What Can You Do With a Master’s in Psychology?
Earning a master’s degree in psychology can open many different career paths in fields like clinical counseling, industrial-organizational psychology, research, social services, and education, depending on the area of specialization.
Why Pursue a Master's in Psychology?
People choose to pursue a master’s in psychology for many different reasons, including advancing their knowledge of human behavior, opening the door to new careers, and preparing for further education, such as a Ph.D. or PsyD. One student’s reason for pursuing a master’s degree may differ from other students, which is why it’s important for applicants to master’s programs to know why they want to invest their resources into a particular degree program.
The Growing Demand for Psychology Professionals
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for psychologists is expected to grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033, which means around 13,000 job openings each year across the U.S. Additionally, people who earn a master’s degree in psychology pursue other professional roles in a range of industries.
Advancing Your Career with Specialized Knowledge
So, what can you do with a master's in psychology? Whether your intention is to be a psychologist or to work in a related field, a master’s in psychology can impart specialized knowledge about human behavior and development. Completing a master's in psychology program is also a way to show future employers a level of commitment to self-improvement and education that can be useful in advancing your career.
Careers with a Master's in Psychology
Many careers have a psychology degree requirement, and others may not require this degree but include skills that naturally result from the psychology learning process. Earning a master’s degree in psychology can be a jumping off point for careers in counseling, working in a psychology lab, designing and implementing research studies, and working in the public sector in social services or education.
Clinical and Counseling Roles
Clinical psychologists and counselors are the professional roles most often associated with advanced psychology degrees. These psychology professionals typically work directly with patients, either one-on-one, in couples or family counseling, or in a group therapy setting. Psychologists may provide talk therapy, allowing patients to discuss difficult moments and emotions in order to work through past traumas.
They may also administer psychological testing, offer diagnoses, and confer with psychiatrists on prescribing medications. Clinical psychologists must be licensed in the states where they practice, with most states requiring a doctoral level degree for licensure. On the other hand, substance abuse, behavioral disorders, school psychologists, and mental health counselors typically only need a master’s degree and are qualified to offer some similar types of services.
Lab Manager
Working with patients is just one way to leverage a master’s in psychology. The science of psychology incorporates a huge amount of research every year, and that research is conducted by labs that are often run by universities or government entities like the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
A research lab manager keeps a lab running smoothly, from ordering supplies and allocating resources to ensuring proper hiring and maintaining safety standards. Earning a master’s in psychology is a good place to start for a career as a psychology lab manager.
General-Experimental Psychology Positions
A general-experimental psychology degree teaches students how to utilize the scientific method and other science-based techniques to design, implement, and analyze research based on questions related to human motivations and behaviors. Career possibilities in the general-experimental psychology field include government research jobs, director-level jobs as part of a counseling team, and psychology consultants for corporations and other organizations.
Research and Experimental Psychology
Graduates of a master’s in psychology program may also find work in research and experimental psychology fields. Like lab managers and general-experimental psychology positions, research and experimental psychology jobs involve developing and conducting research and experiments that explore human motivations and behaviors. Creating ethical studies, getting study approval, supervising experiments, and analyzing results are all key parts of this type of job.
Social Services and Advocacy Roles
Psychology graduate program graduates may choose to use their skills to advocate for public policy or to serve in community leadership roles. A master’s degree in psychology can prepare graduates to work as policy advocates for non-governmental organizations or within government health systems, such as local offices of public health.
Education and Teaching
Expertise in psychology, including acquiring a deeper understanding of what motivates students, can be a major asset when it comes to working in an educator role. Psychology graduates can go on to become school counselors, school administrators, or, with additional training, licensed teachers. Those who earn a master’s degree in psychology and go on to earn doctoral degrees may also consider teaching at the college level.
Why Consider a Master's Degree in General-Experimental Psychology?
A Masters Program for General-Experimental Psychology provides a solid foundation for many different careers in psychology, while remaining focused on the research and experimental aspects of the field. Students who complete a master’s in general-experimental psychology are also well-prepared to go on to doctoral programs, which leads to even more career possibilities.
Flexibility in Career Options
A master’s degree in general-experimental psychology can set the stage for many different careers, ranging from a professional researcher to an advocate for mental health public policy. Even if you know that you want to pursue a graduate degree in psychology, the flexibility afforded by the general-experimental focus allows you to explore your interests and choose a career that works for you after graduation.
More Competitive Earning Potential
A master’s degree often comes with a higher salary, even in more entry level positions. Indeed, for many psychology-related careers, a master’s degree is the minimum education requirement. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the median salary for someone holding a master’s degree in psychology was $10,000 per year more than that of someone holding a bachelor’s degree, which can equate to a significant difference in lifestyle.
Steps to Start Your Journey in General-Experimental Psychology
Clear steps for starting a journey toward a master’s in general-experimental psychology start with earning a bachelor’s degree in a related field. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, it may be necessary to complete some prerequisite undergraduate courses before applying to a master’s program.
Choosing the Right Master's in Psychology Program
Choosing the right program is essential for those who want to pursue graduate degrees. Earning a master’s degree is a commitment, so you should find a program that not only will help you meet your long-term professional goals but also fit your current time and financial constraints. At Iona University, for instance, master’s in psychology students can choose to attend lectures in a hybrid format, with some online classes available for maximum flexibility.
Gaining Practical Experience
Hands-on experience is crucial for any career in the field of psychology. For clinical psychologists, working with patients under supervision is required for licensure, while experimental psychologists will need to work closely with experienced psychologists in the lab and in the field. Depending on the specialty, master’s programs may require internships or other supervised experience as part of the degree process. In the case of the master’s in general-experimental psychology program at Iona, students must complete a supervised thesis project demonstrating competence in empirical research.
Building a Professional Network
New psychologists, no matter which specialty they choose, will also benefit from building a robust professional network. Developing relationships with faculty and classmates while completing a master’s program is crucial to starting a network that will continue to pay dividends throughout your future career.
Learn More About the Master's Program in General-Experimental Psychology at Iona
Iona is a top destination for earning a master’s degree in general-experimental psychology. With faculty composed of research experts with real-world experience and small class sizes that allow for close interaction with those faculty, Iona is an excellent choice. To learn more, reach out to an Iona admissions specialist or apply to the program at Iona today to start your master’s journey.