For students thinking about earning a psychology degree, it’s important to understand what level of education they will need to enter their chosen career path. For some professions, a bachelor’s degree might be sufficient. Other career paths might require some type of graduate degree. Here are the types of psychology degrees, how long each one takes to earn, and the career options available at each degree level. To be blunt, there aren’t many jobs available at the associate level. Most entry-level psychology professions require a bachelor’s degree at the very minimum. An associate degree is commonly used as a stepping stone toward earning a bachelor’s and is a great way to gain a solid background in psychology before moving on to more advanced studies. One possible job option with an associate degree in psychology is to work as a psychiatric technician in a state mental hospital. In some states, you may also qualify for certain social work jobs, such as a casework aide or an addictions counselor assistant. In most cases, there is a much wider range of job opportunities in psychology for those with a graduate degree. However, a bachelor’s degree serves as a solid basis for further graduate study in psychology and does offer a limited selection of entry-level career options. According to one survey, only about 27% of people with a bachelor’s in psychology end up working in a field closely related to their degree. A few common job titles for people with this type of degree include case managers, psychiatric technicians, career counselors, and rehabilitation specialists. Bachelor’s degree holders often find work in other areas, including sales, management, and teaching. Jobs at the master’s level are far more plentiful than those at the bachelor’s level, which is why this is one of the most popular degree options. While some master’s programs offer what is known as a terminal degree, or an end-level degree designed to prepare students for the workforce, other master’s programs focus on preparing students for doctoral-level study. Graduates with a master’s degree can find jobs in a variety of areas, including mental health services, government agencies, and business fields. While there are some opportunities for teaching at colleges and universities, these positions tend to be limited and highly competitive. A few job titles that a master’s degree holder might find include marriage and family therapist, rehabilitative counselor, school counselor, and human resources manager. There are also a wide variety of specialty areas to choose from. Your choice will largely depend on what you choose to do after you graduate. If you’re interested in working in psychotherapy or possibly opening your own private practice, you might want to earn a Ph.D. in either clinical or counseling psychology. If you’re interested in working in teaching, research, or an applied area, you might choose to earn a Ph.D. in a specialty like social, developmental, industrial-organizational, or experimental psychology. In most cases, the Psy.D. degree takes approximately four to seven years to complete. During this time, students receive extensive training in topics such as diagnosing mental illness, performing psychological assessments, and conducting clinical interventions. Just as with the Ph.D. degree, Psy.D. students are required to complete a supervised practicum and internship in a clinical setting. The practicum usually involves working part-time under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, while the internship is a full-time position that lasts at least one year. Once students have completed their required coursework, practicum, and internship, they can take the state and national licensing exams.
A Word From Verywell
You have many options for which educational path to take in psychology, and it’s wise to explore which careers each degree can open for you. Invest your education dollars wisely to meet your goals.
