Alternative Graduate Programs for Psychology Majors

Did you know nearly half of all psychology majors go to graduate school? Graduate programs help you build specialized skills and knowledge. Other than psychology, the most popular alternative graduate programs for psych majors include education, social services, health, and management. Learn how your bachelor's in psychology degree can help you in these in-demand fields.

What Percent of Psychology Majors Go to Graduate School?

Approximately 3.9 million learners held a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2021, according to a survey of college graduates conducted by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Forty-four percent of these individuals also completed a graduate program.

Of those who pursued a master's, doctoral, or professional program after their bachelor's in psychology, the five most popular areas of study included:

• Psychology: 28.3%
• Education: 22.1%
• Social Service and Related Fields: 15.4%
• Health: 11.8%
• Management and Administration Fields: 9.4%

Enrollment in education, social service, health, and management degrees indicates the broad appeal of alternative graduate programs for psychology majors.

Benefits of Graduate School for Psychology Majors

Why do so many psych majors enroll in grad school? A graduate degree can lead to more career opportunities and a higher salary potential.

Compared to those with a bachelor’s degree, professionals with a master’s degree earn $12,000 more each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A professional or doctoral degree increases median salaries by over $33,000 annually. A graduate degree can also prepare you for advanced careers in many fields.

Most Popular Alternative Graduate Programs for Psychology Majors

What are the most popular graduate programs for psychology majors outside of psychology? Nearly 60% of bachelor's in psychology majors who earn a graduate degree choose a different field. Here are the most popular options.

Education

A graduate degree in education can prepare you for careers in the classroom or school administration. For example, a master’s in education can strengthen curriculum and instruction skills or hone leadership abilities. Psychology majors can also consider a master’s in school counseling to become a school counselor.

Psychology majors bring several critical skills to education graduate programs. First, psychology strengthens the research and analytical abilities that graduate students in education require. Understanding childhood development and learning psychology can also benefit education grad students.

Common career paths with a graduate degree in education include K-12 teacher, K-12 administrator, or school counselor. School psychologists also sometimes earn a doctorate in education.

Social Service and Related Fields

Many social services careers require a graduate degree. For example, clinical social workers and mental health counselors need a master’s degree. A bachelor’s in psychology can help you gain admission to graduate programs in these fields.

Psychology majors have a strong foundation for graduate programs in social service and related fields. For example, undergraduate coursework in clinical psychology or psychotherapy prepares graduates for a master’s in counseling.

Prospective social workers can also meet many prerequisites for a master’s in social work by majoring in psychology. Programs may require coursework in human behavior, statistics, and research methods, which many psychology majors complete.

Common job titles with a graduate degree in social services include behavioral counselor, marriage and family therapist, and clinical social worker.

Health

Graduate degrees in health can lead to high-paying, in-demand careers. Psychology majors can attend medical school to become a physician or psychiatrist. Graduate programs in nursing also lead to in-demand advanced practice roles.

Psych majors interested in neuropsychology, cognitive science, and mental health may find a good fit in health-related graduate programs. Whether in med school, a master’s in nursing program, or another health sciences program, you can explore the relationship between physical and mental health. Psychology courses can also prepare you for the MCAT section on psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior.

With a health sciences graduate degree, you can become a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, physician, or neuroscientist.

Management and Administration

Knowledge of psychology can strengthen interpersonal communication and analytical skills. That means a psychology degree offers strong preparation for graduate programs in management and administration. For example, you can earn an MBA to pursue diverse management roles or specialize with a master’s in marketing or a master’s in human resources.

During management graduate programs, you’ll draw on problem-solving and research skills you developed as a psychology major. You can also apply your understanding of human behavior and motivation to resolve employment disputes or identify target customers for a new product.

With a management or administration graduate degree, you can pursue jobs as a marketing manager, human resources manager, or healthcare administrator.

Career Options After an Alternative Graduate Program

After completing a non-psychology graduate program, you can become a clinical social worker, human resources manager, or psychiatrist. Depending on your program and specialization, you can pursue diverse career paths, many requiring a graduate degree.

What program is the best fit for you? That depends on your interests, career goals, and timeline. Psychiatrists spend four years in med school and four years in a residency program before launching their careers. On the other hand, social work, counseling, and marketing master’s programs generally take two years or less.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alternative Graduate Programs for Psychology Majors