PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIAL SCIENCES RESOURCES

A closer look at different types of psychology degrees

Choosing a major can be the most difficult part of the college decision-making process. Once you've committed to pursuing a particular field of study, you also have to choose the exact degree that aligns with your career and life goals.

Is a psychology major right for you?

If you are interested in human behavior, the brain, and scientific inquiry, majoring in psychology may be a good choice. But with so many different types of psychology degrees out there, it can be difficult to choose the right path for you. Keep reading to learn more about your options.

Types of psychology bachelor's degrees

If you were to ask, "What can you do with a bachelor's degree in psychology?", you might be surprised by how broad the answer is. There are many different types of psychology degrees to choose from at the bachelor's level — each with their own outcomes. Let's take a closer look at the options.

What is a psychology degree?

The science of psychology is often associated with cognitive theory, asking basic questions like "How do people behave in certain environments or roles, and what influences their behaviors?" Fundamentally, the science of psychology is about studying behaviors and the mind, and this is the main premise of any general psychology program.

"The study of human psychology teaches one to better understand human motivation, behavior, and overall human well-being," explains Dr. Renea Gernant, Assistant Dean and Program Director in the College of Arts and Sciences at Bellevue University. "It also offers insight into human development and various behavioral conditions."

Individuals seeking a psychology degree typically have a choice between a BS or a BA in Psychology. The difference is mostly related to the direction you choose to go in your career and what type of psychology profession you’re seeking.

BS in Psychology: In a bachelor of science in psychology, students are encouraged to take more laboratory science and mathematics courses in order to prepare them for research-intensive psychology graduate programs and related psychology professions.
BA in Psychology: In a BA in psychology, students take more courses in sociology and culture, language and communications to build a foundation for a future in clinical counseling or therapy.

Both psychology degrees will typically include courses that cover the science of psychology, including psychological theory, statistical research, and psychology practice. Psychology majors can expect to study the brain and nervous system, learning and memory, intelligence, motivation, emotions, personality, human development, and social and cultural psychology.

What can you do with a psychology bachelor's degree?

Psychology is one of the most popular majors in the United States, according to the American Psychological Association. This is likely due to the fact that it's extremely versatile and can open the door to a wide range of career opportunities.

The knowledge and training that psychology majors acquire can be applied in many occupations, such as:

Business marketing research and analysis, advertising, and sales
Data analytics, financial risk and investing
Laboratory research, testing, and analysis
Health and human services
Human resources, management, and other people-centric roles

What is a behavioral science degree?

Another option to consider at the bachelor's level is a behavioral science degree. There is some overlap in the subject matter of a behavioral science program and a psychology program, including the basics of research. You can also expect to study a broad range of topics beyond psychology, including sociology, human diversity, ethics, human services, and more.

You'll learn about a spectrum of individual, family, and community-wide challenges including substance abuse issues and complex family dynamics. A behavioral science degree can lead you to a career in the government and non-profit space, or a more corporate position like marketing, market research, and more. It can also help you prepare for a counseling degree at the graduate school level if that is your end goal.

Continuing education for certain types of psychology professions:

Bellevue University, an NAADAC approved education provider, also offers many continuing education courses in behavioral health and certifications to further your psychology or social sciences education, such as:

What is an applied psychology degree?

In an applied psychology program, you'll focus on behavior analysis and how to apply it to real-life situations including the workplace. At Bellevue University, the applied psychology cohort studies theories in teamwork and leadership styles and applies methods for optimizing working relationships across diverse teams. Statistical research and the scientific method are also important pieces of this applied psychology degree track, which was developed based on American Psychological Association (APA) standards.

Coursework will include reviewing studies that demonstrate effective and ineffective tactics for resolving conflicts, strategies for communication and effective messaging for diverse age groups and populations. This degree can equip you for a career in human resources, organizational leadership, and more. It also leads seamlessly into graduate degrees, such as an Industrial and Organizational Psychology program, for further study.

Which level of psychology degree do I need?

The field of psychology is made up of dozens of different career paths. The roles and responsibilities vary greatly, and so do the education requirements. Generally speaking, there are three different levels of psychology degrees:

Bachelor's level: Often offered as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology. A bachelor's in Behavioral Science would also be relevant for entry level careers in many fields, including social services but extending to business and other areas as mentioned above. If your career interests revolve around helping and advocating for children, you may want to consider a bachelor’s in Child Protection and Juvenile Justice or similar degree.
Master's level: Master of science in psychology programs often can be tailored to a specific field of study, such as Industrial and Organizational Psychology, preparing you for positions in business and industry; mental health counseling with the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s; or in education with Educational Psychology. You may also choose a Master’s in Human Services to further your behavioral health or social sciences career or move into management.
Doctoral level: Includes the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree, for clinical psychologists. Read more about clinical psychology in our related article, How to become a clinical psychologist.

Refer to the content below to learn more about what to expect from these different psychology degrees.

What about associate degrees?

While it's not common to find associate degrees in psychology offered by many institutions, that doesn't mean they can't serve as an entry point into the field. If you are working toward, or have, an associate degree (two-year degree) in any subject, you may be able to transfer your credits into a four-year program to accelerate your bachelor's degree completion in psychology or behavioral science. A Mental Health Technician Certificate (a set of four undergraduate courses) can also support or boost your career in behavioral health and can be included as a part of an associate or bachelor's degree.

And it's important to realize that there are entry-level positions in human services or other people-oriented roles that you can land with an associate degree. Many of these would allow you to gain valuable experience on your way toward leveling up your education as you pursue your desired psychology profession.

Psychology master's degrees

Many psychology careers will require a graduate degree, but there are different types of psychology degrees at the master's level, as well. Keep reading to explore some common options.

What is an industrial and organizational psychology master's degree?

The Master's in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, or I-O psychology, is an applied psychology program offered at the graduate level. With a focus on industry, organizations, and human capital, you'll learn the ins and outs of applying psychology to studies in teamwork, leadership, organizational effectiveness, problem-solving, and training and development.

This is a great option for individuals looking to build their careers in human resource management, behavioral analysis, training and development, executive coaching, and more.

What is a clinical counseling master's degree?

Clinical counseling programs will often focus on a particular area of practice, such as mental health counseling or addiction counseling. Regardless of the specialization, in order to pursue a career as a licensed therapist, you'll be required to earn a Master's degree and complete clinical supervision, according to Dr. Gernant.

"Bellevue University offers a CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accredited master’s degree program for students interested in becoming clinical counselors," Dr. Gernant adds. Education requirements for licensure vary by state, but armed with this degree, you may be eligible for some supervised counseling positions. Gaining this type of experience can be extremely valuable while you pursue a doctoral degree on the path to becoming a licensed clinical psychologist.

A career path in behavioral sciences and behavioral health may also lead you to a Master’s in Human Services, or if you specialize in children's health, a Masters in Child, Youth and Family Studies. Read more in our related article about what questions to ask to find the best psychology master’s degree for you.

Types of doctoral degrees in psychology

As mentioned above, you will likely be required to earn a doctoral degree in order to become licensed to practice clinical psychology. But that is only one career path for psychology doctorate graduates.

What is a PsyD degree?

A Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) is a terminal degree for those interested in providing psychological services for individuals, groups, and organizations. These programs focus on the clinical and applied aspects of psychology, training students to apply scientific knowledge and deliver evidence-based service.

If you have your sights set on treating patients in a clinical setting, a PsyD program may be the best route for you.

What is a PhD in psychology?

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology is also a terminal degree, but the focus tends to be more on research. Students will gain extensive training in research methods and statistics in order to generate new scientific knowledge to the field. You can expect to develop research ideas, conduct experiments, and analyze data as you complete a doctoral dissertation project.

If you’re passionate about contributing new research to help shape the future of the field, or are interested in pursuing academia, a PhD could be an ideal option.

Find your perfect psychology program

As you can see, there are several types of psychology degrees that can lead to several different careers. The educational path you choose will depend on your personal interests and career goals. The good news is that you don’t have to have it all figured out right away.

Starting with a bachelor’s degree in psychology is a smart way to gain foundational knowledge while discovering the many facets of the field. Begin planning your next steps by exploring the different psychology degrees at Bellevue University.

Have questions about next steps? Reach out to us!

Request Info