Psychology Careers

What Can I Do with a Psychology Degree?

Psychology is the study of human nature in all kinds of environments:

• Business (management, sales, marketing, customer service, communications and human resources)
• Community (social services, juvenile justice and parks and recreation)
• Clinical (mental health, parenting, marriage counseling)
• Schools (teaching and counseling)
• Healthcare (social services, counseling, customer service)

Graduate Studies

The bachelor's degree is a stepping-stone, preparing you for graduate study in a specialized area of psychology (clinical/counseling, organizational/industrial/social, school/career) or other fields, such as business management, corrections or social work. Psychologists need a master’s, specialist or doctoral degree. Practicing psychologists also need a license or certification.

Job Opportunities

For detailed information about psychology career opportunities, see also Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists, Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists, Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors, Social Workers and School and Career Counselors.

From 2010 to 2020, employment of clinical, counseling and school psychologists is expected to grow 22 percent, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of social workers is expected to grow by 25 percent. Employment of mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists is expected to grow by 37 percent from 2010 to 2020. Greater demand for psychological services in schools, hospitals, mental health centers and social services agencies, as well as the trend for insurance companies to pay more for mental health services, should drive employment growth.

• School Counselor/Psychologist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Health Psychologist
• Mental Health Counselor
• Marriage and Family Therapist
• Neuropsychologist
• Counseling Psychologist
• Psychological Assessment/Psychometrics (achievement, personality, attitude, interests, aptitudes, surveys, etc.)
• Developmental Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
• Human Resource Specialist/Manager
• Social Psychologist
• Child and Family Social Worker
• School Social Worker
• Healthcare Social Worker
• Gerontological Social Worker
• Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
• Marketing Communications Specialist/Manager
• Sales
• Customer Service Specialist/Manager
• Juvenile Justice Social Services
• Public Relations Specialist/Manager