Psychology Jobs

Jobs in psychology have become very popular because of the field's interpersonal atmosphere and promising job prospects. The opportunity to help others also makes psychology an appealing career choice. Psychology jobs may involve:
  • analyzing and evaluating human behavior and mental processes
  • helping people overcome traumatic events
  • helping people to manage problems and live happier lives
  • research
  • teaching.
 
Psychology jobs are available in many settings including clinics, hospitals, laboratories and schools. More than one-quarter of all psychologists enjoy self-employment in their own private practices.

Education and Training

If you are interested in psychology jobs, you must complete at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Most jobs for psychology majors also require post-graduate education at the PhD level. A doctoral degree is usually required to work as a psychologist in private practice and for most other clinical, counseling, research and teaching positions in the field.
 
Earning master’s degree, however, may qualify students to work at other jobs for psychology majors. Some of these positions include:
  • industrial-organizational psychologist
  • psychological assistant (under the supervision of Doctoral level psychologist)
  • psychological evaluation or research positions.
 

Those who have earned a Bachelor's degree in psychology are qualified for positions as:

  • administrative assistants
  • research assistants
  • technicians in related fields.
 

Private Practice Work

In order to open a private practice, a psychology student has several requirements to fulfill. In addition to earning a PhD in psychology, a student must also complete:
  • a dissertation
  • courses in computer analysis and psychology theory
  • practical internship
  • research.
 
Most state laws also require psychologists to complete certification programs before they open their private practices. These certification programs may require:
  • internship or a year of clinical experience
  • passing an examination
  • PhD degree in psychology.
 

Different Jobs in Psychology

Most psychologists specialize in a specific area of psychology. Clinical psychology is one of the largest and most popular of these specializations. Some other exciting specialized positions in psychology include:
  • art therapist
  • clinical psychologist
  • counseling psychologist
  • developmental psychologist
  • engineering psychologist
  • forensic psychologist
  • neuropsychologist
  • psychotherapists
  • rehabilitation psychologists
  • school psychologists
  • sports psychologists.
 
Many psychologists open their own private practices, while others choose to work in hospitals, schools, clinics and universities. Some may also take government, research or teaching positions.

Availability of Psychology Jobs

The career outlook for jobs in psychology is very promising. Positions in clinical psychology, school psychology and counseling are growing rapidly.
 
The psychology job market, however, is very competitive. Many psychology students complete research projects in addition to PhD degrees in order to make themselves more desirable for available positions. Any extra training and experience helps in attaining available psychology jobs and beginning a successful career.

Professional Organizations

In order to stay connected with the psychology community, many psychologists belong to professional organizations. Here are just a few professional organizations you may want to contact to learn more about psychology careers:
  • American Board of Professional Psychology
  • American Psychological Association
  • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
  • National Association of School Psychologists.
 

Certain positions, like school psychologist, may require that a psychologist be a member of one of these organizations before being hired.

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