A bachelor’s degree in psychology can open the door to a variety of career opportunities, but many professions require additional education or specialized training. If you’re considering graduate school, you may be wondering which degree to pursue, what careers it can lead to, and how to choose a path that aligns with your interests.
The good news? Psychology majors have several graduate school options beyond becoming a therapist. You could pursue a career in mental health, work in a school setting, study workplace behavior, specialize in behavior analysis, or support college students as they navigate higher education.
In this guide, we’ll explore six graduate school paths for psychology majors, including the degrees associated with each, what professionals in these fields do, and the career opportunities you may be able to pursue.
1. Therapy and Mental Health Careers
Graduate Degree Programs
Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)
PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Career Overview
Therapy and mental health careers focus on helping individuals, couples, families, and groups navigate emotional, psychological, behavioral, and relationship challenges. Depending on their education, training, and credentials, professionals may provide counseling or psychotherapy, conduct psychological assessments, develop treatment plans, or connect clients with community resources.
Professionals in this field work in a variety of settings, including private practices, hospitals, community mental health agencies, schools, and residential treatment programs. Some work directly with clients, while others specialize in assessment, research, program development, or clinical leadership.
Mental health services are needed across a wide range of communities and settings, creating opportunities for professionals with different areas of specialization. However, job responsibilities and qualifications vary depending on the position and the credentials required.
If you’re considering this path, explore the American Counseling Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy to learn more about these professions. If clinical psychology interests you, the American Psychological Association also offers information about psychology careers and professional training.
Career Options
Depending on the graduate degree, additional training, and applicable licensing requirements, potential career options include licensed professional counselor, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, and clinical psychologist.
These professions have different educational and licensing requirements. For example, becoming a clinical social worker typically involves earning an MSW and completing the supervised experience and licensing requirements applicable to your state. Becoming a licensed professional counselor or marriage and family therapist generally requires a relevant graduate degree and meeting the requirements for that specific license. Clinical psychologists typically complete doctoral training in psychology and meet applicable licensure requirements.
Interested in learning more about the different pathways into therapy? Read our guide: How to Become a Therapist: Education, Licensure, and Career Paths.
2. School Counseling
Graduate Degree Program
Master’s degree in School Counseling
Career Overview
School counselors support students’ academic achievement, social-emotional development, and career planning throughout their K–12 education. Their responsibilities may include helping students navigate academic difficulties, peer relationships, personal challenges, and decisions about college or future careers.
School counselors collaborate with teachers, administrators, families, and other school personnel to support student success. Their work may involve individual meetings, classroom guidance lessons, group activities, crisis response, and connecting students and families with additional resources.
Most school counselors work in elementary, middle, or high schools. Employment opportunities depend on school district needs, available funding, and state certification requirements.
If you’re interested in this path, the American School Counselor Association offers information about the profession, professional standards, and the role of school counselors in student development.
Career Options
Potential career options include elementary school counselor, middle school counselor, and high school counselor. Depending on their experience, additional qualifications, and interests, professionals may also pursue school counseling leadership, district-level coordination, program administration, or counselor education.
Important: School counseling requirements vary by state. Before selecting a graduate program, research the certification requirements in the state where you intend to work and confirm that the program will meet those requirements.
Interested in learning more about the different pathways into school counseling? Read our guide: How to Become a School Counselor: Education and Degree Requirements.
3. School Psychology
Graduate Degree Programs
Specialist-level degree in School Psychology, such as an Education Specialist (EdS) degree or a state-specific sixth-year program
PhD or PsyD in School Psychology
Career Overview
School psychologists work at the intersection of psychology and education, supporting students’ learning, behavior, mental health, and development. Their responsibilities may include conducting psychoeducational assessments, identifying learning and behavioral needs, consulting with educators and families, developing interventions, and helping schools create supportive learning environments.
School psychologists often collaborate with teachers, school counselors, special education professionals, administrators, and families. Their work can help schools better understand students’ needs and determine appropriate educational and behavioral supports.
Specialist-level and doctoral programs differ in their training requirements, length, and preparation for professional practice. Many school-based positions are filled by specialist-level school psychologists, while doctoral training can open additional opportunities in research, university teaching, and certain specialized professional roles.
If you’re considering this field, the National Association of School Psychologists provides information about the profession, graduate education, and professional standards. You can also explore its school psychology graduate program information to compare training opportunities.
Career Options
Potential career options include school psychologist, school-based assessment specialist, and lead school psychologist. With additional experience or qualifications, some professionals move into district-level leadership, program coordination, or supervisory positions.
Doctoral-level school psychologists may also pursue university teaching, research, advanced assessment work, or other specialized roles, depending on their training and credentials.
If you’re comparing specialist and doctoral programs, pay close attention to the professional opportunities each program prepares you for.
4. Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Graduate Degree Programs
Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Career Overview
Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology applies psychological principles and research methods to workplace behavior and organizational performance. Rather than focusing primarily on individual mental health, professionals in this field study how people behave at work and how organizations can improve their practices, systems, and environments.
Their work may involve employee selection, leadership development, workplace assessments, employee engagement, performance evaluation, training, and organizational change. For example, an I-O professional might help an organization improve its hiring process, evaluate employee satisfaction, or develop leadership training for managers.
Professionals may work in corporate human resources departments, consulting firms, government agencies, research organizations, or specialized workplace consulting roles. Some work directly within an organization, while others advise multiple clients.
I-O psychology offers opportunities for people interested in research, data, organizational strategy, and human behavior in professional settings. However, it is a more specialized field than some broader psychology-related career areas, and the availability of particular positions varies by employer and industry.
The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology is a useful resource for exploring the profession. Its graduate training program directory can also help prospective students research programs.
Career Options
Potential career options include industrial-organizational psychologist, organizational development consultant, talent assessment specialist, people analytics specialist, employee engagement specialist, and learning and development consultant.
Depending on their education and experience, graduates may also pursue careers in workforce research, leadership development, human resources, organizational effectiveness, and employee training.
If you enjoy understanding human behavior but are more interested in workplace culture, organizational systems, and employee performance than providing therapy, this may be a path worth exploring.
5. Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Graduate Degree Programs
Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Career Overview
Applied behavior analysis focuses on understanding behavior and using evidence-based principles to support meaningful behavioral change. Professionals in this field may develop individualized interventions, evaluate progress toward behavioral goals, and collaborate with clients, families, educators, and other professionals.
Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) are professionals who have met the applicable education, training, examination, and certification requirements established by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
BCBAs work in a variety of settings, including clinics, schools, homes, hospitals, and community-based programs. Their work may involve supporting communication, learning, adaptive skills, and behavior change. Depending on the position, they may also supervise other behavior analysis professionals, train staff, consult with families, or oversee treatment programs.
Opportunities exist across behavioral health and educational services, although the types of positions available and the populations served vary by setting.
If you’re interested in becoming a BCBA, start with the BACB’s BCBA certification requirements. Because certification requirements can change, review the current eligibility criteria before selecting a graduate program.
Career Options
Potential career options include BCBA, clinical supervisor, behavior program manager, behavioral consultant, and staff training or program development specialist.
With additional experience, professionals may move into leadership, supervision, consultation, or research-related positions. Specific opportunities depend on their qualifications, experience, and the requirements of the employer.
6. Higher Education
Graduate Degree Programs
Master’s degree in Higher Education
Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration
Master’s degree in Student Affairs or College Student Personnel
Career Overview
Higher education professionals support students as they navigate college admissions, academic planning, career decisions, and campus life. Their responsibilities vary by department and may include advising students on course selection, helping applicants through the admissions process, coordinating student programs, or providing career development resources.
Professionals in this field work at colleges and universities, community colleges, and other postsecondary institutions. Some roles focus primarily on student support, while others involve administration, student engagement, program coordination, or institutional operations.
A graduate degree can be particularly helpful or required for certain student affairs and administrative positions, although requirements vary considerably by role and institution. Employment opportunities also depend on institutional budgets, enrollment trends, and departmental needs.
If you’re interested in supporting college students or working in an academic environment without necessarily becoming a professor, higher education may be worth exploring. NASPA offers resources for professionals in student affairs, including a graduate program directory.
Career Options
Potential career options include academic advisor, admissions counselor, career counselor, student affairs professional, student success coordinator, college access program coordinator, and higher education program administrator.
Some positions may require specialized counseling credentials, while others accept candidates with a range of relevant graduate degrees and professional experience. Research the qualifications for the specific positions that interest you before choosing a program.
How to Choose the Right Graduate School Path
Choosing a graduate program involves more than deciding what to study next. It means identifying the type of work you want to do, the populations you want to work with, and the professional opportunities that align with your long-term goals.
Before committing to a program, consider these questions:
What kind of work interests me? Think about whether you want to provide therapy, support students, conduct assessments, study workplace behavior, or work in a college environment.
What qualifications does my desired career require? Research the degree, license, certification, supervised experience, or other credentials required for the positions you want.
Where do I want to work? Requirements can vary by state, employer, and professional setting. Confirm that the program you choose will prepare you for your intended career.
What does the day-to-day work look like? Look beyond the job title and learn about typical responsibilities, work environments, and professional expectations.
What are my long-term goals? Consider opportunities for specialization, leadership, teaching, research, or further education.
You don't need to have every detail of your career figured out right now. However, understanding your options before investing in graduate school can help you make a more informed decision about your next step.
If you're still exploring your options, Pathway to Practice offers mentorship for aspiring mental health professionals and students working to clarify their educational and career goals. Through individual mentorship, you can receive support as you explore possible pathways and begin mapping out your next steps.
Your psychology degree can be the starting point for several different careers. The goal is to find the graduate school path that fits the work you want to do and the future you want to build.