What Can You Do with a Master’s in Psychology? The Options

By Monique M. Chouraeshkenazi, Ph.D., PsyD, MSCP  |  08/22/2024

A bachelor’s degree in psychology is a useful degree to possess. But you also might be wondering: What can you do with a master’s in psychology? Earning a master’s degree is the next step in seeking job opportunities requiring a higher level of education and advanced training.

So, if you want to seek a psychology career that necessitates greater skill, responsibility, and expertise, a master’s in psychology could be key. It can help you pursue exciting and fulfilling roles.

This type of psychology program can be used for various career fields, ranging from human resources to mental health and clinical psychology. Psychology graduates are making significant impacts across diverse industries, and it could be advantageous to have an advanced degree to pursue opportunities in those industries or even to pursue a doctoral degree.

The Differences between a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Psychology

While an undergraduate degree in psychology helps you understand the basics, a psychology master’s degree provides more specialized knowledge. For many psychology majors who started at the beginner level or want to change their career goals, a master’s degree could also be a powerful tool for seeking a different future.

Psychology students start a degree for various reasons – mainly to help or understand people and study human behavior. Master's programs in psychology focus on research and treatment, particularly for those students who want to become clinical psychologists, licensed counselors, therapists, or any healthcare position requiring licensure, certification, or other credentials.

Specializations in a Psychology Master's Program

Psychology master’s programs offer the opportunity to specialize in a particular area, and higher education students can choose a concentration closely related to their professional goals. For example, American Military University (AMU) offers concentrations such as:

• Developmental/personality psychology
• General
• Industrial/organizational psychology
• Military and trauma psychology
• Child life
• Cyberpsychology

The Popularity of Psychology Programs 

Attaining a psychology degree is popular among many adult learners. The United States Census Bureau reported that a psychology graduate degree is among the top two most common in the nation, second to business management and administration.

How a Graduate Degree in Psychology Can Offer Networking Opportunities

Psychology is a growing field, which makes it easier for psychology graduates to grow their professional networks. Typically, these graduates are comprised of young adults who have been in their roles for some time or older adults who are mid-level career professionals.

Other students, professors, and professional organizations can provide abundant opportunities for networking and advanced training. Networking events can enhance a student’s career path and foster a sense of belonging and community.

Leveraging Social Media for Career Growth

Social media sites are also useful for networking and enable users to connect with other professionals with similar educational backgrounds and careers. Forming connections with other psychology professionals could be useful in hearing about job openings and pursuing a rewarding career opportunity.

What Jobs Can Be Pursued with a Master’s Degree in Psychology?

A master’s in psychology is useful preparation for various industries, from providing mental health services to education, counseling, community service, and running organizations. Here is a short list of some job opportunities you can pursue by continuing your education in a psychology program:

• Education – Instructor/professor, guidance counselor, post-secondary psychology teacher, school counselor, principal, school psychologist, or special education teacher
• Healthcare – Behavioral counselor, mental health counselor, clinical psychologist, mental health case manager, behavioral health specialist, interventionist (i.e. for addiction problems), marriage and family therapist, mental health nurse, applied behavioral analysis specialist, occupational therapist, psychiatric nurse, rehabilitation counselor, speech therapist, or psychometrist/psychometrics specialist
• Public Service – Social worker, family services worker, or substance abuse counselor

This job list is not inclusive, and some professions require additional training, certifications, or other credentials. Conducting your research to determine the requirements of the job you want to pursue is vital.

Clinical Work and a Master’s Degree in Psychology

Psychologists with a master’s degree can pursue career opportunities in clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, forensic psychology, industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology, and even school psychology. They can work in state and local hospitals, government agencies, community associations, and private practice.

However, to pursue a career as a psychologist, you must be licensed to practice independently. Education, training, and clinical requirements differ from state to state. Also, there are different credentials for clinical psychologists, forensic psychologists, and school psychologists.

Interestingly, to be an I/O psychologist, a doctoral degree may not be necessary. By law, however, it is necessary to be licensed to use the title of “psychologist” and to practice psychology in certain states.

Job Satisfaction and Career Fulfillment

The American Psychological Association (APA) surveyed job satisfaction among psychology degree holders. The APA noted that master’s degree holders in psychology were most satisfied with their responsibility levels, intellectual challenge, and job location relative to others with master’s degrees in other fields.

Essential Skills and Professional Growth

Understanding people and human behaviors is crucial to today’s business world. In addition, essential skills such as analytical and critical thinking, communication skills, emotional intelligence, and other “people skills” are useful in any career or industry. Earning a master’s in psychology has the potential to bring many opportunities for personal and professional growth in many industries. 

Psychology Degrees at American Military University

AMU offers comprehensive degree programs designed to prepare students for various career options in different industries. The online bachelor’s degree in psychology and the online master’s degree in psychology programs provide a strong foundation in psychological principles, research methodologies, and practical applications. These degrees are ideal for individuals seeking to explore psychology career opportunities or to seek leadership opportunities.

Online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The bachelor of arts in psychology is an excellent choice for students who are curious about human behavior and want to explore the various factors that influence it. This degree is particularly suited for students who aspire to work in fields such as counseling, social services, human resources, or any role that requires a deep understanding of psychological principles. It's also ideal for students who plan to continue their education in psychology at the graduate level.

This undergraduate program provides a comprehensive overview of psychological theories, research methods, and the application of psychology in real-world scenarios. Students will explore a broad range of topics, ranging from cognitive and developmental psychology to social and abnormal psychology. The degree is structured to help students develop critical thinking skills, ethical reasoning, and the ability to analyze complex psychological phenomena.

One intriguing course in the program is “Personality Theories,” which provides a broad overview of various perspectives on personality, including psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic approaches. The course examines the contributions of prominent theorists from each school, key theoretical points from each perspective, and critiques the value and limitations of these theories.

Another notable course is “Psychopathology," which surveys the syndromes of psychopathology by reviewing their etiology, symptomatology, and treatment. The course covers psychological, neurobiological, and genetic approaches to understanding mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, personality disorders, memory disorders, and childhood disorders.

Online Master of Arts in Psychology

The master of arts in psychology is designed for individuals who wish to deepen their understanding of psychological principles and apply them in specialized areas. This program is ideal for students with a foundational knowledge of psychology, looking to elevate their skills and expertise in mental health, research, or related fields. It is also well-suited for professionals in other disciplines, such as education or business, who want to integrate psychological expertise into their work.

This graduate program offers an in-depth exploration of advanced psychological concepts, including research methods, ethical practices, and specialized areas such as personality and psychopathology. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to conduct independent research, analyze complex psychological issues, and apply psychological theories in practical settings.

Students can tailor their studies by choosing from a range of electives, allowing them to focus on areas of psychology that align with their career goals. The program also emphasizes the development of research skills, culminating in a capstone project where students conduct original research on a topic of their choice.

A standout course in this program is “Qualitative Methods in Social Science Research,” which explores various qualitative research methods, including research ethics, interviewing techniques, conversation and discourse analysis, content analysis, and unobtrusive measures. This course is invaluable for students interested in both pure research and clinical assessments.

Another exciting course is “Multicultural Issues in Human Behavior,” which provides an in-depth understanding of the historical, research, and theoretical foundations of multicultural psychology. This course allows students to explore contemporary multicultural trends and issues related to ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, age, and religion. Students can also design and develop empirical studies on cultural psychology topics.

For more information about AMU’s psychology degrees, visit our program page.