What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree? A Complete Guide
| 5 Min Read
Psychology is a popular major among undergraduates, as many students find the study of human thinking and behavior fascinating. Still, some people hesitate to choose the field because of misconceptions about the job prospects for psychology graduates.
If you have an interest in psychology, your career opportunities are more diverse than you may think. A psychology degree offers ample versatility, allowing graduates to work in clinical, human services, corporate and healthcare settings. This guide explores the various career applications for psychology degrees and the in-demand skills that programs like Concordia University, St. Paul’s online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology help students develop.
Direct Psychology Career Paths
When people think of psychology careers, they most often think of classic clinical career paths. These roles include:
- Clinical psychologist: These professionals help people cope with trauma, relationship issues, behavioral disorders and mental illnesses by providing therapeutic services.
- School psychologist: This psychology specialty focuses on developing strategies to help students overcome mental or behavioral barriers to success in classroom settings.
- Industrial-organizational psychologists: Leveraging their knowledge of human behavior and motivation, these psychologists work to solve common workplace problems, such as conflict and low job satisfaction.
- Research and academic positions: Psychologists may conduct formal research to expand knowledge of how the mind works or teach psychology to undergraduate or graduate students.
Overall, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the demand for traditional psychologists will increase by 6% through 2034, with roughly 12,900 job openings per year. Most of these jobs require a state-issued license. Although each state establishes its own licensing requirements, a master’s or doctoral degree is usually necessary. Consequently, most bachelor’s degree holders will need to continue their studies to pursue traditional career pathways.
What Human Services and Social Work Jobs Are Available to Psychology Graduates?
Psychology graduates who aim to help others cope with difficult situations are not limited to traditional career paths. The human services sector offers several rewarding psychology jobs that make a real difference in people’s lives.
One fast-growing example is substance abuse counseling, which involves helping people with substance abuse disorders abstain from the use of drugs and alcohol. Through 2034, demand for skilled counselors is expected to grow by 17%, with an estimated 48,300 jobs opening for substance abuse counselors annually, according to BLS. Usually, these jobs require formal licensing, often involving a master’s degree in psychology or a related field.
Not all roles in the human services sector require a graduate degree. In many cases, a bachelor’s degree is all that is necessary for the following careers:
- Career counselor: Counselors help adults match their strengths and preferences with job opportunities.
- Social work assistant: These professionals help families and individuals access services by coordinating appointments with licensed social workers and assisting with paperwork.
- Case manager: This role involves coordinating services and support for individuals by assessing needs, developing plans and connecting clients with appropriate resources.
- Community service manager: This role oversees programs that provide social services and support within a community.
What Corporate Careers Are Available for Psychology Graduates?
Because of their understanding of the psychology of motivation and learning, bachelor’s degree holders in psychology are often well-positioned to find employment in corporate settings. One highly in-demand role for psychology graduates in the business world is a training and development specialist. Expected to grow by 11% through 2034, according to BLS, the job involves developing, administering and evaluating programs that train employees and help them develop critical skills.
Training is just one specialty area for business-minded psychology graduates. Other jobs to consider include:
- Market research analyst: This job involves analyzing data to determine the most effective ways to market products and services to customers.
- Human resources specialist: These professionals recruit, hire and place candidates in various roles within a company.
- Organizational consultant: Working on their own or for consulting firms, consultants help companies improve workplace performance by conducting studies and making recommendations.
How Can a Psychology Degree Lead to a Job in Healthcare or Medical Settings?
The healthcare sector offers a wide range of opportunities for psychology graduates. Individuals interested in leadership may pursue a career in health services management, a field expected to grow by 23% through 2034. This job involves planning, directing and coordinating healthcare services in hospitals, clinics and other medical settings.
Another in-demand job is a psychiatric technician. Technicians assist with therapies and provide support and supervision for individuals receiving mental health treatment in inpatient settings. Through 2034, the demand for psychiatric technicians is expected to rise by 11% per BLS.
Some psychology jobs in the healthcare sector offer opportunities to provide one-on-one support to individuals dealing with health issues. For example, health educators help people understand how to prevent or cope with various medical conditions, while community health workers enable vulnerable people to access the healthcare services they need by serving as their advocates and coordinating their care.
What Skills Do Psychology Graduates Bring to the Workforce?
One of the main reasons why psychology graduates enjoy so much employment flexibility is that undergraduate study cultivates many in-demand, highly transferable skills and competencies. Learning about psychology means developing a deep understanding of human behavior and motivation that can contribute to success in many roles and enable individuals to develop interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
In addition, coursework in bachelor’s degree programs often emphasizes research and data analysis, and the ability to interpret complex datasets is valuable in many roles. Plus, psychology majors develop communication, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities that can set them apart from other candidates.
Develop In-Demand Skills With a Degree in Psychology
A wide range of rewarding career opportunities await psychology graduates, as employers in many sectors value the data analysis, communication and critical thinking skills students develop by studying human behavior, cognition and motivation. While some psychology majors will continue their studies in preparation for clinical practice, many others will find jobs in health care, business, human services and other sectors.
No matter what your career goals are, earning an undergraduate degree in psychology is an important first step. Concordia University, St. Paul’s online B.S. in Psychology program can help you develop competencies and skills while maintaining a work-school-life balance. Its online format offers flexibility and the opportunity to gain real-world experience through practical fieldwork. Take the first steps toward developing in-demand skills. Find out more about CSP Global’s program or apply today.
Learn more about CSP Global’s online B.S. in Psychology degree program.