Career Opportunities for Qualified Psychology Degree Graduates

psychology professor

As a scientific field that focuses on human thought processes and behavior, psychology is an endlessly fascinating area of study — and one that is becoming more popular among incoming college students. Recent National Center for Education Statistics data shows that more than 6 percent of all degrees conferred by post-secondary institutions were psychology degrees.

In an age where more people advocate for improved mental health care services, it's unsurprising that many students are considering this field. There are several professional pathways available for graduates considering careers with a psychology degree.

An Overview of Career Paths in Psychology

The number of careers for psychology degree holders is larger than most people realize, with psychology graduates making significant contributions in various fields and industries. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology can often carve out a personalized career path that incorporates their interests within the field while building on the skills learned throughout their degree program.

From opportunities within a clinical setting to those available in the education sector, there are a variety of career paths to consider within the field of psychology.

Clinical Psychologist Opportunities

Clinical psychologists are professionals who work directly with clients to provide them with counseling services. According to the American Psychological Association, clinical psychology is the largest specialty in the field.

Psychologists specializing in clinical care can work with a wide variety of clients, allowing them to focus on a niche within the industry. For example, some clinical psychologists are passionate about working with under-served communities, while others prefer to work in the educational sector. Primarily, clinical psychologists work in research, health, training, and education. Regardless of where they work and who they serve, clinical psychologists are trained to listen effectively, adapt accordingly, and learn from their experiences.

It's worth noting that the opportunities available to those interested in clinical psychology will vary widely based on their degree level. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology can provide counseling services but may be limited in the scope of their practice. According to Indeed, Those interested in diagnosing specific psychological conditions or prescribing treatment for mental illness may need to pursue a doctoral degree.

Industrial/Organizational Psychologist Roles

Industrial and organizational psychology, sometimes referred to as I-O psychology, is defined by the American Psychological Association as the study of human behavior within workplace and organizational settings. As a specialized subset of the psychology field, I-O psychologists receive specific training that allows them to work directly with companies and corporations to:

Recruit qualified candidates.
Create effective professional development programs.
Measure employee performance.
Improve the workplace culture.
Increase productivity.

Industrial and organizational psychologists can find work in various settings, but given the specialized nature of this field, they most commonly work with organizations in business, industry, and labor.

Forensic Psychology Careers

According to the American Psychological Association, forensic psychology is another specialty in psychology, primarily focusing on psychological work relevant to the judicial and legal systems. Forensic psychologists must work to develop advanced knowledge and skills that blend psychological theory with legal procedures, practices, and ethics.

According to Indeed, forensic psychologists work to provide a psychological examination and analysis that may be relevant to a civil or criminal legal case. They often work to:

Assist with jury selection and provide juries with relevant, psychological information pertaining to the case.
Serve as an expert witness during a court case.
Provide inmates with counseling services.
Partner with law enforcement to develop psychological profiles and examine evidence at a crime scene.

Educational and Counseling Professions for Psychology Graduates

Many graduates with a psychology degree find it rewarding to explore educational and counseling professions. According to the American Psychological Association, psychologists in the educational and counseling sector often study the cognitive science behind learning, helping others recognize that many factors can influence a person's ability to learn new information, retain it for the long term, and remain passionate about learning opportunities.

School Counselor and Educational Psychologist Positions

School counselors and educational psychologists play a vital role in today's dynamic, modern learning environments. According to Indeed, school counselors typically work with elementary, middle, or high school students, with their roles varying depending on the school where they work.

Some common responsibilities of school counselors include:

Designing innovative and interactive programs to improve the school culture and environment. For instance, some school counselors are responsible for developing anti-bullying campaigns at their schools.
Working with students individually to monitor academic progress, improve their emotional well-being, and connect them with services and resources that could improve their quality of life.
Collaborating with teachers and administrators to ensure all students' needs are met within the building.
Helping students set and achieve academic goals. At the high school level, school counselors often work with graduating students to help them explore their options and create a plan for the future.

Careers as a Mental Health Counselor

Psychology graduates often find work in mental health counseling — in fact, there is significant demand for qualified mental health care professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment levels for mental health counselors are expected to grow by more than 18 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than average compared to all other occupations.

According to Indeed, mental health counselors typically work directly with individual patients or in a group setting to help them overcome challenges, address traumatic situations, and manage stress, anxiety, and depression. In many cases, mental health counselors develop long-term, ongoing relationships with their clients to help them:

Establish goals.
Develop coping mechanisms.
Discuss any issues or concerns that they have.
Seek out any additional services they may need, such as psychiatric care.

It's important to note that mental health counselors can provide holistic therapeutic services for clients. However, they cannot prescribe medication or diagnose their clients' specific psychological conditions.

The Growing Field of Sports Psychology

One up-and-coming niche within the psychology field is sports psychology. The American Psychological Association defines sports psychology as the study of human behavior in a way that optimizes athletic performance and improves overall well-being. Sports psychologists can work with many clients, from youth athletes to high-level professional athletes.

Sports psychologists often work directly with athletes, coaches, and other professionals involved in an athletic organization to:

Assist athletes with goal-setting.
Teach athletes specialized strategies that allow them to concentrate, remain confident, and regulate their emotions.
Provide mental health counseling services related to issues many athletes experience, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, loss of motivation, and rehabilitation after an injury.
Develop team-building programs designed to enhance camaraderie and build connections within an organization.

Unique Careers in the Corporate World for Psychology Graduates

Those who earn a degree in psychology will also find that there are unique career opportunities for them within the corporate world. The fact that psychology graduates have developed expertise in human behavior and thought processes makes them a valuable addition to organizations of all sizes and across all industries.

The Role of a Human Resources Officer

Human resources is one of the most natural corporate careers for psychology degree holders, as their foundational understanding of human behavior makes them ideal for this department. Human resources officers are often required to retain and attract top talent, motivate employees to stay productive, and create effective employment processes for the workplace setting. In addition, according to Indeed, human resources officers are sometimes called upon to be a sounding board for employees who have grievances or need to share an experience in the workplace with someone who will maintain a strict sense of confidentiality. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that most candidates need a bachelor’s degree to secure an entry-level human resources position, and the field is expected to grow by about 6 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than average compared to all other occupations.

Opportunities as a Management Analyst

Organizations employ management analysts to evaluate current operational procedures and develop a dynamic plan designed to improve efficiency, making this an ideal position for someone with a background in psychology. Psychology graduates have an expert-level knowledge of human behavior, allowing them to better understand what would motivate employees in a given organization to improve performance and outcomes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for management analysts is positive. Employment levels are expected to grow by about 10 percent between 2022 and 2032, much faster than average.

How Does a Psychology Degree Contribute to Law Enforcement Jobs?

By earning a psychology degree, you may find that you can easily explore a career in law enforcement. Law enforcement professionals and legal teams often work with psychologists to better understand criminal behavior and analyze crime scenes. According to the American Psychological Association, psychology intersects with the field of law enforcement in four key ways:

Assessment of criminals and victims.
Clinical intervention for criminals and victims.
Operational support within the law enforcement industry.
Consultation within the law enforcement industry.

The Importance of Psychologists in Healthcare

The American Psychological Association notes that health psychologists play a pivotal role in today's ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Psychologists can rely on their expert understanding of human behavior to help patients manage health conditions, encourage patients to follow medical advice, and develop programs that promote positive, healthy habits in a specific patient population.

Are There Research Opportunities for Psychology Degree Graduates?

Psychology degree graduates can pursue a career in research, such as working as a research assistant at a university or conducting research for an organization related to a specific psychological topic. Research-focused careers allow psychologists to pursue their interests through specific projects, with many actively working to discover and publish findings that will impact the field. According to Indeed, common research specialties among psychologists include forensics, sports, and education.

Explore the Field of Psychology at the University of Memphis Global

At UofM Global, we offer an innovative and engaging online bachelor's degree in psychology. Throughout this program, you will enjoy a broad curriculum that covers the role of human behavior in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences — all while honing your critical reasoning and analytical skills.

Request more information about our online psychology degree today.

Sources

https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/paths

https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/careers

https://www.psychology.org/degrees

https://psychology.osu.edu/about/what-psychology

Share this article