What Can I Do with a Psychology Degree?

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. It explores how people think, feel, and act as both individuals and groups. It helps us understand human behavior and mental processes through research, observation, and practice.

Psychologists may work in areas such as:

Clinical Psycholgoy
Cognitive Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Social Psychology
Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Common Career Paths

Direct Care:

Counseling
Psychotherapy
Applied behavior analysis
Art therapy
Music therapy
Case management
Mental health services
Physical health and wellness
Crisis work
Rehabilitation services (e.g., speech, physical, vocational therapies)
Performance enhancement
Testing/Assessment
Law enforcement

Research:

Social research
Market research
Data analysis
Testing/Test development
Experimental psychology
Neuroscience
Industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology

Administration:

Advocacy
Programming
Community relations
Management
Development/Fundraising
Grant writing

Human Resources:

Employment and recruitment
Selection
Labor relations
Compensation and benefits
Organizational development
Training

Business & Industry:

Sales
Customer service
Public relations
Marketing
Advertising
Insurance
Claims management
Underwriting
Product design
Management
Real estate
Sales
Property management

Education:

Teaching
Adult learning/Community instruction (e.g., GED classes, life skills, parenting, etc.)
Information/Library science
Higher education administration and student support services:
- Admissions
- Financial aid
- Academic advising
- Development
- Alumni affairs
- International education and study abroad
- Career services
- Residence life
- Student activities and Greek life
- Orientation
- Leadership
- Multicultural affairs
- Recreational sports

Employers

Federal government:
- Health and Human Services
- Justice
- Veterans Affairs
State government:
- Departments of Human Services
- Departments of Mental Health
- Departments of Justice
- Community mental health centers
- State psychiatric hospitals
- Facilities for individuals with intellectual impairments
- Boards of probation and parole
Local government
Senior citizens’ centers
Nursing homes
Social service/Nonprofit organizations
Religiously-affiliated service organizations
Hospitals/Healthcare providers
Private psychiatric facilities
Outpatient clinics
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Universities and colleges
- College and university counseling centers and career centers
College prep programs
Pain clinics
Rehabilitation facilities
Testing centers

Private practice
Market research departments of consumer goods and manufacturing firms
Private research organizations
Consulting firms
Market research firms
Public and private K-12 schools
Federal Trio programs (e.g., Upward Bound, Talent Search)
Large companies
Staffing and employment services
Service providers
Wholesalers
Manufacturers
Retail stores:
- Department stores
- Specialty stores
- Discount stores
- Super retailers
- Online retailers
Call centers
Financial institutions
Insurance companies
Real estate companies
Property management firms
Apartment complexes
Public relations departments of large businesses or nonprofit organizations