Careers With a Psychology Degree

Over the past decade, employment in mental health-related fields has grown significantly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this momentum isn’t expected to slow anytime soon, with the growth rate for these professions projected to outpace the average growth rate through 2033. 

Earning a bachelor’s in psychology is a good first step for individuals interested in this promising field. Psychology bachelor’s degree programs can prepare individuals to pursue an advanced degree upon graduation or give them the skills they need to enter the workforce immediately. 

Although some people have a limited view of the options, careers with a psychology degree range widely. From counseling students experiencing academic obstacles to training a company’s employees, numerous potential career options are available for professionals with a psychology degree.

What Do You Learn in a Psychology Degree Program?

Psychology is the study of individuals’ behavior, including their personality, mental processes, decisions, and social relationships. A psychology degree program teaches students about the major concepts, perspectives, findings, and trends in the field. 

Through this social science degree program, students learn research and analytical skills and hone their communication and collaboration skills. They come away from the program with an understanding of human development, how the social sphere influences people’s behavior, and how to conduct research and interpret the results accurately.

Courses students might expect to take in a bachelor’s in psychology program cover topics such as: 

• Learning theory
• Human development
• Counseling theory
• Race and ethnic relations
• Leadership and diversity
• Conflict resolution
• Research design

4 Potential Careers With a Psychology Degree

Undergraduate degree programs in psychology can prepare students to move into master’s and doctoral programs, ultimately becoming licensed psychologists. However, there are many other potential careers with a psychology degree.

1. Human Resources Manager

Human resources (HR) managers use the expertise they’ve gained through their psychology degree program to work with employers and employees at different types of organizations, such as corporations and nonprofits. These managers strive to bring out the best in workers, overseeing their recruitment, discovering the most appropriate uses for their talents, and determining their compensation and benefits programs. HR managers also may mediate disputes, serve as consultants on issues such as sexual harassment, and train employees to handle sensitive situations.

Salary and Job Outlook

According to the BLS, the median wage for human resources managers is $140,030 per year as of 2024. With a projected job growth rate of 6% between 2023 and 2033, this occupation is growing faster than average. Most HR manager positions require a bachelor’s degree, with some employers preferring candidates with a master’s.

2. School Counselor

School counselors help students prepare for their future. They help them develop their academic and social skills and assist them with any behavioral or other issues they may have, such as poor attendance. School counselors collaborate with teachers, families, and administrators to help students overcome challenges like bullying, reach their academic and social goals, and set their educational and career goals. 

Salary and Job Outlook

As of 2024, the median annual salary for school counselors is $65,140, according to the BLS. Those working at elementary and secondary schools tend to earn more than those working at colleges, junior colleges, and professional schools. 

The number of positions for school counselors is expected to grow by 4% between 2023 and 2033, which is equal to the average growth projected for all occupations. While a bachelor’s degree in psychology is excellent preparation for this role, school counselors typically need to have a master’s degree and a state-issued credential. 

3. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

An industrial-organizational psychologist role is a psychology degree career option that many people may be unaware of, as it takes psychology into a corporate setting. Industrial-organizational psychologists use psychological principles to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a workplace. With their expertise and knowledge, these psychologists help solve workplace problems, assist training and development teams, and work to improve employee morale and retention.

Salary and Job Outlook

According to the BLS, industrial-organizational psychologists have a median annual salary of $109,840 as of 2024. This occupation is expected to grow 6% between 2023 and 2033, outpacing the national average. A bachelor’s degree in psychology is necessary to qualify for a job in this field, but many employers prefer to hire candidates with a master’s degree.

4. Training and Development Managers

Training and development managers oversee the creation, implementation, and optimization of training programs for an organization. They collaborate with team managers to determine their training needs, align training programs with the organization’s mission and goals, manage the budget for training, maintain and update training materials as needed, and measure each training program’s effectiveness. 

Salary and Job Outlook

Training and development managers have a median annual salary of $127,090, according to the BLS’s 2024 data. The number of jobs for training and development managers is expected to grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033. Most training and development manager positions require a bachelor’s degree, although some employers prefer candidates with a master’s.

Choose From a Variety of Career Paths With a Psychology Degree

Careers with a psychology degree are plentiful, as they can be found pretty much in every type of organization that is centered on people. From government agencies to technology startups to elementary schools, organizations of all kinds have a need for professionals who understand human behavior. 

In the Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Development program at Warner Pacific University, students learn about humans’ mental and emotional development, including how social systems shape who we are and how we think. This accelerated degree program is built with the working professional in mind, with classes held 100% online or in a hybrid flexible (HyFlex) format. 

Prepare for your new future with WPU Online.

Recommended Readings
How to Become a Human Resources Manager
What Can You Do With a Degree in Business Administration?
Educational Consultant Career Path 

Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, School and Career Counselors and Advisors
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Strong Growth Projected in Mental Health-Related Employment”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Training and Development Managers
Verywell Mind, “What Is Psychology?”