Psychology & Behavior Degrees Open Many Doors

Which Types of Jobs Are Available for Those Interested in Psychology & Behavior?

The typical image of a psychologist listening quietly to a tearful patient is just one small part of the profession of psychology. Psychologists and behaviorists are trained to do things like:

• Help people who are troubled mentally, emotionally, and physically
• Work in human resources to develop training programs or improve worker efficiency
• Conduct research into product use or brand identification to aid in marketing campaigns
• Help people overcome addictions
• Conduct and utilize scientific research in order to recommend changes in health care procedures and policies

Formal Training Required to Work in a Career Related to Psychology & Behavior

Because the career opportunities in psychology and behavior are so diverse, training requirements vary widely. However, practicing, licensed psychologists must possess doctorate degrees. These may be either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology or behavior, which is the standard research degree and most preferred among academics, or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), a clinical practice doctorate. Either program typically takes four to seven years to complete.

Following completion of a doctorate program, you must then work at least two years under the supervision of a licensed psychologist before qualifying to take a licensing exam, which all 50 states and Canada require for formal practice.

It is possible to work in psychology and behavior without a doctorate degree. With a master's degree, which takes two years of post-graduate work, you may be qualified to work in industrial/organizational psychology, the most rapidly growing field within psychology. These professionals apply psychological and behavioral principles in the workplace to improve productivity, enhance training, boost morale, lower costs, and develop staff members. Many conduct consumer research to aid in valuable marketing efforts.

With just a four-year degree in psychology or behavior, you could put your insights to work as a research assistant to a psychologist, aid in public health efforts for non-profit or government agencies, work in advertising or marketing, or utilize your understanding of the mind and behavior in other disciplines--for instance, teaching, or law or medical school.

The Typical Career Path of Someone Interested in Psychology & Behavior

There are dozens of subspecialties within the psychology and behavior career field. Here are just a few:

• Clinical psychology--assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders
• Counseling--working with patients to help them recognize strengths, cope with problems, and identify helpful resources
• Experimental/research psychology--work in university or research labs to study the behavior of humans or animal research subjects
• Forensic psychology--apply psychological principles to legal issues, often testifying in court, researching jury or witness behavior, and aiding in investigations
• Industrial/organizational psychology--apply psychological principles to aid workers and businesses
• Rehabilitation psychology--assist victims of accidents, strokes, or mental problems with managing day-to-day tasks and challenges
• School psychology--assisting and counseling students in schools and working with school staffs and parents

There will always be a need for people who understand the mind and behavior, in all types of settings, from private doctor's offices to hospitals, government departments, nonprofit organizations, think tanks, universities, K-12 schools or school districts, scientific organizations, advertising firms, and companies of all kinds, large or small.

Job Outlook and Salary Information for Those Interested in Psychology & Behavior

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that, in general, psychology jobs should grow about as fast as average (12 percent) from 2008-2018. However, some subspecialties may grow more or less rapidly; industrial/organizational psychology jobs should grow most rapidly, at 26 percent. These specialists also make higher salaries than many others, with the median annual wages of industrial/organizational psychologists in 2009 falling at $83,260 (clinical, counseling, and school psychologists earned $66,040).

The APA has also identified high-growth areas. These include:

• Program evaluators--assess the strengths and weaknesses of programs, policies, and organizations to improve effectiveness; a program evaluator was responsible for studying the 1980s anti-drug campaign, for instance, and determining methods for improving the effectiveness of such campaigns.
• Geropsychologists--by 2050, Americans ages 65+ will comprise 21 percent of the population. Geropsychologists, psychologists specializing in the treatment of issues affecting the aged, will be in great demand.
• Aiding soldiers and veterans--the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs have recently funded large numbers of psychology positions to assist returning soldiers or veterans to cope with the effects of service.
• Homeland security--the Department of Homeland Security is offering opportunities to psychologists and behaviorists to assist their efforts in identifying terror threats and aid in developing security measures.
• Government positions--from the National Institutes for Health to the National Science Foundation, positions abound for psychologists to conduct research and make policy recommendations.

Schools.com lists numerous psychology and behavior programs; explore these to learn about more training and career opportunities.