Careers in Psychology
Where are Psychology Graduates Working?
The American Psychological Association Center for Workforce Studies has developed a series of data tools to help people gain a better understanding of the psychology workforce. Visit their careers website or click on the image carousel to the left to learn more about where psychology graduates at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels are currently employed.
What are your career options?
Obtaining an undergraduate degree in the field of psychology does not prepare you for one specific career path, it provides you with a breadth of valuable, transferable skills that you can leverage to be successful in a wide variety of careers. Please use this page to explore job titles held by past psychology majors. If a job title has a hyperlink, it will take you to either the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Handbook or Salary.com entry for that position. The Occupational Handbook provides job seekers with the median salary, job outlook, and educational requirements for each position. Salary.com collects information from human relations staff at various companies and combines it with its analysis software to deliver to you what you should be getting paid for a specific job.
Careers in Aging
Clinical Geropsychologist (PhD or PsyD; state licensure; board certification may be preferred)
Fraud Investigator/Specialist
Geriatric Social Worker (BA/BS in social work and licensure may be required)
Life Enrichment Coordinator/Director/Manager
Occupational Therapist (MA/MS in occupational therapy, state licensure)
Physical Therapist Assistant (licensure or certification required)
Physical Therapist (DPT, state licensure)
Recreational Therapist (certification may be required)
Rehabilitation Counselor (MA/MS in rehabilitation counseling; may require certification/licensure)
Resident Services Coordinator/Administrator
Speech-Language Pathologist (MA/MS in speech-language pathology; state licensure)
Social Worker in Nursing Home/Long Term Care (BA/BS/MA/MS in social work and licensure may be required)
Careers in Business
Actuary (certification required)
Fraud Investigator/Specialist
Fundraising Manager (some employers prefer MA/MS)
Human Resource Associate/Coordinator/Officer
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist (PhD in IO psychology)
Industrial-Organizational Practitioner (MA/MS in IO psychology)
Insurance Underwriter (may require certification)
Loan Counselor/Officer (may require licensure)
Manager (e.g., Apple Store, car dealership, car rental agency, grocery store, hotel, security firm, Starbucks)
Market Research Analyst (some employers may prefer MA/MS)
Mortgage Underwriter (may require certification)
Operations Research Analyst (some employers prefer MA/MS)
Project Management Specialist (may require certification)
Public Relations Manager (some employers prefer MA/MS)
Sales Representative/Agent
Strategic Marketing Consultant/Manager/Director
Vocational Rehabilitator Counselor (some employers prefer MA/MS)
Careers in Children and Families
Behavior Analyst (RBT, BCaBA, BCBA required)
Child Life Specialist (CCLS certification through The Association of Child Life Professionals)
Family Services Specialist/Advisor/Coordinator/Counselor
Preschool and Childcare Center Director (may require certification)
Careers in Counseling and Social Services
Art Therapist (MA/MS and licensure required)
Child Protection Social Worker/Caseworker
Clinical Psychologist (PhD/PsyD and licensure required) I Watch an informational video here!
Clinical Social Worker (MA/MS and licensure required)
Crisis Intervention Specialist/Worker
Educational Psychologist (MA/MS and licensure required)
Healthcare Social Worker (BA/BS/MA/MS in social work and licensure may be required)
Marriage and Family Therapist (MA/MS and licensure required)
Mental Health Counselor (MA/MS and licensure required)
Mental Health Social Worker (BA/BS/MA/MS in social work and licensure may be required)
Music Therapist (MA/MS and licensure required)
Psychologist (PhD, PsyD, licensure required for clinical practice)
Recreational Therapist (MA/MS and licensure /certification may be required)
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT certification from BACB)
Rehabilitation Counselor (MA/MS and licensure /certification may be required)
School Psychologist (MA/MS and licensure required)
Social Worker (BA/BS/MA/MS in social work and licensure may be required)
Substance Abuse Social Worker (BA/BS/MA/MS in social work and licensure may be required)
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (MA/MS and licensure required)
Careers in Education
Admissions Counselor/Evaluator
Assessment Coordinator (MS/MA/PhD may be required)
Career Counselor (MS/MA and licensure may be required)
Curriculum Developer/Education Developer
Early Education Teacher (Preschool Teacher)
Elementary School Teacher (MS/MA and licensure may be required)
Enrollment Services Specialist
Grants/Contracts Specialist/Administrator
High School Psychology Teacher (MS/MA and licensure may be required)
High School Teacher (MS/MA and licensure may be required)
Instructional Coordinator (MS/MA and licensure may be required)
Middle School Teacher (MS/MA and licensure may be required)
Postsecondary Teacher (MA/MS/PhD required)
Professor (PhD required)
Psychology Teacher, Postsecondary (MA/MS/PhD required)
Registered Behavioral Technician (must obtain RBT certification from BACB)
Special Education Teacher (MS/MA and licensure may be required)
Test Developer for Psychological Corporation and ETS
University Lecturer (MA/MS/PhD required)
Vocational Training Teacher (MS/MA and licensure may be required)
Careers in Health and Medical Services
Audiologist (Au.D. degree; state licensure may be required)
Behavioral Health Social Worker (BA/BS/MA/MS in social work and licensure may be required)
Child Life Specialist (CCLS certification through The Association of Child Life Professionals)
Clinical Neuropsychologist (PhD and state licensure required)
Disability Benefits Specialist/Analyst
Healthcare Social Worker (BA/BS/MA/MS in social work and licensure may be required)
Hearing Aid Specialist (apprenticeship/certification may be required)
Home Health Social Worker (BA/BS in social work and licensure may be required)
Nurse (BSN, licensure)
Occupational Therapist (MA/MS in occupational therapy, state licensure)
Patient Benefit and Care Nurse Coordinator (BSN, licensure)
Physical Therapist Assistant (licensure or certification required)
Physical Therapist (DPT, state licensure)
Psychiatric Aide/Technician (may require licensure)
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN/DPN, PMHNP certification)
Psychiatrist (MD/DO, residency, fellowship or board certification may be required)
Physician (MD/DO, internship, residency)
Public Health Social Worker (BA/BS/MA/MS in social work and licensure may be required)
Recreational Therapist (may require certification)
Speech-Language Pathologist (MA/MS in speech-language pathology; state licensure) I Watch an informational video here!
Careers in Law and Law Enforcement
Crime Scene Technician/Specialist/Investigator (certifications and/or licenses may be required)
Detective (licensure may be required)
Fire Inspector (may require certification)
Forensic Psychologist (PhD required)
Gambling Surveillance Officer (may require licensure)
Government Affairs Coordinator/Specialist
Lawyer (JD, state licensure)
Paralegal (certification may be required)
Private Detective and Investigator (licensure may be required)
Security Guard (may require licensure)
Victims’ Advocate I Watch an informational video here!
Careers in Research
Behavioral Scientist (some employers prefer MA/MS/PhD)
Clinical Trial Manager for a Pharmaceutical Company (some employers prefer MA/MS/PhD or require certification/licensure)
Data Scientist (some employers prefer MA/MS/PhD)
Project Coordinator/Manager/Evaluator
Research Lab Coordinator/Manager (may prefer MA/MS)
Social Scientist (MA/MS/PhD may be required)
Statistician (may prefer MA/MS)
Check out more career options using these tools!
What can I do with this major?
What Can I Do With This Major? features 100 major profiles with information on common career paths, types of employers that hire in the field, and strategies to maximize opportunities.
My Next Move
My Next Move is an interactive tool for job seekers and students to learn more about their career options. The site has tasks, skills, salary information, and more for over 900 different careers.
Watch these videos to explore career possibilities!
Careers in Counseling
Watch these videos to explore some of the various career options available in the field of counseling. You can also learn more on Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)'s website.