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! 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 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
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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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