What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree?

A psychology degree can lead to many career paths, including mental health support, research, and roles in human resources and business. Many of these pathways also have a strong professional outlook, with higher-than-average demand and salary potential.

The broad applications of a psychology degree help make it one of the most popular majors. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), psychology degrees make up 6% of all undergraduate degrees and 4% of all master’s degrees conferred.

Explore some of the top career options for psychology grads below.

A bachelor’s in psychology provides you with a foundation in psychological theory and practical applications. While you won’t qualify for licensure and be able to become a psychologist with a bachelor’s, you could access teaching, business, social and community service positions.

Bachelor’s in psychology grads possess knowledge of human behavior and mental health, which they can use to understand and support students, customers, and people in need.

Bachelor’s programs also provide research, data analysis, and problem-solving skills, which can help graduates in many professional settings.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

A master’s program in psychology ores advanced psychological theories and counseling techniques. While you still can’t become a psychologist with this degree, it can prepare you for a doctoral degree. If you get a master’s in clinical psychology, you may pursue counseling and therapist licensure in some states.

Master’s students learn how to assess and treat mental health issues in various individuals and settings. Many master’s programs offer concentrations, which may allow learners to develop specialized skills and carve out a niche.

This degree can also strengthen communication, research, and analytical skills, which can be applied to becoming a therapist, counselor, or other career.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

In a doctoral program in psychology, you’ll develop expertise in mental health and psychological

clinical practice. A degree at this level qualifies you to become a psychologist and gives you the opportunity to specialize in your area of interest.

Psychology doctoral graduates learn to diagnose and treat diverse and complex mental health conditions. They also pick up valuable leadership, research, and teaching skills, which can lead to careers in management and academia.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

As a psychology student, you may pursue a concentration that allows you to develop specialized expertise and clinical experience. Not only can a specialization help you tailor your educational journey, but it can help you target a specific license and career as well.

Here are some of the main psychologist careers you can get into. Please keep in mind that most of these professions require a doctoral degree.

Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They conduct assessments, provide therapy, and teach behavior modification strategies to a diverse clientele in hospitals and specialized clinics. Clinical psychologists can also become researchers and professors.

Counseling psychologists support clients with life challenges and personal issues in hospitals, private practice clinics, and educational settings. They provide therapy to clients, help them develop skills, and refer them to other services and resources.

Developmental psychologists analyze how humans grow throughout their lives. They use their knowledge to identify developmental concerns in patients and help them manage their condition and adapt to changes in their lives and abilities.

Experimental psychologists explore and collect data on topics like human cognition and behavior. They design and conduct scientific studies in university labs and private research institutions.

Forensic psychologists apply psychological principles to legal contexts and settings. They evaluate the mental health of criminal suspects, provide expert testimonies in the courts, and help law enforcement agencies build criminal profiles.

Industrial-organizational psychologists focus on improving workplace productivity and culture. They may perform training and development programs, employee satisfaction surveys, and human resources process audits to identify improvement opportunities.

Rehabilitation psychologists work with people with disabilities and those recovering from injuries. They often work in hospitals and specialized clinics, helping clients adjust to their conditions, including changes to their mobility or mental health.

School psychologists typically work in the school system to support students with academic, behavioral, and social challenges. They offer counseling, develop educational and behavioral support plans, and educate and train faculty.

Sports psychologists assist athletes with managing the mental challenges in their field, such as stress, performance anxiety, and focus. They help clients set goals and develop coping and relaxation strategies.