Are you considering a job in the psychology field? A psychology degree might put you on the road to exploring several interesting careers in communities, health care, schools, or business.

Professionals in this field monitor, analyze, and record people’s social, emotional, and cognitive abilities. Their research focuses on the interactions between people and their surroundings. They then provide their clients with the tools they need to deal with difficult life situations more skillfully.

All levels of higher education include different types of psychology degrees. For example, a Bachelor’s degree in psychology can open up options to work as a training expert.  An associate degree in psychology may be sufficient to meet the criteria for careers as a medical assistant or preschool teacher. 

For psychologist roles in contexts like industrial organizations, a master’s degree may be sufficient. A Master’s degree can also serve as preparation for careers as school counselors or marital and family therapists. 

The Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD, and the Doctor of Psychology, or PsyD, are the two doctorate degrees awarded most frequently, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). The former is intended for students who want to research and generate new information, while the latter concentrates on using psychological science to help individuals or organizations.

According to the APA, professionals can get Master’s degrees in psychology to obtain more training and qualifications to be eligible for doctorate programs or to progress in a particular job or organization, such as marital therapy, applied behavior analysis, and family therapy. 

Graduates with Master’s degrees can work in various fields, including government, education, healthcare, and private industry. In addition, they could enroll in PhD programs to learn more in-depth information and to conduct scientific research that will lead to new discoveries.

1. Associate Degree in Psychology

You have several employment opportunities if you have an associate’s degree in psychology. For example, in a psychology department or psychologist’s office, you can work in social and governmental services, sales and marketing, businesses or NGOs, or administration.

This psychology degree may be earned the quickest. Most courses last only 2 years. This makes it the least expensive psychology degree as well. 

Admission Requirement

To apply, you must have a high school diploma or a GED. Open admission is standard at community institutions that provide associate degrees. They could suggest a certain GPA.

Program Outcomes

An Associate Degree in Psychology prepares the student to enroll in a Bachelor’s program. Additionally, it helps you grasp the underlying principles of the psychology field. 

2. Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

You may begin your journey toward a psychology PhD and a job as a psychologist with a Bachelor’s degree. Your degree can be obtained online, through a hybrid program, or on campus.

You can obtain a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS). BA gives a broader study area and is frequently rooted in the liberal arts. BS emphasizes theory and research.

Both degrees are often accepted by Master’s degrees in psychology programs and employers. A Bachelor’s degree may be obtained in around 4 years

Admission Requirement

To apply for a Bachelor’s degree program, you must hold a high school diploma or a GED. The school and its entrance criteria will determine the required GPA.

Program Outcome

You can apply for law school, an MBA, or other graduate schools with a psychology Bachelor’s degree.

Government, management, sales, human resources, and human services are typical professional paths for someone with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. 

3. Master’s Degree in Psychology

A Master’s in psychology may allow you to work as a counselor or therapist, depending on your state. A Master of Science (MS) or Master of arts (MA) in psychology can be obtained similarly to a psychology Bachelor’s degree (BA). 

The MS is an appropriate point for an academic career since it emphasizes research and theory. It takes 2 to 3 years to complete a psychology Master’s degree. Most universities want at least a 3.0 GPA.

Admission Requirement

To enroll in a Master’s degree program, you will need a Bachelor’s degree. 

Program Outcome

With a Master’s degree, you can work in administration, government, consulting, or human services, among other fields. Most Master’s students intend to get a PhD degree in psychology to work as psychologists eventually but many stay at the master’s level and practice as therapists or counselors.

4. Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (LPC or LMFT) 

A job as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or licensed marital and family therapist (LMFT) may result from clinical psychology training (LPC).

Admission Requirement

Programs leading to an MA in clinical psychology typically need a Bachelor’s degree. In addition, you might need to submit transcripts, a résumé, a cover letter, a personal statement, a GRE score, and a minimum undergraduate GPA.

Program Outcome 

Clinical psychology PhD programs are open to graduates of MA programs. They can also develop their qualifications to pursue a doctorate program by working as research coordinators or research assistants. 

In addition, those looking for career opportunities can apply their understanding of research methodologies, analytic techniques, and intervention strategies in work environments that entail behavioral research, counseling, or the creation of treatment programs.

5. Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP)

Programs for Master’s degrees in psychology might lead to careers in human services, psychology doctorate studies, or career progression in a related sector.

Admission Requirement

A Bachelor’s degree is often needed for MAP programs. In addition, transcripts, a minimum undergraduate GPA, personal statements, GRE results, letters of recommendation, a CV, and an application fee may also be needed.

Program Outcome

Professionals with MAP degrees may apply the diversity of information they learned in graduate school in various contexts. Graduates who desire to work can find positions in advertising, marketing research, behavioral therapy, and human resources.

6. Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Careers requiring the application of behavioral psychology may result from Master’s programs in applied behavior analysis. In addition, students learn to interact with people identified as having disabilities, including autism, developmental disability, or traumatic brain injury.

Admission Requirement

A Bachelor’s degree is often required for MS in ABA programs. In addition, you might need to submit transcripts, a résumé, a cover letter, a personal statement, a GRE score, and a minimum undergraduate GPA.

Program Outcome

Some MS in ABA courses aid students in getting ready to take the Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) test. Graduates who earn their certification as behavior analysts are free to look for work in any area of their choice, including the public or private sector, academia, healthcare, and mental health facilities.

Additionally, they could be competent for jobs like behavior analyst, educational consultant, clinical director, organizational consultant, and instructional designer. People with autism spectrum disorders frequently get diagnostic and intervention services from applied behavior analysts.

7. Master of Science in Forensic Psychology

Programs offering Master’s degrees in forensic psychology can lead to employment that combines criminal justice and mental health.

Admission Requirement

Typically, forensic psychology MS programs call for a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, you might need to provide transcripts, proof of a minimum college GPA, personal statements, a résumé, letters of recommendation, and an application fee.

Program Outcome

People wishing to start a career or develop in law enforcement, criminal analysis, prisons, victim advocacy, and policy analysis may find prospects with an MS in forensic psychology.

8. PhD Degree in Psychology

A PhD or a Psy.D. are the two options for a psychology doctorate after receiving your Master’s degree. The duration of a psychology PhD program is 4 to 7 years. Most schools need a minimum GPA of 3.0

After receiving your psychology PhD, several states also demand that you complete a year of post-doctoral study under the supervision of a licensed psychologist before you may seek your own license. But, again, state-specific criteria differ from one another.

Admission Requirement

Many PhD programs accept candidates with psychology degrees and those with Master’s degrees in relevant subjects. You must demonstrate that your Master’s degree prepared you just as well as a psychology Master’s degree would.

Program Outcome

Students who want to pursue careers as clinical or counseling psychologists often receive one of these degrees. Students are frequently more qualified for professions in teaching and research after earning a PhD.

9. Psy.D. Degree in Psychology

You can become a licensed psychologist by earning a Psy.D. or a PhD in psychology. 

Programs in clinical psychology concentrate on identifying and treating mental health issues. Programs in counseling psychology include a strong emphasis on social justice advocacy and methods for psychologists to assist patients in addressing mental health concerns within their settings.

A Psy.D. program takes 4 to 7 years to finish, similar to a PhD. Most candidates have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Both quantitative and qualitative research skills are required, as well as a strong background in statistics.

Admission Requirement

You must complete your Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD. 

Program Outcome

Graduates of Psy.D. programs are more likely to work with patients in clinics than in education or research.

Courses in methodology and research are offered in both degrees. The Psy.D., is more concerned with practical application than the PhD With either degree, you can get licensed as a psychologist.

What is the most common psychology degree?

A Master’s Degree in Psychology is the most common psychology degree. 

What it’s the easiest psychology degree?

The simplest psychology programs available are two-year Associate Degrees from community colleges and junior colleges.

What is the lowest degree in psychology?

The least advanced degree in psychology is an associate’s. It is a good method to get a strong foundation in psychology before continuing to more advanced courses and is frequently utilized as a stepping stone toward earning a Bachelor’s.

A psychology degree opens the door to various fascinating and rewarding occupations. This psychology degree guide outlines the types of psychology degrees, the jobs you can get with them, and the admission requirements.

You must have a clinical psychology degree that qualifies you for practice in order to work as a psychologist, therapist, or counselor. You can work as a psychologist if you have a PhD in psychology, but there are many alternative career paths. So make sure to plan your career accordingly!