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Key Takeaways
- Psychology degrees offer students an array of valuable skills they can use to work as psychologists or in other related professions.
- Psychology degrees combine the quantitative rigors of the natural sciences with the qualitative analyses of the humanities and social sciences.
- Psychology students can specialize in subfields such as neuroscience, clinical psychology and behavior analysis.
Why do we feel, think, and act the way we do? Psychologists offer science-based insight into the enigmas that surround the human condition.
More than any other field, psychology can be viewed as the study of human behavior and what motivates us to live our lives the way we do. Psychology combines the empirical rigors of the hard sciences with the sociocultural qualitative analysis of the social sciences and humanities.
If you have ever made a “Freudian slip” while speaking, talked about someone doing something “unconsciously” or tried to interpret your dreams, you’ve been influenced by the vocabulary and theories of psychology.
Although the origins of psychology as a scientific field of study can be found in 19th-century Germany, philosophers and scientists have been hypothesizing for millennia about the way our behavior is engendered by the dynamic relationship that exists between our brains and our emotions. The formalization of such inquiries has led to an ever-growing field that now includes studying children, adults, animals and even machines.
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What Is a Bachelor’s in Psychology?
A bachelor’s degree in psychology provides students with a holistic understanding and appreciation for the myriad ways in which psychology is used in the medical, therapeutic and professional worlds. Broadly defined as the science of human and animal behavior, psychology is currently being redefined by cutting-edge undergraduate programs to include the behavior of machines and artificial intelligence.
Psychology students are immersed in the theoretical and experiential foundations of psychological science by taking courses that focus on the behavioral, cognitive, developmental and social aspects of psychological studies. In other words, psychology aims to figure out why we feel, think and do the things we feel, think and do.
A bachelor’s degree in psychology is typically seen as the most effective gateway to earning the graduate degrees that allow you to become a psychiatrist or psychologist. However, because psychology majors are seen as individuals with multiple skill sets, more than 70% of recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology work outside of the field.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), psychology degree holders work in areas as diverse as web development, architecture, journalism and education. After all, a psychology major’s keen insight into the human mind can prove beneficial to many businesses and organizations looking to build their customer and client base.
Degree Finder
Types of Psychology Degrees
Below, explore the various types of degrees you can earn in psychology.
Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
An associate degree in psychology usually takes two years to earn at a community college. Because job options in psychology are limited for those who only have an associate degree, most associate in psychology graduates use this degree as an affordable stepping stone to earning a bachelor’s degree.
An A.A. approaches psychology with a liberal arts focus. A.S. and A.A.S. programs in psychology are similar to A.A. programs, but with a more practice-focused approach.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
A B.A. in psychology usually requires a more well-rounded liberal arts education with a mix of courses in the humanities, the social sciences and general education. A B.A. is a good option for students who want to enter career fields where understanding human behavior is a strong asset. This degree usually takes four years to earn.
A B.S. in psychology usually requires more math and natural science courses that emphasize quantitative analysis. A B.S. is a good option for students who want to work in laboratories and do research that requires empirical methodologies. This degree usually takes four years to earn.
Typical courses for both the B.A. and B.S. tracks at most universities can include cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, statistics, psychopathology and mental health, social psychology and research methods.
Master of Science (M.S.) or Master of Arts (M.A.)
Typically lasting two to three years, the M.S. in psychology tends to take a practice-based approach to advanced education in psychology. Learners who plan to enter the workforce directly after earning their master’s might benefit from a Master of Science in psychology.
The psychology M.A., on the other hand, caters to students who plan to transfer into doctoral programs after completing their master’s. An M.A. in psychology delivers advanced education in the field through a liberal arts-focused lens.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
A Ph.D. in psychology delivers research-based psychology education at the doctoral level. Students seeking careers in academia or research may benefit most from earning a Ph.D. in psychology. This degree typically takes four to seven years to complete, though completion times vary drastically depending on each student’s program, area of emphasis and enrollment status.
A Doctor of Psychology is another doctoral-level psychology degree, but it’s more practiced-focused than a Ph.D. in psychology. Students who want to practice clinical psychology may benefit most from earning a Psy.D. Though they often include practice requirements, Psy.D. programs often run shorter than Ph.D. programs, taking four to five years to complete.
Psychology Specializations
Aspiring psychology majors may consider the following specializations. This list represents only a few possible areas of emphasis for psychology students.
Counseling Psychology
Counseling psychology focuses on our everyday interactions with others and ourselves. A great specialization for students who want to be social workers and mental health counselors, a counseling psychology specialty combines theoretical approaches and research methods to provide students with the opportunity to conduct clinically relevant research.
Neuroscience
A neuroscience specialty, also known as a behavioral and cognitive neuroscience specialty, expands upon environmental life sciences to closely examine the entire nervous system with a focus on cognitive, behavioral and brain functions.
Behavior Analysis
Behavior analysts study how environmentally influenced behavior is established and how it can be modified. With a focus on creating practical solutions to various behavioral problems, these programs often help students become Board Certified Behavior Analysts®.
What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree?
We sourced salary data for this section from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in June 2024.
Psychologist
Median Annual Salary: $92,740
Minimum Required Education: Master’s degree in psychology or a related field
Job Overview: Psychologists study and help modify how individuals, families and organizations interact with one another from cognitive, emotional and behavioral perspectives. Psychologists can work in clinical, educational and industrial-organizational settings to offer insight and support on individual or group levels.
Social Worker
Median Annual Salary: $58,380
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, but usually a master’s degree in psychology or a related field
Job Overview: Social workers provide individuals, groups and families with the support they need to navigate the problems they encounter in their everyday lives. This support can take the form of helping a family receive food stamps, getting a battered spouse into a domestic abuse shelter or providing a student who is suffering from depression with mental health counseling.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder or Mental Health Counselor
Median Annual Salary: $53,710
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field
Job Overview: Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors provide education and training on how to prevent and treat problematic behaviors related to alcoholism, substance abuse and addiction. They also provide support to individuals who are dealing with depression and other mental health issues.
Human Resources Specialist
Median Annual Salary: $67,650
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field
Job Overview: Human resources specialists help organizations manage employees from the recruitment and hiring phase to training and development and retention and retirement. Human resources specialists ensure that employers and employees are in compliance with labor laws and company policies and also help arbitrate and settle disputes and grievances.
Registered Nurse
Median Annual Salary: $86,070
Minimum Required Education: Associate in nursing, some employers may require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Job Overview: Registered nurses provide critical care to patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings. Nurses also provide education and training on health issues to help prevent negative health outcomes in the community. Holders of a bachelor’s degree in psychology can either take an accelerated undergraduate nursing program or enroll in a master’s program that accepts the clinical hours of a psychology program, internship or job.
School and Career Counselor and Advisor
Median Annual Salary: $61,710
Minimum Required Education: Master’s in counseling psychology or a master’s in school counseling
Job Overview: Working primarily in K-12 schools and colleges and universities, school and career counselors provide students with the academic and personal support they need to do well in their classes. School counselors can connect students with academic tutors and provide them with guidance on the courses they need to graduate.
Career counselors can help high school and college students who need to work outside of school balance their school and work schedules while maintaining an eye on long-term career goals. Counselors can also provide students with support when facing social or behavioral challenges.
Should You Earn a Degree in Psychology Online?
Degrees earned from online programs are just as reputable as degrees earned from in-person programs as long as they are from accredited universities and psychology departments. The most important factor in deciding on whether to earn your degree online is what type of learning format best suits your learning style and day-to-day scheduling needs.
You should also consider whether an online program offers networking, internship and group project opportunities that might only be available in in-person settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Psychology Degrees
Are psychology degrees worth it?
Yes. You cannot become a licensed psychologist, a clinical social worker or a certified mental health therapist without a formal degree. While you may not need a bachelor’s degree in psychology to earn an advanced degree in psychology, it helps. At a minimum, though, you need a bachelor’s degree to pursue a graduate degree in psychology or a related field.
What degree is best for psychology?
The best degree depends on your career goals because psychology is such a broad field. While a bachelor’s degree in psychology will cover many areas, a bachelor’s degree in sociology or social work may be more suitable for laying the foundation for an advanced degree more closely aligned to your desired career.
However, if you want to be a licensed psychologist, a bachelor’s degree in psychology will prepare you for the coursework you will need to complete in graduate school.
Are psychology degrees difficult?
Psychology degrees are just as challenging to earn as other bachelor’s degrees that combine the social and natural sciences with the humanities. However, a psychology degree requires more math- and science-intensive courses than majors such as social work and sociology. Those who prefer qualitative analysis over quantitative analysis should reconsider majoring in psychology.
What grades do I need to study psychology?
Generally speaking, the higher your GPA, the stronger your chances are of being accepted into the university and program of your choice. Research the requirements of the programs in which you are interested. More competitive programs may require certain minimum grades in psychology, biology and mathematics classes.
