What Are Career Options With a Bachelor's in Psychology?
As a versatile degree strongly grounded in social justice, a bachelor's in psychology can serve as a valuable foundation for a wide variety of career paths.
Graduates may go on to work in roles related to psychology, or they may pursue careers in other areas, including business, law, or education.
Here are a few of your career options with a bachelor's in psychology.
Mental Health Professional
A bachelor's degree in psychology is perhaps most directly suited to a career in mental health, where your specialized knowledge and skills can be used to help people every day. Many psychologists, counselors, therapists, and other mental health professionals began with bachelor's degrees in psychology. Many of these roles do require further study, however, so you will need to pursue a graduate degree to broaden your mental health career options.
In today's increasingly digital world, mental health professionals can also work with their patients virtually via services like Telehealth. Virtual services offer professionals the flexibility to work remotely and create their own schedules, which presents them with the opportunity to be their own boss through managing their digital therapy services.
Social Worker
Social workers must be adept at working closely with individuals and families to help them adjust to life changes, make important decisions, and navigate tough situations. A bachelor's in psychology, especially one with a focus on social action, can teach you the skills you'll need to communicate with, understand, and assist people in your role as a social worker. As with other career options, social work positions often require an advanced degree, as well as licenses and certifications.
Careers in Business
The skills and knowledge you acquire as a psychology student can also be applied to a variety of roles within the diverse world of business. Human resources, customer service, marketing, and sales professionals all need to be strong communicators with a deep understanding of how people think and make decisions, as well as possess a high level of emotional intelligence when working with others. Other potential roles for psychology graduates can include a focus on equity and inclusion, which can involve developing and strengthening strategies and programming within organizations. If you're interested in pursuing a business-related career, consider focusing on business psychology, which explores the intersection of business and behavioral science.