Psychologists study human behavior and brain functions in order to help people understand and improve their emotional and social wellbeing. You may wonder, what can I do with a degree in psychology? The truth is this degree provides a versatile and wide-ranging career path for people who want to make a real difference in the lives of others. Earning a psychology degree can open up plenty of opportunities in all sorts of different occupations.
What are some common psychology careers?
When you think of psychology, one of the most common images may involve a clinical setting, talking with a therapist in an office. However, there is much more to psychology than that. This career can extend into public service, private practice, healthcare, law enforcement and much more.
Clinical Psychologist
When you wonder, what can I do with a degree in psychology, clinical psychology may be the first job that comes to mind. Clinical psychologists study cognitive, emotional and social behavior in individuals in order to help improve behaviors. Clinical psychologists can work as independent consultants, as part of a larger practice, as researchers or as educators in academic settings. They may also collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers and counselors, to provide comprehensive care to individuals with mental health concerns. Additionally, clinical psychologists can contribute to program development and policy-making in mental health organizations or government agencies.
Therapist
Similar to psychologists, therapists help address and correct mental health concerns. However, therapists primarily focus on providing counseling to individuals, couples, families or groups. Using cognitive behavioral therapy, therapists help people manage interpersonal relationships, address and undo trauma and addiction, and understand how negative thoughts and feelings can impact mental health. Like psychologists, therapists can be found in a range of settings, both public and private, and can also collaborate with colleagues in related fields like social work.
Social Services Worker
Social workers collaborate with individuals and communities at large to address social issues and promote well-being. They help clients find vital resources that will improve their lives, from childcare and healthcare, to mental health support and job training. In instances of crisis, social workers can help provide immediate support and aid to families, and help them navigate the complex systems involved in crisis management.
Forensic Psychologist
Forensics may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think, what can I do with a degree in psychology. However, it’s true that psychology can play an important role in crime fighting. This is a vast field, in which forensic psychologists apply psychological theories to the field of criminal justice. Forensic psychologists have the opportunity to work alongside a wide range of personnel, from law enforcement and first responders to criminal offenders, victims and the judiciary.
School Counselor
From elementary school and into college, counselors are an important resource for school administration, as well as students. In addition to academic guidance, counselors help challenged students build skills that will prepare them for life beyond the classroom. If a student is facing difficulties at school or at home, a counselor is often on hand to assess, navigate the situation and find solutions that ensure the student is safe from harm. In many states, including Ohio, it is possible to become a school counselor or psychologist with a Masters degree.
Prison / Correctional Psychologist
If you’re wondering, what can I do with a degree in psychology that leads to a challenging, high-impact job? Look no further than working as a correctional psychologist helping to rehabilitate incarcerated people. Correctional psychologists assess, diagnose and provide treatment for mental health concerns, and also study and research different types of offenders. Working in state, local or federal facilities, these psychologists help classify where criminals are housed in prison, based on their psychological needs. Often, correctional psychologists can help prisoners prepare to reintegrate into society, providing them with valuable coping skills and behavioral strategies to help them reduce the chance of re-entering the prison system.
Industrial & Organizational Psychologist
Industrial and organizational psychologists, or I/O psych, specialize in studying human behavior in the workplace. Organizational psychologists help employers and businesses find strategies that ultimately lead to a more efficient operation. By helping businesses address employee satisfaction and areas to improve, I/O psychologists play a role in creating a happier, healthier corporate culture. This branch of psychology is helpful when it comes to hiring and team building, employee evaluations, and staff training and development.
Educational Psychologist
By applying the principles of psychology to the field of education, these psychologists address the factors that impact how students learn and develop. Educational psychologists can work in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as colleges and universities. They can also work at government agencies and research institutions, helping to shape policies that create better educational environments for students and staff.
Industries That Need Psychology Professionals
As experts in understanding why people behave the way they do, psychology professionals are vital to many industries. When it comes to what you can do with a degree in psychology, there are many avenues that you can pursue, in industries that span a range of fields. While healthcare and social services may be the most obvious industries, psychologists are also needed in business and government as well. Here are just a few examples that may answer the question of what can I do with a degree in psychology?
Healthcare / Mental Health Institutions
Behavioral health is a vital part of whole body health, and psychologists play an important role in keeping people mentally healthy. Many hospital systems have onsite mental health facilities, where psychologists provide crucial services to patients in need. Additionally, public- or privately-run mental health institutions typically have a full staff of psychology professionals to help patients, whether they’re staying for a brief time or long-term.
Education
Education is another industry where psychology plays a critical role, because psychologists help students perform better, academically and socially. In addition to leading day-to-day assessments, psychologists can help shape academic policies that have a direct impact on schools. Whether as a school guidance counselor or a college-level advisor, education is a field that will take you far with a degree in psychology.
Government
Psychologists can inform policy at a local, state or government level, and earning a degree in psychology is a unique way to impact your community. Psychology in government can take many forms, from public policy and economics, to emergency response and crisis management. Through evidence-based approaches, psychologists can also help shape social welfare programs and other public services.
Prisons & Correctional Facilities
This is a great example of how earning a degree in psychology can take you to many different places, while caring for a sorely underserved sector and population. By helping incarcerated people access mental health support, psychologists aid the healing process within correctional facilities. Psychological support and interventions help create safer facilities for prisoners and staff, and is vital to formerly incarcerated people when they re-enter society.
Freelance / Self employed
If you’re still on the fence and wondering what can I do with a degree in psychology, you might consider working for yourself after graduation. Many psychologists go on to create consultancies or private practice, which enables a degree of freedom and the ability to dictate how they serve patients, and what research they want to pursue.
Is a psychology degree worth it?
The time and energy put toward earning a psychology degree may seem overwhelming, but the diploma is absolutely worth it. If you are interested in understanding human behavior, helping people and making the world a better place, a degree in psychology is a great way to make a living doing what you genuinely care about. Psychology is versatile in that it provides plenty of career opportunities in a diverse range of categories, and it’s a fast-growing field that is expected to see continued demand.
Your Options for a Degree in Psychology from Tiffin University
Now that you know what you can do with a degree in psychology, the next question is where you can begin your educational career. Tiffin University’s psychology department provides a solid, expert foundation to build a career upon, with flexible and affordable options for students.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology
Tiffin University’s bachelors program provides current, best practices in the field of psychology. Students learn online, using a rigorous academic framework where they build a robust understanding of human development and mental disorders, interdisciplinary approaches to psychology and much more. A BA in psychology from Tiffin University is a great way to start a career, or have a launchpad for the next stage of academia.
Master of Science (MS) in Psychology
Earning a masters in psychology from Tiffin University is an excellent way for students to further their knowledge, while increasing their earning power. This online program provides flexibility for students with active lives, without sacrificing the quality of education and support. Building off of the skills developed in the bachelors program, this next step focuses on the theory and science of psychology rather than the clinical practice. Students learn from expert faculty who hold a Ph.D. in psychology, who develop each course.
Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice – Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is the key that unlocks a criminal’s mind and motivations. Tiffin University’s MS in criminal justice — forensic psychology program provides an experiential, evidence-based approach to a wide range of courses that combine psychology and criminal justice. As Ohio’s only master’s program in forensic psychology, this program provides a flexible schedule for students to learn on campus. While conducting original research, students build valuable, marketable skills that make them well-prepared to build a lasting career in the ranks of the criminal justice system.
By combining flexibility, affordability and academic innovation, Tiffin University represents the ideal in higher education. Students receive support and recognition throughout their academic journey, and can be certain that they’re prepared for a rewarding, long-lasting career in psychology. When asking yourself, what can I do with a degree in psychology, know that at Tiffin University the answer is limitless.
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