I bet you’re wondering, “What jobs can psychology majors get? Is it ok to pay thousands of dollars for a degree that will lead to a job I hate?” Well, wonder no more! I’ve compiled the best articles on what careers are available to those willing to pursue psychology, and how you can turn this passion into a stable career.
Psychology majors can get jobs in a variety of fields, including clinical psychology, counseling, social work and education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the number of psychologists will increase by 17% between 2016 and 2026.
Psychologists can find employment in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, schools, private practices and government agencies. They often work with individuals who are experiencing mental health issues or substance abuse problems. Psychologists also work with families and couples to help them resolve relationship issues, or provide therapy for children who are having behavioral problems at school or home.
In this article we will look at some examples of how psychology majors have used their degrees in their careers after graduation:
What jobs can psychology majors get
Introduction
In this article, we’ll look at 10 of the most common jobs for psychology majors. We’ll start off with psychologists who work in clinical settings and end with forensic psychologists working in the courtroom.
Job 1: Clinical Psychologist
A clinical psychologist is a professional who assesses, diagnoses and treats mental illnesses. They also provide therapy for people with mental health problems. A clinical psychologist may also provide psychological testing and assessment, as well as counseling for people with problems related to their daily lives.
In order to become a clinical psychologist, you must have an advanced degree in psychology or a related field such as social work or counseling. You will need to get licensed by the state where you live in order to practice your profession legally.
Job 2: Counseling Psychologist
You can work as a counseling psychologist if you have a master’s degree in clinical psychology. You need to be licensed by the state before you can practice, and then you will likely work in private practice or a clinic. Your job would be to help people with mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety disorders or addictions. You will talk with them about their problems and may recommend medication or other treatments for their condition. Some counseling psychologists also specialize in working with children or families affected by psychological issues.
What is the job outlook like? The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that there will be growth of 9% between 2016-2026 for counselors and psychotherapists overall (with some subfields growing faster than others). Because there are so many different types of psychologists who provide different services to clients across a wide range of settings—including hospitals, clinics and schools—it’s difficult to predict exactly how many jobs will be available at any given time within this field; however there are several factors which may contribute towards increased demand:
Job 3: School Psychologist
School psychologists are professionals who work in schools, helping children and young adults succeed. The job requires a master’s degree, but it’s not necessary that you get your Ph.D., as some school systems will hire you with only an MSW (Master of Social Work) instead.
As the title implies, school psychologists are responsible for the psychological well-being of students, teachers and parents alike. They help students develop skills to succeed academically from kindergarten through high school graduation by providing counseling services and advocating for special education programs if needed. They can also help with issues such as anxiety or depression; bullying; substance abuse; learning disabilities; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); autism spectrum disorders; traumatic brain injuries or concussions caused by sports activities like football or soccer; domestic violence situations involving children who may have been exposed to violence at home; grief counseling after natural disasters like hurricanes or fires where many people died—the list goes on!
Job 4: Industrial/organizational Psychologist
If you’re interested in working with human behavior and the workplace, industrial and organizational psychology is a good field to look into. As an industrial/organizational psychologist, you’ll be able to help companies improve their corporate culture, management practices and employee satisfaction.
In order to become an industrial/organizational psychologist, you must earn a doctoral degree like a Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D., or DBA from an accredited university in the U.S.. Once you’ve completed your degree requirements, you’ll need to pass the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), which tests your knowledge of research methods employed by psychologists as well as ethical issues related to the practice of psychology such as confidentiality rights between patients and therapists.
Job 5: Neuropsychologist
Neuropsychologists are experts in the field of human behavior and brain function. They specialize in using psychological knowledge to help patients with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Neuropsychologists usually earn a master’s degree in psychology or related fields such as neuroscience or social work before moving on to a doctoral program that focuses on treating patients with neurological disorders. Neuropsychologists often work closely with psychiatrists and other mental health professionals to develop treatment plans for people suffering from various conditions. They may also be responsible for administering cognitive tests designed to assess patients’ circumstances—such as IQ scores or brain scans—and interpret test results.
Neuropsychologists are required by state licensure laws to have extensive training in psychology before they can practice independently as experts who diagnose various disorders based on their assessments of patients’ symptoms during therapy sessions. Some states require specific certification through professional organizations like the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN), but most only require that practitioners have experience working under another licensed clinician first before applying for their own license at some point during their career path.[1]
Job 6: Geropsychologist
A geropsychologist is a psychologist who specializes in the mental and emotional changes that occur as people age. They are trained to help the elderly and their families deal with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Geropsychologists use their psychological knowledge to assess clients’ mental states, then develop programs for treatment of these issues. In addition to working directly with older clients, some geropsychologists may also work at hospitals or retirement homes where they provide assistance with patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Job 7: Sports Psychologist
A sports psychologist can help athletes improve their performance, deal with stress and anxiety, and manage performance anxiety. In addition, they may assist in helping athletes to deal with pressure or pressure from fans.
Athletes who participate in individual sports may benefit from a sports psychologist’s skills in goal setting, motivation, anger management, dealing with disappointment and ineffective self-talk. Athletes participating in team sports may also benefit from a sports psychologist’s work on improving communication skills between teammates.
Job 8: Rehabilitation Psychologist
Rehabilitation psychologists work with patients who have disabilities, mental illness, or substance abuse problems. They assess and treat patients, and provide consultation and training to health care professionals.
Psychologists typically enter this field by completing a Ph.D., Psy.D., or EdS degree in rehabilitation psychology after obtaining an undergraduate degree in psychology or related field. Relevant coursework may include neuropsychology; cognitive science; psychometrics; research design and methodology; statistics; lifespan development; learning theory/developmental psychology (including intelligence testing); behavioral assessment (including patient observation); medical ethics; neuropsychology/neurology/ophthalmology (including visual acuity testing); social work theory/practice (including group therapy).
There are several subspecialties within the field of rehabilitation psychology:
- Clinical neuropsychology – Assesses cognitive impairments resulting from neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury or stroke
- Community mental health – Develops community services to support individuals suffering from substance abuse disorders to become independent members of society
Job 9: Health Psychologist
Health psychologists are focused on understanding the psychological factors that can improve physical health. They work with people who are undergoing treatment for a disease, or who have chronic pain, illness or other conditions and want to discuss their emotional state as it relates to their physical well-being.
Health psychologists often work in hospitals and clinics, but they also may provide therapy sessions at home or in the community.
Job 10 Forensic Psychologist.
What is a Forensic Psychologist?
A forensic psychologist is someone who applies psychological knowledge to legal issues. Mostly, they work with people who have committed crimes, often as part of their defense team. Some forensic psychologists are employed by the government and provide expert testimony in court cases; others work at private firms, where they produce reports on criminal defendants’ mental health or behavior patterns in order to help prosecutors make their case.
What Do Forensic Psychologists Do?
Once you’ve graduated from your master’s program and passed your licensing exams (both of which take between two and four years), you’ll be ready for a job as an entry-level forensic psychologist—and there are plenty of them available! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were around 4,000 full-time positions for this type of professional in 2016 alone—and that number doesn’t include all those who work part time or freelance on the side.
Here are some possible jobs for psychology majors
- Clinical psychologist
- Counseling psychologist
- School psychologist
- Industrial/organizational psychology
- Neuropsychologist (a specialist who uses psychological testing to assess brain injury)
- Geropsychologist (a specialist in treating older adults)
- Sports and exercise psychologist (works with athletes, coaches and fitness professionals)
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you an idea of the many jobs that a psychology degree can lead to. There are so many different options available, and it’s important to choose what’s right for you. We wish you the best of luck on your journey!
