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  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Bachelor's Degrees
  4. Psychology
  5. Psychology Handbook

Careers in Psychology

Psychologists specialize in a host of different areas within the field and identify themselves by many different titles. Some of those areas are clinical, counseling, developmental, forensic, health, industrial/organizational, rehabilitation, school, social, and sports. Additionally, many psychologists teach psychology in academic institutions from high schools to graduate programs in universities.

Bachelor’s Graduates

Students who wish to enter the work world with a bachelor’s degree in psychology can find work related to their major in various mental health settings, human resources offices, rehabilitation settings, social service agencies, criminal justice services, child care facilities, and substance-abuse counseling centers.

But the study of psychology at the bachelor’s level is also a fine preparation for many other professions. A degree in psychology provides the student with good research and writing skills, problem-solving ability, and well-developed higher-level thinking. Most people with bachelor’s degrees in psychology find jobs in areas such as administrative support, public affairs, education, business, sales, service industries, health, the biological sciences, and writing.

Psychology majors have many qualities that are attractive to job recruiters. Employers find that psychology graduates possess strong people skills. And psychology majors also value these skills themselves. They can play an important role in many careers.

Master’s Graduates

Competition for positions in psychology-related jobs is keen and a master’s degree increases the chances of getting one of those positions. Many people find jobs in health, industry, education, universities, government, and private companies.

Psychologists with master’s degrees often work under the direction of a doctoral psychologist, especially in clinical, counseling, school, and testing and measurement psychology. Some jobs in industry, such as organizational development and survey research, are held by both doctoral- and master’s-level graduates. But industry and government jobs in training, data analysis, and general personnel issues are often filled by professionals with master’s degrees in psychology.

Doctoral Graduates

As might be expected, the highest paid and greatest range of jobs in psychology is available to doctoral graduates. Furthermore, unemployment and underemployment rates for doctoral psychologists are slightly below the average for other scientists and engineers. Few drop out of the field.

The greatest expansion of career opportunities for doctoral psychologists in recent decades has been in the subfields of clinical, counseling, school, health, industrial, and educational psychology.

Next: Major Requirements

Psychology

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Out-of-Class Learning

Explore out-of-classroom academic experiences that complement in-class learning, including study abroad/study away programs, internships, undergraduate research, and community-based studies.

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See Also

  • Health Professions
  • Division of Education, Human Development, and Social Sciences
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
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