What Can You do With a Graduate Degree in Psychology?

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Type of Work:   (Back to Top)-Click here to find out more about the job titles below-(Occupational Outlook Handbook)

1) Teaching and Research. If you're interested in teaching undergraduate, master's-level, or doctoral-level students, you can probably work in a university setting, where you will probably also do research. If you are not interested in teaching and want to focus on research, you can work for government agencies (for example, the Centers for Disease Control) or for private research organizations. To work as a psychologist in these settings, you typically will need a Ph.D. in psychology--not in another field such as education or social work. You might be able to get a teaching job at a two-year school with a master's degree in psychology; however, the job market is glutted, and Ph.D.'s are taking many of these jobs. But it depends on where you're looking for a job-small towns with community colleges would love to be able to hire someone with a graduate degree!  2) Applied Work. Psychologists in selected subfields have the option not only of teaching (sharing knowledge) and research (generating knowledge) but also of working in settings in which they apply their knowledge. The subfields that you only need a Masters for include clinical psychology and industrial/organizational psychology. For the subfields counseling psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, and sports psychology, you usually have to have a Doctorate in Psychology. Graduates with a master's or doctoral-level degree in psychology will find that career choices are wide and varied. As access to mental health care increases, the demand for trained therapists and clinicians rises as well. Others may find employment in business, education, or government. Many holding master's or doctorate degrees will pursue social service careers. Some job titles in this area include: Clinicians Clinicians assess, diagnose, and treat individuals suffering from mental or emotional illnesses. Most individual's in this area hold a Ph.D. or Psy.D., but there are some openings for those with a master's degree. Criminologist School Counselor Occupational Therapist Marketing Executive Marriage and Family Therapist Psychologist Psychiatrist Social Worker Licensed Professional Counselor Lawyer Human Resources Management Human Resources Specialist Personnel Administrator Community Relations Officer Urban planning officer

Counselors Counselors have many of the same job duties as clinical psychologists, but tend to work more on helping individual's overcome issues affecting their daily life rather than psychiatric illness. Forensic Psychology Earn a Master's or Ph.D. in Psychology. Those employed in this area generally have a master's or doctorate degree in psychology, counseling, or education. Social Workers Social workers often diagnose and treat mental illness or work for social welfare agencies. Those with an undergraduate degree in psychology may elect to obtain a master's degree in social work. Master's-level social work graduates can become licensed to practice in all 50 states. In addition to social services, those with a graduate degree in psychology are also qualified to work in research or educational settings. College and universities employ Ph.D.-level (and occasionally master's-level) graduates to fill faculty positions. Professors are generally expected to teach undergraduate- and graduate-level students as well as conduct research. Government and business entities often hire masters and doctoral graduates in psychology to conduct research. Other jobs in education and research area include: Industrial-organizational Psychologists These psychologists study workplace behavior and ergonomics, often working to increase productivity or efficiency. I/O Psychology Careers School Counselors School counselors work with children who are having difficulty at home or school and assist students in making academic choices. Many also provide help with college applications and career choices. School Psychologists School psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat children who are experiencing behavioral, emotional, or academic problems. These individuals may also recommend treatments or work with parents, teachers, and others to help children overcome problems and achieve goals. School Psychology Careers Most masters level psychology graduates do not go on to careers as psychologists. Business and healthcare are the top employers of psychology majors, and the top three careers are manager, sales representative, and social worker. Health Educator Volunteer Administrator Public Statistician Probation & Parole Officer

 

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Community Colleges/Universities College Counseling Centers Community Mental Health Clinics College and Business School Career Centers Private Practice	Hospitals Governmental Agencies Human Resources Offices Correctional Facilities Public Schools Nonprofit Organizations Insurance Firms

 

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General career sites for Psychology Majors American Psychological Association  (APA) Encyclopedia of Psychology-guides for getting into graduate school, finding jobs, various careers Human Services Workers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook Information for Students of Color Concerning Psychology Careers-From the APA Job Sites for Psychology Online Social Psychology Career Center Professional Associations and Organizations Psych Web  Psychologist from the Occupational Outlook Handbook  Sample Resumes for Psychology Students Skills Employers seek from Psychology majors Tip Sheets for Psychology Majors-Good career and grad school info. The various fields/specialties within the Psychology arena-Explanation of each Community Psychology Community Psychology Net  Counseling Psychology (including clinical and therapy-Certification/Licensure Requirements) American Counseling Association  The Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists (Maryland) Clinical therapist Counselors from the Occupational Outlook Handbook  Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs-CACREP-Great info on what is needed for counseling certification. Counseling Psychology National Board for Certified Counselors  National Board for Certified Counselors  National Mental Health Internship Program. Licensure as a Psychologist-Certification and licensing requirements as well as exam info.  Developmental Psychology Developmental Psychology Journal What is Developmental Psychology Environmental Psychology Environmental Psychology Experimental Psychology Journal of Experimental Psychology What is Experimental Psychology Industrial Psychology (including Human Resources) Human Resources and Labor Relations from the Occupational Outlook Handbook  Society for Human Resource Management  (SHRM) What is Industrial and Organizational Psychology?  Marriage and Family Therapy American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Psychology and the Law (Including Forensics) American Board of Forensic Psychology  American Psychology and Law Society  Careers in Forensic Psychology European Association of Psychology and Law Forensic Psychology Forensic Science and Law Enforcement Links-Links to a variety of forensic areas. Forensic Science-Consulting and Education in the field Law Enforcement in the Federal Government Professional Profile:  FBI Agent School Psychology (including Educational Psychology) Careers in Educational Psychology School Psychologist-Gives great information about what they do and job links. School Psychologist Requirements from the State of MD-Word Document School Psychologist Requirements from the State of MD-Word Document Specialties/Niches within the field of Psychology American Musical Therapy Association-Information about career opportunities in this area. Careers in Gerontology-Working with the Aging Psychology of Religion Sports Psychology National Career Development Association-Good link that gives info on being a certified career counselor.