By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Irene Abrego Nicolet, PhD, NCSP, LSSP, Dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Reading Time: 10 minutes
A career in psychology doesn’t automatically mean becoming a therapist.
While clinical roles are one path, psychology degrees may also lead to career opportunities in education, research, human services and organizational settings. The challenge is that those paths don’t all require the same training, and the right choice isn’t always obvious at the start.
For working adults, that uncertainty is often paired with a practical constraint.
You may be interested in advancing your education, but stepping away from your job or putting life on hold isn’t realistic.
Online psychology degrees have changed what’s possible by making it easier to build new skills and credentials while continuing to work.
Explore psychology and counseling degree options that can be completed online, what students typically learn at each level and the types of careers those programs may support.
Start your journey in psychology. Explore our online psychology degrees.
Psychology careers offer multiple entry points, and the degree you pursue may determine what kind of roles you can pursue after graduation.
Before you enroll in a psychology degree program, it’s important to understand the regulatory and licensing requirements in your state, so that you can pursue the right path.
Here’s a breakdown of psychology degrees at different levels:
Bachelor’s degrees in psychology provide the academic foundation needed to understand human behavior, research methods and ethical practice. It’s a critical first step toward graduate education, which is required for licensure.
A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology offers a broad introduction to psychological theory, research and real-world application.
At Capella, this degree focuses on core topics like cognitive and social psychology, research methods and ethics.
As a student in this program, you learn foundational skills, including analytical thinking, effective communication and problem-solving.
You can pick between two specializations.
If you want to explore career pathways in counseling and therapy, then the BS in Psychology, Pre-Counseling and Therapy is a good option.
This degree includes foundational psychology coursework, explores introductory counseling concepts and helps build the skills you need to help others.
During the program, you’ll complete three graduate-level courses that may count toward a Capella master’s in counseling or therapy. This may shorten your master’s program duration, potentially also reducing costs.
Master’s degrees provide specialized training and applied skills. More importantly, a graduate degree is the minimal requirement to qualify for licensure and become a professional counselor in the U.S.
A master’s is also the standard pathway into doctoral programs, which are required if you want to pursue becoming a licensed psychologist.
The Master of Science (MS) in Psychology degree emphasizes research literacy and application. You learn how to turn psychological concepts and methodologies into actionable strategies to help people, organizations and systems.
At Capella University, you can specialize in the area that best aligns with your career goals.
You can complete your MS in Psychology online and move through courses at your own pace with Capella’s FlexPath learning format. Instead of fixed weekly deadlines, FlexPath allows you to progress at your own pace, which can make it easier to manage coursework alongside work, family and other responsibilities.
For many working students, this flexibility offers a way to advance their education without putting the rest of their life on hold.
The MS in Clinical Psychology focuses on understanding psychological disorders, assessment methods, research skills and applied clinical concepts.
The program focus changes, depending on the specialization you choose to pursue.
Additionally with an MS in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Counseling, graduates may be academically prepared (often with additional supervised experience) for some licensed mental health roles, depending on the program focus and state license requirements.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, meaning it meets recognized standards for quality and rigor. In addition, many psychology degree programs have program-specific accreditation that reflects discipline-level expectations. Together, these accreditations help ensure your coursework builds relevant skills and can support progression into advanced study, including Capella’s doctoral programs in psychology.
The MS in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) teaches you how to design, implement and evaluate behavior-change interventions across different settings.
With an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis, you may also apply for licensure to become a practicing behavioral analyst, depending on your state’s requirements.
The MS in School Psychology teaches you how to help and support students’ academic, social and emotional development. You learn to conduct assessments and design interventions with families and educators to help students reach their academic goals.
This degree combines asynchronous, online learning with synchronous, in-person and online training through residencies that provide you with the skills you will need to practice professionally. Completing this degree does not make you eligible for certification or licensure.
Doctoral degrees are the highest level of education in psychology. They emphasize advanced academic preparation, research and professional practice.
You need to have a doctoral degree to pursue licensure as a professional psychologist in the U.S. You can find out the exact licensure requirements for your state.
The PhD in Psychology degree at Capella focuses on the latest research in the field and how to apply it in real-world settings. You can develop your expertise in one of specializations.
Capella’s PhD in Psychology is built to match your career goals. For each option, you can choose between seven specialized courses and four elective courses to add to your core coursework. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement.
The PhD in Behavior Analysis is designed to help you become a leader in your field, with the goal of improving people’s lives and contributing to developments in the field.
Through a dissertation and professionally aligned coursework, you can prepare to apply for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D®) designation. Earning this designation means you may be able to explore senior-level and academic leadership positions.
If you’re interested in a career in mental health but you’re not set on going the psychology path, you may want to consider a master’s program in counseling or therapy.
Capella’s online master’s programs in counseling and therapy offer extensive theoretical and practical training for effective evidence-based counseling work.
You can choose from three master’s programs for counseling or therapy at Capella:
A background in psychology or counseling can lead to a wide range of careers, from direct client care to leadership, research and education. The path you choose depends on your degree level, specialization, licensure requirements and professional interests.
Many psychology and counseling careers involve direct patient or client care, focusing on assessment, intervention, behavior change and mental health services.
Some career paths to explore include:
Each of these roles has distinct licensing, certification and supervised experience requirements, which vary by state and by profession. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with these requirements.
Here are three examples of Capella graduates who have used their Capella education to support and grow their career skills in the mental health space:
Caitlin McNulty
Caitlin McNulty, MS, PC, completed her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella. She is the Executive Director at Brookline Teen Outreach Center, where she helps teenagers reach their full potential while balancing her own professional growth and sustainable practice. Her degree has also helped her become a licensed counselor.
Damere Holloway
Damere R. Holloway, MS, ABA, RBT, completed his MS in Applied Behavior Analysis at Capella in 2024. His commitment, determination and academic training have inspired him. Holloway says, “Capella has inspired me to continue my journey in ABA and make a huge impact on the world.”
Apart from practicing as a registered behavior technician, Holloway used his time at Capella to author a children’s book, Omar the Owl, to raise awareness about autism.
Dr. Carlotta R. Prince
Carlotta R. Prince, PhD, got her master’s in School Counseling and PhD in Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services* at Capella University. She credits her Capella experience for her growth as a counselor.
“I was hired as a school counselor the same month I graduated with my master’s. The residencies and my cohort shaped me into the counselor I am today. We shared resources, lifted each other up and grew together.”
After graduation, she’s helped thousands of students navigate their higher education journeys through her company, Rhoad to College Consulting and as a school counselor.
These examples highlight the value of advanced education in achieving your professional goals. With Capella’s online psychology programs, students of all ages can prepare for their careers without dropping everything for full-time study.
*Capella University does not currently offer the PhD in Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services degree. Students can enroll in our PhD in Educational Psychology program.
Starting a career in psychology is a rewarding journey that blends scientific curiosity with meaningful human impact.
By choosing a degree program that aligns with your goals, understanding licensure requirements and continuing to develop your professional skills, you can work toward a career that supports individual well-being and community health.
Capella University offers online psychology degrees that emphasize skills-based learning and professional relevance, with support from expert faculty and career development resources.
Programs are designed to fit around work, family and other commitments, so you can continue building real-world skills without putting your life on hold.
Find the right psychology degree for your needs. Talk to our enrollment specialists today.
Psychology may lead to roles in counseling, behavioral health, education, research and business. Common options include counselor, therapist, behavior analyst, school psychologist and researcher. The exact roles you can pursue depend on your degree, license and other qualifications.
With a psychology degree, you can explore clinical, educational, organizational or research-focused careers. Clinical and advanced roles typically require graduate education and state licensure or certification.
Psychology can be a rewarding career for those interested in helping others, understanding human behavior and working in diverse settings. Your career outcomes depend on education level, specialization and licensure requirements.
We've received your message and will get back to you soon.