psychologist Sarah Gray – founder, owner and director of a Massachusetts psychology practice, Integrative Psychology and Behavioral Medicine – says she chose to earn a Psy.D. as opposed to a Ph.D. because she was most interested in therapy.

"I knew I would want to spend most of my time practicing psychology as opposed to working in a research lab," says Gray, who also is a psychology instructor at Harvard Medical School .

How to Choose a Psychology Program

"It's important to note that a graduate degree in psychology does not, in and of itself, allow someone to provide psychotherapy services," says Carla Marie Manly, a California-based clinical psychologist with a Ph.D. "Internships and licensure are required to obtain the necessary accreditation to provide services to clients."

Manly notes that most "in-depth psychological programs" cultivate skills in communication, leadership and problem-solving, which are applicable to a wide range of jobs.

"Psychology is actually a very diverse field," Schweitzer says. "While many people think of psychology as the study and treatment of mental health issues, the field is about understanding everything about human behaviors, thoughts and emotions."

Searching for a grad school? Access our complete rankings of Best Graduate Schools.

See the Top Graduate Psychology Programs

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DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

• Undergraduate
• Graduate Studies in Psychology
• Areas of Specialization
• Considering Clinical Psychology

What Career Paths are Available to Those With Doctorates in Clinical Psychology?

Although it is difficult to get into strong graduate programs in clinical psychology, those students who do will have a number of career options open to them upon obtaining their doctorate. Typically, clinical psychology graduates choose careers either in academia or clinical practice, or in some combination of these two options. Many graduate students try to pursue a career in academia, typically as professors in Psychology or Psychiatry departments at universities. Academic positions in clinical psychology are very competitive, especially at the best universities. For example, for a recent clinical position at the Assistant Professor level here at Northwestern University we received over 50 applications, at least a dozen of which were of very high quality. Most of these top applicants likely received other job offers, or almost certainly will receive them eventually. Many of the others, however, will not obtain an academic appointment, but will work primarily in applied clinical settings, such as hospitals or mental health centers, or in individual or group private practice settings.

Other students enter graduate school in clinical psychology in order to pursue careers as psychotherapists. Although some of these students enter traditional PhD clinical psychology programs, others enter the more recent PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) programs, which generally have a stronger emphasis on hands-on training in clinical assessment and therapy, and a weaker emphasis on clinical research. Students graduating from PsyD Programs are typically not prepared to compete for careers in academic settings, although they are competitive for clinical practitioner jobs.

However, with changes in health-care insurance the future of clinical psychology practice as we know it today is unclear, and students would be well advised to talk with practicing clinical psychologists before making a commitment to pursue a career as a clinical psychologist in private practice. Our best advice to you, given the uncertainty of the field, is to keep your options as open as possible, which means trying to attend a graduate program that will prepare you for a career in either academics or practice.

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What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree? Jobs and More

Find out how earning your undergraduate or graduate degree in psychology can prepare you for numerous career fields.

A bachelor’s degree in psychology teaches the fundamentals of human behavior and mental processes—knowledge that can help qualify you for a wide variety of jobs. Earning a master's degree in psychology is a step toward working as a licensed psychologist or therapist .

Looking for a job that uses your knowledge of the human mind? In this article, you'll learn the jobs that you're uniquely qualified for with either a bachelor's or a graduate degree in psychology.

What can you do with a bachelor’s in psychology?

Psychology ranked among the most popular undergraduate majors in the US in 2021 [ 1 ]. Since the Bachelor of Psychology serves as a generalist degree (it doesn’t specifically qualify you for a given job), it’s a good choice if you’d like to explore your interests while keeping your career options open. While broadly applicable, the knowledge and skills you develop as a psychology major may be particularly useful in these industries.

Learn more: What You Should Know About Social Science Majors

1. Counseling

Counselors help people suffering from addiction and other behavioral disorders by offering treatment and advice. You might work in a community health center, juvenile detention facility, employee assistance program, or detox center, depending on your specialty.

How to get started in counseling: Requirements vary by state, but it’s possible to get started as a substance abuse or behavioral health counselor with a bachelor’s degree. Some states require certification and licensure. Check with your state’s regulating board for specific educational requirements.  

2. Social services

Knowledge of human behavior, motivations, interviewing, and data analysis —skills common in psychology degree programs—translate well into the field of social work. Help people cope with the struggles of their everyday lives in a role as a case manager , social services assistant, or child welfare specialist. 

How to get started in social work: While a bachelor’s degree in social work is the most common requirement for entry-level administrative roles, many employers also consider applicants with a psychology or sociology degree. If you decide you want to further your career in social work, consider going to graduate school for social work (a requirement for licensure as a social worker).

3. Education

Aside from teaching, educators are often tasked with encouraging and empathizing with students, handling misbehavior, and intervening in cases of mental health issues. A background in psychology can help day-to-day in the classroom from pre-K to high school.

How to get started in education: Teachers at every grade level typically need at least a bachelor’s degree. If you’d like to teach in a public school, you’ll need to get licensed or certified from your state as well. Complement your psychology coursework by enrolling in a teacher preparation program. 

4. Human resources

Human resource (HR) professionals oversee much of the employee lifecycle. In this role, you’ll be tasked with making hiring and firing decisions, managing disputes, and promoting employee welfare. An understanding of how people think can boost your effectiveness across all these areas.

How to get started in HR: Most entry-level HR positions require a bachelor’s degree. Supplement your psychology degree coursework by taking classes in business, management, and accounting. Boost your resume with a certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) or the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).

5. Marketing and advertising

Selling a product or service often means tapping into the deep desires of the target customer base. The science of persuasion, part of the greater study of social psychology, plays a significant role in effective advertisements and marketing campaigns.

How to get started in marketing and advertising: Many companies prefer at least a bachelor’s degree for roles in marketing and advertising. While your psychology coursework can help you evaluate consumer behavior, consider taking classes in market research, sales, or communications as well. Entry-level jobs in sales and public relations can serve as an entryway into this field.

Learn more: Marketing Careers: 6 Areas to Explore

6. User experience (UX) design

As a UX designer , you can use your knowledge of how people think to help create solutions to common, everyday problems. UX focuses on how people interact with products and systems. By analyzing people’s needs and frustrations, you can design solutions that make products (including apps and websites) easier to use.

How to get started in UX design: You’ll find multiple paths to a career in UX design (and a psychology degree is a good start). If you’re interested in this emerging field, take some courses in human factor psychology, design, and research methodology. Consider an internship while you’re in school to begin building a portfolio of work.

7. Criminal justice

Many aspects of criminal justice deal with understanding human behavior, from why criminals commit crimes to how these crimes impact victims. A career in law enforcement and criminal justice might take the form of case management, victim advocacy, or working as a parole or probation officer. 

How to get started in criminal justice: Most roles in law enforcement require completing a state or federal training program and certification test. If you’re considering a career in criminal justice, prepare with courses on criminal psychology, addiction, abnormal behavior, and behavioral statistics.

Graduate psychology degree jobs: 5 careers in psychology

Psychology graduates often go on to earn a higher-level psychology degree as the first step toward becoming a professional psychologist. In most states, you’ll have to get licensed to call yourself a psychologist. Licensure requirements generally include a master’s or PhD in psychology. As you pursue a higher education degree, consider these fields as possible specialties.

1. Clinical psychology

Clinical psychologists provide behavioral and mental health care for individuals and families. In this field, you’ll provide clinical or counseling services to help treat a range of emotional, mental, and behavioral disorders. Clinical psychology is one of the largest specialties in the field and what most people think of when they think “psychologist.”

In most states, working as a clinical psychologist requires earning a doctorate in psychology and one or two years of supervised clinical experience, as well as passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.

2. Forensic psychology

Forensic psychologists use their knowledge of human behavior in several ways within the criminal justice system. Working in this field might involve developing criminal psychological profiles, providing testimony in court, assessing witness credibility, or determining whether a defendant is mentally competent to stand trial.

Practicing forensic psychologists need a doctoral degree in most states, though a Master of Psychology might qualify you for research-related roles.

3. Industrial organizational psychology

Industrial organizational psychologists (also known as I/O psychologists) focus on human behavior of employees in the workplace. In this role, you’ll seek to enhance the work environment at companies and organizations by improving hiring practices, internal communications, training programs, and management techniques.

Most I/O psychologists have at least a master’s degree in psychology. Earning your PhD can help you gain a competitive edge when seeking higher-paying positions.

Read more: What Is Organizational Behavior: Jobs, Salaries, Education

4. Sports & exercise psychology

Sports psychologists use their knowledge of human behavior to assist athletes in achieving maximum performance and treat mental health issues specific to the sports industry. You might work with a variety of athletes, from youth and parents in recreational programs to Olympic and pro athletes (and their coaches).

In most cases, you’ll need a doctoral degree in psychology and a license to practice as a sports psychologist. Some graduate programs offer a sports psychology concentration. Alternatively, you can consider a double major in psychology and exercise science .

5. Educational psychology

Working as an educational psychologist means studying how we learn and retain knowledge. As a psychologist in this field, you’ll study various approaches to learning and develop approaches to make learning more effective. This might include testing methods, classroom environments, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues that could impede the learning process.

While a Master of Psychology is the minimum requirement for a career in educational psychology, you should consider earning your PhD to boost your opportunities in this research-heavy field.

Get started in psychology

Experience a university-level psychology course for yourself to see if psychology might be a good fit for you.

Study the fundamentals in the Introduction to Psychology from Yale, learn about human behavior in Social Psychology from Wesleyan, or browse a variety of popular psychology online courses . If you’re thinking about furthering your education, explore a certificate in Foundations of Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania—all available on Coursera.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What’s the difference between a phd and a psyd in psychology ‎.

A Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) is the highest-level degree you can get for clinical work in psychology. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology is a more academic-focused terminal degree. It’s a better option for those interested in conducting research or teaching at the university level. ‎

Can I earn a psychology degree online? ‎

As you pursue higher education in psychology, you’ll find online programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the field. These degrees often have the same curriculum as more traditional on-campus programs but often with greater scheduling flexibility and (often) lower tuition. ‎

How long does it take to get a psychology degree? ‎

A Bachelor of Psychology typically takes four years of full-time study. If you want to become a licensed psychologist, you’ll need a master’s (two to four years) or doctorate degree (four to seven years) as well. Plan for another year or two of supervised professional experience to qualify for a license. ‎

What can you do with an associate’s degree in psychology? ‎

Earning an associate degree in psychology typically takes two years of full-time study at a community college or university. While many learners use an associate’s degree as a step toward completing a bachelor’s, the degree may help qualify you for entry-level positions like:

• Psychiatric aide
• Psychiatric technician
• Administrative assistant
• Human services assistant
• Home care aide
• Childcare assistant
• Youth counselor
• Police officer ‎

Article sources

1. National Center for Education Statistics. " Most popular majors , https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=37." Accessed December 21, 2023.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

1.4 Careers in Psychology

Learning objectives.

• Understand educational requirements for careers in academic settings
• Understand the demands of a career in an academic setting
• Understand career options outside of academic settings

Psychologists can work in many different places doing many different things. In general, anyone wishing to continue a career in psychology at a 4-year institution of higher education will have to earn a doctoral degree in psychology for some specialties and at least a master’s degree for others. In most areas of psychology, this means earning a PhD in a relevant area of psychology. Literally, PhD refers to a doctor of philosophy degree, but here, philosophy does not refer to the field of philosophy per se. Rather, philosophy in this context refers to many different disciplinary perspectives that would be housed in a traditional college of liberal arts and sciences.

The requirements to earn a PhD vary from country to country and even from school to school, but usually, individuals earning this degree must complete a dissertation. A dissertation is essentially a long research paper or bundled published articles describing research that was conducted as a part of the candidate’s doctoral training. In the United States, a dissertation generally has to be defended before a committee of expert reviewers before the degree is conferred ( Figure 1.18 ).

Once someone earns her PhD, she may seek a faculty appointment at a college or university. Being on the faculty of a college or university often involves dividing time between teaching, research, and service to the institution and profession. The amount of time spent on each of these primary responsibilities varies dramatically from school to school, and it is not uncommon for faculty to move from place to place in search of the best personal fit among various academic environments. The previous section detailed some of the major areas that are commonly represented in psychology departments around the country; thus, depending on the training received, an individual could be anything from a biological psychologist to a clinical psychologist in an academic setting ( Figure 1.19 ).

Other Careers in Academic Settings

Often times, schools offer more courses in psychology than their full-time faculty can teach. In these cases, it is not uncommon to bring in an adjunct faculty member or instructor. Adjunct faculty members and instructors usually have an advanced degree in psychology, but they often have primary careers outside of academia and serve in this role as a secondary job. Alternatively, they may not hold the doctoral degree required by most 4-year institutions and use these opportunities to gain experience in teaching. Furthermore, many 2-year colleges and schools need faculty to teach their courses in psychology. In general, many of the people who pursue careers at these institutions have master’s degrees in psychology, although some PhDs make careers at these institutions as well.

Some people earning PhDs may enjoy research in an academic setting. However, they may not be interested in teaching. These individuals might take on faculty positions that are exclusively devoted to conducting research. This type of position would be more likely an option at large, research-focused universities.

In some areas in psychology, it is common for individuals who have recently earned their PhD to seek out positions in postdoctoral training programs that are available before going on to serve as faculty. In most cases, young scientists will complete one or two postdoctoral programs before applying for a full-time faculty position. Postdoctoral training programs allow young scientists to further develop their research programs and broaden their research skills under the supervision of other professionals in the field.

Career Options Outside of Academic Settings

Individuals who wish to become practicing clinical psychologists have another option for earning a doctoral degree, which is known as a PsyD. A PsyD is a doctor of psychology degree that is increasingly popular among individuals interested in pursuing careers in clinical psychology. PsyD programs generally place less emphasis on research-oriented skills and focus more on application of psychological principles in the clinical context (Norcorss & Castle, 2002).

Regardless of whether earning a PhD or PsyD, in most states, an individual wishing to practice as a licensed clinical or counseling psychologist may complete postdoctoral work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Within the last few years, however, several states have begun to remove this requirement, which would allow someone to get an earlier start in his career (Munsey, 2009). After an individual has met the state requirements, his credentials are evaluated to determine whether he can sit for the licensure exam. Only individuals that pass this exam can call themselves licensed clinical or counseling psychologists (Norcross, n.d.). Licensed clinical or counseling psychologists can then work in a number of settings, ranging from private clinical practice to hospital settings. It should be noted that clinical psychologists and psychiatrists do different things and receive different types of education. While both can conduct therapy and counseling, clinical psychologists have a PhD or a PsyD, whereas psychiatrists have a doctor of medicine degree (MD). As such, licensed clinical psychologists can administer and interpret psychological tests, while psychiatrists can prescribe medications.

Individuals earning a PhD can work in a variety of settings, depending on their areas of specialization. For example, someone trained as a biopsychologist might work in a pharmaceutical company to help test the efficacy of a new drug. Someone with a clinical background might become a forensic psychologist and work within the legal system to make recommendations during criminal trials and parole hearings, or serve as an expert in a court case.

While earning a doctoral degree in psychology is a lengthy process, usually taking between 5–6 years of graduate study (DeAngelis, 2010), there are a number of careers that can be attained with a master’s degree in psychology. People who wish to provide psychotherapy can become licensed to serve as various types of professional counselors (Hoffman, 2012). Relevant master’s degrees are also sufficient for individuals seeking careers as school psychologists (National Association of School Psychologists, n.d.), in some capacities related to sport psychology (American Psychological Association, 2014), or as consultants in various industrial settings (Landers, 2011, June 14). Undergraduate coursework in psychology may be applicable to other careers such as psychiatric social work or psychiatric nursing, where assessments and therapy may be a part of the job.

As mentioned in the opening section of this chapter, an undergraduate education in psychology is associated with a knowledge base and skill set that many employers find quite attractive. It should come as no surprise, then, that individuals earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology find themselves in a number of different careers, as shown in Table 1.1 . Examples of a few such careers can involve serving as case managers, working in sales, working in human resource departments, and teaching in high schools. The rapidly growing realm of healthcare professions is another field in which an education in psychology is helpful and sometimes required. For example, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) exam that people must take to be admitted to medical school now includes a section on the psychological foundations of behavior.

Link to Learning

Watch a brief video describing some of the career options available to people earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology.

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14 Career Options for Psychology Majors

A degree with many applications..

Posted June 13, 2016 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

• Subfields of psychology include statistics, industrial organization, and neuroscience.
• Psychology is a great field for those who enjoy helping people with personal problems, interviewing/testing, and analyzing/collecting data.
• Career options for psychology majors include substance abuse counseling and marriage and family therapy.

When people think “psychology,” most assume it’s related to reading someone's mind or laying on a couch and sharing your feelings.

Psychology isn’t just the study of behavior, it is also the study of mental functions. Those employed in this field consider it a science, philosophy , and even an art. The main goal of psychology is to explain, predict, and control behavior and mental processes.

When deciding to major in psychology, it is important to understand the many subfields and specializations within this broad major. These areas of psychology include statistics, organization/industrial, clinical, neuroscience , cognitive, behavioral, social, developmental, and educational. There are so many career options for an undergraduate psychology major to pursue.

Before you fully decide to become a psychology major, you need to decide if it is truly a discipline you want to devote time to. If you enjoy helping individuals or families going through personal problems, listening to them, interviewing/testing, analyzing and collecting data, being social and creative, researching human and animal behavior , then psychology is a career path for you.

To gain more information on narrowing your choices, talk to individuals that work in the field that you are interested in, school advisers, individuals already in college/university, and internet resources such as a university website, or you can continue reading this article.

After graduating with a degree in psychology, most graduates have a hard time finding a job that really suits them. According to surveys, many graduates have the wrong idea that becoming a psychology major is just a stepping stone towards higher education , like having a Ph.D.

Most graduates do not realize that there are many choices of careers from having a Bachelor’s degree to as high as having a doctorate degree in psychology. Here are some possible job opportunities for you:

Psychometrist/Clinician

A clinician is someone who administers psychological testing and scores them. They work under a licensed psychologist and they are not allowed to interpret test results or give clinical assessments.

Psychometrists work under the clinical setting wherein one has to administer clinical tests to patients, or under the organizational setting wherein they administer tests to applicants, employees, and/ or students.

To be qualified, you must be a graduate of clinical psychology, have extensive knowledge about administration and scoring of standardized tests. Salary ranges by state but you could expect an average base pay of around $10,000 to $20,000. This quotation is for less experienced psychometrists. More experience can equal more pay.

Substance Abuse Counselor

This is one of the fastest-growing careers in the United States in which one works with clients addicted to alcohol , cocaine, or any other illegal drugs. To be qualified, you not only need an academic background, but you also need a strong personality dealing with patients undergoing recovery, and thus, suffer from withdrawal symptoms.

Some state laws require certification or licensure to be a substance abuse counselor. The base pay of a substance abuse counselor ranges from $25,000 to $40,000 depending on the state and years of experience.

Psychiatric Technician

In the clinical setting, another career you could choose is being a psychiatric technician. Psy Techs are in charge of the patient’s overall mental wellness by reporting the patient’s mental and emotional state to a medical staff. They assist in the personal hygiene, rehabilitation programs and administering of oral and inject-able medications to mentally ill patients. This could be a physically demanding job, but it offers a good average base pay of $22,000 to $47,000.

Human Resource Personnel

Another entry-level job of having a psychology degree is the human resource personnel position. This is for people who prefer the organizational setting over the clinical or business setting. The main task of human resource personnel is to assist the human resource manager in implementing policies and strategies throughout the company or organization.

The human resource workforce is the backbone of a successful company because this group of individuals work together in screening and recruiting the best applicants. One of its main duties is to also maintain good performance and behavior of its employees. The base pay of human resource personnel on the entry level ranges from $10,000 to $30,000.

If you decide to take your education one notch higher, there are more available careers to psychology graduates of a master’s degree.

Marriage and Family Therapist

A popular career in the clinical setting is becoming a marriage and family therapist (MFT). This requires masters in science or arts, licensure, and thousands of intern hours. They occasionally work in hospital settings beside psychiatrists and social workers, while other times in their own private practices. Their focus is facilitating behavioral change in the marriage and family sphere. Their average pay ranges from $40,000 to $100,000.

Masters in Clinical Psychology

You don’t need any further graduate study in clinical psychology, but you need to be licensed before going into practice. However, under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist, you could already provide psychotherapy and psychological assessments.

The main duty of a clinical psychologist involves improvement in the psychological well being of patients and to make positive changes on overall mental health. In this position, you’ll work along other professionals to provide various forms of treatments. They work with clients of all ages with different mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, behavior and eating disorders, neurological disorders and depression . For a starting career, expect a base pay of around $50,000 to $70,000.

Experimental Psychologists

This is a degree wherein students are being prepared for further graduate study. Some states may require a Ph.D. in order to hold the title of psychologist. You could be a laboratory manager, research assistant, or part of a marketing research team. This is not a terminal degree. Meaning, students can focus on a specialty area like developmental, cognitive, and social psychology.

Our human behavior and mental processes are very complex which require experimental psychologists to study in different contexts. The main task of an experimental psychologist is to conduct a pilot study using statistics on a chosen field or subject before pushing through with the major study. You’d also need an exceptional understanding of the different psychological research methods and have outstanding communication skills. An excellent writing skill is also important because this job also includes writing in academic journals and studies.

For the least experienced, the base pay is around $30,000 to $75,000 depending on the sector of employment and location. Salary could go as high as $80,000 for those more experienced.

Lastly, one could consider having a master’s degree in applied psychology. Under applied psychology, students could find a career in forensic psychology, sports psychology and industrial and organizational psychology or, if they prefer, a teaching position instead.

It is suggested by the U.S. Department of Labor that there is higher opportunity for students in the applied psychology field because they could work directly in their specialty area.

Forensic Psychologists

Forensic psychology works in between psychology and the criminal justice system. The forensic psychologist must understand the standards of the American justice system in order to be a credible witness. The court designates the forensic psychologist as an expert witness and is duly assigned to evaluate if the defendant is competent in standing trial.

The task of a forensic psychologist is to prove if the accused is sane or mentally ill through psychological questioning and testing. A forensic psychologist is also expected to translate his or her psychological findings in legal terms. They provide treatment recommendations, evaluate the defendant’s risk in behavior, determine if the witness is credible, and recommend months or years of sentencing.

Forensic psychologists usually work with the police force, law enforcement personnel, the State attorney, and public defenders. Salary varies in different states but usually averages from $45,000 to $75,000. Again, salary depends on years of experience.

Sports Psychologist

In sports psychology, the sports psychologist is concerned on the effects of physical activity to the psychological health and performance of athletes. These psychologists work on the academic level and serve as consultants for sports teams. Sports psychologists work along with training coaches in developing rehabilitation and team building programs. They also provide counseling to athletes who undergo career transitions. The base pay of a sports psychologist usually averages from $40,000 to $70,000.

I-O Psychologists

Industrial and organizational psychology, involves studying behavior in the workplace. The industrial and organizational psychologist, or I-O psychologist, is geared towards the improvement of each employee’s productivity and motivation . They develop training and assess employees to further enhance the company’s workforce.

One of the I-O psychologist’s main duties is to match personalities of employees in different job positions. For example, employee A has an outgoing personality and has high social building skills. The I-O psychologist matches employee A to a better fitting job within the company like in sales or marketing.

An I-O psychologist also exerts effort on resolving employment issues to ensure that there is balance within the workplace. Thus giving the company’s employees a sense of stability, responsibility, and happiness in their positions. Happy workers yield happy results.

I-O psychologists could also work as a consultant for different companies. This increases earning potential to as high as $100,000.

School Counselors

For those who prefer teaching or working in the educational setting, educational psychology, school psychology, and school counseling are the options to choose from. These positions are concerned on the overall mental welfare of the school’s employees and students.

School counselors work with troubled children, those with problems at home and in school. They help parents in addressing the concerns of their child. Base pay for a school counselor is around $50,000 annually. Earning potential could be increased with curriculum development.

Educational Psychologists

Psychologists who develop learning materials and understand the aspects of human learning are called educational psychologists. They could, for example, enhance one’s reading skills through a developed or new technique. They also assess the effects of educational interventions to learning and development.

Most educational psychologists focus on gifted children and those with disabilities. They study individual differences in terms of intelligence , creativity , motivation and cognitive style. This is a profession that also works at a strategic level to carry out research in improving a school’s educational policy. Their base pay is around $66,000 to $108,000 depending on the state and years of experience.

These are the common jobs offered to those who have a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in psychology.

For further professional advancement, one may pursue a Ph.D. or PsyD. This is a major step that needs realization of one’s goals and commitment. It is a major achievement that is not for everyone. Licensing increases financial compensation. Here are various career paths:

Psychiatrists

After completing medical school, a doctor of psychiatry specializes in the treatment of severely disturbed patients. Requirements on being a doctor of psychiatry differ from state to state. Others may only require a bachelor’s degree while some states need you to finish medical school before being qualified. Psychiatrists tend to be the most prestigious achievement among mental health professionals. Average base pay of a doctor of psychiatry ranges from $153,000 to $228,000.

Clinical Psychologist

An average clinical psychologist’s salary ranges from $50,000 to $85,000. Expect your salary to be on the higher end if you already have your PsyD.

The doctor of philosophy in psychology or Ph.D. on the other hand is the higher level of expertise in doctors. It requires 3-6 years of study beyond bachelor’s degree and 2-4 years of study beyond master’s degree.

There are many areas of specialization for a Ph.D. graduate. Earnings will highly depend on the chosen field. Advanced level of health psychologists for example receives an annual pay of around $85,000.

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of having a bachelor’s, master's and doctorate degree in psychology?

Graduate schools require more time and needs a higher level of commitment in terms of work and intellectual energy. However, a master’s degree gives a lot of choices in terms of changing career paths while having a Ph.D. requires focus on a certain field. Master’s degree also allows specialization within a field and requires lesser time than Ph.D.

The world of psychology is vast as it works on studying the human mind and behavior. There are thousands of psychology-related jobs everywhere, but these are the most common positions companies look for. It is without doubt that having a psychology degree is one of the best degrees that offer good salary and career satisfaction as well.

Vineel Maharaj is a licensed psychotherapist in California. He provides therapy and coaching to driven professionals such as entrepreneurs, employees and executives.

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For information regarding the online application and admissions process, please visit the UB Graduate School. 

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Admission Requirements and Process

The Department of Psychology at the University at Buffalo uses a holistic admissions process in our consideration of applications.  This means that we evaluate the entire application, rather than any single indicator or a few indicators. Thus, applicants are viewed as a whole person, the sum of their experiences, accomplishments, and aspirations. Consistent with this, we do not rely on or use “cut offs” for numerical indices of an academic record such as grade point average. A holistic approach also means that a candidate who may be less strong in some areas, can still have a highly competitive application by having greater strength in other areas. All elements of an application are taken into consideration, to maximize a good fit of the applicant with our training program and potential mentors, to reduce bias that can result from reliance on a limited number of components, and to reduce inequities in access to opportunities for graduate training. 

Over the years, we have learned that a holistic admissions process helps us identify applicants who are likely to succeed in our graduate programs, brings a diversity of experience and ideas into our academic community, and supports a fair review of all applicants. Our goal is to recruit the next generation of academic psychologists who are passionate about making new discoveries and generating new knowledge in their chosen discipline.  We expect students to bring hard work, professional ambition, resilience, grit, intellectual acumen, and enthusiasm to our graduate programs.

Although we value quantitative criteria like GPA, we take a broad view of academic excellence and recognize that indices of success in our graduate programs and professional achievement cannot be reduced to numbers alone. In short, we endeavor to balance quantitative and qualitative indices of success. Because we want to give students the greatest opportunity to thrive in our program, we place a strong emphasis on fit with our programs and potential faculty mentors. A highly qualified applicant may not be strongly considered if their interests and goals do not provide a good fit with the orientation of our training program or with faculty research interests. Accordingly, we consider the following components in our admissions decisions: personal statement, undergraduate transcript and GPA (and prior graduate record if applicable), letters of recommendation, and resume/research experience. Interviews are required for applicants to the Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, and Social-Personality doctoral programs, and our MA programs in General Psychology; interviews are not required for applicants to the Cognitive Psychology doctoral program. After initial review of applications, the selected applicants to program requiring an interview will be contacted by prospective advisors to set up an interview time.

Schomburg statements are optional for applicants to our doctoral programs interested in being considered for a Schomburg Fellowship. These statements are not used for admissions decisions.

Cognitive PhD Program:

Components of the application and how they are used, personal statement (required).

Helps contextualize the more quantitative and objective credentials of an applicant.  The statement is used to evaluate the applicant’s goals and fit with the program and research interests of the faculty as well as how they would contribute to the diversity of thought and perspectives.

Prompt for Personal (1000 words or less):

Describe the area of research you are interested in pursuing during your graduate studies and explain how our program would help you achieve your intellectual goals. The statement should include your academic background, intellectual interests and training or research experience that has prepared you for our program. The statement should also identify specific faculty members whose research interests align with your own interests.

Submitting Personal Statement:

Uploaded as part of the online application.

Transcript and GPA (required)

Provides evidence that the applicant is seeking challenging coursework, while excelling and showing academic growth. The University at Buffalo requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.  However, applications with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 can still be considered, particularly when other components of the application are strong (e.g., a high graduate GPA, high GRE scores, etc.). 

Submitting transcripts:

Upload scanned copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts as part of your online application.  Include the English translation, if applicable. 

Letters of recommendation (3 required):

Provides a third-party endorsement of the applicant’s attributes, ability to succeed in the graduate program, and potential to contribute to the field.  The letter offers a perspective on the applicant’s prior achievements and potential to succeed, along with concrete examples of the subjective traits described in other elements of the application.

Submitting Letters:

Letters must be submitted electronically. Further instructions are included in the online application.

Resume and research experience (required):

Provides information on how the applicant has practically applied ideas and concepts learned in the classroom. It helps show that applicants possess the skills and dispositions needed to conduct extensive research and make substantive contributions to their chosen field.

Submitting resume

Schomburg statement (optional applications to our doctoral program):, what is a schomburg fellowship.

A Schomburg Fellowship offers support for students in doctoral programs who can demonstrate that they would contribute to the diversity of the student body, especially those who can demonstrate that they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. In order to be eligible for the Schomburg Fellowship, you need to be either a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident and have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. 

Here is a link to more information about Schomburg Fellowships.

https://arts-sciences.buffalo.edu/current-students/funding-your-degree/graduate-awards-fellowships/schomburg-fellowship.html

The Schomburg statement provides useful information in helping the faculty decide whether to nominate an applicant for the Schomburg Fellowship.

Schomburg Statement:

If you would like to be considered for a Schomburg Fellowship, please  upload a written statement with your online application  (maximum of 500 words) describing how you will contribute to the diversity of the student body in your graduate program, including by having overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education.  Please note that such categorical circumstances may include academic, vocational, social, physical or economic impediments or disadvantaged status you have been able to overcome, as evidenced by your performance as an undergraduate, or other characteristics that constitute categorical underrepresentation in your particular graduate program such as gender or racial/ethnic status.

Submitting a Schomburg statement:

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Master’s or Doctorate: Which Degree Fits My Counseling and Psychology Career Path?

April 26, 2024

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Assess Your Goals When Considering an Advanced Counseling and Psychology Degree

Completing your bachelor’s degree opens many new paths on your way to a career in counseling and psychology. With so many options, it’s important to assess your goals when selecting which program of study is the best fit. Consider your career aspirations, academic interests, and lifestyle needs as you embark on this journey toward finding an education that will set you up for success in this fascinating field.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers outstanding programs to help you earn an M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services  or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Counseling Psychology  degree. Below, we discuss several options for those looking to advance in their counseling and psychology education and career.

What Can I Do With an M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services?

A M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services provides students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to become licensed practitioners, such as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Licensed graduates can provide mental health services, including individual counseling, and work in a variety of healthcare and human service settings. This type of work requires patience, empathy, and compassion as well as technical expertise. Mental health counselors are labeled as a “bright outlook” job by the U.S. Department of Labor and are in high demand.

What Can I Do With a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Counseling Psychology Degree

Pursuing a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Counseling Psychology degree offers graduates the educational requirements and opportunity to make an impact as licensed psychologists. Licensed psychologists often work in clinical practice settings, such as community mental health centers or private practices, where they provide psychotherapeutic services to individuals or families. This type of work is both challenging and rewarding. It is also highly sought-after due to its potential for long-term growth and professional development opportunities.

Earning this degree can also open students up to a wide range of opportunities. Students gain many transferable skills that apply in different practice settings, including advocacy, consultation, critical thinking, and leadership.

Counseling and Psychology Graduate Degrees at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota

At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we are proud to offer two state-of-the-art graduate degrees in counseling and psychology.

• A. in Counseling and Psychological Services
• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Counseling Psychology

The M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services program  offers a unique opportunity to apply for early entry to the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program  which allows for an accelerated pathway for earning both your master’s and doctoral degree. This accelerated pathway allows you to achieve your academic goals faster by allowing for simultaneous completion of your master’s degree while beginning your Psy.D. coursework.

Our Psy.D. curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practices in psychological assessment and diagnosis, treatment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and supervision. It is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and prepares students for licensure as health service psychologists.

Get Started on Your Advanced Counseling and Psychology Degree

Both graduate degree programs in Counseling and Psychology provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical application strategies that prepare them for success wherever they go.

Whether you’re interested in becoming a licensed counselor, working as a licensed psychologist,      in clinical practice settings, or pursuing research opportunities, we’re confident a degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will be beneficial to your long-term goals. Serving students throughout Minnesota and beyond, we provide person-centered education with a commitment to the principles of the Catholic Lasallian tradition .

Reach out to us to learn more  or start your application  today.

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ASU graduate student merges pop culture with social psychology

Editor’s note:  This story is part of a series of profiles of  notable spring 2024 graduates .

Inspired by Matt Damon's survival saga in "The Martian," Alexandra Wormley found her calling in social psychology. 

Fascinated by the idea that our environment shapes our thoughts and behaviors, she decided to pursue a PhD in psychology, specializing in social psychology at Arizona State University, where she will graduate this May.

Originally from Appleton, Wisconsin, Wormley earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and history from the University of Michigan in 2020. During her first year as an ASU graduate student, Wormley was awarded a National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship , which provided her extensive funding to focus on research and travel to various conferences.

She’s the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including the Cialdini Speaker Research Fund in 2024; the Study on Stress, Spirituality, and Health Catalyst Fund from the International Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health; the Department of Psychology ’s Daryn and Marie Linder Graduate Fellowship in Social Psychology in 2023; and both the Outstanding Research Excellence Award and the Teaching Excellence Award from ASU’s Graduate Professional Student Association  in 2022.

Wormley’s research focuses on interplay of ecology, culture and religion. She is known for integrating elements of popular culture into her work and gained national recognition for launching a new ASU course about the psychology of Taylor Swift .

In June, Wormley will embark on a postdoctoral research position at the University of Michigan’s Emotion & Self-Control Lab . There, she will study culture in social media and emotion research, aligning with her broader goal of securing a faculty position to further her research, teaching and community engagement.

Read more about Wormley’s ASU experience.

Question: Why did you choose ASU?

Answer: From my freshman year of college, I wanted to go to Arizona State University. My two undergraduate mentors, Drs. Oliver Sng and Joshua Ackerman, did their PhDs at ASU. I figured, if I wanted to be like them, I should do my best to follow in their footsteps. 

For what we study , we are one of the top programs in the world, and I was incredibly honored to get to study here among the greats. Additionally, we have fantastic training in quantitative methods and pedagogy. The view of the mountains and the food in Phoenix are a nice plus!

Q: Can you share more about your doctoral dissertation?

A: My dissertation looks at how ecology can explain cultural variation, and I am advised by professors Michael Varnum and Adam Cohen . In understanding why cultures differ from one another, one might consider their ecology: the social and physical features of the environment relevant to an organism’s fitness. Multiple theories propose that cultures and the individuals within them respond to the threats and opportunities offered by the ecology in predictable and adaptive ways. This dissertation demonstrates how ecology can — but does not always -— explain a significant portion of cultural variation. 

The three published, first-authored, peer-reviewed articles featured in this work leverage best practices in archival data to demonstrate the relationship between ecology and cultural variation . The key takeaways? Average levels of ecology explain around 20% of the variance in culture and pathogen threat does not explain the existence of food taboos .

Q: We’ve got to talk about it — the popular Taylor Swift course — can you share more about your experience teaching the class?

A: When I got into graduate school, I never thought teaching would be the highlight of it. Teaching PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology and PSY 350: Introduction to Social Psychology was fun, but there is nothing like the Taylor Swift class. You have a group of students who are really motivated to be there and have already studied the fundamentals of psychology. That combo has led to incredible conversations about why people develop parasocial relationships with celebrities, the neuroscience underlying love, how lyrical music can distract us from studying, and, of course, the latest Taylor Swift gossip. 

My students have really taken charge of creating a supportive classroom environment where we can be our authentic Swiftie selves and ask deep questions about human nature. My name may not go down in history for my research, but hopefully it will for this awesome class — and I’m truly proud of that.

Q: What professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?

A: We have great faculty in our social psychology area, and they have all taught me a lot. But the first lesson I had to learn at ASU wasn’t about theory or methods. I TA’ed for Professor Virginia Kwan my first semester for her Personality Psychology class. Before I gave my first lecture — ever — I practiced with Dr. Kwan. Her initial feedback was to be more confident. This goes beyond presenting. We need to have confidence in our research. We need to have confidence in our teams. We need to have confidence in our accomplishments.

Q: Could you elaborate on any specific experiential learning opportunities that significantly influenced your academic and personal growth?

A: My best experiences have been the traveling I got to do with this program. I got to spend my summers as a visiting scholar at New York University in the Social Identity and Morality Lab . I also got to participate in a summer intensive program sponsored by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology at Ohio State this summer and travel to conferences in the U.S. and abroad each year. All this traveling allowed me to meet really cool people and learn new perspectives for doing science. It helped me narrow down my own research interests but also enabled me to receive feedback on my research from outside perspectives. I also got to experience the different cultures and ecologies I study!

Q: Can you share a challenging moment during your academic journey and how you overcame it?

A: The toughest part of graduate school was being away from my support system, especially starting during the pandemic. I spent my first year at ASU without my family or my partner and did not get to meet with my classmates or professors in person. Being alone in my house for a year was really tough, but it gave me the time and space to delve into my studies. Still, it is important to build a strong, sustainable support system. I set up regular times to call my friends and family back home and made a point to come into the office once campus reopened. It may seem obvious, but the literature tells us that social support is one of the best ways to boost our mental health.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: Always have a passion project that is just yours. As a student, you are going to have homework, applications, obligations and late nights, but you cannot lose sight of what you are doing all of it for. Even if you only get to work on it once a month, having something fun to think about and practice your newfound skills on reminds you what you are working for. Sometimes, it even turns into something !

Q: What was your favorite space on campus, whether studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life? 

A: My favorite spot on campus is Charlie’s Café in Biodesign. Caffeine, and just a quick walk from the psychology building on ASU’s Tempe campus.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: This is so nerdy, but infrastructure. My research has me thinking a lot about how our environment shapes our values, beliefs, and behaviors. One aspect of our environment is infrastructure — our roads, our waterways, our bridges, our airports, our schools, our public transit — and America has some of the worst infrastructure .  

I have a theory that increasing access to public transportation, especially, would solve issues related to carbon pollution, employment and mental health — to name a few. Forty million would not be able to fully address the issue, but if we could conduct an experiment to demonstrate the benefits of simple repairs to infrastructure I think we would see some remarkable outcomes.

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Postgraduate taught

MSc Psychology in Education

Conversion programme Develop the knowledge and skills to begin training for a career as a practising psychologist or a psychological researcher

Year of entry: 2024 (September)

1 year full-time

Department of Education

September 2024 ( semester dates )

Apply for this course

Join us online or in person to find out more about postgraduate study at York.

Learn to apply psychological methods and approaches to educational policy and practice.

This BPS-accredited conversion course is ideal if you want to pursue a career in psychology, but didn't study Psychology at undergraduate level, or studied on a non-accredited programme.

You'll study core areas of psychology and key debates in the psychology of education, while developing your research skills.

Accreditation

This MSc is a conversion course which provides  Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership  (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

GBC is a prerequisite for many BPS-accredited postgraduate and doctoral programmes which lead to full  Chartered Psychologist  status.

Highly-rated staff

​In the latest Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, 90% of the Department of Education's respondents agreed that 'staff are good at explaining things' and 92% agreed that 'staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching' (PTES 2018)

We're ranked 9th in the UK and World Top 50 for Education (QS World Rankings by Subject, 2023)

Course content

This course will develop your understanding, knowledge and skills in a variety of theoretical and applied approaches to psychology and educational psychology.

You'll study compulsory modules to equip you with foundational knowledge of topics such as cognitive development, neuropsychology, differential psychology and psychology in society. In your second term you'll choose an option module to develop a specialism or explore a new avenue of learning.

Throughout your course you'll develop essential research skills, which you'll draw on later in the year when you design and carry out an empirical research project leading to a final 12,000-word dissertation.

• Dissertation

Core modules

• Development and Cognition
• Individuality and its Roots
• Research Methods for Psychology in Education I
• Research Methods for Psychology in Education II
• Psychology in Society

Option modules

You will also study one option module:

• Child & Adolescent Mental Health
• Embodied Cognition in Learning & Development
• Genetics & Education
• Has Neuroscience Entered the Classroom?
• Intelligence
• Positive Psychology in Education

The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. For further information please get in touch .

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.

In the Summer Term and summer vacation you'll focus on an independent research project, leading to a 12,000-word dissertation. You'll identify a research question and construct an empirical investigation to address it. This is the chance to put your psychological knowledge and skills into practice and, potentially, to make an original contribution to knowledge in your area of expertise.

You'll be able to take advantage of dissertation workshops which cover study design, ethical approval, data collection, and extended academic writing. You'll draw on the skills you've learned from the Research Methods module, and receive bespoke training from your personal supervisor in techniques that are specific to your project.

The York approach

Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

• Explain and recommend the most appropriate psychological approaches for addressing specific educational questions, based on rigorously evaluating competing techniques and research in terms of their validity, reliability and utility.
• Make decisions about the most appropriate experiments, psychometric tests or surveys to apply to specific educational situations based on focused evaluation of contextual factors and a broad knowledge of educational psychology practice.
• Plan and implement effective and efficient research processes - from defining precise research questions and selecting methodologies to presenting data-supported conclusions.
• Identify and apply appropriate techniques to analyse and present different types of data using conceptual and methodological knowledge of statistics, approaches to qualitative analysis and data visualisation strategies.
• Operate in an ethical and reflective manner with regard to complex psychological and educational practice, based on knowledge of pertinent debates and adherence to ethical approval processes.
• Communicate complex ideas confidently, effectively and in a professional manner, making use of oral, written and visual formats.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees for 2024/25.

Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.

Fees information

UK (home) or international fees?  The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student.  Check your fee status .

Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.

• Postgraduate taught fees and expenses

Additional costs

There are no mandatory additional fees, but we do recommend that you set aside some money for photocopying. Course books will be available from the Library and online reading packs are available for most modules, but you may wish to buy your own copies. Each book typically costs £20 to 40.

Funding information

Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2024/25 throughout the year.

If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a  10% Masters fee discount .

Funding opportunities

• UK government Masters loans
• Funding for UK students
• Funding for international students

Departmental scholarships

We offer a number of departmental scholarships and funding opportunities. View our departmental funding options .

Living costs

You can use our  living costs guide  to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching and assessment

You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Teaching format

You will be taught through a combination of formal lectures, seminars, practical exercises and workshops.

You will spend time working on your own, reading assigned texts and researching supporting materials, as well as working with others in seminars to discuss and present your work.

There will also be opportunities to attend  seminars  from visiting scholars on a wide variety of topics in Education.

A member of teaching staff will act as your supervisor throughout the degree to help guide your studies and monitor your progress.

Teaching location

You will be based in the Department of Education on Campus West. Teaching for this course takes place at various locations on Campus West, including Alcuin and Derwent Colleges, the Department of Biology, the Library and the Spring Lane teaching building.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's  easy to get around campus  - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.

Assessment and feedback

We use a number of assessment types including: 

• Research reports
• Online exams
• Poster presentation

Throughout your course you'll complete assignments and exercises which don't count towards your final grade. The marks and feedback you receive for these will help you understand your strengths and identify areas for improvement.

• Dr Beth Bell
• [email protected]
• +44 (0)1904 326450

Related courses

• MSc in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
• MA in Education

Discover York

Accommodation

We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.

Student life

Explore campus and city life and hear what our current students have to say about living here.

Lively, full of culture and beautiful, York is regularly voted one of the best places to live and visit in the UK.

Find out more about York. Chat to staff and students and take the tour, on campus or online.

What Can You Do With a Master's Degree in Psychology?

Nalea J. Ko

Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Updated April 12, 2024 · 4 Min Read

Joey Morris

Contributing Editor

Reviewed by

Megan Pietrucha

Contributing Reviewer

Our Integrity Network

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Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

Psychology.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

A master's in psychology prepares you for various careers, from working in schools and organizations to providing counseling services. If your goal is to practice as a psychologist, you'll need a doctoral degree . However, a master's degree offers versatile and rewarding opportunities not available to bachelor's degree holders.

Popular Online Psychology Master's Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Advantages of Earning a Master's in Psychology

A master's in psychology degree takes about 2-5 years to complete and offers many advantages, including:

• Meets prerequisites for doctoral programs to become a licensed psychologist
• Prepares you for new career opportunities that require advanced study
• Allows you to specialize in areas of psychology to pursue careers in your chosen field
• Provides opportunities to contribute to research and the advancement of the psychology field
• Requires coursework that allows you to better understand yourself

Jobs with a Master's in Psychology

Psychology majors can pursue careers in counseling, social work, education, human resources and organizational development, law, and social and community services.

Psychology majors can find work in many sectors. A master's in psychology can prepare you to provide counseling services or pursue other psychology jobs where you never meet with clients.

Psychology majors report career satisfaction. A 2017 national survey found that psychology master's degree holders reported satisfaction with their job's intellectual challenge and level of responsibility, albeit less satisfaction with their salaries.

"Many entry-level positions are generally low-paying, especially until you are independently licensed," said Megan Pietrucha, Psy.D. Pietrucha is a licensed clinical sport psychologist and has taught psychology at the graduate level. "Make sure to find work experiences that maximize your hours towards licensure so you can increase your earning potential."

Mental Health, Substance Use, or Behavioral Counselor

There are about 388,200 mental health, substance use, and behavioral counselor jobs in the United States as of 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Demand is expected to grow much faster than average. In fact, the BLS projects these occupations to increase by more than 18% in the next decade.

These counselors evaluate clients seeking help for addiction or behavioral health issues. They work at outpatient mental health, individual and family services, practitioner offices, and hospitals. You need at least a bachelor's degree to become a mental health counselor .

Median Annual Salary: $53,710

Marriage and Family Therapist

The BLS projects marriage and family therapist positions to grow 15% from 2022-2032, much faster than other occupations in the U.S. Marriage and family therapists provide education and assistance to families and couples as they work through the healing process. They collaborate with treatment teams to provide support to groups and individual patients. This career requires at least a master's degree and state licensure.

Median Annual Salary: $58,510

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Industrial-organizational psychologists get to the root of the problems in the workplace and resolve conflicts. Companies rely on industrial organizational psychologists for recruitment and training needs. Most of these psychologists work in scientific research and development services, colleges and universities, and for the state government. The BLS estimates there are less than 1,300 industrial organizational psychologists currently employed, but average salaries are high in the field.

Median Annual Salary: $147,420

School Psychologist

Most school psychologists see students in elementary, middle, and high schools. School psychologists often work on teams to support children with special education needs. You must earn a master's degree to become a school psychologist. While some jobs may only require a master's, many school psychologists hold a doctoral degree or specialty graduate degree.

Median Annual Salary: $84,940

Human Resources Manager

Psychology majors can become human resources managers after getting at least a bachelor's degree. Human resource managers help to coordinate and oversee an organization's administrative functions, including hiring, employee benefits, and resolving employee grievances.

Median Annual Salary: $136,350

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor or Advisor

Educational, guidance, and career counselors help scholars achieve their academic and career goals. The BLS reports that this occupational group employs roughly 308,000 people. Most of these counselors work in elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and junior colleges.

Median Annual Salary: $61,710

Is a Master's Degree in Psychology Right for Me?

A master's degree in psychology is a versatile choice, whether you intend to pursue further education and licensure or dive straight into a career in psychology. Master's-degree holders can pursue rewarding opportunities in counseling , organizational psychology, and research.

If you want to pursue doctoral studies, a master's in psychology prepares you for dissertation research, strengthening your advanced writing, research, and communication skills. Doctoral degree holders can go on to pursue careers as licensed psychologists, clinical health administrators, and psychology professors or supervisors.

Psychology master's degree holders also earn about 20% more than psychology bachelor's degree holders, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). They also report higher work satisfaction. The APA's 2019 survey found that 87% of master's degrees in psychology majors reported being satisfied with their level of responsibilities and 91% with their contribution to society.

Frequently Asked Questions About What You Can Do With a Master's in Psychology

• Collapse All

What are the highest-paying careers with a master's in psychology?

The highest-paying career with a master's in psychology is an industrial-organizational psychologist . These professionals make an average annual wage of $144,610, according to the BLS.

How long does it take to get a master's in psychology?

You can graduate from a master's in psychology program in 2-3 years. Part-time learners must graduate within five years. The program typically includes coursework, practicum hours, and a thesis.

What types of psychology jobs have the highest demand?

Substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling jobs are in high demand. The BLS projects the occupation to grow by 18% from 2022-2032, much faster than average.

Latest Posts

USask graduate student focuses on maternal mental health research

Master of Nursing candidate Nicole Edmundson never thought of nursing as a career path until she graduated with a degree in psychology and was looking for options for work that intersected with her interest in mental health.

College of Nursing, May 2, 2024

After completing the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing Post-Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in 2018, she launched her nursing career with positions in Lloydminster, Alta. She started in general medical nursing and endoscopy before landing a permanent, full-time position in maternity nursing, where she is now celebrating five years.

Today, she has returned to USask’s College of Nursing to complete her master’s degree, while pursuing her interest in mental health in tandem with her expertise in maternal health. 

“I have always thought of mental health as something we need to learn about in society, that we misunderstand,” said Edmundson. “I don’t have kids, but I always thought, ‘if I was in that place, would I feel I would be able to reach out and get the help I need?’”

Following course work and careful development of a research proposal, Edmundson’s thesis focuses on maternal mental health supports, surveying pregnant and post-partum women about the resources they would value, particularly virtual resources, in supporting their perinatal journey.

In Lloydminster, a city that straddles the Saskatchewan and Alberta border, most current online options are offered through Saskatoon and Regina, so there may be a need for resources closer to home.

“Through my time working on the maternity ward, I know a lot of mental health issues are becoming more prominent and also more talked about, but we haven’t matched resources with that. I thought that would be great to research, to create those resources that don’t exist,” she said.

Alongside her research and nursing work, Edmundson also teaches at the USask College of Nursing distributed Lloydminster site, including instructing the therapeutic communications course and labs to undergraduate students. 

Edmundson’s long-term plans include returning to her hometown of Edmonton, and possibly more teaching, which she loves, although she said she is not ready to give up bedside nursing just yet.

As she develops her research, Edmundson said she has had a great thesis experience so far.

“Doing this work, it’s been amazing. My mentor is College of Nursing associate professor Dr. Hua Li (PhD), who has always been available to answer questions and help develop connections. She has my best interest in mind, and I truly couldn’t do this without her.”

May 6-12, 2024 is Canada’s National Nursing Week and Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Week .

Together we will support and inspire students to succeed. We invite you to join by  supporting current and future students' needs  at USask.