Here are some carrier options for graduate degree
students in psychology. A
graduate degree in psychology can open the door to a much wider range of career
opportunities. Because of the huge range of degree options and specialty areas,
picking the one that right for you can feel overwhelming. Spending some time
researching different career paths can help.
The first step is to begin by asking yourself some
important questions. How long are you willing to go to school? Where do you
envision yourself working? What areas of psychology interest you the most? Some
of the most common areas of employment include mental health, education,
business, and government.
One you have a general idea of what you might like to do,
you can start exploring different career paths in greater depth. The following
are some of the major areas of employment for those with a graduate degree in
psychology. You will also find a selection of career choices that exist in each
employment area.
Mental
Health and Social Services
If your ultimate goal is to work directly with people to
help them overcome mental illness, then a specialty area focused on mental
health and social services would be a good option for you. While there are some
entry-level positions in this field for those with a master's degree in
psychology, those holding with a Ph.D. or Psy.D. will find more plentiful job
opportunities.
Some
job titles in this area include:
Clinical
Psychologists
Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat
individuals suffering from mental or emotional illnesses. Most individual's in
this area hold a Ph.D. or Psy.D., but there are some openings for those with a
master's degree.
Counselors
Counselors have many of the same job duties as clinical
psychologists, but tend to work more on helping individual's overcome issues
affecting their daily life rather than psychiatric illness. Those employed in
this area generally have a master's or doctorate degree in psychology,
counseling or education.
Social
Workers
Social workers often diagnose and treat mental illness or
work for social welfare agencies. Those with an undergraduate degree in
psychology may elect to obtain a master's degree in social work. Master's-level
social work graduates can become licensed to practice in all 50 states.
Educational
and School Settings
In addition to social services, those with a graduate
degree in psychology are also qualified to work in research or educational
settings. College and universities employ Ph.D.-level (and occasionally
master's-level) graduates to fill faculty positions. Professors are generally
expected to teach undergraduate- and graduate-level students as well as conduct
research.
Some
job titles in this area include:
School
Counselors
School counselors work with children who are having
difficulty at home or school and assist students in making academic choices.
Many also provide help with college applications and career choices.
School
Psychologists
School psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat children
who are experiencing behavioral, emotional, or academic problems. These
individuals may also recommend treatments or work with parents, teachers, and
others to help children overcome problems and achieve goals.
Educational
Psychologists
Educational psychology is the branch of psychology
concerned with schools, teaching psychology, educational issues, and student
concerns. Educational psychologists often study how students learn or work
directly with students, parents, teachers, and administrators to improve
student outcomes.
Local, State and Federal Government
Government and business entities often hire masters and
doctoral graduates in psychology to conduct research. According to the
Occupational Outlook Handbook, local and state governments frequently hire
psychologists for jobs in correctional facilities, mental health clinics,
public hospitals, and social service offices.
Some
job titles in this area include:
1. Rehabilitation counselor
2. Social service manager
3. Parole officer
4. Vocational rehabilitation provider
5. Psychosocial specialist
6. Applied Psychology Careers
Applied psychologists utilize their knowledge of
psychology and research methods to improve people's lives and solve real world
problems. Individuals working in these fields may start with a master's degree
in psychology, but positions tend to be more plentiful with a doctorate degree.
Some
job titles in this area include:
Industrial-organizational
Psychologists
These psychologists study workplace behavior and
ergonomics, often working to increase productivity or efficiency. The rising
demand for skilled psychologists has led to an increase in the number of
university programs offering degrees in industrial-organizational psychology.
I-O psychologists perform a variety of functions, including hiring qualified
employees, conducting tests, designing products, creating training courses, and
performing research on different aspects of the workplace.
Forensic
Psychologists
Forensic psychology involves applying psychology to the
field of criminal investigation and law. Forensic psychologists typically have
a master's in forensic psychology at the minimum, but many hold a Ph.D. in
clinical or counseling psychology. Forensic psychologists may work in various
settings, including family courts, drug courts, criminal courts, or private
consulting.
Human
Factors Psychologists
Human factors is an area of psychology that focuses on a
range of different topics, including ergonomics, workplace safety, human error,
product design, human capability, and human-computer interaction. Human factors
psychologists perform a number of duties such as exploring the ways that people
interact with products and environments and designing interfaces that are easy
to understand.
As you can see, career options with a graduate degree in
psychology are highly diverse. The best way to determine what path is right for
you is to evaluate your own needs and interests.
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