What Can I Do With a Degree in Psychology?

Mental health is directly tied to our emotional, psychological, behavioral and social well-being. It impacts our overall welfare and directly affects how we think, behave and perceive the world around us.

How we relate to others, navigate stressors and adopt habits is directly linked to our mental wellness, and for this reason, it is critical that mental wellness be a priority for each and every one of us.

That said, it is inevitable that internal and external factors will at times negatively affect our mental health — that is when psychology comes into play.

Psychology professionals are responsible for taking up-to-date scientific findings and using them to develop novel strategies that have a positive impact on the mental wellness of others. Let’s talk about the mental health-related challenges we are seeing today and explore how driven, compassionate psychologists are making a positive difference in peoples’ lives every single day.

Is mental illness on the rise?

Mental illness, a broad term that refers to any mental, emotional or behavioral disorder that causes impairment, remains a critical challenge for many people all over the nation.

Between 2017 and 2018, 19 percent of adults experienced a mental illness, an increase of 1.5 million adults with mental illnesses from the previous year. Continuing to increase, 21 percent of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2020 (52.9 million people) — this translates to one in five adults.

In short, mental illness is on the rise. 

Here are some of the most common mental illnesses in the United States:

• Anxiety disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Eating disorders

So, what is the solution to combating the significant rise in adults experiencing mental illness? How can adults experiencing mental illness develop the tools needed to lead healthier lives?

The answer lies in psychology, the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Now more than ever, we need knowledgeable, empathetic psychology professionals who can take new discoveries and apply revolutionary research to clinical practice.

Let’s talk about what you can do with a degree in psychology — and how you can make a difference in the lives of others through phenomenal patient care.

How to become a psychologist

If you are fascinated by human behavior and passionate about the human condition, then a career in psychology could be the perfect option for you. If you are interested in providing clinical care to clients or even opening your own practice, then obtaining an advanced degree in psychology is the launching pad you need.

Thousands of undergraduate students choose to major in psychology, but a bachelor’s degree alone will not prepare you to provide clinical care as a practitioner. 

Graduate Degree in Psychology = Career in Psychology

For this reason, earning either a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology is the strategic path to take. Both a Master of Science and a Doctor of Psychology are designed to give you the cutting-edge knowledge needed to strategically meet the needs of an evolving, culturally diverse population. 

Let’s talk about the different types of degrees in psychology.

Types of degrees in psychology

Graduate school is an investment — there is no question about it. So when considering graduate school, it is important to choose the graduate program that is not only a good fit for you, but that is also going to position you for the meaningful career you really want.

While some professionals obtain a master’s before enrolling in a doctoral program, some doctoral programs allow for graduates of a bachelor’s degree to apply. With this in mind, you can pursue either an MS or PsyD in Psychology right after undergrad.

Pro Tip: Some professionals choose to pursue a PhD in psychology, but a PhD is primarily research based while a PsyD focuses on clinical exposure and practice.

What you can do with a degree in psychology

Professionals seeking a lifelong, meaningful career in the field of psychology should strongly consider obtaining a graduate degree in the field. Armed with a respected graduate degree in psychology, future psychologists will have the sought-after, invaluable skills needed to secure mission-driven careers that will leave a lasting impact on individuals and society.

Licensed, practicing psychologists can choose to pursue careers in a variety of subfields in psychology, and the career options are vast. Here are just a few of the subfields/areas of psychology that are available to graduates of an advanced psychology degree program:

• Clinical psychology — addresses a range of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders; integrating the science of psychology to identify, address and treat a breadth of human problems (especially severe mental illness). 
• Counseling psychology — focuses on the overall well-being (of clients) across lifespan; promoting healthy habits and methods for leading a happier, well-adjusted life. 
• Social psychology — explores the influence of interpersonal relationships on human behavior; focusing on how social influences and interactions affect human behavior.
• Developmental psychology — explores how human beings learn, grow, adapt and change; researching human development across the lifespan.
• Forensic psychology — applies psychological principles to the legal system, advocating for individuals involved in the judicial system and conducting evaluations that inform legal proceedings.
• School psychology — explores the way in which human beings process and retain information with the goal of promoting educational success.

Transform your future with a graduate degree in Psychology from MSMU.

At Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles, we are committed to preparing the next generation of phenomenal psychologists who can work to better understand human behavior and improve the quality of life for their clients.

Through our Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, you will enter the workforce with the tools and on-the-ground experience to transform individuals, communities and society through clinical psychology practice.

If you are ready to start your success story at the Mount, we encourage you to connect with us. You can request more information, schedule an appointment or even start your online application.