What Can I Do With a Psychology Degree
We open by answering that exact search and set clear expectations for a practical, US-focused listicle. Psychology ranks among the most popular undergraduate majors; over 6% of all degrees in 2024 were in this field, and many graduates move into varied jobs and stable career paths.
We outline 22 potential careers across four buckets: allied health, clinical counseling, business and people operations, plus research and academia. Each path lists typical entry points for bachelor degree holders and roles that usually require graduate school, supervised hours, or state licensure.
Where exams or licenses appear (EPPP, NPTE, PANCE, NCLEX-RN, Praxis), we explain them in plain language and show the usual sequence. Our goal is to turn broad study into concrete opportunities, matching research, statistics, communication, and data skills to real job titles.
By the end, readers will know which careers align with interests, tolerance for grad school, preferred work settings, and income goals. We position this guide as a decision tool for next steps in the United States job market.
Why a psychology degree is one of the most popular bachelor degree majors in the United States
This major remains widely chosen because it teaches skills employers value across settings. We start with a clear, APA-aligned definition: it is the study of the mind and behavior. That definition sets the scope before readers evaluate career routes.
The major stays popular because it applies in schools, hospitals, clinics, businesses, and universities. Students learn to read data, run studies, and understand human behavior in teams, classrooms, and health settings. Those skills help in hiring, patient care, product research, and teaching.
Typical coursework centers on research methods and statistics. Core areas include biopsychology, cognition, development, social psychology, learning, health, and clinical studies. Each area links to specific career clusters we cover later.
| Core area | Common skills | Career cluster |
|---|---|---|
| Biopsychology | Neuro basics, lab methods | Research, clinical neuropsychology |
| Cognition & Learning | Experimental design, assessment | Education, UX, market research |
| Social & Developmental | Observation, communication | HR, counseling, school services |
| Health & Clinical | Intervention basics, ethics | Allied health, therapy support |
Students worried the major is too general should note how electives, internships, and targeted graduate programs add focus. Our advice: use advising, internships, research labs, and career services to turn coursework into practical experience that employers and graduate programs value.
Career-ready skills we build with a psychology degree
Our training turns classroom theory into clear, career-ready skills employers use every day.
Critical thinking and research evaluation
We learn to read studies, spot weak claims, and judge design quality. This makes us reliable when programs need outcome reviews or when managers ask for evidence-based recommendations.
Communication, empathy, and behavior-focused problem solving
We practice interviewing, coaching, and conflict resolution. Those habits help in team work, counseling roles, and customer conversations.
Data literacy for market and program decisions
Coursework in statistics and methods trains us to design surveys, interpret trends, and make clear recommendations. That skill set maps directly to market research and program evaluation tasks.
| Skill | Classroom tasks | Workplace examples |
|---|---|---|
| Critical thinking | Study critique, hypothesis testing | Program evaluation, policy review |
| Professional communication | Writing reports, presenting findings | Client briefs, stakeholder updates |
| Data literacy | Survey design, basic stats | Market research, UX analytics |
Allied health careers that start with a bachelor’s degree in psychology
Allied health roles turn behavioral insight into hands-on patient care across many settings. These jobs support physicians and nurses and rely on strong communication and motivation skills we often learn in college.
Occupational therapist pathways: MOT vs OTD and patient-centered communication
Occupational therapists help patients regain daily function using adaptive tools and environment changes. Most entry points require a master or doctoral level program after a bachelor degree.
| Program | Typical entry | Common outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| MOT (Master) | Bachelor + prerequisites | Clinical OT practice, licensing |
| OTD (Doctor) | Bachelor or MOT + bridge options | Leadership, research, advocacy |
| Patient skills | Behavior-focused coursework | Rapport, adherence, care planning |
Physical therapist pathways: DPT programs, clinical education, and the NPTE
Physical therapists complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Clinical education follows, then the NPTE for licensure.
PTs work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practice. Psychology background helps with patient motivation and behavior change during rehab.
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner pathways: RN to MSN/DNP and board certification
PMHNP routes start with RN preparation (ADN or BSN) and passing the NCLEX-RN. Advanced options include MSN or DNP programs or post-grad PMHNP certificates.
Board certification allows assessment, diagnosis, medication management, and therapy in many settings.
Physician assistant pathways: healthcare experience, MSPAS programs, the PANCE, and state licensure
PAs usually need a bachelor, healthcare experience, and admission to an MSPAS program. Graduates pass the PANCE and obtain state licensure to practice.
Scope varies by state but can include prescribing and procedures under supervision.
- Checklist: confirm program prerequisites and admission timelines.
- Seek observation hours and direct patient-contact experience.
- Review state licensure rules and program accreditation before applying.
Clinical psychology and counseling careers for graduates who want to work in mental health
Clinical and counseling paths guide graduates into direct mental health work across clinics, schools, and justice settings.
Differences in roles and routes
We clarify titles so readers avoid confusion between counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Counselors typically hold master level training and focus on short‑term counseling.
Psychologists usually complete doctorate programs and supervised hours before state licensure. Psychiatrists take the MD/DO route and can prescribe.
Common specializations
Clinical psychologist paths split PhD (research) and PsyD (practice), with internships, the EPPP exam, and state licensure as milestones.
| Role | Typical degree | Licensure/exam | Common settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| School psychologist | Master or specialist | Praxis/state credential | K–12 schools, districts |
| Marriage & Family | Master | MFT exam, supervised hours | Private practice, clinics |
| Clinical neuropsychologist | Doctorate + postdoc | State license, specialty fellowships | Hospitals, rehab centers |
| Psychiatrist | MD/DO | Residency, board cert. | Hospitals, outpatient, forensic |
Business and people-operations jobs we can pursue outside clinical care
Outside clinical settings, our training maps to teams that hire for people, product, and performance roles. We turn research methods and behavior insight into useful business solutions.
Industrial-organizational paths
I/O work focuses on employee behavior, leadership development, communication, safety, and work–life balance. Many roles prefer a master’s in I/O but entry-level analyst posts exist for bachelor holders.
Human resources specialist
HR handles hiring, onboarding, training, policy, and compliance. Optional SHRM or HRCI credentials help us stand out and access higher pay bands.
Market research and marketing analytics
Market research uses surveys, A/B testing mindsets, and data to forecast trends and guide marketing decisions. Our methods classes translate directly to consumer testing and analytics.
Operations, UX, health admin, and career counselor roles
Health administrators run budgets, programs, and staff without clinical duties. UX roles use behavioral research to improve product experience. Career counselors run assessments, workshops, and job-search coaching.
Sales, recruiting, and other customer-facing jobs reward active listening, needs assessment, and resilience. To stand out, build a portfolio, learn analytics tools, and quantify impact with metrics.
| Role | Typical entry | Core tasks | How psychology helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| I/O analyst | Bachelor or master | Surveys, training, leadership | Behavioral measurement, evaluation |
| HR specialist | Bachelor | Hiring, compliance, training | Interviewing, policy design |
| Market research analyst | Bachelor | Data collection, forecasting | Research methods, analytics |
| UX researcher / health admin | Bachelor | Usability testing / operations | User behavior, change management |
Research and academic paths in psychology
Our focus here is on how research roles and faculty positions evolve from undergraduate study to independent labs.
Research spans lab-based experiments and applied studies in government, nonprofits, hospitals, and industry. Bachelor holders often start as research assistants or lab coordinators. These roles teach data collection, protocol fidelity, and basic analysis.
Research psychologist pathways
Progression commonly follows bachelor → master → doctorate. Masters allow more responsibility as coordinators and junior analysts. A doctorate grants autonomy to design studies, lead teams, and secure funding.
Employers expect comfort with study design, statistics, ethics, and clear reporting. Applied examples include service evaluations, workplace intervention trials, learning outcome measurement, and product testing in tech.
Faculty and professor roles
Professors teach, publish, present at conferences, and mentor students. Doctoral training is typical for tenure-track posts because it supports independent research and grant work.
| Entry level | Common roles | Key skills |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor | Research assistant, lab tech | Data collection, ethics, basic analysis |
| Master | Lab coordinator, project manager | Advanced stats, protocol design, supervision |
| Doctorate | Principal investigator, professor | Grant writing, study design, publication |
- Early experience: volunteer in labs, do an honors thesis, or seek paid RA roles after graduation.
- Note: a doctorate expands opportunities, but bachelor and master holders find meaningful research work with targeted experience and specialization.
How we choose the right psychology degree career path and move forward with confidence
Narrowing interests makes it easier to match coursework, experience, and licensure. Start by listing if we prefer people, data, or systems work and which settings appeal most: schools, clinics, business, or labs.
Use a simple degree ladder: what jobs open with a bachelor degree now, what opens with a master degree, and what usually needs a doctorate or licensure for licensed psychologist titles. Track state rules early—supervised hours and exams vary by state.
Build short tests: informational interviews, research assistant roles, and entry-level HR or market jobs. Create a proof-of-skills folder with project summaries, presentations, or outcome metrics.
Next step: pick a target career, map required education and licenses, set a 6–12 month experience plan, and use campus and community resources to stay on track.
