15 unique jobs you can get with a degree in psychology

If you are considering studying psychology and earning a bachelor’s degree, you might think all you can do with it is talk to people all day. The truth is a psychology degree opens up many doors to jobs that have nothing to do with couches and talk therapy.

The field of psychology provides a well-rounded education that can take you in many directions. Below are 15 banging jobs you could get if you have a degree in psychology.

Keeping with tradition

Some people who study psychology pursue a more traditional role with their degree. Psychology is the study of behavior. For many, that means a career working in mental health or addiction. They may have an office or work as part of a healthcare team, but their goal is to teach others healthy ways of coping with their emotions.

That may mean sitting and talking them through difficult situations. In some cases, they may work with a group of people at one time or be a staff member at a mental health facility.

This is the more conventional route people take when they get a degree in psychology, but it is not the only thing you can do. The study of behavior is broad, so the career options are more diverse than you think.

15 unique careers in psychology

There are unique options for psychology jobs if studying behavior appeals to you:

Art therapist

Art therapy is at the top of the list for jobs related to psychology. Art therapists take their education in psychology and their love for creativity and use them to help others. Art therapy is an integrative form of treatment that allows others see the best in themselves.

Art therapy improves expression and cognitive functioning. It also helps people better understand themselves and others. You don’t have to be an artist to be an art therapist. Someone who wants an innovative way to help others develop self-awareness and deal with crises.

Special education teacher

Special education teachers work with developmentally, physically and emotionally challenged students. Anyone who needs a different approach to learning than others. Many may have behavioral issues that make a traditional classroom environment problematic.

As a special education teacher, you can help these students better understand their unique skill sets and how to learn. A different approach allows them to get the education they need to thrive as adults.

Social worker

A social worker is a trained professional that helps the most vulnerable people in society work through daily challenges. Social workers work in various settings, They may be part of the public health system of a community. They are also found in rehab facilities, long-term nursing care programs, schools, prisons and government agencies. Just about any work environment that focuses on people in need will require a social worker.

Career counselor

Career counselors help others find their calling. They work with clients to better understand their strengths, interests and financial needs. That allows them to determine whether they need further training, to go to school or just find the right jobs.

People tend to associate career counseling with high schools and colleges. They don’t just work with students, though. Career counselors are found in community organizations, independent practices and corporations.

Market research analyst

Market research analysts help companies understand who will most likely benefit from their products or services. They also use data and other marketing tools to find the best ways to sell a product to a target audience. They use their insight into human behavior as a guide to better understand the consumer.

Behavior specialist

A behavior specialist focuses on helping those with behavioral issues such as rage or anxiety. Like traditional psychologists, they assess behavior, look for root causes and design treatment plans to help overcome these challenges.

Behavior specialists work in many industries from education to healthcare to business. Anywhere people might have issues that challenge their ability to work with others and meet their goals.

Health educator

Health educators help others understand how their behavior affects their health. The goal is to instill healthy habits so people live better lives.

Health educators may work in schools, large businesses or public agencies. They may also work as consultants for companies that want to bring someone in to help design wellness programs for their staff. They are found in healthcare facilities or private practices to educate patients about chronic illnesses like diabetes.

School administrator

A school administrator runs the day-to-day operations of a school, both public and private. A large part of that is understanding behavior and creating programs that help students excel and staff meet their goals.

Probation officer

Probation officers have a dual responsibility. They help those leaving a corrections' facility transition back into life while enforcing rules that protect the public interest, too.

Offenders can get probation instead of jail time but must abide by specific rules to maintain their freedom. The probation officer's job is to ensure they are following the rules and, if not, remand them back into the system. Probation officers work in both the legal and corrections systems. They work with communities and may counsel adults or juveniles. Some may be inside the prison system to help those about to be released understand their responsibilities and prepare for life on the outside.

Corporate trainer

As the name suggests, a corporate trainer teaches others how to develop skills that help them excel in corporate life. They may work within a corporation to train top-level executives on sensitive topics like diversity. They may also freelance or consult with people hoping to meet their career goals.

Writer

A writer writes. It is self-explanatory. Writers work in all fields, from entertainment to marketing. Understanding behavior is critical to the writer developing new characters for a story or for the one that works with clients to create marketing messages that sell products.

Researcher

Generally, a researcher works to prove or disprove a hypothesis based on the available information. Researchers have opportunities in almost every sector, from academia to zoology.

They collect and analyze information. Researchers explore new processes, treatments and marketing strategies to determine their effectiveness and whether tweaking will improve them.

Rehabilitation specialist

A rehabilitation specialist works with people who have mental or physical disabilities. Often they spend time in treatment and need to find a way to re-acclimate into an independent life. The rehabilitation specialist can help develop plans to get them there and allow them to live independently.

Psychometrist

Psychometrists work with those who have traumatic brain injuries, diseases of the brain, mental health issues or learning disabilities. They perform various tests to determine their status academically, psychologically and neurologically. These tests are used for research or to help develop treatment plans.

College professor

Of course, someone with a degree in psychology might teach the subject at the college level. The degree could also help them teach other subjects, too, however. They use their study of behavior to help students better understand and learn.

Earning a degree in psychology

Clearly, a degree in psychology can take you in many directions from corporate life to the school system and beyond. The key is to find the right program for your needs. Once you earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you can go on to study other fields, as well, or pursue a higher education graduate degree. The program at Central Michigan University allows you to pursue both a bachelor's and master’s degree at one time, if you qualify.

This online program can take up to four years to complete, depending on the degree you work towards. At Central Michigan University, you have the option to pursue your BA, BS or MS in experimental psychology. You can also access cutting-edge labs such as the Center for Children, Families and Communities and the Eye Tracking Lab.

Find out more about attending Central Michigan University and applying for our psychology program today.