Career Options: What You Can Do With Such A Degree Eric Landrum Department of Psychology Boise State University Psi Chi Symposium “The ABC’s of an Advanced Degree: What Do They All Mean?” Rocky Mountain Psychological Association April 16, 2004 Reno, NV

Careers with a Bachelor’s Degree With a bachelor’s degree, you can obtain jobs both within psychology (usually in a support staff/type of role) and related to the discipline of psychology. There are also a number of opportunities to apply your undergraduate training in psychology in areas that are not directly related to psychology but that involve some component of human behavior. With a bachelor’s degree, you can obtain jobs both within psychology (usually in a support staff/type of role) and related to the discipline of psychology. There are also a number of opportunities to apply your undergraduate training in psychology in areas that are not directly related to psychology but that involve some component of human behavior.

Careers with a Bachelor’s Degree

The future is bright! A 1995 NSF study found of recent graduates: The future is bright! A 1995 NSF study found of recent graduates: 70% were employed. 70% were employed. 23% were full-time graduate students. 23% were full-time graduate students. 7% were not employed nor enrolled full-time. 7% were not employed nor enrolled full-time. There are many possibilities with a bachelor’s degree—see handout for listing of job titles. There are many possibilities with a bachelor’s degree—see handout for listing of job titles.

Careers with a Bachelor’s Degree In the September 2000 salary survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average salary offer for psychology majors nationally was $28,811. In the Summer 2001 salary survey by NACE (2001), the average offer for bachelor’s degree psychology graduates was $30,388. Of course these starting salaries will vary by region of the country, job demands, experience, etc. In the September 2000 salary survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average salary offer for psychology majors nationally was $28,811. In the Summer 2001 salary survey by NACE (2001), the average offer for bachelor’s degree psychology graduates was $30,388. Of course these starting salaries will vary by region of the country, job demands, experience, etc.

Careers with a Master’s Degree Master’s-level counselors and psychologists help people in a number of ways, such as evaluating their interests, abilities and disabilities, and dealing with personal, social, academic, and career problems. Master’s-level counselors and psychologists help people in a number of ways, such as evaluating their interests, abilities and disabilities, and dealing with personal, social, academic, and career problems. A 1998 APA study of master’s degree recipients in psychology found that: A 1998 APA study of master’s degree recipients in psychology found that: 67% were employed. 67% were employed. 27% were full-time graduate students. 27% were full-time graduate students. 6% were not employed nor full-time graduate students. 6% were not employed nor full-time graduate students.

Careers with a Master’s Degree

How much do master’s-level counselors and psychologists earn? The OOH (1998) reports that the “median earnings for full-time educational and vocational counselors were about $35,800 a year in The middle 50 percent earned between $25,600 and $48,500 a year. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $18,600 a year, while the top 10 percent earned over $60,100 a year” (p. 6). The average salary for public school counselors was about $44,100. How much do master’s-level counselors and psychologists earn? The OOH (1998) reports that the “median earnings for full-time educational and vocational counselors were about $35,800 a year in The middle 50 percent earned between $25,600 and $48,500 a year. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $18,600 a year, while the top 10 percent earned over $60,100 a year” (p. 6). The average salary for public school counselors was about $44,100.

Careers with a Master’s Degree

Careers with a Doctorate The doctoral degree in psychology (e.g., Ph.D. or Psy.D.) is generally required for employment as a licensed clinical or counseling psychologist. Over 40% of all psychologists are self-employed, five times the average for all professional workers (OOH, 1998). The doctoral degree in psychology (e.g., Ph.D. or Psy.D.) is generally required for employment as a licensed clinical or counseling psychologist. Over 40% of all psychologists are self-employed, five times the average for all professional workers (OOH, 1998).

Careers with a Doctorate In a 1995 APA study of new doctorates Ph.D.’s accounted for 76% of the degrees awarded, Psy.D.’s accounted for 22%, and Ed.D’s accounted for 2% of the degrees awarded. In a 1995 APA study of new doctorates Ph.D.’s accounted for 76% of the degrees awarded, Psy.D.’s accounted for 22%, and Ed.D’s accounted for 2% of the degrees awarded.

Careers with a Doctorate APA surveyed Ph.D. degree holders in 1999 and found that: APA surveyed Ph.D. degree holders in 1999 and found that: 67.0% were employed full time 67.0% were employed full time 10.0% were employed part time 10.0% were employed part time 17.3% were pursuing postdoctoral education 17.3% were pursuing postdoctoral education 2.7% were unemployed and seeking employment 2.7% were unemployed and seeking employment and 2.6% were unemployed but not seeking employment. and 2.6% were unemployed but not seeking employment.

Careers with a Doctorate

Thinking about Graduate School?