Psychology degrees and careers – the complete guide

It is difficult to think of an aspect of life that doesn’t involve psychology – where there are people, there are minds, and where there are minds, there is psychology.

Although not a hard science, psychology applies the scientific method to finding evidence-based solutions and improving people’s lives. Many psychologists provide healthcare services in roles like clinical psychologist or counseling psychologist. Others focus on research, investigating how social and cultural factors affect human cognition and behavior.

Psychology helps educators understand how children learn in order to design more effective and inclusive teaching methods. In the justice system, psychologists apply their knowledge of human behavior to help courts understand criminals, and the limitations of certain types of evidence or testimony. In business, psychologists apply the science of human behavior to the work environment and organizations.

The educational path to a career as a psychologist usually culminates in a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Each state sets its own licensure requirements for psychologists, but a graduate degree is required in all jurisdictions. It is illegal to practice as a psychologist in the U.S. without a license.

Some states allow limited licensure with a master’s degree, although master’s-level psychologists can typically only practice under the supervision of a licensed doctorate-level psychologist. The 2 exceptions are industrial-organizational and school psychology – both fields do not require a doctoral degree.

What do you study in a psychology major?

There are 2 major types of psychology: research and clinical/applied. At the bachelor’s level, you take humanities and social-science-based classes like theory of personality, counseling techniques, and developmental psychology to learn about working in applied psychology settings. You’ll also take math and science-based courses like research methods, statistics, and biological psychology to learn about the biological bases of thought as well as the techniques of research psychology. At the master’s level and beyond, your studies will become increasingly narrower as you zero in on your specialization.

Associate degree in psychology

An associate degree in psychology is a 2-year undergraduate program covering topics such as human development, social psychology, and research methods. This degree is often pursued at community colleges or online institutions and can be a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree in psychology or related fields.

What can you do with an associate degree in psychology?

Graduates with an associate degree in psychology can find entry-level positions in social services, education, or mental health support, but career options and earning potential are limited without further education.

Bachelor’s in psychology

Psychology is the 5th most popular major in the U.S. and in 2019/20, 79% of bachelor’s degrees in psychology were earned by women. A bachelor’s in psychology can be the initial step on the long educational journey to becoming a psychologist, or it can set the foundation for graduate work in a related discipline like social work, teaching, or counseling.

While a bachelor’s degree in psychology is not required for entry into a doctoral psychology program, it can provide background knowledge that makes getting into a psych doctoral program easier. It is also among the most popular majors for law school applicants and can lead to a well-paid human resources career.

Master’s in psychology

Since doctoral psychology programs typically have an embedded master’s in the first 2 years, a standalone master’s in psychology makes sense to pursue if you are interested in becoming an industrial-organizational psychologist, a school psychologist or counselor, or if you wish to pursue a psychology-adjacent career requiring a master’s degree for entry.

» Read: Best master’s programs in psychology

Earning a master’s in psychology is also a popular route to becoming a therapist; other options include a master’s in social work or master’s in marriage and family therapy. If you do not plan on pursuing doctoral psychology studies, and have decided what field you want to pursue with your master’s degree, it may be beneficial to choose a specialized program like a master’s in sports psychology or a master’s in business psychology.

» Read: Online master’s in counseling

Doctorate in psychology

Becoming a psychologist will in most cases require a doctoral degree. It is important to ensure that your psychology doctoral program is regionally, nationally, or APA-accredited, depending on your state’s licensure requirements. Certain states also offer licensure to psychologists from Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)-accredited programs.

PsyD vs PhD in psychology

PsyD programs offers the practitioner-scholar model of training with a greater focus on practical training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and working in clinical settings. PhD psychology programs offer the scientist-practitioner model and lead to non-clinical or academic roles. PhD programs tend to have better funding, as teaching or research assistantships are common, though you can expect most doctoral programs to be fully funded.

Psychology specializations

Many psychologists seek advanced training in a specific field to enhance their research or practice. One option is to become board certified in a specialty area. Several agencies offer board certification, but the American Board of Professional Psychology is most prominent.

Final thoughts

More than 90% of psychologists in the United States report high job satisfaction. However, the journey to becoming a licensed psychologist can take around a decade from the time you enter college. There are many related professions that draw on similar skills. If you are interested in working in the mental health field but do not want to get your doctorate, then counseling or clinical social work are other career options to consider.