Unlocking Your Potential: Career Options with an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology

In recent years, the importance of psychology has become increasingly evident. The field plays vital roles across various sectors, including medical, corporate, academic, education, government, and even sports. As the demand for trained psychologists grows, universities are adapting to meet this need by offering comprehensive psychology programs. At CU Denver’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), for example, students can pursue BA/BS undergraduate degrees and a PhD program in Clinical Health Psychology.

The Versatility of a Psychology Degree

Psychology is a multifaceted discipline that integrates elements of philosophy, biology, and numerous other fields. A bachelor’s degree in psychology provides students with a well-rounded education, preparing them for a diverse range of careers. Common industries for psychology graduates include social services, education, business, and healthcare.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology can find roles such as:

Case managers
Development specialists
Mental health counselors
Rehabilitation specialists
Human resources specialists
Sales representatives
Market researchers
Social service specialists
Probation and parole officers

For those seeking advanced positions and greater earning potential, an advanced degree (MA, MS, or PhD) is often the next step. With further education, individuals can become licensed mental health professionals, such as social workers or clinical psychologists, or pursue research and academic careers.

Undergraduate Psychology Degree Options

Universities often offer different undergraduate degree options in psychology to cater to varying student interests and career goals. For instance, CU Denver provides two distinct paths:

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Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology

This four-year program offers a broad understanding of psychology, emphasizing scientific methods for studying human behavior and mental processes. The curriculum includes coursework in areas such as:

Abnormal psychology
Developmental psychology
Social psychology
Cognitive psychology

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology

This degree program is more research-oriented, incorporating courses in biology and chemistry. It is particularly well-suited for students interested in graduate studies in areas other than applied psychology or those seeking research-focused positions.

Both the BA and BS in Psychology programs prepare students for diverse career paths in mental health settings, research organizations, and other roles where a psychological perspective is valued. Additionally, some universities offer minors in Psychology and Behavioral/Cognitive Neuroscience, providing a glimpse into the field and serving as an introduction to the BA or BS Psychology degree programs.

Career Paths with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

A bachelor’s degree in psychology can lead to various career opportunities in mental health, education, business, and more. The field of psychology is projected to grow, making it a promising area of study for those interested in understanding human behavior and mental processes. The skills gained during a psychology degree program prepare graduates for diverse career paths. With a bachelor’s in psychology, you can work in marketing, public relations, education, the justice system, or the public sector. Among psych majors, a significant percentage work in management, community and social service, educational instruction and libraries, healthcare, and business operations positions.

Marketing and Sales

Psychology majors are well-suited for careers in marketing and sales due to their understanding of human behavior and social psychology. Undergraduate courses in social psychology, human behavior, research design, and statistics are directly applicable to many marketing roles.

Market Research Analysts: These professionals require knowledge of how to conduct research and interpret findings, skills honed through psychology coursework.
Sales Managers: Success in sales requires a high level of empathy and good listening skills, qualities often developed through the study of psychology.
Marketing Managers: These roles benefit from understanding culture, including common attitudes or beliefs.

Journalism and Public Relations

Psychology majors learn how to interpret case studies and conduct research, developing the analytical skills necessary to report on complex topics. Courses on counseling methods can also strengthen interview skills, which are valuable in journalism and public relations.

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists: These professionals require analytical skills to report on complex topics.
Public Relations Specialists: These professionals benefit from strong communication and writing skills, which a bachelor’s degree in psychology strengthens.

Government and Law Enforcement

A bachelor’s degree in psychology provides a solid grounding in the understanding of human behavior, which is critical for a career in government or law enforcement.

Police Officers and Detectives: These roles benefit from an understanding of human behavior.
Social and Human Service Assistants: These professionals provide support and assistance to individuals in need.
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists: Psychology graduates are well-suited for careers as probation and parole officers, supervising and working with individuals convicted of crimes.

UX Designer

UX designers make products and services more intuitive, enjoyable, and streamlined for users. Psych majors apply their research and psychology skills to evaluate data and design solutions that improve the user’s experience. Psychological concepts such as memory limitation, cognitive load, and the psychology of colors all make for a better designer.

Human Resources

Many students study psychology with the intention of pursuing a career in HR. Concepts learned during a psychology degree, like the reward system and motivational factors, contribute to forming more effective, empathetic HR professionals. Human resources specialists hire job applicants, write assessments for employees, and let employees go when necessary, among other tasks.

Other potential career paths with a bachelor's degree in psychology

Advertising Agent
Career Counselor
Case Manager
Child Care Worker
Laboratory Assistant
Psychiatric Technician
Rehabilitation Specialist
Social Service Specialists
Teacher
Writer
Training and development managers
Technical writers
Marketing managers
Computer programmers
Fundraisers
Public relations (PR) managers

Graduate Careers for Psychology Majors

A graduate degree in psychology can provide greater earning power and career opportunities than a bachelor’s degree. While some positions in areas such as counseling may require a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree gives job-seekers a significant competitive edge and is required for many licensed counselor roles. Additionally, all states require a doctorate if you want to become a licensed psychologist.

Counseling

Counseling careers are a popular path for psychology majors who are willing to pursue a graduate degree. These counseling professionals conduct client assessments, provide individual and group therapy services, and specialize in diverse client populations. In most states, these careers require a master’s degree and a state-issued license.

School and Career Counselors: These professionals guide students in their academic and career development.
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: These counselors help clients recover from addiction, change problem behaviors, or improve mental health.
Marriage and Family Therapists: These therapists help families and couples resolve conflicts and improve their relationships.

Law

Psychologists seek to understand human behavior, while the law aims to regulate it. A bachelor’s in psychology strengthens the analytical and research skills required for law school. In fact, nearly half of law school applicants in 2023 majored in social sciences fields like psychology, according to the Law School Admission Council.

Teaching

With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, graduates can complete a teacher preparation program or a master’s in education to work in K-12 schools. Teachers specialize in a variety of subjects, and psychology provides excellent preparation for teaching social studies. Education career paths can also include administrative, policy, and curriculum design roles.

Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and High School Teachers: These educators play a crucial role in shaping young minds.
Postsecondary Teachers, Psychology: These professors teach courses in psychology at the college and university level.

Audiologist or Speech Language Pathologist

Audiologists and speech language pathologists (SLPs) specialize in hearing and speech problems. A psychology degree develops the understanding of human behavior, communication, and human development required in these fields, which can help psych majors get into graduate programs in these fields. While SLPs can practice with a master’s degree, audiologists require a doctorate.

Public Administration

Public administration careers require strong planning, policy analysis, and leadership skills. These professionals implement government and nonprofit programs, evaluate the impact of policy on diverse communities, and manage complex projects. A psychology degree develops the communication, research, and analytical abilities to pursue a master’s in public administration or public policy.

Administrative Services Managers: These managers plan, direct, and coordinate supportive services of an organization.
Facilities Managers: These managers plan, direct, and coordinate supportive services of an organization.

Allied Health Careers

Psychology graduates can also pursue careers in allied health, working alongside doctors and nurses to provide healthcare to patients.

Occupational Therapist (OT): OTs help people enhance their quality of life by therapeutically improving their ability to do everyday tasks.
Physical Therapist (PT): PTs help patients recover their range of motion and manage pain after injuries or chronic health conditions to improve their quality of life.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs): PMHNPs are trained mental health professionals who work with patients who experience mental illness.
Physician Assistant (PA): PAs practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons.

Specialized Psychology Careers

With advanced degrees, psychology majors can specialize in various areas, including:

Clinical Psychologist: Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
School Psychologist: School psychologists apply psychological principles and techniques to learning and developmental disorders.
Forensic Psychologist: Forensic psychologists apply their clinical psychology expertise to the legal system.
Sports Psychologist: Sports psychologists help athletes manage the pressures of being an athlete.
Geropsychologist: Geropsychology is a growing field that focuses on helping older people and their families tackle the mental and emotional challenges of aging.
Rehabilitation Psychologist: Rehabilitation psychologists help clients adapt to their situation and improve their lives, and they frequently work with other health care professionals.
Environmental Psychologist: Environmental psychologists study the dynamics of person-environment interactions.
Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in mental health.
Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychologist: Improving safety and job satisfaction are also top priorities for I/O psychologists.

Skills Developed Through a Psychology Degree

A BS in Psychology develops critical thinking, research, and data analysis skills. Depending on your focus, you might specialize in cognitive, developmental, or social psychology. A bachelor’s degree in psychology provides training in a number of skills that can be applied to many occupations and disciplines. As you search for a job, it would be helpful to make a list of these skills which potential employers may find attractive. For example, throughout your schooling you have most likely done a good deal of academic writing and research.

Interpersonal skills
Analytical skills
Communication skills
Problem-solving skills

How to Become a Psychologist

Psychologists typically need a doctorate in psychology to meet the licensure requirements for clinical careers. Earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology strengthens the foundational skills needed for psychology graduate programs.

Doctoral psychology students pursuing a psychologist license meet supervised clinical requirements. Clinical practicums and internships develop psychotherapy and patient care skills. State licensing boards also require clinical hours. After meeting licensure requirements, counseling and clinical psychologists provide comprehensive mental and behavioral health care, including psychotherapy services. Although psychologists do not prescribe medications in most states, they can conduct client assessments, consult with other professionals, supervise trainees and students, and take part in clinical research.

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