CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Marc Schaeffer, Ed.D.
Senior Academic Advisor / Career Counselor
Career Development and Gloria S. Williams Advising Center
A FEW QUESTIONS TO START …..
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What is the most significant difference between a
psychiatrist and a psychologist in terms of scope
of practice?
Name five academic degrees that could allow you
to become licensed to lawfully engage in the
practice of psychotherapy in most states in the
U.S.
Name five things people trained in psychology
can do that have nothing to do with helping a
client or patient with psychological problems.
YOU SHOULD BE ASKING …
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The question that all undergraduate psychology
majors should be asking, and seeking answers to,
is “What are your options with an undergraduate
degree in psychology?”
The broadest answer to this question is “work,”
or “teach in schools” or “graduate school.”
IF WORK WHAT POSITIONS ARE POSSIBLE?
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Many students graduating with a bachelor's
degree will work in some division of human or
social services. General skills acquired by
graduates of undergraduate psychology programs
include:
Knowledge about human relationships and behavior
 Good listening skills
 Can observe, analyze, and interpret information
 Have strong writing, critical thinking and
organization of information skills
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PSYCHOLOGY SKILLS
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Some specific skills for those working in this area
include the ability to assess client needs, keep
thorough and accurate records, express care and
empathy and to act as an advocate for your client.
Some common job titles of human or social services
positions open to bachelor’s graduates include:
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Case Management
Career Counselor
Rehabilitation Specialist
Psychiatric Technician
Partial Care Assistant
Group Home Counselor
Psychiatric Hospital Attendant
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
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In addition to human or social services, a
bachelor's in psychology can provide excellent
training for many other types of jobs. Some of the
most important things you have learned during
your undergraduate years are interpersonal
skills. Your understanding of the human mind
and behavior make you a good candidate for jobs
that require good communication skills. You
have also done a considerable amount of research
and writing.
(Source: http://psychology.about.com/od/careersinpsychology/a/careersbach.htm )
RESOURCES FOR HELP
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The William Paterson University Career
Development and Advising Center web site names a
lengthy list of positions that require bachelor’s
degree candidates with these kinds of skills:
Academic Advisor
Customer Service
Program Developer
Activity Leader
Representative
Real Estate Agent
Admissions Evaluator
Customs/Immigration Officer
Recreation Specialist
Career Planner
Employment Agency Counselor
Researcher
Case Worker
Employment Recruiter
Residential Counselor
Claims Specialist
Group Home Director
Sales Representative
College Student Affairs
Hospice Coordinator
Social Service Professional
Compensation Manager
Hotel Events Staff
Special Features Writer
Copywriter
Human Resources Personnel
Statistician Assistant
Corporate Merchandiser
Job Developer
Student Life Administrator
Correctional Caseworker
Media Buyer
Television/Media Rep.
Corrections Officer
Mediator/Arbitrator
Volunteer Services Coordinator
Creative Director
Mental Health Coordinator
Wage/Benefits Analyst
Personnel Interviewer
Youth Corrections Officer
Police Officer
Probation Officer
Source: http://www.wpunj.edu/career-advisement/career-development/planning-your-career/careers-in/careersin-psychology.dot
PREPARING FOR THE FIRST JOB
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Bachelor’s candidates who intend to work directly following completion of the
bachelor’s degree are urged to take certain proactive steps no later than junior year
to maximize their readiness to seek work in the field:
Create a WP Job Connect account at: http://www.wpunj.experience.com
Write a resume, highlighting ALL the skills and abilities you have acquired while
an undergraduate:
 Knowledge base of psychology
 Research Methods
 Critical Thinking
 Application of psychology to personal, social and organizational issues
 Values in Psychology (weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, etc.)
 Information and technology literacy
 Communication Skills
 Socio-cultural and international awareness
 Personal development
 Career planning and development
(Source: APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major:
http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/about/psymajor-guidelines.pdf )
DO AN INTERNSHIP
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In a presentation entitled “Psychology Internships –
Supporting the Covert Curriculum” Professor Heinzen
has identified at least seven important potential
outcomes of an internship:
 Networking Skills
 The importance of taking initiative
 A realistic work preview
 Discovering that you dislike all or certain aspects
of a career path
 Working well with others
 Financial maturity (saving and spending habits)
 Job Offers and strong references
ATTEND A WORKSHOP
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Attend Workshops in the Career Development and
Advising Center
 Resume Writing
 Interviewing
 Job Search
 Office Politics
 Careers in Government
 Is Grad School in Your Future?
 Dress for Success
 Social Networking
Workshop Schedule posted at:
http://www.wpunj.edu/careeradvisement/eventsworkshops/presentations.dot
GRADUATE STUDIES
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If you opt for graduate study, what degree do you pursue?
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That depends on what you want to do!
The American Psychological Association identifies 17 different subfields in psychology:
•Clinical
•Developmental
•Evolutionary
•Health
•Quantitative and
Measurement
Psychologists
•Cognitive &
Perceptual
•Educational
•Experimental
•Neuropsychologists
•Rehabilitation
•Sports
•Counseling
•Engineering
•Forensic
•Industrial and
Organizational
•School
•Social
The APA web site provides brief summary descriptions of each of these
subfields:
http://www.apa.org/careers/resources/guides/careers.aspx#
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WHAT GRADUATE DEGREES ENABLE ONE
TO PURSUE THOSE VARIOUS FIELDS?
MD (Physicians)
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Doctor of Medicine
Can be ANY MAJOR as long as you
take two years of Biology,
Chemistry through Organic, a year
of Physics, a year of Calculus
The WP program is described at:
http://www.wpunj.edu/cosh/departm
ents/biology/undergraduateprograms/pre-med.dot
Four years of medical school. GPA
requirements for admission
typically above 3.5 and include a
strong performance on the Medical
College Admission Test (MCAT)
Three years of residency, the last
two of which are in the specialty
“psychiatry.”
Doctoral Degrees
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Ph.D. = Doctor of Philosophy
The most typical Ph.D.s undertaken by
students who want to work directly with
patients or clients to treat mental illness or
mental health concerns are:
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Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology – hardest
to get into – GPA around 3.5 for most
APA approved programs
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Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology – not
much easier to get into
 These both require full doctoral
dissertations of original research
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Psy.D – a practitoner’s doctorate –
typically requires extensive field work
and a less research oriented thesis
Individuals who want to teach psychology at
a University, or obtain expertise to practice
in any of the sub-fields identified earlier, can
obtain a doctorate (Ph.D.) in that specific
subfield (e.g., Experimental Psychology or
Industrial and Organizational Psychology)
WHAT GRADUATE DEGREES ENABLE ONE
TO PURSUE THOSE VARIOUS FIELDS?
M.S.W. or D.S.W.
(Master or Doctor of Social Work)
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Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire
to help improve people's lives. Social workers assist
people by helping them cope with and solve issues in
their everyday lives, such as family and personal
problems and dealing with relationships. Some social
workers help clients who face a disability, lifethreatening disease, social problem, such as inadequate
housing, unemployment, or substance abuse. Social
workers also assist families that have serious domestic
conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse.
Additionally, they may conduct research, advocate for
improved services, or become involved in planning or
policy development. Many social workers specialize in
serving a particular population or working in a specific
setting
Source: Occupational Outlook handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos060.htm
WHAT GRADUATE DEGREES ENABLE ONE
TO PURSUE THOSE VARIOUS FIELDS?
M.S.W. or D.S.W.
(Master or Doctor of Social Work)
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MSW programs are typically two years in length, and include course work in human
growth and development, social policies and programs, methods of practice, and
social research
DSW, or Doctor of Social Work degrees, are the terminal degree in social work, and
typically require two full-time years beyond a masters and a doctoral dissertation.
Social work programs can vary a lot in emphasis. Many allow students to specialize
in methodology, public policy, work with different populations, etc. Some schools seek
to prepare professionals for private practice in psychotherapy, others for work in
public and non-profit social service agencies, and others for engaging in social
planning and social change.
To be eligible for insurance reimbursement or to work in certain clinical settings, one
must obtain the L.C.S.W. (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) credential. Licensing
requirements vary by state. This is a source for licensure information in New Jersey:
http://www.naswnj.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=2
WHAT GRADUATE DEGREES ENABLE ONE TO
PURSUE THOSE VARIOUS FIELDS?
MA, MS, or M.Ed.
(Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education )
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May be in any clinical area of Psychology (e.g. Master’s in
Counseling ) and must meet the academic requirements for
pursuit of the LPC designation.
Like the M.S.W, not sufficient for insurance reimbursement or
to work in most clinical settings.
Must obtain LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) designation
The American Counseling Association provides information on
securing the LPC designation:
http://www.counseling.org/PublicPolicy/WhoAreLPCs.pdf
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
Dr. Marc Schaeffer
Senior Academic Advisor / Career Counselor
Career Development & Gloria S. Williams Advising Center
University Commons (Student Center) Rm. 301
schaefferm@wpunj.edu
973-720-3292