PSYCHOLOGY
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Career Options for Psychology Undergraduates Career Options with a B.A. or B.S. in Psychology There’s good
news and bad news about job possibilities. The bad news is
that you will not be able to be a practicing psychologist
with only a bachelor’s degree in psychology. You will
need an advanced degree to be a psychologist. But the good
news is that you can obtain jobs both within psychology and
related to the discipline of psychology without going to
graduate school. In fact, the majority of people with a
bachelor’s degree in psychology do not pursue
graduate training.
Here’s a list compiled by Landrum and Davis (2004) of job titles relevant to those with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
In looking over the list, there are some common skills that employers seek in applicants for these psychology-related jobs. And how much will you earn with a bachelor’s degree in psychology? In the September 2000 salary survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average salary offer for bachelor’s degree psychology graduates was $28,811. Unfortunately, although many of the career options with a bachelor’s degree can make a great deal of difference in people’s lives, they often do not pay well. But contrary to popular opinion, you are employable with a bachelor’s degree in psychology! However, if financial considerations are your primary objective, but you still want to pursue a career in psychology, then you need to consider obtaining an advanced degree. Career Options with a Master’s Degree According to the
Occupational Outlook Handbook (1998), Master’s degree
psychologists and counselors are predicted to be among the
fastest growing occupations for the period 1996-2006. Where
are master’s level psychologists employed? According
to the APA 1996 survey of master’s degree recipients,
3% were employed full time in an independent practice, 12%
in colleges and universities, 15% in business, government,
or nonprofit organizations, 20% in education/schools, and
50% in other human services organizations. So you can get a
good job with only a master’s degree! In fact, 60% of
counselors have only the master’s degree
(Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1998). Not all
master’s-level counselors received their degree from
a psychology department; many earn degrees from a
counseling department, guidance department, educational
psychology department, or social work program.
From these data it’s clear that the Master’s degree opens up more job possibilities (including administration) and offers higher starting salaries compared with a Bachelor’s degree. And they show that you don’t have to get your Ph.D. to get a good job! Career Options with the Doctoral Degree A doctoral degree
in psychology (e.g., Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D) is generally
required for employment as a licensed clinical or
counseling psychologist. And where do these people work?
Many (over 40%) psychologists are self-employed, which is
five times the average for all professional workers (OOH,
1998). According to the 1996 Doctorate Employment Survey
conducted by APA (1998), 30% were employed in academia
(universities and colleges), 18% were employed by business
or government, 7% were employed by education/schools, 10%
were employed by managed care, and 35% were employed in
other human services setting.
As you can see from the above, median salaries for doctoral-level psychologists are considerably higher compared with those of master’s-level counselors. There are many benefits of receiving a master’s degree or a doctorate. Either advanced degree will prepare you for a career as a professional. They will afford you greater job opportunities and higher salaries. If you have decided to pursue graduate education, you might find the following websites helpful. Useful Internet Sites for Graduate Schools & Jobs Considering Graduate Education in Psychology?
Looking for Jobs in Psychology?
References
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