Types of Psychology Degrees

Associate Degree in Psychology

Many community colleges, universities, and vocational schools offer associate degrees in psychology. These programs usually require the completion of about 60 credit hours of both general education courses and major-specific courses. Some of the topics covered in core courses may include general psychology, human development across the lifespan, addictions, and disorders, as well as counseling and intervention techniques. Full-time students usually complete an associate degree program in two years, while part-time students may require about three years.

Community colleges and vocational schools typically welcome most applicants, while universities may have more stringent admissions criteria. In general, however, the application process is the same for all schools. Prospective students must have a high school diploma or a GED. They are required to submit transcripts from their high school along with their application, and they may be asked for a personal statement or essay, letters of recommendation, and a list of extracurricular activities or resume.

Although an associate degree in psychology will not qualify you to work as a psychologist or counselor, it does offer several benefits besides job opportunities. First, you'll be introduced to the subject in a general way, enabling you to determine if psychology is something you'd like to study in greater depth and possibly pursue as a career. Second, you may become better qualified for volunteer positions in mental health facilities, which will give you real-world experience that may help you advance your career in the field.

With an associate degree in psychology, you could become a:

• Social and human services assistant
• Administrative clerk in a healthcare facility
• Administrative support staff for a mental health advocacy group

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

Almost every four-year college offers a bachelor's degree in psychology, behavioral psychology, or applied psychology. Most programs require the completion of 120 credit hours of both general education courses and courses related to the major, and some may require internships and research projects. Students often need four to five years to graduate.

Although bachelor's programs do not prepare graduates for work as practicing psychologists or counselors — a master's degree or doctorate is required for those roles — they do equip students with valuable insights into how people think and interact as well as useful skills in research, critical thinking, and communication.

There are two types of psychology bachelor's degrees, and the curriculum is slightly different for each one:

There are many benefits to earning either type of psychology degree, but regardless of which one you choose, it's important to enroll in an accredited program. Accreditation is required to qualify for federal financial aid and for acceptance into most master's programs. It may also be required if you decide to change schools and transfer credits at some point. The school you plan to attend should be regionally or nationally accredited by one of the agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education or by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The admissions criteria for bachelor's programs vary by school, but most colleges only accept students who earned a GPA of 2.8 or higher in high school. Some schools also require applicants to submit their ACT or SAT scores. Along with your application, you'll probably need to submit your high school transcripts, a personal statement or essay, letters of recommendation, and a list of extracurricular activities or resume.

With a bachelor's degree in psychology, you could become a:

• Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor
• Community health worker
• Health education specialist
• Social and community service manager
• Clinical laboratory technologist
• Probation officer
• Teacher
• Business manager
• Wholesale and manufacturing sales representative
• Marketing specialist
• Public relations/media specialist

Master's Degree in Psychology

Most jobs in the field of psychology require at least a master's degree, if not a doctorate. There are two types of master's degrees you can pursue at most universities, so it's helpful to have some idea of the job or role you'd like to obtain in the future before choosing one:

Earning a place in a psychology master's program can be somewhat competitive. In addition to a fairly high college GPA, you may also be required to show an impressive score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). When submitting your application, you will most likely need to submit your college transcripts, a personal statement explaining why you want to pursue this degree, a resume, and one or more letters of recommendation. You don't necessarily need a bachelor's degree in psychology, but if you majored in some other subject, you may be required to take a number of prerequisite courses before starting your program.

Once you're enrolled, master's degrees in psychology often require 30-36 credit hours, and you may be required to complete an internship, a thesis or capstone project, and a certain number of clinical hours. Full-time students may be able to complete the requirements in two years, but many grad school students have full-time jobs and other commitments, so they may need three or four years to graduate.

With a master's degree in psychology, you could become a:

• Mental health counselor
• Marriage and family therapist
• Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor
• School and career counselor
• Market researcher
• Data analyst

Doctorate Degree in Psychology

Students who are interested in pursuing the highest degree in psychology may choose between a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program, available at select universities. Both types of doctoral degrees focus on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with mental illness, and both are designed to prepare graduates to work in clinical or research settings. However, they each have a different emphasis, so you may want to factor in your career goals before selecting which type of degree to earn:

Many students who earn bachelor's degrees in psychology skip earning a master's degree and go directly into a doctoral program, preferably one that's accredited by the American Psychological Association. Entry into doctoral programs is competitive, and admissions criteria are stringent, especially for PhD programs.

With a doctorate in psychology, you could become a:

• Clinical psychologist
• Psychology researcher
• College professor of psychology

Psychology Specializations

While many schools offer broad-based general psychology programs, some schools offer specialized degrees or concentrations. For example, a school might offer a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in counseling or perhaps a Bachelor of Arts in Counseling. Either way, the curriculum will emphasize counseling techniques and practice and include fewer courses in research. The following are some of the more common branches of psychology addressed in specialized programs.

Which Psychology Degree Is Right For Me?

Determining the best type of degree in psychology for your needs comes down to establishing your career path. If you intend to practice psychology as a therapist, counselor, or clinical psychologist, you'll need a master's degree or a doctorate. With this goal in mind, you can opt to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology as well, or you may consider earning a bachelor's in a related subject, such as counseling or sociology.

If you're not yet sure about your career goals, an associate or bachelor's degree in psychology is still a smart choice as they both open doors to many other occupations.