Imagine you’re a college graduate with one of the most popular undergraduate degrees in the U.S.—a B.A. in Psychology.
You’ve endured long nights studying for your exams. You’ve learned the basics principles of conducting careful research. You’ve labored over your literature reviews and lab reports and mastered the ins-and-outs of APA style. You’ve acquired a comprehensive, foundational knowledge of the human mind and human behavior. In other words, you’ve striven to learn why people are the way they are.
So, what happens now?
Post-college adulthood can seem daunting for a psychology major, especially when others might try to claim the degree is a waste of time—it’s not. But don’t let uneasiness about your future prevent you from exploring the different opportunities available to you.
What you can do with your psychology degree now
Despite what skeptics might say, psychology continues to be one of the most popular majors for undergraduates. Some may choose this field of study in the hopes of pursuing a Ph.D. or Psy.D. However, for those curious about what types of employment they can secure with an undergraduate degree, there are multiple options to consider.
Graduates may be considered for entry-level jobs in advertising and marketing, business, education, human resources, medical and health services, and more. For detailed information on specific positions in these domains, read our more in-depth article about careers with a B.A. in Psychology.
In the meantime, it is important to prioritize employment opportunities that appeal to your interests or emphasize your abilities most. The benefit of a graduating with B.A. in Psychology is that the skills it focuses on are applicable across so many different industries—so think big picture!
But there is one big question you will need to address sooner or later. Are you hoping to further your education in the field?
What you can do with your psychology degree later
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for jobs in the field of psychology will increase for a number of occupations through 2026. Among them are psychologists, marriage and family therapists, school and career counselors, mental health counselors, and college professors.
However, pursuing any one of these careers will likely require that you earn a graduate degree in psychology or related field.
Many psychology degrees in higher education will also require you to declare a concentration or specialization. Although the areas of focus in graduate and doctoral programs are many, the list below may help you refine your potential selections.
Career Differences Between Psychology Branches
- Clinical Psychology– learning to assess and treat mental illness and disability.
- Counseling Psychology– working with people at every age and stage of life to help them overcome mental health challenges.
- General Psychology– studying psychological principles across different disciplines and perspectives through research, theory, and practice.
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology– applying psychology to organizations to assess and design interventions that affect the working behaviors of employees.
- Marriage and Family Therapy– using psychotherapy to treat individuals, couples, and families within the context of their relationships.
Supplementing your B.A. in Psychology with a graduate degree is a choice that’s ultimately up to you. If you’re thinking about doing so, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers a range of programs with different focuses for you to explore.
So, what’s next?
In the words of famed psychologist Carl Rogers, “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.”
It’s okay if you still feel unsure about what to do with a B.A. in Psychology. The freedom to choose from any number of career paths or continued education should make future opportunities seem limitless, not intimidating.
So what’s next? Answer: it’s you.
Learn more about The Chicago School
If you would like to learn more about our undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in psychology, fill out the form below to request more information. Or you can apply today through our application portal.