Skip to main content
GCU Logo Mobile
Apply NowRequest Info
  • GCU Login
GCU LoginRequest Info
Grand Canyon University logo in bold purple uppercase text on a white background
  • Degree Programs
    • Areas of Study
      • Business
      • Teaching
      • Language
      • Counseling
      • Psychology
      • Healthcare
      • Nursing
      • Criminal Justice
      • Legal Studies
      • Engineering
      • Science
      • Technology
      • Theology
      • Ministry
      • Digital Arts
      • Digital Media
      • Fine Arts
    • Locations
      • Campus
      • Online
      • Evening
    • Degree Level
      • Bachelor's
      • Master's
      • Doctoral
      • Certificates
      • Bridge
      • Post-Master's
    • Other Course Options
      • Minors
      • Individual Courses
      • High School Dual Enrollment
      • Current Teacher Continuing Education
      All Majors & Programs
      All Majors & Programs
  • Academics
    • Colleges
      • Doctoral
      • Arts & Media
      • Business
      • Education
      • Engineering & Technology
      • Humanities & Social Sciences
      • Natural Sciences
      • Nursing & Health Care
      • Theology
      • Honors
    • More About GCU
      • Academic Catalog & Policies
      • University Accreditation & Regulation
      • Educational Alliances
      • Faculty Directory
      • Office of Assessment
      • Provost Message
      Academics
      Academics
  • Admissions
    • Admissions
      • Admission Requirements
      • Visit Campus
      • Undergraduate Admissions
      • College Transfer Center
      • Graduate & Doctoral Admissions
      • Campus Resources
      Admissions
      Admissions
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Tuition
      • Online & Evening
      • On-Campus
      • Housing & Meal Costs
      • Other Fees
      • Cost of Attendance
    • Financial Aid
      • FAFSA
      • Scholarships & Grants
      • Student Loans
      Tuition & Financial Aid
      Tuition & Financial Aid
  • Why GCU
    • Student Journey
      • Online Learning
      • Campus Life
      • Evening Classes
      • Hybrid Learning
      • Military & Veteran
      • ROTC
      • International Students
      • Native American
    • Our Story
      • University Spirit & Traditions
      • Christian Identity & Mission
      • History & Campus Growth
      • Community Outreach
    • About
      • Leadership Team
      • Campus Locations
      • Blog
      • Offices
      • Contact
      • Media & Branding
      Why GCU
      Why GCU
Apply NowRequest Info

Read time 3 minutes

Published on Jul 1, 2020


In This Article
  • Overview
  • Which Areas of Psychology Am I Passionate About?
  • How Long Do I Want to Be in School?
  • What Are My Career Goals?
  • What Is the Projected Career Outlook for Psychology Jobs?
In This Article
Overview
Which Areas of Psychology Am I Passionate About?
How Long Do I Want to Be in School?
What Are My Career Goals?
What Is the Projected Career Outlook for Psychology Jobs?
Tags
Health Psychology Degree
Related Articles In
Psychology & Counseling
Female counselor talking to a female patient during a counseling session inside near large windows.

Counseling Techniques for Aspiring Counselors

Discover key counseling techniques and skills every aspiring counselor should master, with expert insights from Dr. Melissa Galica on evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT and narrative therapy.

09/30/2025

|

7 min read

Family of five sitting together in a living room, representing family dynamics in addiction and recovery.

What Are Family Dynamics? Addiction and Recovery Degree Focus

What are family dynamics? Explore the meaning of family dynamics in psychology. Learn how addiction counseling degrees from GCU may help your career.

09/08/2025

|

6 min read

A behavioral health specialist speaks with a seated individual in a relaxed setting, offering support and guidance. The specialist holds a notebook, while the other person listens attentively.

Careers in the Behavioral Health Field

Explore careers in the behavioral health field and learn how GCU can prepare you to pursue careers in mental health and human services.

08/15/2025

|

6 min read

We're here to help.

I'm Ready to ApplyI Need More Information
GCU Logo White
1-855-GCU-LOPELive Chat
3300 West Camelback Road  - 
Phoenix, AZ 85017
Grand Canyon University © 2025
All Rights Reserved
  • Majors & Programs
  • Admission
  • Financial Resources
  • Academic Calendar
  • Academic Catalog & Policies
  • Online Learning
  • Why GCU
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Title IX
  • Media & Licensing
  • Consumer Information
  • Financial Disclosures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cost of Attendance
Find Your Purpose Logo
Video from GCU
FacebookTwitter/XLinkedInInstagramYouTube
  • Current Students
    |
  • Alumni
    |
  • Athletics
    |
  • Arena
    |
  • GCU News
    |
  • Lope Shops
    |
  • GCBC
    |
  • Canyon Promotions
    |
  • Lope House
    |
  • GCU Golf

Privacy / Cookie Disclaimer: Our site uses cookies to personalize content, to provide social media features/ads and to analyze site traffic. We share information about your use of this site with our social media, advertising and analytics teams who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them. By continuing to navigate this site you are consenting to the collection of information via our use of cookies. For more information on our cookie collection and use please visit our Privacy Policy.

Share This Story
FacebookTwitter/XLinkedInShare via Email

  1. Home/
  2. Blog/
  3. Psychology & Counseling/
  4. Is a Psychology Degree Worth It?

Is a Psychology Degree Worth It?

Couple sitting across from counselor on sofa
Start your GCU
journey today.
Step 1: Educational Interests
This helps us connect you with the right enrollment counselor to help you through the process.
Make a selection
Select One
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral
Bridge
Make a selection
First select a degree level
Make a selection
First select a degree level and how you would like to attend
Make a selection
First select degree level, modality, and area of interest
Make a selection
Select One
Yes
No
Make a selection
Select One
Yes
No
Make a selection
Select One
Yes
No
West Valley (Phoenix, AZ) ABSN
Select One
Albuquerque, NM ABSN
Boise (Meridian, ID) ABSN
Denver (Englewood, CO) ABSN
East Valley (Chandler, AZ) ABSN
Las Vegas (Henderson, NV) ABSN
Miramar (Miami, FL) ABSN
Orlando (Lake Mary, FL) ABSN
Salt Lake (Sandy, UT) ABSN
St. Louis, MO ABSN
Sun City, AZ ABSN
Tucson, AZ ABSN
West Valley (Phoenix, AZ) ABSN
Make a selection
Select One
Still in High School
High School Diploma or GED
Some College
Associate Degree or over 60 credits
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree or Higher
Bachelor's with Cert. & Experience
BS in Nursing
Make a selection
Select One
2029
2028
2027
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
1969
1968
1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
1962
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
1953
1952
1951
1950
1949
1948
1947
1946
1945
1944
1943
1942
1941
1940
1939
1938
1937
1936
1935
U.S. Citizen
U.S. Citizen
Non-U.S. Citizen
No military affiliation
Make a selection
No military affiliation
Active
Spouse
Retired
Veteran
United States
United States
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua And Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia And Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cote D'ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands (malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard Island And Mcdonald Islands
Holy See (vatican City State)
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran, Islamic Republic Of
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, Democratic People's Republic Of
Korea, Republic Of
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic Of
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States Of
Moldova, Republic Of
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory, Occupied
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts And Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Pierre And Miquelon
Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome And Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard And Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan, Province Of China
Tajikistan
Tanzania, United Republic Of
Thailand
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad And Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks And Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Viet Nam
Virgin Islands, British
Virgin Islands, U.s.
Wallis And Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

By clicking submit, you give GCU consent to use automated technology to call and text you regarding educational services. Your consent is not required to receive educational services. GCU will never sell your information. By submitting this form, you agree to GCU's privacy policy.

Related Resources

Online Degrees
Admission
Scholarships & Grants
Transfer Center
Unlock Your Potential

Speak with a University Counselor today.

Apply Now
  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.) Occupational Outlook Handbook. Psychologists. Retrieved July 2020.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

Which Areas of Psychology Am I Passionate About?

As is true with any field or career, if you are excited about the work you do and what you study, you will always be more motivated to give it your all. Enjoying psychology in general will go a long way toward having a successful career, but there are likely some areas of the field that will interest you more than others.

There are countless different concentrations in psychology, including:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychology: This field focuses on the psychology of developing children and adolescents in a research-oriented capacity. It also emphasizes practical counseling skills that help growing individuals navigate their lives and flourish. Professionals in this field are educated in family dynamics and the development of human behavior in the early stages of life.
  • Geropsychology: This field centers around the study and navigation of elderly life. Handling the unique blend of psychological, physical and social issues that emerge among older adults is an important aspect of this field. In the academic and practical side of this field, professionals work to help people maximize their happiness and fulfillment in the later stages of life.
  • Addiction Counseling: Addiction counselors work to assist recovering addicts and those with ongoing substance abuse disorders. This may involve components of family counseling, as well as approaches to improve patient well-being. As with all fields in psychology and counseling, an advanced degree and licensure is required before one can practice.

Psychology is a broad field with countless concentrations. This gives students many options when earning a psychology degree, but it may seem like there is little to gain if they do not plan on seeking a doctoral degree and specializing in a small field.

Forming a clear understanding of what you want to do in your work can help you narrow down your options and determine whether a psychology degree is worth it for you. Here are a few questions worth considering before deciding on a psychology degree program.

What Are My Career Goals?

Before deciding to pursue a psychology degree, consider what your dream job might be. If you want to study psychology to get into business or human resources, then a bachelor's degree in psychology may be the right steppingstone. If you plan to work directly with clients or specialized populations, you will need a graduate degree to work as a clinical psychologist. In addition, most states require that practicing psychologists hold a specialized license. You may benefit from an undergraduate psychology degree, even if you seek to pursue a career outside of psychology.

What Is the Projected Career Outlook for Psychology Jobs?

It is always good to check out the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics to see the outlook for your career of interest. For psychologists and mental health professionals, the outlook is favorable at an expected 14% growth rate through 2028.1 Earning a psychology degree now and continuing on to graduate work can set you up for a steady career in a growing job market.

Grand Canyon University has a wide variety of online and on-ground BS in Psychology degrees. You can specialize in areas like chemical dependency counseling, forensic psychology and sports psychology. All these areas of specialty help you zero in on a specific career track and show you how to make the most of your psychology degree. To learn more about the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, visit our website or click on the Request Info button on this page.

Retrieved from:

1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm

How Long Do I Want to Be in School?

Earning a bachelor's degree in psychology typically takes around four years. There are many entry level jobs open to psychology graduates who have an associate or bachelor’s degree. In addition, the professional skills that a psychology degree student learns during their program can be translated into a multitude of careers in other fields.

If you intend to become a practicing psychologist, you will need to earn an advanced degree – at least at the master’s level. Pursuing an advanced psychology degree can add several additional years to your education, offering you the time to build the knowledge required to practice.