What Jobs Can I Get with a Psychology or Counseling Degree?

Whether you are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s in psychology program, or you are considering furthering your education by earning a master’s degree in counseling, you may eventually ask yourself (if you haven’t already), “What jobs will be available to me if I earn this degree?”

Depending on the type of degree you earn and the field in which you choose to study, a variety of job opportunities may be available to you. This list can help give you insight into the world of possibilities available to you after graduation!

Welfare or Social Services Case Manager

• Job Description: Welfare or social services case managers assist clients who need resources from state social services departments. Managers help people battle difficulties such as unemployment, homelessness, mental health issues or drug and alcohol additions. Many managers specialize in working with specific groups, such as children, senior citizens or disabled persons.
• Job Duties: As a case manager, you help clients who need medical and mental health services; hold interviews with clients; determine needs for medical evaluations; review treatment plans and therapist evaluations; and know what appropriate steps to take to reduce the client’s risk.
• Key Skills: People who succeed in these positions typically manage stress well and are organized, compassionate and effective problem-solvers, with good time management and interpersonal skills.
• Additional Coursework: Depending on your state’s requirements, you may need to earn your master’s degree in counseling or social work and apply for licensure through a state department.

Career Counselor

• Job Description: Career counselors study clients’ work history, education level, interests, personality and skills to suggest careers that will match their criteria and personality. They help people who are entering the workplace, unemployed, between jobs or unhappy with their current job.
• Job Duties: As a career counselor, you will study client records, conduct interviews, oversee aptitude tests, gather information about surrounding schools and businesses, show clients how to properly search for a job and educate clients about the current labor market.
• Key Skills: If you have engaging interpersonal skills and strong communication skills, this career may be a good fit for you. You should also be a good team player, with thorough knowledge of counseling theory and practice.

Addiction Counselor

• Job Description: Addiction counselors help clients who suffer from addictions such as substance abuse or gambling.
• Job Duties: You may offer coping strategies; assist in crisis prevention; develop recovery programs; help clients avoid relapses; direct individual and group therapy with friends and family; and possibly help refer clients to a medical professional.
• Key Skills: To be a successful addiction counselor, you should be a good listener, organized, compassionate and an effective problem-solver, with engaging interpersonal skills, strong speaking/writing skills and thorough knowledge of counseling theory.
• Additional Coursework: Work with your student services advisor to learn about your state’s requirements. You may need to earn your master’s degree in addiction counseling, accrue a certain number of supervised hours and apply for licensure through a state department.

Life Coach

• Job Description: Life coaches work with clients or organizations to help them set and achieve their specific goals.
• Job Duties: Life coaches study clients’ history, keep detailed and confidential records, conduct interviews, provide support after a major life event, assess clients’ personal aspirations and help clients overcome obstacles.
• Key Skills: Life coaches are typically good listeners, encouraging, compassionate and effective problem-solvers, with engaging interpersonal skills and thorough knowledge of counseling theory and practice.

There are several job opportunities with a bachelor’s degree, and the possibilities grow even more if you choose to pursue your master’s degree. Grand Canyon University offers psychology, sociology and counseling degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with several emphases to help you achieve your goals. To learn more about our programs, request more information from an enrollment representative.   

Written by Jessica Meyer, a senior majoring in marketing at GCU.