Psychology Textbooks Boundless Psychology Introduction to Psychology Study and Careers in Psychology
Psychology Textbooks Boundless Psychology Introduction to Psychology
Psychology Textbooks Boundless Psychology
Psychology Textbooks
Psychology
Concept Version 16
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Undergraduate and Graduate Study in Psychology

Only people with doctoral degrees are called "psychologists," but people with master's or bachelor's degrees also have many career options available.

Learning Objective

  • Identify the educational requirements for various careers within psychology

Key Points

    • By definition, a psychologist holds a doctorate degree. There are many fields of work open to psychologists, but individuals that hold master's degrees and even bachelor's degrees have options in the field too.
    • PhD graduates can have careers in clinical psychology, industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology, occupational psychology, forensic psychology, school psychology, sports psychology, and more.
    • PsyD graduates, while still active participants in research, focus more on assessing and treating clients. They can have careers in counseling, clinical, school, forensic, organizational, sports psychology, and more.Master's degree holders with several years of experience in business and industry can obtain jobs in consulting and marketing research, while others can find jobs in government, at universities, and in the private sector as counselors, researchers, data collectors, and analysts.
    • Bachelor's degree holders are often great candidates for careers in administrative support, public affairs, education, business, sales, service, health, the biological sciences, and computer programming. They may also be employment counselors, analysts, probation officers, and writers.

Terms

  • applied psychology

    The use of psychological principles and theories to overcome problems in other areas, such as mental health, business management, education, health, product design, ergonomics, and law.

  • forensic

    Relating to the use of science and technology in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a court of law.

Full Text

Psychology continues to be one of the most popular majors at universities, and for good reason: understanding why people think and feel the way they do has generated endless questions for centuries. To this day, the mechanisms that explain our emotions and behavior are still being studied and explored. A psychologist, by definition, holds a doctorate degree, and there are many fields open to psychologists. However, individuals who hold master's degrees or even bachelor's degrees also have many options within applied psychology.

Doctoral Degrees

Options for doctoral graduates in psychology include the areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, occupational psychology, forensic psychology, education psychology, and engineering psychology, as well as many other areas such as school psychology, sports psychology, and community psychology. A psychologist evaluates, diagnoses, treats, and studies behavior and mental processes. Some psychologists (such as clinical and counseling psychologists) provide mental health care, while others (such as social or organizational psychologists) conduct research and provide consultation services. Psychologists often help clients change behaviors that are having negative effects on their physical health.

Psychologists are involved in all aspects of maintaining the world's behavioral and emotional homeostasis. People with PhDs in psychology can work with business executives to reduce stress and improve performance, advise lawyers on jury selection, help victims recover from trauma, or collaborate with educators on school reform.

Master's Degrees

Studying psychology at the master's level can yield one of several degrees:

  • Master of Social Work (MSW). 
  • Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) in counseling psychology, clinical psychology, or educational psychology. 
  • Master of Science in Counseling (MSC)
  • Master of Arts in Professional Counseling (MPC)
  • Masters of Science in Education (MSEd)

A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree typically includes six years of college/university; clinical coursework where students learn the skills of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment; and extensive practicum experience that includes counseling or therapy. A master's degree in any specified area may require completion of a master's thesis, dissertation, and/or project.

Individuals with a master's degree in psychology may qualify for positions in many areas, such as school and industrial/organizational psychology. However, they will likely be unable to use the term "psychologist" to describe their position, as this term is reserved for individuals with PhDs. Master's degree holders with several years of experience in business and industry can obtain jobs in consulting and marketing research; others may find jobs in government, universities, or the private sector as counselors, researchers, data collectors, and analysts.

Bachelor's Degrees 

Studying psychology at the bachelor's level can yield a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), or Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). Bachelor's degrees usually require four years of study and are required prior to entry into graduate programs where master's or doctoral degrees may be earned. A bachelor's degree does not meet the requirements for clinical practice or licensure. While it is common for students who earn bachelor's degrees in psychology or social work to go on to graduate school, students who major in concentrations other than psychology or social work may still qualify for entry into psychology graduate programs.  

People who have earned bachelor's degrees in psychology are often great problem-solvers, pay close attention to detail, have good research and writing capabilities, and are capable of higher-order thinking, analyzing, and distilling of information. Bachelor's degree holders are often great candidates for careers in administrative support, public affairs, education, business, sales, service industries, health, the biological sciences, or computer programming; they may also find jobs as employment counselors, analysts, probation officers, or writers. 

Counseling psychology

Counseling psychologists focus on the assessment and treatment of emotional and behavioral disorders.

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