10 Career Paths You Can Follow With a Psychology Degree
When you think about what jobs you can get with a psychology degree, what comes to mind? A therapist or a school counselor might be the first career you think of — and that's totally understandable. Studying how the mind works and what motivates people to act naturally parallels therapeutic and educational guidance.
But the list of psychology bachelor's degree jobs extends far beyond what you might have even thought possible.
In fact, psychology is one of Dallas Baptist University's most popular majors — and one of those reasons is because there are so many jobs that are foundationally supported by this multifaceted discipline. Delving into the study of human behavior is not only fascinating, it's valuable and actionable for many careers.
The undergraduate psychology degree at DBU provides a Christ-centered education that explores the theories and practice of psychology from a Christian worldview. The curriculum features courses in the history and systems of psychology as well as research-oriented subjects. DBU also offers General Psychology, Child Life Specialist, Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology concentrations. DBU also offers an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s degree where students can earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling, Master of Arts in Christian Counseling, or Master of Arts in Psychology in less time than it takes to earn both degrees separately.
Graduates majoring in psychology will be prepared to make a positive difference in a wide variety of environments — including business, education, mental health, and more, while having a foundation to continue advanced study in clinical psychology and counseling. Some may enter medical or law school.
If you're pondering this course of study but asking yourself, "What jobs can you get with a psychology degree?", let this list of 10 ideas provide some inspiration!
10 Psychology Degree Jobs
1. Christian-based mental health counselor or therapist
Mental health counselors provide psychotherapy and counseling to support their patients' mental wellness for everyday life while aiding those suffering from trauma, depression, anxiety, anger, and other concerns. It's important to realize that you can also specialize in Christian-based counseling in which you offer psychological healing within a biblical framework. It's a way to address mental and spiritual health together in faith-based contexts.
The job outlook is good for mental health counselors and substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 19% growth in demand, much faster than the average of 4% to 5%.1
1Based on data available as of Friday, October 25, 2024, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
While a bachelor's degree in psychology is often the first step, you will need a master's degree to become a licensed professional counselor. DBU’s MA in Professional Counseling prepares students to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas, while DBU’s MA in Psychology equips students to become a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) or Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP).
2. Social worker
When you think of social work, child welfare, and human service agencies might immediately spring to mind. But social workers are also employed in various other settings, including healthcare and schools. In broad strokes, social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
For example, a medical social worker helps patients understand their illness or condition and provides them with information and resources to cope with emotional, financial, and social needs that may arise. In a clinical setting, this career often requires an advanced degree.
3. Teacher
If your interest in psychology coincides with a passion for leading the next generation, teaching might be a career path for you to consider. Whether you feel called to preschool, elementary school, special ed, or sharing your love of psychology with high schoolers, you'll have an excellent foundational understanding of cognitive development across the ages and more. There are many Christian schools and academies to consider for those called to teach in a faith-based setting. In addition to your psychology degree, you'll likely need a teaching license or certification. DBU offers teaching certification programs and a Master of Education in Teaching.
4. Career counselor
Your quest to find your best-fit career may have inspired you to think about being a career counselor. In this role, you help professionals choose jobs that correlate with their personal values, goals, and skills. Career planning strategies — like skills assessments and personality tests — often go hand-in-hand with this work, which can occur in various settings, from schools to outplacement, recruitment, and headhunting. Like clinical counseling, it's possible to specialize in Christian career counseling and coaching, which situates the guidance in a faith-based way.
Also, this is another industry that's growing faster than the average, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 4% growth in demand for career and school counselors.2
2Based on data available as of Thursday, August 29, 2024, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, School and Career Counselors and Advisors.
5. Forensic psychologist
If you've never missed an episode of Criminal Minds, the field of forensic psychology may be for you. This career applies the principles of psychology to the criminal justice system, consulting with law enforcement to integrate psychology into both criminal and civil legal matters. You might serve as an advisor, help select juries, evaluate witnesses, conduct mental health evaluations, and more. While this career requires an advanced degree, there are other entry-level opportunities, including victim advocates and corrections specialists.
6. Probation officer
Another option for those interested in the law enforcement field is a career as a probation officer. Probation officers can leverage soft skills learned while earning a psychology degree — like interpersonal awareness and critical thinking — to effectively work with first-time offenders and those who have committed nonviolent or minor crimes. In this role, you would also often conduct evaluations, give recommendations to judges, and perform regular check-ins with offenders.
7. Advertising/marketing manager
Think about the ads that make an impact. What do they have in common?! They probably make you feel something; they generate an emotional connection. That's why a psychology degree can be such an asset in this industry. Sure, you can also pursue a marketing or advertising degree, but understanding human behavior, persuasion, and motivation can be just as helpful in developing effective advertising and marketing campaigns.
8. Sales representative or account executive
The sales industry may also not be the first thing that comes to mind when studying psychology, but it can be instrumental in fostering a successful sales career. That's because emotional intelligence, effective communication, and empathy with a customer's needs are all signs of a good seller — and skills you build with a psychology major.
9. Market research analyst
Understanding consumer psychology and behavior is vital for a market research analyst. Through focus groups, questionnaires, surveys, and more, an analyst helps marketing teams, and clients decide about products and services consumers want (or don't want!) to buy.
Interestingly, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for market research analysts will remain high years from now, with a projected job growth of nearly 20%.
10. I/O psychologist
Industrial and organizational (I/O) psychologists help make the workplace safe, productive, and satisfying by studying and assessing individual, group, and organizational dynamics in the workplace. Their goal is to help identify solutions to problems that improve the well-being and performance of organizations and their employees while helping to create more inclusive work environments and resolve workplace conflict.
"Test all things; hold fast to what is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21
There are many career options for psychology majors. Dallas Baptist University is ready to equip you every step of the way with our bachelor's and master's degree programs in psychology.
