This post shares so many different types of psychology careers that may be best for you!
Have you ever taken psychology courses in college? What did you like learning about them?
There’s honestly so much to learn about the human mind and behavior, and why people do the things that they do, and what kind of help or treatment that they need.
In 2017, I majored in forensic psychology, and I absolutely loved learning about behaviors and mental health. It was fascinating to know different types of mental health conditions and how they affected individuals in their daily lives. I loved watching ALL of the crime shows like SWAT, Law and Order, and Criminal Minds!
It was not until I had to take other courses such as statistics and research methods. Even though I loved this field, I wasn’t connecting with other parts of the material that were important for passing the program!
So I took a break from school because I had just graduated with my bachelor’s degree, and later on started researching up different careers in the field of psychology.
I now have a Master’s Degree in School Psychology. This happened to be another field I am SUPER passionate about after researching types of psychology careers and helping others find their passion, especially when it comes to types of psychology careers!
When you major in psychology, you can have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and find good-paying jobs.
BUT, when you have a master’s or doctorate in psychology you have a lot more options and pathways of things that you can do as far as types of psychology careers!
TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGY CAREERS
Master Degree Programs
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychologists work under the criminal justice system with individuals that have been convicted of a crime. They use the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) to evaluate various mental health disorders to help determine what characteristics are comparable to the inmate they are working with.
As a forensic psychologist, you would work in various settings to provide face-to-face interviews, group psychotherapy, and crisis intervention.
Some relevant courses for this major may include something the same as or similar to:
- Criminal Profiling
- Statistics
- Social Psychology
- Practicum
- Criminal Investigations
- Advanced Criminal Law
At the end of the program, you may be required to write a thesis and/ finish a specific amount of hours gaining practice in the field.
School Psychologist
School psychologists are found mainly in the school setting working with students that have some sort of learning difficulty. But that is not all that they do! School psychologists discover learning difficulties in students to empower their learning through assessments.
Once the assessment is completed, school psychologists write 20-35 page educational plans for each specific student. They also provide short and long-term counseling and write behavioral plans for students with behaviors in the classroom.
After two years of working in the schools, a school psychologist can obtain a Licensed Educational Practice (LEP) and work in private practice.
Their license does not allow them to diagnose individuals, but they know many of the characteristics of mental health conditions and what they look like.
Some relevant courses for this major may include something the same as or similar to:
- Intro to School Psychology
- Diversity
- Intelligence Testing
- Counseling in Schools
- Advanced Assessment
- Behavior Analysis
- Ethics and Law
- Practicum
Throughout the program, you will be required to complete around 400 hours or more of practicum courses that help you gain experience in the field. There is also an internship where you are required to complete at least 1,200 hours.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) major in counseling psychology to help couples work on marital difficulties individually and together using psychotherapy techniques. Their job is to identify what affects marriage and families through therapy.
Often, children are affected the most, which may bring out mental health conditions. LMFT’s may be seen working with LEP’s (licensed school psychologists) in private practice.
Some relevant courses for this major may include something the same as or similar to:
- Diversity Issues in Counseling
- Family therapy
- Psychopharmacology
- Addictions Counseling
- Aging and Mental Health
- Psychopathology
- Psychodiagnostics
- Research Methods
To do this program, you would go through practicum to gain hands-on experience. However, spend around 2,000 hours practicing in their field with couples and can work in private practice. Throughout the internship, students are required to work with a psychotherapist to complete hours toward individual and group psychotherapy.
Sport Psychologist
Sport Psychologists work in athletic departments to provide psychological services to athletes. They may provide individual or group counseling at a University, complete intakes and evaluations, and work between the athletic department and counseling center.
Some relevant courses for this major may include something the same as or similar to:
- Psychopathology
- Human Growth and Development
- Sports Nutrition
- Social Psychology
- Basis of Behavior
- Ethics and Law
- Sport and Performance Psychology
In this field, you can have a master’s or obtain a doctorate degree to have more opportunities in your field.
Psychology Professor
There is also an option of working as a full-time psychology professor for a university, which is 40 hours a week. This is a great option if you love to teach and want to be in the field of psychology. There is so much that psychologists deal with regularly that can be helpful to teach to students that may want to learn about different types of psychology careers.
Adjunct Psychology Professor
Psychology professors can teach one or two classes in regular psychology if they have a master’s in something psychology-related. A lot of my professors during the program taught psychology after work one or two nights a week to bring in extra cash flow for whatever they want! Many colleges state that you can only teach part-time, so many professors work at two different schools for more income.
Private Practice
In obtaining your doctoral degree, you have two options. You can receive a Psy.D or a Ph.D. Both are doctorate degrees, but the PsyD takes less time than a Ph.D. When you are licensed, you can set your hours to meet with clients, which is typically paid out of pocket or through insurance. There is a lot more money to be made through private practice as well!
Doctorate Degree Programs
Clinical Psychologist
Neuropsychologist
Psychologist
The requirements for a doctorate are both lengthy in time and share many similarities. Psychologists major in clinical or neuropsychology psychology and obtain a PsyD or Ph.D. These doctors spend a lot of time in the clinics, but they have a lot of options and the freedom to work in hospitals, outpatient centers, and private practices. Psychologists are taught how to conduct psychotherapy and assessments on their patients to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. However, psychiatrists work in the same settings or hospitals to medically diagnose mentally ill patients through the use of medication.
PSYCHOTHERAPY CAN BE USED ON INDIVIDUALS FOR:
- Depression and Anxiety
- Pain Management and Abuse
- Addictive and eating Disorders
- PTSD and other health conditions
Schooling to become a Psychologist or Psychiatrist takes around 5-6 years. There are also practicum and internships of 3,000 or more hours.
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