A degree in psychology opens doors to many possible careers. For graduates, the journey after college is often anything but a straight line. The bachelor’s degree in psychology is a good starting point, either launching graduates directly into the workforce or providing the background for graduate studies.
The online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology program from the University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV) prepares graduates for professional life right from the start, ensuring they have the skills to contribute to their chosen field. People can progress through their careers in three main ways: entering the job market right after graduation, committing to graduate school to earn a professional license, or combining work and graduate study.
Direct-to-work Paths: Bachelor’s and Beyond
Many job opportunities are available to graduates right after they finish their bachelor’s degree in psychology. These jobs allow for growth through experience, on-the-job training, and professional certifications rather than requiring immediate graduate study. Typical entry positions include the following:
- Human resources (HR) assistant/specialist: People use their understanding of behavior and motivation to support recruiting, training, and employee relations.
- Market researcher: Graduates help companies understand consumer behavior by assisting with surveys, data collection, and analysis.
- Sales representative: Psychology graduates often do well in sales since they understand persuasion and consumer needs.
- Case manager/mental health technician: These roles support those in social service or health settings, organizing care and connecting clients with resources.
Starting salaries for these roles often range from $37,500 to $55,500, depending on the industry and location. With a few years of experience, people in HR can move into HR manager roles, market researchers can become senior analysts, and sales professionals can take management positions. These mid-level roles frequently pay salaries of $70,000 to $90,000 or more. Additional education, like a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification in HR or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in related fields, can accelerate career advancement.
Graduate-required Paths: Committing to Licensure
Certain established psychology careers require a master’s or doctoral degree to practice legally. These options are for those committed to getting a professional license in a specific area of practice. Required education and typical roles include the following:
- Clinical psychologist. This requires a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) and involves conducting therapy, psychological testing, and research.
- Licensed professional counselor (LPC) or marriage and family therapist (MFT). These roles require a master’s degree and a certain number of supervised clinical hours to become licensed and offer counseling services.
- School psychologist. These professionals work within school systems, often needing a degree beyond the master’s level to address students’ behavioral, emotional, and learning needs.
The time commitment for this career path is significant—generally two to three years for a master’s and five to seven for a doctorate—but the salary potential is much higher. Licensed clinicians, depending on their setting (private, hospital, or school), frequently make between $60,000 and well over $100,000 per year. Professional growth comes from gaining experience, developing a specialty (such as trauma or addiction) and taking on supervisory or administrative duties.
Hybrid Paths: Working While Advancing
For many, the most practical route involves the hybrid approach: gaining professional experience immediately after the bachelor’s degree while pursuing graduate education part-time. This can be appealing to people who need to keep working for financial reasons or who want to ensure their graduate studies are relevant to their current job.
A person might start as a behavioral health technician or training specialist right out of college. While working, they can enroll in an online program to continue advancing their education. UMSV’s online BA in Psychology prepares students for these advanced pathways.
In this model, the initial advancement and salary growth reflect the direct-to-work path. Once the graduate degree is complete, the person can apply for licensed or managerial roles right away. This trajectory has a significant advantage: professional experience and an advanced degree are earned simultaneously. This experience makes graduates more attractive candidates for higher-paying positions upon graduation.
The UMSV Advantage: Earn Your Psychology Degree Online
The UMSV online BA in Psychology program is made to support all these career options. Research and statistics training gives graduates an edge in data-driven workplaces or in graduate programs. The curriculum covers topics such as abnormal psychology and human development, which directly support roles in HR, social services, cognitive psychology, or counseling.
The program also focuses on communication skills and culminates in a capstone experience that prepares graduates for professional life. For working people returning to school, the online format is flexible, and credit transfer options help save time, making earning an advanced degree achievable.
Learn more about UMSV’s online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program.
