While earning a doctoral degree in psychology is a lengthy process, usually taking between 5–6 years of graduate study (DeAngelis, 2010), many careers can be attained with a master’s degree in psychology. People who wish to provide psychotherapy can become licensed to serve as various types of professional counselors (Hoffman, 2012). Relevant master’s degrees are also sufficient for individuals seeking careers as school psychologists (National Association of School Psychologists, n.d.), in some capacities related to sport psychology (American Psychological Association, 2014), or as consultants in various industrial settings (Landers, 2011). Undergraduate coursework in psychology may apply to other careers such as psychiatric social work or psychiatric nursing, where assessments and therapy may be a part of the job.

According to data from the National Science Foundation, about 44% of psychology undergraduates continue their education in a graduate program. Most students who go on to obtain graduate degrees in psychology continue to a Master’s program, while less than 10% obtain a doctorate or similar. It is interesting to note that many psychology undergraduates do not obtain graduate degrees in the field of psychology – only 14% (Conroy et al., 2019). In this section, we will take a look at some of the most common psychology and non-psychology degrees that students pursue after their undergraduate degree, their requirements, and related careers.

Counseling, Therapy, and School Psychology

Many people are interested in pursuing a career in mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or school psychology after graduation. There are two degree options for future counselors and therapists – a Master’s degree and a doctoral degree. According to the American Psychological Association (2014), therapists and counseling psychologists can work in many different settings, including private practice, universities, community mental health centers, medical facilities, and rehabilitation facilities, among others. School psychologists may also work in many of the same settings; about half work directly in schools (Greer, 2005).

The Colorado Counseling Association (n.d.) lists the typical requirements to become a mental health counsel or therapist as:

1. Complete an approved graduate program, such as a Master’s, Ph.D., or PsyD in mental health counseling or marriage and family therapy
2. Complete post-degree fieldwork hours – requirements vary by state
3. Pass a licensing exam

The pathway to becoming a school psychologist is very similar to that of becoming a licensed counselor or therapist; however, a specialist’s degree is the minimum requirement and is typically 3 years to complete. Doctoral degrees are another option for future school psychologists (Greer, 2005). Some graduate programs will combine training for mental health counseling and school psychology, with graduates able to be licensed in both areas.

Addictions counseling is a specialization that focuses on “addiction prevention, treatment, recovery support, and education” (NADAAC, 2022). As with other counseling and therapy-related areas, a combination of coursework, fieldwork hours, and examinations are often required, though licensure and certification requirements will vary by state. Those with a Master’s degree will typically be able to screen clients and diagnose substance use disorders, create treatment plans, and provide education and therapy services under supervision. With a doctorate, licensed addiction counselors can practice independently, without supervision (NADAAC, 2018).

Other specializations related to counseling and therapy include creative art-related therapies, e.g., art therapy, music therapy, and dance/movement therapy. To become an art therapist, students must complete a Master’s degree and become licensed in their state. After graduation, art therapists can become board certified, indicating a high level of training and achievement (Elmendorf, 2020). The process is similar for dance/movement therapy (American Dance Therapy Association, n.d.) and music therapy, though some may find opportunities for credentialing in music therapy at the undergraduate level (American Music Therapy Association, n.d.).

Other Master’s Degrees in Psychology

Master’s degrees can exist for every area of psychology, but licensure or certification is only required for some types of careers. Below, I briefly review some popular areas for psychology master’s degrees:

●     Industrial-Organizational Psychology: According to the Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology, a master’s degree often leads to a career in human resource management, data analytics, or working in organizations as a trainer or compensation specialist (Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology, 2016). In some states, licensure may be required for the professional practice of industrial-organizational psychology.

●     General Psychology / Experimental Psychology / Psychological Research: This master’s degree focuses on providing a broad background in psychological science. Students may use this degree as a stepping stone to a Ph.D., obtain careers as faculty members at community colleges or universities, or use their skills in data analysis and research design in careers such as government data analytics, market research, and program evaluation.

●     Applied Behavior Analysis: This degree leads to certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Much like counseling and therapy-related degrees, behavior analysts must complete fieldwork hours and pass an exam to become certified (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Board Certified Behavior Analyst Handbook, 2022). Behavior analysts often work with people with autism or developmental disabilities and can also specialize in other areas, such as organizational change, brain injury rehabilitation, mental health, and physical or public health (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Applied Behavior Analysis Subspecialty Areas, 2022).

●     Forensic Psychology: The ever-growing interest in forensic psychology has led to the growth of related Master’s programs. Some forensic psychology programs will prepare students to conduct forensic assessments and evaluations and may include preparation to become a licensed counselor or therapist (University of Denver, n.d.); other programs are similar to a psychological research Master’s but with a particular emphasis on legal and forensic psychology (Arizona State University Online, n.d.).

●     Human Development / Family Studies: Programs in Human Development and Family Studies focus specifically on how people grow and develop across various domains, including cognitive, social, and physical development, across the entire lifespan (Colorado State University, n.d.). These programs tend to emphasize ways to support healthy development in both individuals and families and may allow students to specialize in a particular age group, such as children or elderly adults (Harvard Graduate School of Education, n.d.).

Doctoral Degrees

Psychologists can work in many different places doing many different things. In general, anyone wishing to continue a career in psychology at a 4-year institution of higher education will have to earn a doctoral degree in psychology for some specialties and at least a master’s degree for others. In most areas of psychology, this means earning a Ph.D. in a relevant area of psychology.

The requirements to earn a Ph.D. vary from country to country and even from school to school, but usually, individuals earning this degree must complete a dissertation. A dissertation is essentially a long research paper or bundled published articles describing research that was conducted as a part of the candidate’s doctoral training. In the United States, a dissertation generally has to be defended before a committee of expert reviewers before the degree is conferred (Figure 11.1).

 

 

 

Once someone earns a Ph.D., they may seek a faculty appointment at a college or university. Being on the faculty of a college or university often involves dividing time between teaching, research, and service to the institution and profession. The amount of time spent on each of these primary responsibilities varies dramatically from school to school, and it is not uncommon for faculty to move from place to place in search of the best personal fit among various academic environments. Depending on the training received, an individual could be anything from a biological psychologist to a clinical psychologist in an academic setting (Figure 11.2).

 

Other Careers in Academic Settings

Oftentimes, schools offer more courses in psychology than their full-time faculty can teach. In these cases, it is not uncommon to bring in an adjunct faculty member or instructor. Adjunct faculty members and instructors usually have an advanced degree in psychology, but they often have primary careers outside of academia and serve in this role as a secondary job. Alternatively, they may not hold the doctoral degree required by most 4-year institutions and use these opportunities to gain experience in teaching. Furthermore, many 2-year colleges and schools need faculty to teach their courses in psychology. In general, many of the people who pursue careers at these institutions have master’s degrees in psychology, although some PhDs make careers at these institutions as well.

Some people earning PhDs may enjoy research in an academic setting. However, they may not be interested in teaching. These individuals might take on faculty positions that are exclusively devoted to conducting research. This type of position would be more likely an option at large, research-focused universities.

In some areas of psychology, it is common for individuals who have recently earned their Ph.D. to seek out positions in postdoctoral training programs that are available before going on to serve as faculty. In most cases, young scientists will complete one or two postdoctoral programs before applying for a full-time faculty position. Postdoctoral training programs allow young scientists to further develop their research programs and broaden their research skills under the supervision of other professionals in the field.

Career Options Outside of Academic Settings

As discussed in Chapter 1, future clinical psychologists have a second option for doctoral degrees – the PsyD. PsyD programs place less emphasis on research-oriented skills and focus more on the application of psychological principles in the clinical context (Norcross & Castle, 2002).

Regardless of whether earning a Ph.D. or PsyD, in most states, an individual wishing to practice as a licensed clinical or counseling psychologist may complete postdoctoral work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Within the last few years, however, several states have begun to remove this requirement, which would allow people to get an earlier start in their careers (Munsey, 2009). After an individual has met the state requirements, their credentials are evaluated to determine whether they can sit for the licensure exam. Only individuals that pass this exam can call themselves licensed clinical or counseling psychologists (Norcross, n.d.).

Licensed clinical or counseling psychologists can then work in many settings, ranging from private clinical practice to hospital settings. It should be noted that clinical psychologists and psychiatrists do different things and receive different types of education. While both can conduct therapy and counseling, clinical psychologists have a Ph.D. or a PsyD, whereas psychiatrists have a doctorate of medicine degree (MD). As such, licensed clinical psychologists can administer and interpret psychological tests, while psychiatrists can prescribe medications.

Individuals earning a Ph.D. can work in a variety of settings, depending on their areas of specialization. For example, someone trained as a biopsychologist might work in a pharmaceutical company to help test the efficacy of a new drug. Someone with a clinical background might become a forensic psychologist and work within the legal system to make recommendations during criminal trials and parole hearings or serve as an expert in a court case.

Degrees Outside of Psychology

As mentioned previously, most psychology majors who complete a graduate degree do not do a graduate degree in psychology. So, what non-psychology graduate degrees are most common?

According to the American Psychological Association (2017), the most common areas of study at the master’s level are:

• Social work (MSW)
• Education, including special education, elementary teacher education, and counselor education
• Business administration and management

Social work is a profession aimed at serving and advocating for people and communities that are facing challenges. Social workers may work one-on-one with individuals in various settings, including social services, hospitals, schools, and criminal justice settings. Social workers may also work with organizations in leadership, education, and training or advocate for large-scale social change as researchers, grant writers, political representatives, and other roles (University of Buffalo School of Social Work, n.d.). Many psychology students are interested in social work because of the potential to become a licensed clinical social worker who can provide counseling services (University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, n.d.).

Master’s degrees in the education field span a broad range of specialties, ranging from K-12 education to specialties in curriculum design, literacy or math programs, and special education (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, n.d.). The Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most recognizable and well-marketed Master’s degrees that prepares students for careers in management (Colorado State University-Pueblo Extended Studies, n.d.). Students pursuing an MBA may specialize in certain areas, such as healthcare administration or public service/non-profit sectors (Colorado State University-Pueblo Online, n.d.).

According to the American Psychological Association (2017), the most common areas of doctoral or professional study for psychology majors are:

● Law and legal studies

● Medical fields, such as dentistry, optometry, or veterinary degrees

● Education administration

● Medical therapy fields, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy

At this level, careers are fairly well-known. For example, a professional law degree is otherwise known as a juris doctor (J.D.) and often results in a career as a lawyer. Degree options in medical fields include the DO (doctorate of osteopathic medicine), as well as the MD (doctorate of medicine) as well as physician assistants and nursing. Admission into graduate programs in these areas may require specific courses as prerequisites as well as good scores on standardized exams, such as the LSAT for law school or the MCAT for medical school (AAFP, n.d.; LSAC, n.d.).

A doctorate in education administration prepares people for careers as principals, university administrators, and other higher-level roles in the education setting. These programs are typically geared toward current education workers who are looking to increase their knowledge and skills to obtain one of these higher-level roles. These doctorates can include both PhDs and Ed.Ds – a doctorate of education (Colorado State University-Pueblo Online, Doctorate of Educational Leadership, n.d.).

Careers in physical, occupational, and speech therapy require licensure, much like careers in mental health counseling and therapy. In addition, many of these programs will require a specific set of prerequisites – for example, some speech therapy/speech-language pathology programs require certain audiology courses before a student can be admitted, while others embed these required courses into a longer degree program (University of Colorado Boulder, n.d.).

Ask your academic advisor and professors for help in building connections to faculty and other resources that can help you prepare for graduate school in these areas. Some of these programs will require a specific set of prerequisites that may not overlap with the courses required by your psychology major. Your university may have programs, minors, or student organizations that help students prepare for these kinds of careers, including recommendations on course selection and test preparation.

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This section contains material from 1.4 Career in Psychology in Psychology 2e on Openstax by Rose M. Spielman, William J. Jenkins, and Marilyn D. Lovett used under a Creative Commons Attribution License