A psychology degree will benefit anyone whose career goals involve interacting with or helping others. Psychology will allow you to develop marketable skills, such as interpersonal communication, leadership, teamwork and research. Your coursework, research experience and fieldwork placements will prepare you for a wide variety of careers.
Employment outcomes data from LAS Career Services found that 90% of graduates report positive career outcomes following graduation. Of that data, 60% of psychology graduates pursue professional employment following graduation from their undergraduate program.*
Popular Fields and Industries for Psychology Graduates
Psychology students are required to take a course (PSYCH 211) that allows you to explore your career options. You’ll learn about jobs you can pursue with a bachelor’s degree, and you’ll also discover whether graduate school is the best path for your career choice.
Following are common psychology career paths for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Education
- Bachelor Degree Roles: Adult Learning and K12 Programs, Teacher, Teacher Assistant
- Advanced Degree Roles: Academic/Admissions/Career Counselor, College Faculty, School Counselor, Student Affairs
- Employers: Public and Private K-12 Schools, Colleges and Universities, Government Agencies
Human Resources and Business
- Bachelor Degree Roles: Broker, Customer Services, Employee Benefits, Human Resources Coordinator, Insurance, Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Recruiter, Real Estate Agent, Sales, Selection, Training and Talent Acquisition
- Advanced Degree Roles: Industrial/Organizational Consultant, Consumer Psychologist
- Employers: Government Agencies, Manufacturers, Private Industry, Retail, Staffing Services, Wholesalers
Medicine and Law
- Bachelor Degree Roles: Corrections/Juvenile/Parole Court Officer, Public Health Social Work
- Advanced Degree Roles: Child Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Geriatric Specialist, Public Health, Sports Psychologist.
- Employers: Colleges/Universities, Government, Hospital, Nursing Homes, Private Practice
Research
- Bachelor Degree Roles: Data/Market/Social Research Assistant
- Advanced Degree Roles: Cognitive/Experimental/Forensic/Health/Social Psychologist, Research Scientist, Nutrition Researcher, Market Research Analyst
- Employers: Government, Higher Education, Industry, Non-Profit and Private Industry Headquarters
Social and Human Services
- Bachelor Degree Roles: Addiction Specialist, After School/Camp Counselor, Caseworker, Family Consultant, Prevention Specialist, Substance Abuse Specialist, Victim Advocate, Youth Counselor/Specialist
- Advanced Degree Roles: Art/Music Therapist, Marriage/Family/Grief/Substance Abuse Counselor, Social Work
- Employers: Government, Non-Profit, Hospital, Nursing Homes, Youth/Community Services
Double Major
Many psychology majors combine their psychology degree with another major (26%) or a minor (56%). These students often complete courses in the following fields:
- Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Human Development & Family Studies
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Business
- Premedical and Preprofessional Health Programs (if interested in med school and/or psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, etc.)
- Pre-Law Programs
Graduate School
Psychology majors frequently pursue an advanced degree through graduate/professional programs to enter careers requiring specific training, such as psychiatry, counseling, or research positions in the private or government sectors. Liberal Arts and Sciences career services employment data indicate that 38% of graduates from the psychology department at Iowa State University pursue advanced degrees.*
Common Graduate Degree Paths
Below are advanced degrees that graduates of the psychology department at Iowa State University most commonly pursue:
Masters Level Programs
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Counseling Psychology/Mental Health Counseling, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Human Development & Family Studies, School Counseling, Social Work (LMSW or LCSW), Student Affairs & Higher Education
Doctoral Level Programs
- Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Social Psychology
Professional Programs
- Law School, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy
Career Services Support
Additional Resources
- American Psychological Association
- APA Careers Guide
- APA: Psychology: Science in Action
- Careers in Psychology
- American Psychological Society (APS)
- State of Iowa
- Iowa Board of Certification (IBC) Alcohol and Drug Counselor
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- National Mental Health Association (MHA)
- Psych Career Information
*Based on Iowa State LAS Career Services Employment data 2013-2018.