Careers in and Related to Psychology

Following a BA or BSc degree in psychology, some students opt not to pursue a career in psychology while others do. For the former, many of the abilities and skills that one obtained as a psychology student can be used in careers that are not directly related to psychology. For the latter, there are three general paths a student can pursue.

1.  Psychology as a career: A bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.Sc.) is the first step on the road to graduate-level training to become a psychologist. To call yourself a psychologist, you must complete at least a Master’s degree and normally a PhD in psychology. This applies both to research careers (e.g., university professor) and becoming a practising psychologist. There are several areas of specialization for those who wish to pursue post-graduate training at the master’s or doctoral level; within each area, one may choose sub-specialties in which to teach, conduct research, be a practitioner, or some combination of these three activities.

2.  Careers open to Graduates with a B.A. or a B.Sc. and in which psychology is relevant: Both the skills and knowledge acquired through the baccalaureate programs provide preparation for a variety of career fields, including but not limited to personnel, labour relations, social services, technical writing, corrections, probation, parole, marketing and public relations, gerontology, health services, fundraising and mental health. A bachelor’s degree in psychology often serves as a valuable preliminary step to other professional careers such as medicine, law, management, social work, and education.

3.  Careers built on psychology skills and knowledge: Psychology graduates also sometimes pursue careers in, for example, law, journalism and business. This often requires further study.

Possible Employment and Careers

Presented below are many of the careers upon which psychology majors can embark. At first glance, some of these careers may appear unrelated to the discipline of psychology; however, a closer look highlights the importance of the "core competencies" and skills that psychology majors acquire during their studies.

Employment Prospects for Individuals with a B.A. or B.Sc. in Psychology

Jobs for psychology bachelor’s graduates depend on the overall state of the economy and job opportunities within it.

You will not be hired as a psychologist with only a bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.Sc.). To be hired and practice as a psychologist you need at least a master’s degree (M.A. or M.Sc.) and in many jurisdictions a Ph.D. (a doctoral degree). If you wish to work as a psychologist you should plan on going to graduate school.

A bachelor’s degree in psychology is relevant to many different careers. Psychology students, through their diverse training, acquire a number of valuable skills, such as: the ability to analyze problems and to think critically; the ability to interpret and evaluate research, including statistics; an understanding of the genetic, biological, and social influences on behavior; and a sensitivity and awareness of interpersonal, developmental, and cultural differences.

Many undergraduates study psychology as a first step toward a professional career. A degree in psychology is excellent preparation for a variety of professional programs including law, medicine, management, social work, speech pathology, audiology, counselling and education.