What Can You Do with a Psychology Degree? 13 Careers

Contributors:

• Dr. Jenny Good, PsyD, Associate Professor of Psychology
• Dr. Vanessa Holtgrave, PsyD, Associate Professor of Psychology
• Dr. Frank Weber, PhD, Professor of Psychology

While most people picture a psychologist sitting in a private office conducting therapy, the reality is far broader. Today’s psychologists work in hospitals, schools, research labs, corporations, courtrooms, and government agencies. Their expertise spans mental health care, organizational performance, legal strategy, and child development. Because psychology touches nearly every aspect of human behavior, career pathways in this field are remarkably diverse.

13 types of psychologists

In this post, we’ll break down 13 types of psychologists, how much psychologists make, and the degrees you’ll need to earn for a career in the field.

1. Clinical and counseling psychologists

Clinical and counseling psychologists provide psychotherapy, psychological assessment, diagnosis, consultation, crisis intervention, psychoeducation, and research across a wide range of populations and settings.

They work with people experiencing emotional, behavioral, developmental, relational, cognitive, or mental health concerns. Many psychologists specialize in areas such as child psychology, trauma, health psychology, neuropsychology, addiction, family systems, rehabilitation, or severe mental illness.

Psychologists also conduct a wide range of evaluations and assessments, including:

• ADHD evaluations
• Autism spectrum assessments
• Behavioral evaluations
• Diagnostic clarification evaluations
• Intelligence testing
• Learning disability testing
• Memory assessments
• Neurocognitive assessments
• Personality assessments
• Forensic assessment 
• Risk assessments

These assessments are often used to guide diagnosis, treatment planning, educational and workplace recommendations, medical care, or legal decision-making.

In addition to direct clinical care, psychologists may serve as educators and supervisors by teaching at universities, supervising graduate trainees or postdoctoral residents, conducting research, providing community education, and consulting with schools, healthcare systems, businesses, or interdisciplinary treatment teams.

Most positions in clinical psychology require at a doctorate degree with licensure. A stepping stone to these graduate programs is UMass Global’s online Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a preparation for advanced study in psychology concentration. 

2. School psychologists

School psychologists are trained in both education and psychology to support students with learning difficulties, behavioral challenges, mental health concerns, or developmental issues that affect success in school. They commonly work in elementary and secondary schools, as well as school district offices, where they foster academic, social, and emotional development.

School psychologists also work closely with teachers, parents, counselors, and administrators to create supportive learning environments and develop strategies to help students succeed. 

Their responsibilities may include:

• Conducting assessments for learning disabilities or special education services
• Providing counseling and crisis support,
• Addressing bullying or social conflicts
• Helping schools promote positive behavior and mental wellness

Their overall goal is to remove barriers to learning and help students thrive both in and out of the classroom.

For a career in California, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in child psychology is an excellent first step into this role. A master’s program, such as UMass Global’s MA in Educational Psychology and Ed.S. in School Psychology with PPSP Credential, will allow you to further your career and become a credentialed school psychologist.

3. Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists

Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists apply psychological principles to workplace environments to improve employee well-being, job performance, leadership effectiveness, organizational culture, and overall workplace functioning.

They commonly work in human resources departments, consulting firms, government agencies, military organizations, healthcare systems, technology companies, manufacturing industries, and universities. Some also work independently as organizational consultants.

I-O psychologists often help organizations improve:

• Employee retention
• Employee satisfaction
• Hiring practices
• Leadership development
• Performance evaluations
• Team functioning
• Workplace diversity initiatives

They help make these improvements by:

• Analyzing workplace data
• Conducting organizational research
• Creating training programs
• Designing employee assessments
• Helping companies improve productivity and communication

Many also assist organizations with change management, conflict resolution, burnout prevention, remote work adaptation, and workplace mental health initiatives as workplaces continue adapting to technological and organizational changes.

Most positions in industrial-organizational psychology require at least a master’s degree, though many research, consulting, and leadership positions prefer or require a doctoral degree. A stepping stone to these graduate programs is UMass Global’s online Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an industrial-organizational concentration.

4. Neuropsychologists

Neuropsychologists study how the brain and nervous system affect behavior, thinking, emotions, learning, and everyday functioning. They work with individuals who may have experienced brain injuries, strokes, neurological illnesses, developmental disorders, seizures, dementia, or memory problems.

By using specialized tests and assessments, neuropsychologists evaluate areas such as memory, attention, problem-solving, language, processing speed, and emotional functioning to better understand how changes in the brain may be affecting a person’s daily life.

Types of assessments conducted by Neuropsychologists include: 

• Memory
• Intellectual Functioning
• Attention and Concentration
• Executive Functioning
• Language
• Visuospatial/Perceptual Functioning
• Emotional, Personality, and Behavioral Functioning

Most neuropsychologists either work in hospitals as part of neurology, rehabilitation, or interdisciplinary healthcare teams, while another common workplace setting is private practice. Practice at this level typically requires a doctoral degree in psychology with postdoctoral specialization in neuropsychology.

5. Health psychologists

Health psychologists study how biological, psychological, behavioral, and social factors influence physical health, illness, recovery, and overall wellness. They often work alongside physicians, nurses, physical therapists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals on interdisciplinary treatment teams to support whole person care.

Health psychologists help individuals manage chronic medical conditions such as:

• Autoimmune disorders
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic pain
• Diabetes
• Gastrointestinal illnesses
• Obesity
• Sleep disorders

They also support patients coping with stress, medical trauma, adjustment to illness or disability, treatment adherence, lifestyle changes, substance use, and health-related anxiety or depression.

Many health psychologists provide behavioral interventions related to:

• Exercise
• Improving overall health behaviors
• Pain management
• Smoking cessation
• Stress reduction
• Weight management

Some health psychologists conduct assessments to better understand cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial factors that may affect medical treatment or recovery. Others focus heavily on research, prevention programs, health promotion, or public policy initiatives aimed at improving community health outcomes and reducing healthcare disparities. They may also serve as educators, researchers, consultants, or program developers within healthcare systems and universities.

6. Geropsychologists

Geropsychologists specialize in understanding the psychological, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social aspects of aging.

They work with older adults experiencing concerns such as:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Anxiety
• Caregiver stress
• Chronic illness adjustment
• Chronic pain
• Dementia
• Depression
• End-of-life concerns
• Grief
• Memory decline
• Sleep disturbances

Many also conduct cognitive and psychological assessments to evaluate memory functioning, decision-making capacity, mood disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and overall psychological well-being in older adults.

Many geropsychologists are involved in research examining healthy aging, dementia care, caregiving stress, resilience, late life mental health, and interventions that promote independence and well-being among older populations. 

Demand for geropsychologists is high. Only about 1% of doctoral-level licensed psychologists identify geropsychology as their primary specialty; yet adults aged 65 and older are projected to make up more than 20% of the U.S. population by 2030. The American Psychology Association has estimated that the nation will need approximately 5,790 additional geropsychologists to meet the mental health needs of older adults.

7. Forensic psychologists

Forensic psychologists use their understanding of human behavior to support people and organizations involved in the legal and criminal justice systems. You’ll find them working in courtrooms, correctional facilities, law enforcement agencies, and private practice, among other settings.

Their work typically falls into three main areas.

1. First, they conduct psychological evaluations, such as the sanity assessment, and prepare reports that help courts make informed decisions in legal cases. These evaluations are used when a court decides whether a person is mentally competent to stand trial or whether they qualify for a plea of “not guilty by reason of insanity.” They also evaluate levels of risk for recidivism and harm to self or others. 
2. Second, forensic psychologists often provide treatment and rehabilitation services for individuals involved in the legal system. This work is commonly carried out in hospitals, correctional facilities, or other secure treatment settings
3. Third, forensic psychologists also provide some assessments within organizations, such as fitness for duty and pre-employment assessment of police. They also can conduct critical incident debriefing and help with programming for peer support and officer training. 

8. Experimental psychologists

Experimental psychologists primarily conduct scientific research designed to better understand:

• Cognition
• Decision-making
• Emotion
• Human behavior
• Learning
• Memory
• Perception
• Sensation
• Social interaction

They design and conduct scientific studies using research methods, statistical analysis, behavioral observation, surveys, experiments, and laboratory testing. Their work contributes to the broader scientific understanding of how people think, learn, behave, and interact with the world around them. 

Research areas within experimental psychology are highly diverse and may include topics such as:

• Attention
• Behavioral neuroscience
• Cognitive processing
• Decision-making
• Emotion
• Human factors
• Language
• Learning
• Memory
• Motivation
• Sleep
• Social behavior

Because of the strong emphasis on scientific research and data analysis, most experimental psychologist positions require a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in psychology or a related field.

Experimental psychologists operate across academia, government agencies, healthcare, and private industry; including roles in tech, AI, UX, and pharmaceutical research. In addition to conducting studies, many teach, mentor students, publish research, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in neuroscience, medicine, and public health

9. Sports psychologists

Sports psychologists bridge the gap between mental health and peak performance, helping athletes and coaches train their minds with the same rigor as their bodies. Their work centers on mental conditioning and equipping individuals with psychological tools that allow them to handle intense pressure, recover from mistakes, and avoid performance anxiety.

Sports psychologists play a vital role in injury rehabilitation, guiding athletes through their emotional toll, fear of re-injury, and identity challenges that often accompany physical setbacks. They also work extensively with team dynamics, collaborating with coaches to foster strong leadership, resolve interpersonal conflicts, and build cohesive team cultures.

10. Military psychologists

Military psychologists operate at the intersection of clinical mental health, human performance, and defense strategy. Rather than focusing solely on traditional therapy, their work spans the entire life cycle of military service, from building psychological resilience before deployment to evaluating personnel for high-stress roles, treating combat-related trauma, and facilitating smooth transitions back to civilian life.

In operational environments, these specialists work closely with commanders to:

• Mitigate the mental fatigue that comes with extreme, high-stakes conditions
• Optimize troop readiness
• Strengthen unit cohesion

Clinically, they specialize in evidence-based treatments for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and moral injury, while also offering crucial support systems to military spouses and children dealing with deployment stress and frequent relocations.

You’ll find them working in active-duty bases, combat-zone field clinics, Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, rehabilitation units, and defense research organizations.

11. Community psychologists 

Community psychologists look beyond individual therapy to address the root causes of social and psychological issues. Taking a preventive, system-wide approach, they analyze how environmental, cultural, and economic factors influence overall community health. Rather than treating mental illness after it arises, community psychologists design preventive social programs, assess local community needs, evaluate public health initiatives, and advocate for systemic policy reform.

They often work collaboratively alongside residents empowering local leaders and grassroots groups to address issues such as housing insecurity, educational inequality, and public health disparities. You’ll typically find them working in non-profits, public health departments, government social services, school systems, and advocacy organizations.

12. Developmental psychologists

Developmental psychologists study the cognitive, emotional, and social changes that shape human life from infancy through old age. By mapping growth benchmarks across the lifespan, they help identify early developmental delays, learning disabilities, and age-related cognitive decline. In practice, their research informs early childhood interventions, educational curricula, and elder care strategies.

They typically work in universities, research institutes, hospitals, educational organizations, and policy agencies dedicated to child welfare and healthy aging.

13. Climate and environmental psychologists

Climate and environmental psychologists work in nonprofits, government agencies, academic research centers, urban planning organizations, and sustainability consulting firms.

They study:

• Climate-related coping strategies
• How physical environments influence behavior
• How psychological principles can promote environmental responsibility
• Resilience
• Sustainability

Interest in climate psychology and eco-anxiety has grown substantially in recent years as climate concerns increasingly affect mental health and public policy discussions.

How much do psychologists make?

Psychologist earnings vary widely, with compensation heavily dictated by career specialization and work environment. Corporate consulting, industrial-organizational roles, tech research, and high-volume private practices generally offering higher income potential than positions in public school systems, non-profits, or community health clinics.

That said, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for all psychologists was $94,310 as of May 2024. And psychologists continue to be in demand, as overall employment for the role is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.

What affects where psychologists work?

Several factors influence where psychologists work, including level of education, specialty area, licensure requirements, population served, and individual career goals.

• Those with a bachelor’s degree in psychology often work in entry-level roles related to behavioral health, case management, research support, or community services.
• Master’s-level professionals may work in industrial-organizational psychology, school psychology, community organizations, counseling, or related mental health fields depending on state regulations. 
• Doctoral degrees such as the Ph.D. or Psy.D. are typically required for independent practice as a licensed psychologist, conducting psychological assessments, supervising trainees, and many research or academic positions.

Specialty area also influences workplace settings. For example, psychologists interested in working with children and adolescents may work in schools, child and adolescent outpatient settings, or pediatric hospitals, while those interested in veterans may work in Veterans Affairs medical centers or rehabilitation settings. Others may work in corporations, universities, courts, hospitals, nonprofits, private practice, or government agencies depending on their area of focus.

Telehealth has also significantly expanded where psychologists can work and how services are delivered, allowing many psychologists to provide services remotely or through hybrid in-person and virtual models.

Licensure requirements are another important factor:

• The minimum level of education required to practice is a master’s degree. 
• In most states, individuals must be licensed to independently practice psychology or use the title psychologist.
• Licensure requirements vary by state but commonly include completion of a doctoral degree, supervised experience, and passing both a national licensing examination and a state-specific ethics or jurisprudence examination.
• The national examination is called the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), which is administered by the ASPPB.
• To work as a school psychologist in California’s K–12 public schools, for example, the required authorization is generally the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential with a specialization in school psychology.

Start your path to a career in psychology with UMass Global

Becoming a licensed psychologist is a comprehensive journey that typically takes between 8 and 12 years of higher education and clinical training. The path starts with a bachelor’s degree, followed by graduate-level education, plus clinical training and licensing. Only after fulfilling all state board requirements for education, ethics, and supervised clinical work is a practitioner officially granted an independent license.

Begin, or continue, your journey to psychologist with our online psychology programs, such as our Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy or Master of Arts in Professional Clinical Counseling. Or connect with an enrollment coach at (800) 746-0082 to learn more.