By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Irene Abrego Nicolet, PhD, NCSP, LSSP, Vice President and Dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Reading Time: 7 minutes
Careers in psychology extend far beyond therapy or clinical practice. From improving workplace dynamics to supporting student success and athletes, there are many career directions that can match your interests.
But your career options will largely depend on your level of education and professional goals. A bachelor’s degree in psychology is the starting point, but you need a master’s or doctoral degree to pursue licensed psychology and mental health careers.
Find out what you can do with a psychology degree, with career paths you can pursue at different stages of education. And remember that job and career requirements can vary, so you should always research your specific area of interest.
A bachelor’s degree in psychology builds your understanding of human behavior and thought. You develop skills in psychological theory, communication, critical thinking and data analysis.
A bachelor’s in psychology can help you pursue roles in fields where understanding human behavior is an asset, including human resources, social services and education.
Roles you may pursue
With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you may explore roles such as:
These roles give you a sense of the positions available at the bachelor’s level. Your career outcomes will depend on your experience, location, employer and other requirements.
What you need to practice independently
Most licensed careers in psychology and mental health require a master’s or doctoral degree. Capella offers several graduate psychology programs that can help you pursue advanced credentials and expanded career options.
Behavior analysts use evidence-based behavior change plans to help people learn new skills or reduce challenging behaviors. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis degree from Capella teaches you how to assess behaviors and develop intervention strategies for people on the autism spectrum and those with related needs.
Capella’s online BS in Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis is designed to help you prepare for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®) exam under Pathway 2. Whether you qualify to sit for that exam depends on your state’s licensing and regulation requirements.
Roles you may pursue with a BCaBA credential
With a BCaBA certification, you may explore roles such as:
These are examples of assistant behavior analysis roles. Roles you may pursue will depend on your experience, education and employer requirements.
What you need to practice independently
To move beyond assistant-level positions and practice independently, a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis is required to qualify for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) certification.
A master’s degree can help you develop expertise in a specific area and as well as help prepare you to qualify for licensure as a professional counselor, depending on your state’s requirements.
A doctoral degree is typically required to use the title “psychologist,” along with mandated work experience, a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and any additional state requirements.
If you’re more interested in mental health counseling, check out our guide on becoming a therapist or counselor.
Before enrolling in any program, confirm that your state’s licensure requirements align with the degree you plan to pursue. Here are resources about psychologist licensure requirements by state from the American Psychological Association (APA).
The roles listed for each specialization below are examples. Some may require additional experience, licensure, certification or other qualifications. Capella cannot guarantee any specific job title, promotion, salary increase or career outcome. Research the requirements for your intended role and state.
Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose and treat individuals experiencing mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. They work across psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, mental health practices and child and youth services.
Roles you may pursue in clinical psychology
What you need to qualify
The pathway to clinical psychology depends on the level of practice you want to pursue.
For careers as a licensed counselor, you need a master’s degree in clinical psychology, supervised work experience and a passing score on the appropriate licensure exam from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Capella offers a master’s in clinical psychology with three specializations: applied research, forensic psychology and clinical counseling.
For careers as a licensed clinical psychologist, you need a doctoral degree, typically a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology, plus state licensure. Capella’s MS in Clinical Psychology coursework meets many of the prerequisites for Capella’s PhD programs.
School psychologists support students’ academic and emotional development. They work in educational support services and elementary and secondary schools, collaborating with students, families and teachers to address learning challenges and mental health concerns.
Roles you may pursue in school psychology
What you need to qualify
Check the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) guide to understand whether a master’s degree and an EdS or certification are enough to qualify for licensure or certification as a school psychologist in your state.
Most states require a specialist or doctoral degree, like the Education Specialist (EdS) in School Psychology and a passing score on the PRAXIS licensure exam. Capella offers online Master’s (MS) in School Psychology and EdS in School Psychology programs in the GuidedPath learning format, so working adults get the flexibility of online learning with set deadlines to keep them focused.
Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. Review your state’s specific school psychology licensure requirements before enrolling.
Industrial-organizational (I/O) psychologists apply psychological principles to workplace challenges. They help organizations improve employee performance, leadership development, work culture, talent management and overall effectiveness.
I/O psychology is a strong fit if you want to apply psychological research in business settings rather than clinical or counseling roles.
Roles you may pursue in I/O psychology
What you need to qualify
A career in I/O psychology typically starts with a master’s degree. Capella offers the online MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology degree in the FlexPath learning format, so you can complete your education at your own pace. The program includes an integrative project where you apply your skills in real-world settings.
A doctoral degree, like the PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, can help you pursue senior and management-level roles.
Sports psychologists work with athletes and teams to address the mental challenges of competitive sport, from managing performance anxiety to recovering from injury.
Roles you may pursue in sports psychology
What you need to qualify
Most professionals in this field hold an MS in Sport Psychology degree, which is typically enough to qualify for coaching roles. Industry-specific certifications like the Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) can further validate your experience working directly with athletes.
To use the title “psychologist” and provide clinical services, you must complete a doctoral degree and obtain state licensure.
Educational psychologists study how people learn and develop. They apply psychological principles to improve teaching methods and curriculum design across all ages and learning environments.
Roles you may pursue in educational psychology
What you need to qualify
You need a master’s in educational psychology at a minimum to qualify for roles in this field. But most professionals also hold a doctoral degree, like the PhD in Educational Psychology and state licensure.
Research psychologists design and conduct studies to expand our understanding of human behavior, cognition and mental processes. Their findings contribute to clinical practice, public policy, education and other fields.
Roles you may pursue in research psychology
What you need to qualify
You typically need a doctoral degree in psychology to build and validate your expertise as a researcher. Capella offers the online PhD in Psychology, where you learn from faculty that are also practitioners and get hands-on experience by conducting research with them.
The right psychology career path depends on your strengths, who you want to serve and your professional goals. While some roles are accessible with a master’s degree, others require doctoral-level training and state licensure. Consider what level of education aligns with your long-term goals as you explore your options.
What you can do with a psychology degree depends on which degree you have and how it prepares you for your career goals.
A bachelor’s degree is great for developing your essential knowledge and skills, a master’s degree can help you specialize and a doctoral degree can give you the advanced expertise needed to pursue licensure as a psychologist.
Capella University offers online psychology degrees at all three levels, catering to aspiring and experienced psychology professionals alike. These programs are designed for working adults, so you can learn online without pausing your work or life.
They also include multiple specializations and projects to help you learn career-focused skills and apply them in the real world.
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