6 Alternative Graduate Programs for Psychology Majors

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSocial WorkEducationCounselingLaw and Criminal JusticeAcademic Advising and Student AffairsMedicine and Health SciencesUX/UI DesignOther Ideas for Psychology Majors

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Table of Contents

Social Work

Education

Counseling

Law and Criminal Justice

Academic Advising and Student Affairs

Medicine and Health Sciences

UX/UI Design

Other Ideas for Psychology Majors

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An undergraduatedegree in psychologyprovides excellent preparation for a wide variety of careers. While many undergraduate psychology majors later choose to study psychology ingraduate school, some students opt for different educational and career paths.

The great thing about abachelor’s degree in psychologyis that it provides preparation for graduate study in many different areas. Psychology majors often go on to study education, counseling, or social work in graduate school. Some students even opt for continued study in law or medicine.

At a GlanceBefore you choose a graduate program, it is crucial to consider your options and personal interests. If you’re considering pursuing graduate study outside of psychology, you may think of some alternative graduate programs for psychology majors. Options can include social work, education, counseling, criminal justice, academic advising, or healthcare fields.

At a Glance

Before you choose a graduate program, it is crucial to consider your options and personal interests. If you’re considering pursuing graduate study outside of psychology, you may think of some alternative graduate programs for psychology majors. Options can include social work, education, counseling, criminal justice, academic advising, or healthcare fields.

Social work is a rapidly growing field with a wide range of opportunities. Social workers help individuals and families overcome problems such as poverty, disability, domestic abuse, and addictions. Psychology majors interested in this career are well-qualified for most Master’s of Social Work programs.

Master’s levelsocial workersare in high demand in private practices, hospitals, government settings, police departments, nursing homes, and many more areas. According to the U.S. Department of Labor,social work careersare expected to grow faster than the average occupation between 2022 and 2032.

If you are interested in a highly rewarding career that allows you to make a difference in people’s lives, consider pursuing a master’s degree in social work.

There are many education programs where an undergraduate degree in psychology could be beneficial. Some psychology majors choose to become certified teachers and apply their knowledge of human behavior and learning directly in the classroom.

Other programs such aseducational psychology,school psychology, educational technology, curriculum planning, and educational assessment are all possible educational paths for undergraduate psychology majors.

Counseling is another option for those who want to work as marriage andfamily therapists, school counselors, or mental health counselors. Becoming alicensed counselorrequires amaster’s degreeplus at least two years of supervised experience.You’ll also need to pass state exams to become licensed to work in your state.

If you love working with people, consider programs in marriage and family counseling, school counseling, or mental health counseling.

Understanding human behavior and communication skills acquired during undergraduate study in psychology also provides excellent training for a law and criminal justice career.

Some psychology majors opt for law school after graduation, while others pursue careers in criminology,criminal psychology, orforensic psychology.

A career in academic advising or student affairs might be an excellent choice if you enjoy college life and want to help university students achieve their academic goals. Academic advisors help students choose classes, majors, internships, and other important educational matters.

They also deal with admissions decisions, financial aid, scholarships, and career placement. Some also teach undergraduate courses in study skills and student living.

If you are interested in helping students find success in college, a graduate degree in academic advising or student affairs might be the perfect choice for you.

Psychology majors with a strong interest in science might want to consider a career in medicine or the health sciences. While many pre-med students opt for undergraduate degrees in biology or chemistry, an undergraduate degree in psychology is also good preparation for a career in medicine.

Potential educational paths include medical school or graduate study in occupational therapy or physical therapy.

User experience (UX) refers to how an individual uses or interacts with a product or service. Working in UX design can be a great way to apply knowledge of human psychology with your research skills to improve products, branding, websites, software, and design.

UI design is a related field that focuses on the interfaces that people use when engaging with a product or program. UI designers work to ensure that aspects of an interface, including text, images, buttons, animations, and other visual elements, are easy to use and understand.

If you don’t plan to pursue psychology in graduate school, there are also many other fields where the skills you learned as a graduate can be useful. Other graduate programs that might appeal to you can include:

What This Means For YouBefore you decide which career path is best for you, take stock of your needs, interests, and career goals. An undergraduate degree in psychology is excellent preparation for various careers.The interpersonal, communication, writing, and research skills you have acquired as a psychology major can help you succeed in graduate school and the workforce. Consider your options carefullybefore making the choicethat is best for you.

What This Means For You

Before you decide which career path is best for you, take stock of your needs, interests, and career goals. An undergraduate degree in psychology is excellent preparation for various careers.The interpersonal, communication, writing, and research skills you have acquired as a psychology major can help you succeed in graduate school and the workforce. Consider your options carefullybefore making the choicethat is best for you.

Before you decide which career path is best for you, take stock of your needs, interests, and career goals. An undergraduate degree in psychology is excellent preparation for various careers.

The interpersonal, communication, writing, and research skills you have acquired as a psychology major can help you succeed in graduate school and the workforce. Consider your options carefullybefore making the choicethat is best for you.

Getting a Ph.D. in Psychology

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Landrum RE.What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology? Like this title, the actual answer is complicated. American Psychological Association.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social Workers.Occupational Outlook Handbook.American Counseling Association.State licensing of professional counselors.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Landrum RE.What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology? Like this title, the actual answer is complicated. American Psychological Association.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social Workers.Occupational Outlook Handbook.American Counseling Association.State licensing of professional counselors.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Landrum RE.What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology? Like this title, the actual answer is complicated. American Psychological Association.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social Workers.Occupational Outlook Handbook.American Counseling Association.State licensing of professional counselors.

Landrum RE.What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology? Like this title, the actual answer is complicated. American Psychological Association.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social Workers.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

American Counseling Association.State licensing of professional counselors.

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