Career Paths in Psychology

Career Paths in Psychology

An introductory course in psychology, whether at the high school or college level, can spark an interest in the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Indeed, in recent years psychology has routinely ranked as one of the most popular undergraduate majors.

The benefits of studying psychology can include an array of career path options. Becoming a psychologist is just one possibility. A bachelor’s degree in psychology can be a foundation for a role in social services or even a corporate setting — working in human resource management or sales and marketing, for example. Alternatively, a psychology student may opt to pursue graduate level study in education, medicine or law.

Because psychology is a broad discipline, it prepares a student to thrive in a range of professions, says Dr. Nicole Rivera, associate professor in the psychology department at North Central College. “Through the study of psychology, students learn to understand and interpret human behavior, critically evaluate evidence, and apply knowledge to various settings,” she said. “These skills translate to different career paths because of the social nature of how we work and the human behaviors we are trying to support in various sectors.”

If you are interested in working in the field of psychology, new trends create new opportunities. In its 2023 Trends Report, the American Psychological Association (APA), describes how the field is also undergoing transformation: “Psychologists are increasingly being called on to help solve some of the greatest challenges we face as a society.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. There may be differences across specialties.

These are some of the most common career pathways in psychology:

Clinical psychology

Clinical psychologists focus on prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders across the lifespan, according to the APA. They work directly with individuals, families or groups and often serve a specific demographic — like youth, first responders, those struggling with addiction, LGBT+ individuals, or older adults. Practitioners may work in a professional practice, hospitals, outpatient treatment facilities, schools, courts and prisons, government, the military or other setting. 

Issues a clinical psychologist may address includes:

• Adjustment issues and traumatic stress reactions
• Emotional and psychological problems, including serious mental illness and crisis intervention
• Interpersonal or social problems and dysfunction
• Behavioral problems including substance abuse and dependence
• Intellectual, cognitive, and neurological conditions

Becoming a clinical psychologist requires masters and doctoral level training. Each state has different licensing requirements. Some states require supervised clinical hours. Writing for Psychology.org, Nina Chamlou says becoming a clinical psychologist can take up to 10 years, depending on whether a student is part-time or full-time and what type of undergraduate degree is earned before starting a master’s program. 

Educational Psychology

If you like working with children and families, consider working in a school as an educational psychologist. According to the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the challenges that youth can face include social relationships, making difficult decisions or managing emotions — all of which can impact learning. The NASP describes educational psychologists as “a highly skilled and ready resource in the effort to ensure that all children and youth thrive in school, at home, and in life.”

Educational psychologists need to have masters-level, specialist-level or doctoral-level education to equip them with knowledge and skills that include:

• Data collection and analysis
• Assessment
• Progress monitoring
• School-wide practices to promote learning
• Resilience and risk factors
• Consultation and collaboration
• Mental health interventions
• Instructional support
• Prevention and intervention services
• Special education services
• Crisis preparedness, response, and recovery
• Diversity in development and learning
• Research and program evaluation

Social Psychology

The APA defines social psychology as “the study of how individuals affect and are affected by other people and by their social and physical environments.” Social psychologists study interpersonal and group dynamics and social challenges such as bullying, prejudice, criminal activity and substance abuse. They can work in the private sector in varied roles, including designing and evaluating policy and programs in education, conflict resolution and environmental protection.

How do you become a social psychologist? A bachelor’s degree in general psychology, social psychology or another related field is a start, according to the APA. Beyond that, a master’s degree or doctoral degree is typical, with Ph.D. programs taking approximately five years to complete. 

Sports Psychology

When an athlete has optimal mental health and well-being, they are better able to optimize their physical performance. Writing for Forbes, Sheryl Gray describes how sports psychologists help professional and amateur athletes cope with emotions and stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other challenges. They may work with others who have high-stress jobs — first responders, surgeons, performance artists, and military personnel. Gray writes that the U.S. Army is the largest employer of sports psychologists in the country. She also notes: “In addition to working directly with athletes, sport psychologists may work with coaches or youth sports organizations to teach skills that help athletes stay motivated and maintain healthy self-esteem.”

Sport psychologist education requirements typically include bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Each state has its own licensing requirements.

Neuropsychology

In another piece for Psychology.org, Chamlou writes that neuropsychology is one of the fastest-growing, in-demand and highly paid areas of psychology. While clinical psychologists focus on how an individual's life experiences affect them, she writes that neuropsychologists look at genetics and other biological factors: “In short, neuropsychologists study how an individual's cognition and behavior relate to the brain and nervous system.” They administer and interprets tests — including language assessments, mental exams, personality tests, and other cognitive tests. Often in collaboration with neurologists, physicians, psychiatrists, and neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists may help patients who have suffered a head injury, are dealing with an undiagnosed learning disability, or are experiencing symptoms of dementia.

Gray adds that neuropsychologists frequently specialize in working with a particular age group, like children or older adults. It takes 10-13 years in postsecondary education and supervised experience to become a neuropsychologist.