Career Options

CAREER OPTIONS WITH AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE

In respect to job possibilities, you will not be a practicing Psychologist with only an undergraduate (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) degree in Psychology. You will need an advanced degree. However, you can obtain jobs both within in Psychology and related disciplines of Psychology without going to graduate school. In fact, the majority of people with an undergraduate degree in Psychology do not pursue graduate training.

Psychology as a Career

How to Find a Job with an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology

UCCS Career Center Psychology Major Sheet

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY?

The American Psychological Association (APA), (1997) found in their Psychology Baccalaureate Survey, that the following were general areas where people found jobs:

Health or Health-related Services (17%)
Administrative/Clerical (17%)
Education and Teaching (13%)
Other (12%)
Other Services (10%)
Professional Services (8%)
Research and Development (8%)
Sales (6%)
Consulting/Statistics (5%)
Management (4%)

JOB TITLES

Here's a list compiled by Landrum and Davis (2004) of job titles relevant to those with a bachelor's degree in Psychology:

Untitled Document
Related to Psychology Related to Business Other Areas
Academic Advisor Administrative Assistant Activity Director
Alcohol Drug Counselor Advertising Agent Youth Coordinator
Behavior Analyst Airline Reservations Clerk Camp Director
Career Counselor Bank Management Recreation Worker
Case Management Aide Claims Specialist Community Relations
Case Worker Customer Relations Congressional Aide
Child Care Worker Customer Service Representative Alumni Relations
Child Protection Worker Employee Counselor Driving Instructor
Corrections Officer Events Coordinator Foster Home Parent
Day Care Director Hotel Management Film Researcher
Director of Volunteers Human Relations Director Patient Services Representatives
Employment Counselor Insurance Agent Probation Officer
Gerontology Aide Job Analyst Laboratory Assistant
Group Home Coordinator Loan Officer Law Enforcement
Student Housing Director Management Trainee Newspaper Reporter
Student Life Coordinator Marketing Representative Nursing Home Director
Mental Health Technician Marketing Researcher Park/Rec Director
Parole Officer Office Manager Private Tutor
Probation Officer Personnel Worker Research Assistant
Public Relations Specialist Sales Representative Security Officer
Rehabilitation Advisor Store Manager Technical Writer

STARTING SALARIES WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE

The National Association of Colleges and Employers reported in its Fall 2010 Salary Survey that psychology majors with a bachelor's degree could expect a starting salary of between $25,000 and $37,000. The amount for any particular individual will depend on what industry, overall experience in the field and the location of the job.

WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT FROM PSYCHOLOGY BACCALAURETES

• Listening skills
• Ability to work with others as part of a team
• Getting along with others
• Desire and willingness to learn
• Willingness to learn new, important skills
• Focus on customers and clients
• Interpersonal relationship skills
• Adaptability to changing situation
• Ability to suggest solutions to problems
• Problem-solving skills

(Landrum & Harrold, 2003)

CAREER OPTIONS WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE

According to the APA 2002 survey, master's degree recipients were employed full-time in the following areas:

Education/Schools (24.9%)
Business/Government/Non-Profits (19.7%)
Other Human Services Organizations (19.7%)
Hospitals/Clinics (19.4%)
Colleges/Universities (13.3%)
Independent Practice (2.9%)

MEDIAN STARTING SALARIES WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE

According to the APA 2002 survey, median starting salaries for full-time positions were as follows:

Untitled Document
Other Psychological Subfields providing Direct Human Services $ 43,000
Clinical Psychology $ 44,000
Faculty Positions $ 45,000
Direct Human Services Positions $ 45,000
Counseling Psychology $ 47,000
Administration of Human Services Position $ 54,000
School Psychology $ 57,000
Research Positions $ 57,500
Applied Psychology (Other Psychology Subfields) Positions $ 65,175
Administration of Research $ 66,960
Other Administrative Positions $ 79,800
Applied Psychology Positions $ 80,000
Applied Psychology (Industrial/Organizational Psychology) Positions $ 91,000

CAREER OPTIONS WITH A DOCTORAL DEGREE

A doctoral degree in Psychology (e.g., PhD, PsyD, EdD) is generally required for employment as a licensed clinical or counseling psychologists. According to the 2009 Doctorate Employment Survey conducted by the APA, doctoral degree recipients were employed in the following areas:

Other Service Settings (33%)
Colleges/Universities (32%)
Business/Government (21%)
Education/Schools (8%)
Managed Care (6%)

MEDIAN STARTING SALARIES WITH A DOCTORAL DEGREE

Untitled Document
Lecturer/Instructor $ 40,909
Direct Human Services: Counseling Psychology $ 54,200
Assistant Professor $ 56,727
Direct Human Services: School Psychology $ 58,000
Direct Human Services: Clinical Child Psychology $ 58,500
Research $ 60,000
Direct Human Services: Clinical Psychology $ 61,000
Administration of Human Services $ 62,000
Other Positions $ 67,000
Educational Administration $ 71,000
Applied Psychology $ 73,332

USEFUL SITES FOR CAREER INFORMATION AND GRADUATE SCHOOLS

O*NET OnLine is a tool for career exploration and job analysis:
http://www.onetonline.org

O*NET OnLine Occupations matching "psychologist"

Clinical Psychologists Psychologists, All Other School Psychologists
Counseling Psychologists Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary Mental Health Counselors
Marriage/Family Therapists Neuropsychologists/Clinical Neuropsychologists Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Considering Graduate Education in Psychology?

Psychology Graduate Applicants' Portal
Graduate Study in Psychology
UCCS Psychology Graduate Programs
Psychology Graduate Study

American Psychological Association

Looking for Jobs in Psychology?

Online Psychology Career Center
Encyclopedia of Psychology
Jobs in Psychology
Psych Web

American Psychological Association

References

American Psychological Association

http://www.apa.org/careers/index.aspx

http://www.apa.org/careers/resources/guides/careers.aspx

http://www.apa.org/workforce/publications/95-bacc/table-2.aspx

Landrum, R. Eric (2009). Finding Jobs with a Psychology Bachelor's Degree: Expert Advice for Launching Your Career. Washington, DC: APA.

Landrum, R. E., & Davis, S. F. (2004). The Psychology Major: Career Options and Strategies for Success. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Landrum, R.E., & Harrold, R. (2003). What Employers Want from Psychology Graduates. Teaching of Psychology (30,131-133). Washington, DC: APA.

National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)

Occupational Outlook Handbook