What Can Y'all Practise With a Available's Degree in Psychology?

| Nina Chamlou Modified on April half dozen, 2022

What Can You Do With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology?

Are you set to discover your college program?

The power to empathise human relationships, think critically, empathize with others, and communicate well are simply some of the skills you learn during your undergraduate studies in psychology. And employers are well aware of their value.

"Workers with loftier EQ [emotional intelligence] tend to brand better decisions, maintain their cool under pressure and stress, deftly resolve conflicts, reply positively to constructive feedback, work well with others, and demonstrate leadership abilities," Jack Kelly, CEO of Compliance Search Group, wrote in an article for Forbes.

If you're approaching higher graduation, you lot may be wondering, "What can I exercise with a available's in psychology?" Whether you programme to enter the chore marketplace immediately or yous are open to further higher education, a number of paths are open up to you.

How to Get a Psychologist

Many people associate the study of psychology with therapy. But simply a small fraction of students who pursue psychology in their undergraduate studies decide to take this path. In almost states, to become a clinical psychologist, you need a available's degree, a doctoral degree, plus ane-2 years of training and licensing.

Featured Online Bachelor'due south Psychology Programs

What Else Tin You Practise With a Available's in Psychology?

A available's degree in psychology primes you for different career paths in various industries. Note that this is not an exhaustive list. Y'all may find other ways to leverage your psychology degree to your advantage.

Marketing

Psychology majors are well-suited for careers in marketing. The courses you take in your undergraduate studies, such as social psychology, human behavior, research design, and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticss, directly apply to many roles within the umbrella of marketing.

Creative roles in advertizing benefit from an understanding of the culture, such equally common or popular attitudes or beliefs. Roles in market research require knowledge of how to conduct research and interpret findings. Roles in sales require a high level of empathy and practiced listening skills for success.

Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Manager
Lowest 10% Median Annual Salary Highest 10% Projected Growth Charge per unit (2020-2030)
$68,940 $141,490 $208,000 10%
Source: U.S. Agency of Labor Statistics

Journalism or Public Relations

You lot don't need to written report English language or journalism to go a author. In fact, a knowledge base of operations in psychology can work to your advantage. Your ability to translate example studies and research tin give you the analytical skills necessary for reporting on circuitous topics. And a high level of empathy tin can make y'all a better interviewer. Not to mention, the many academic papers you lot wrote during your undergraduate studies count toward your writing experience.

Psychology majors are also typically diplomatic and good communicators, a crucial aspect of public relations (PR) specialists. In PR, yous need strong networking skills and the ability to maintain positive relationships with journalists, managers, and clients.

Journalist
Lowest 10% Median Annual Salary Highest ten% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$25,510 $49,300 $127,370 half-dozen%
Source: U.South. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Public Relations Specialist
Everyman 10% Median Almanac Salary Highest x% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$35,350 $62,810 $118,210 11%
Source: U.S. Agency of Labor Statistics

Government Worker

The regime needs employees who understand psychology for various positions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation hires psychology majors as special agents and forensic psychologists. Constabulary precincts hire them every bit officers because of their skills in mediating and de-escalating situations.

Psychology majors also make bully parole officers, helping parolees find employment and deal with substance misuse.

Special Agent
Lowest 10% Average Annual Bacon Highest ten% Projected Growth Charge per unit (2020-2030)
$41,000 $65,940 $118,000 Not available
Source: Payscale as of October 2021
Forensic Psychologist
Lowest 10% Average Almanac Salary Highest 10% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$39,000 $71,950 $100,000 Not bachelor
Source: Payscale as of October 2021
Police Officer
Lowest 10% Median Almanac Salary Highest 10% Projected Growth Charge per unit (2020-2030)
$39,130 $67,290 $113,860 7%
Source: U.South. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Probation Officer and Correctional Handling Specialist
Lowest 10% Median Almanac Salary Highest 10% Projected Growth Charge per unit (2020-2030)
$36,990 $55,690 $98,510 four%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

UX Designer

UX designers make products and services more than intuitive, enjoyable, and streamlined for users — often in a digital environment, similar a concern's website or app. As a UX designer, you find connections between data and design. For example, you lot may notice that people are visiting a customer's website but go out quickly. UX designers discover why and arrange the design to increase users' curiosity about the product or service.

An understanding of psychology fits well with this profession. Concepts similar memory limitation, cognitive load, and the psychology of colors all make for a improve designer. You lot may consider getting a document specific to UX design or attend a bootcamp to make yourself a more than competitive candidate. These programs are adequately curt, ranging from 10 weeks to vi months.

UX Designer
Lowest 10% Average Annual Salary Highest ten% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$51,000 $74,870 $109,000 Not available
Source: Payscale as of Oct 2021

Human Resources

Human resources (HR) professionals hire job applicants, manage them during their time at an organisation, and let employees go when necessary, amid other tasks. While some colleges and universities offer a major in Hour, some do not.

Many students study psychology with the intention of pursuing a career in Hr. Concepts learned during your psychology studies, similar the advantage system and motivational factors, contribute to forming more effective, empathetic HR managers.

Human Resources Specialist
Everyman 10% Median Annual Bacon Highest ten% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$37,710 $63,490 $109,350 10%
Source: U.S. Agency of Labor Statistics

Alternative Graduate Programs for Psychology Majors

In 2017, nigh 3.five million people in the U.S. held a bachelor's degree in psychology. Of those, xiv% likewise held graduate degrees in psychology. Withal, about 30% held graduate degrees in other fields, such as instruction, health, and social services, according to the American Psychological Association.

While you tin can certainly enter the workforce with an undergraduate caste in psychology, pursuing a chief's caste tin can give you a more than specialized skill set and boost your income potential. Here are some alternative graduate programs for psychology majors.

Counseling

If y'all're looking for a way to aid individuals reach their goals in a one-on-ane context, but yous don't want to pursue a doctoral degree to become a clinical psychologist, consider a career in counseling. You can specialize in different areas, including mental wellness, schoolhouse, career, grief, wedlock, and substance use counseling.

An undergraduate caste in psychology tin can prepare yous for graduate schoolhouse programs in counseling. All types of counselors volition be in loftier demand in coming years.

School and Career Counselor
Lowest x% Median Annual Salary Highest ten% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$35,620 $58,120 $97,910 11%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Advisor
Everyman x% Median Annual Salary Highest 10% Projected Growth Charge per unit (2020-2030)
$30,590 $47,660 $78,700 23%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Matrimony and Family Therapist
Lowest x% Median Almanac Salary Highest x% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$33,140 $51,340 $92,930 xvi%
Source: U.S. Agency of Labor Statistics

Police force

You lot might call back that law and psychology don't share much in common. But they're actually quite connected. Psychologists seek to understand homo behavior, while the law aims to regulate it.

If y'all concord a bachelor's degree in psychology, y'all qualify for admission to many police programs. The Law School Admission Test was once a universal requirement to qualify. But now, many reputable institutions, including Harvard and the University of Arizona, only require the Graduate Tape Examinations.

Traditional law schoolhouse typically takes iii years to consummate, although many institutions offer two-year fast-track programs. And so, you could practise police force in just a few years if you lot already accept an undergraduate degree in psychology under your belt.

Lawyer
Lowest ten% Median Annual Salary Highest 10% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$61,490 $126,930 $208,000 9%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Didactics

You lot don't demand an undergraduate caste in education to become a school teacher. A liberal arts education provides an first-class background for teaching. But the theory and skills you gain by majoring in psychology, specifically, will assistance you exist more than empathetic toward students and model positive advice styles.

Not every state requires a main'due south degree to get a teacher. But even in states that do not, holding a primary'southward degree is most an unwritten rule for eligibility. It besides qualifies you for a higher bacon.

Look for master's degree programs in teaching or education. With teaching, you can specialize in a item subject and gain expertise in effective teaching. An educational activity caste also qualifies yous to teach, but it equips you to influence change in school policies and curricula.

Kindergarten and Elementary Schoolhouse Teacher
Lowest ten% Median Annual Salary Highest 10% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$40,030 $60,660 $100,480 seven%
Source: U.S. Agency of Labor Statistics
Middle School Teacher
Lowest 10% Median Almanac Salary Highest x% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$40,930 $60,810 $98,840 seven%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
High School Teacher
Lowest x% Median Annual Salary Highest 10% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$41,330 $62,870 $102,130 eight%
Source: U.S. Agency of Labor Statistics

Audiologist or Voice communication Language Pathologist

Psychology straight relates to the medical field, every bit mental wellness contributes to one's overall well-being. You don't need a degree in medicine or science to start a career in healthcare.

The need for audiologists and spoken language language pathologists will profoundly increment in coming years. Demand for audiologists will increase 16% between 2020 and 2030, while need for speech communication pathologists will increase 29% over the same flow.

Audiologists identify, assess, and manage hearing disorders. Voice communication language pathologists treat people with communication and swallowing disorders. These two professionals sometimes work together. Both require graduate degrees, which typically accept 2-3 years to complete.

Audiologist
Lowest ten% Median Almanac Salary Highest ten% Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030)
$56,550 $81,030 $128,160 16%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Speech Language Pathologist
Lowest 10% Median Annual Salary Highest 10% Projected Growth Charge per unit (2020-2030)
$50,370 $80,480 $122,790 29%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Public Assistants

Graduate programs in public assistants ready students to carry out regime policy. If yous bask planning, organizing, and making improvements, yous might consider a career in public administration.

To piece of work in this area, y'all need a strong understanding of social psychology, communication, urban planning, and social science research methods. These skills help you to pattern, implement, and measure out the affect of authorities programs.

Graduates with a master'southward degree in public policy can work for regime agencies, nonprofits, or private policy groups. You lot tin can find work in unlike industries, such as healthcare, natural resources management, or social justice.

Your main duties will include conducting research, analyzing programs' functioning and efficacy, and possibly managing other employees and projects.

Administrative Services and Facilities Managing director
Lowest ten% Median Almanac Salary Highest ten% Projected Growth Charge per unit (2020-2030)
$56,080 $98,890 $169,930 9%
Source: U.S. Agency of Labor Statistics

Additional Resources for Psychology Students

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