Preparing to Use Your Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Preparing to Use Your Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
The psychology major at Wagner College prepares students well for a variety of career options both inside and outside the field of psychology.
APA: Psychologists' skills are in high demand.
Information about careers in psychology and related fields
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there is an increased demand for mental health counselors.
- The same is true for psychologists.
- And occupational therapists.
- There is expected market growth for school and career counselors.
- The outlook for child life specialists is strong.
- US News magazine reports high demand for counselors and therapist jobs.
- O*Net Online Job Descriptions for Occupations in Psychology
- Learn Psychology's Guide to Careers for People with Psychology Degrees
- Psychology Degree Guide to Careers in Psychology
- Dr. Marky Lloyd's Careers in Psychology
- American Psychological Association Career Page
- Career Information from Psychology Today Magazine
- Career Information from Psi Chi, the Psychology Honors Society
Wondering what people do with a bachelor's degree in psychology?
Wondering what people do with a bachelor's degree in psychology?
Counseling Career Directions & Suggested Elective Classes
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there is an increased demand for mental health counselors.
- The same is true for psychologists.
- American Psychological Association Career Page
- US News magazine reports high demand for counselors and therapist jobs.
Degree: MA/MS, PhD (doctor of philosophy), PsyD (doctor of psychology)
Licensure:
- Psychologist (usually need doctorate),
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Art Therapy
- Art Therapy information from Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Dance Therapy
- Music Therapy
- New York State Information about Professions for Mental Health Practitioners (see Creative Arts Therapy)
Also interested in counseling children?: PS 111, PS 112, PS 216, PS 306
Consider co-major or minor in visual arts, performing arts, or music
Degrees: MA/MS in art therapy (or similar)
Licensure:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- your state may have others
- What is a substance abuse counselor?
- New York State Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)
Other: Consider minor in sociology, courses in social work
Degree: MA/MS in substance abuse counseling (or similar). BA/BA for CASAC
electives: PS 111, PS 112, PS 214, PS 292, PS 306
Degree: BA/BS in psychology and certification
- Information about a career in Marriage & Family Therapy
- New York State Information about Professions for Mental Health Practitioners (see Marriage & Family Therapy)
- Outlook for FMT demand is high
Consider a minor in sociology
Degree: MA/MS in Marriage and Family Therapy (or similar).
Licensure: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LFMT)
- Information about a career in ABA
- New York State Information about Professions for ABA
- Information about ABA from ABA International
Degree: MA/MS in ABA therapy and certification
- The demand for social work is high
- What is a clinical social worker?
- What do clinical social workers do?
Consider a minor in sociology and take courses there in social work (SW course numbers)
Degree: MSW (master of social work). Different licensures include.
- LMSW = Licensed Master Social Worker
- LCSW = Licensed Clinical Social Worker requires more clinical hours, leads to working in advanced setting for therapeutic support
Other Careers for Psychology Majors
Electives: PS 212, PS 306, PS 315, PS 442
Other: courses in sociology, biology/physiology, physics, etc.
Degrees: MA/MS in occupational therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- APA: Pursuing a career in health psychology
- Society for Health Psychology
- What do Community Psychologists do?
See also Child Life
- Consumer psychology and behavior (Psychology Today)
- APA: Career in consumer behavior
- APA: Pursuing a career in industrial/organizational psychology
- SIOP: Career pathways in industrial/organizational psychology
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Outlook for career in I/O psychologists
- Human Resources: Differences and similarities between I/O and Human Resources
- APA on careers in advertising with psychology degree
Consider a minor in business administration or marketing
- There is expected market growth for school and career counselors.
- Who are school psychologists?
- Who are school/career counselors?
- APA: Educational psychology careers
- Careers in Academia
Degrees:
- MA/MS or PhD in School Psychology
- MA/MS in school counseling/guidance counseling
- Doctor of Education (EdD)
Consider minor in science or business depending on interest
Degree: MA/MS or PhD
- APA: Career in forensic psychology
- Psychology Today: Career in forensic psychology
Degree: MA/MS or PhD
Consider minor in science, math or computer science
Degree: BA/BS, MA/MS or PhD
- APA: Career in neuropsychology
- So you want to be a neuropsychologist? (from Psychology Today)
Degree: MA/MS or PhD
This career requires a medical degree (MD). In addition to majoring in psychology, the student will want to review the pre-health program information for appropriate classes to take.
Electives: PS 212, PS 311, PS 315, PS 351
Degree: MD
Information about careers for biopsychology majors. Biopsychology is a branch of neuroscience.
- Careers in neuroscience
- Career in Physical Therapy
- Careers by degree level
- What do biopsychology/neuroscience majors do?
- Pharmaceutical & medical sales
- Research Technician (Medical School, Hospital, University & Corporate settings)
- Science Journalism
In addition to requirements in biopsychology, you should plan to take a year of physics and human anatomy & physiology
Degree: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Electives: PS 212, PS 306, PS 315, PS 442
Other: courses in sociology, biology/physiology, physics, etc.
Degrees: MA/MS in occupational therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- APA: Career in neuropsychology
- So you want to be a neuropsychologist? (from Psychology Today)
Degree: MA/MS or PhD
These careers require a medical degree (MD). In addition to majoring in psychology, the student will want to review the pre-health program information.
Electives: PS 212, PS 213, PS 311, PS 315, PS 351, PS 442
Degree: MD
These are just a few examples! A degree in psychology can prepare you for so many careers beyond this list. Let us know if you have questions!