What can you do with a master's in psychology?

Whether you're considering a master's in psychology or about to graduate from a program, you may wonder what you can do with a psychology degree. Explore our guide for more information on career options, salary potential, and the benefits of pursuing a doctorate.

What jobs can you get with an online master's in psychology?

A master's in psychology or master's in clinical psychology can prepare you for careers in research, counseling, and industrial-organizational psychology. Discover potential career paths and licensure opportunities, such as family counseling or addiction counseling.

Social science research

Research positions focus on studying human behavior rather than treating patients directly. Research occurs in all fields, including:

• Child psychology
• Abnormal psychology
• Behavioral psychology

You can find research positions at universities, private companies, and government agencies.

Regardless of your work environment, psychology research commonly involves conducting experiments and gathering data. With a master's degree, you can pursue roles like research assistant or research analyst. However, top research and management positions often require a doctorate.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social sciences research assistants earned a median annual wage of $56,400 as of May 2023. Research assistants in management, scientific, and technical consulting services earned the highest mean wages, at $79,030 per year.

Licensed professional clinical counseling

With a master's degree, you can pursue licensed clinical roles that let you work with patients directly. To earn licensure, you'll typically need to complete:

• Your master's degree.
• A set number of practicum hours.
• A national licensing exam.

You can pursue different types of licensure that prepare you to treat different patients, such as mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or addiction counseling.

Mental health counselor

Mental health counselors help patients manage emotional and psychological conditions. They may treat patients experiencing mental health conditions, major life changes, or behavioral issues. They work with families, groups, and individuals. The below data applies to substance use and behavioral disorder counselors in addition to mental health counselors.

• Median annual salary (May 2023):$53,710
• Projected new job openings (2023–33): 84,500

Addiction counselor

Addiction counselors work with clients managing substance use issues, including drug and alcohol use. They help patients develop strategies to deal with addiction and create plans for substance use treatment. The below data applies to behavioral disorder and mental health counselors in addition to substance use counselors.

• Median annual salary (May 2023): $53,710
• Projected new job openings (2023–33): 84,500

Marriage and family counselor

Marriage and family counselors work with families and individuals experiencing emotional and behavioral conditions that affect their relationships. They may provide services such as marriage counseling, sex therapy, and child therapy.

• Median annual salary (May 2023):$58,510
• Projected new job openings (2023–33): 12,300

Industrial-organizational psychology

If you specialize in industrial-organizational psychology, you can pursue careers in human resources, training and development, and other business-related fields. Explore more careers for industrial-organizational psychologists below:

Industrial-organizational psychologist

These psychologists focus on improving employee performance and work environments. They may develop strategies for workplace communication, conflict resolution, and even management practices.

• Median annual salary (May 2023):$147,420
• Projected new job openings (2023–33): 500

Training and development specialists

These specialists design programs that build and develop employee skills. They commonly create training materials, instruct employees on company practices, and identify organizational training needs.

• Median annual salary (May 2023):$64,340
• Projected new job openings (2023–33): 48,500

Human resources specialist

HR specialists support company workforces. They may recruit and hire new employees, train workers in company practices, resolve workplace conflicts, and administer benefits and other compensation.

• Median annual salary (May 2023):$67,650
• Projected new job openings (2023–33): 74,200

Qualify for psychology doctoral programs

A master's in psychology also prepares you to enter doctoral psychology programs.

At the doctoral level, you can pursue either a PhD, which focuses more on research, or a PsyD, which focuses more on clinical practice. Doctoral programs offer many concentration options, such as child, forensic, or clinical psychology.

A doctorate can lead to higher-paying jobs with more opportunities for advancement, such as:

• Clinical psychologist
• College professor
• Clinical trial administrator

Most advanced positions require psychology licensure, which you can only obtain by earning a degree accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).