What jobs can you do with a psychology degree

​​A psychology degree ranks in the top three most popular majors for soon-to-be college freshmen. Despite its popularity, the prospect of a bachelor’s degree in psychology often leaves students unsure about the types of careers they could pursue after graduation.

In fact, there is a big misconception that a psychology degree is useless unless you want to be a counselor or therapist. But nothing could be farther from the truth!

A psychology degree can be a great choice for a variety of career pursuits as it provides a general understanding of people as well as valued skills in writing, research, and reasoning—qualities that are valuable in almost any job.  

What does a psychology degree cover? 

Psychology majors dive into the science of human behavior. They also develop the skills to understand and interpret research findings about how people behave. 

Coursework examines the mind and brain, human interactions, mental health, theories of personality, clinical psychology, cognitive neuroscience, child psychology, developmental psychology, behavioral disorders, animal behavior, and more.

What types of jobs can you get with a psychology degree?

A psychology degree provides a solid foundation that opens doors to a variety of career options—many of which don’t require a graduate degree. So, whether or not you choose to pursue an advanced degree, a psychology major is a value-packed program option that will equip you to confidently step into a diverse selection of careers.

Check out 48 jobs that psychology graduates can pursue:

1. Activities Director

Creates enrichment activities for participants or residents of a program or facility.

2. Admissions Counselor

Promotes a college or university to prospective students.

3. Behavior Specialist

Treats individuals with behavioral issues that impair learning or social functions.

4. Case Manager

Organizes and facilitates care options to best meet an individual’s mental, physical and emotional health.

5. Clinical Psychologist*

Diagnoses and treats individuals with mental health issues.

6. Coach

Trains athletes and teams for success.

7. Conservation Officer

Protects wildlife and the environment.

8. Corporate Trainer

Provides education and training to company employees.

9. Corrections Officer

Maintains responsibility for the custody and control of individuals in a prison or jail.

10. Criminal Investigator

Investigates crimes and other events for legal and official purposes.

11. Disability Case Manager

Manages care services for disabled clients, usually in a healthcare setting such as a hospital, nursing home, or residential facility.

12. Educational Program Researcher*

Creates and conducts studies that yield information regarding particular aspects of education.

13. Educational Psychologist*

Studies children of all ages and how they learn.

14. Employment Interviewer

Matches job seekers with potential employers.

15. Financial Aid Counselor

Offers advice to students regarding the financial aid process and provides information on available programs, procedures, and eligibility.

16. Forensic Psychologist*

Assesses behavioral, emotional, and psychological problems and disorders.

17. Group Facilitator

Plans, guides, and manages a group event to meet its goals.

18. Guidance Counselor*

Assists and advises school-aged students about academic and personal decisions.

19. Healthcare Administrator

Oversees the day-to-day administrative operations of hospitals and other healthcare facilities. 

20. Home Care Aid

Helps elderly, disable, and ill persons live in their own homes or in residential care facilities instead of in a health facility. 

21. Human Resources Specialist

Recruits, screens, and interviews job applicants and place newly hired workers in jobs.

22. Industrial/Organizational Psychologist 

Applies psychological principles and research methods to improve the overall work environment, including performance, communication, professional satisfaction and safety.

23. Information Specialist

Manages data and secured files, analyzing data, communicating with stockholders, and training other people in the job.

24. Loan Officer

Evaluates, authorizes, or recommends approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans.

25. Market Research Analyst

Gathers and analyzes data on consumers and competitors to examine potential sales of a product or service.

26. Mental Health Counselor*

Helps patients work through issues such as depression, anger management, suicidal thoughts, parenting, aging, relationship problems, stress, addiction and self-image.

27. Motivational Speaker

Delivers speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience.

28. Occupational Therapist*

Uses therapeutic techniques to improve, rehabilitate, or maintain a patient’s ability to perform everyday activities.

29. Personnel Recruiter

Seeks out, interviews, and screens applicants to fill existing and future job openings and promote career opportunities within an organization.

30. Physical Therapist*

Helps injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.

31. Preschool Teacher

Uses play to teach children under 5 about the world.

32. Professional Coach

Partners with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.

33. Project Manager

Maintains responsibility for planning, organizing, and directing the completion of specific projects for an organization while ensuring these projects are on time, on budget, and within scope.

34. Psychiatric Aide

Participates in the promotion, treatment and rehabilitation of psychiatric patients in clinics, homes and community facilities.

35. Psychiatric Technician

Provides therapeutic care to and monitors conditions of patients with mental illness and developmental disabilities

36. Psychological Stress Evaluator

Prepares reports and keeps records on polygraph examinations.

37. Psychopathologist*

Researches, studies, and diagnoses mental health conditions.

38. Public Relations Specialist

Creates and maintains a positive public image for the individuals, groups, or organizations they represent.

39. Real Estate Agent

Helps clients buy and sell real estate property.

40. Research Assistant

Provides support to either a research fellow or a research team, through collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data.

41. School Psychologist*

Applies expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally.

42. Social Services Aide

Provides assistance in the delivery of social services to individuals and families to resolve various human services issues.

43. Social Worker*

Diagnoses and treats mental illness or works for social welfare agencies.

44. Substance Abuse Counselor

Specializes in treating patients who have a chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol.

45. Technical Writer

Translates complex technical information into useful and easy-to-understand language.

46. User Experience Researcher

Studies target users to collect and analyze data that will help inform the product design process.

47. Victims’ Advocate

Supports victims of crime by offering emotional support, victims’ rights information, help in finding needed resources and assistance in filling out crime victim-related forms.

48. Volunteer Coordinator

Manages all elements of volunteering at a company or organization.

*Requires a graduate degree.

Study Counseling and Psychology at MACU

Pursue a degree in counseling and psychology at Mid-Atlantic Christian University—one of the few schools that offers an undergraduate program that includes a variety of counseling courses in addition to psychology.

MACU’s curriculum seamlessly combines a Christian worldview and practical skills that prepares students for a meaningful career of helping others. Courses encourage growth in a variety of areas, including knowledge, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, communication, and professional development.  

Plus, it’s affordable. But don’t just take our word for it! MACU’s counseling and psychology degree has been ranked nationally in the top ten Best Affordable Counseling Degree Programs.