Psychology Student Resources

By Fred Switzer, Ph.D.

Before discussing jobs in psychology, let me tell you why I am qualified to discuss the topic. I'm not affiliated with any career center, but I did work for five years before I went to graduate school (not that graduate school isn't work, but you get the idea).

First, the good news is that you have a marketable degree. But much more important than that, you have marketable skills. What skills? All kinds of job-critical skills (trust me, I'm an industrial-organizational psychologist). Where did you get these skills? Mainly in your psychology classes. To give just a few examples:

• Analytical skills (Psych 3090 & 3100)
• People skills (all of your 3000/4000 classes)
• Written and oral communication skills (Psych 3100, et al.)
• Teamwork skills (CI groups, Psych 4970, et al.)

It would help if you did a little self-audit. Think back (or better yet, look at your notes) for every class you've taken at Clemson - then, write yourself a list of the skills you had to use in those classes and the knowledge (and new skills and abilities) you learned in those classes. See - you have a LOT to offer a potential employer!

Here's the bad news: you will have to work much harder to find a job than engineering or accounting graduates (but not as hard as philosophy or English majors). Unfortunately, you are rarely going to visit a find-a-job site or look in the job ads and see "wanted: B.S. or B.A. in Psychology."

So what do you do?

While some students will choose to directly enter the workforce upon graduation, others will opt instead to go to graduate school. Although the large majority of information below applies most specifically to students intending to continue in the field of psychology, it is important to note that many of our psychology majors choose to go to a graduate program in another field, such as medicine, dentistry, occupational/physical therapy, law, marketing, and marketing research. For more information about what you can do in the field of psychology, visit here.

Is Graduate School for You?

For many careers in psychology, a graduate degree is needed. Graduate programs offer a number of different degrees including the Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degrees. Gaining entry into graduate school in some areas of psychology, such as clinical, is extremely competitive. Undergraduate success, research experience, and strong letters of recommendation can all help improve your chances of admission into a graduate program.

What are Master's Degree Programs?

There are two types of master's degree programs in psychology. The terminal master's program is designed to provide training for immediate employment in applied settings, such a community mental health centers, business and industry, and school systems. The second type of master's program prepares students to enter a doctoral program. Some of these programs are located in institutions that do not award a doctoral degree, which means that their graduates must apply to doctoral programs in other institutions after completing the master's degree. Although successful completion of such a program may help you get into the doctoral program of your choice, be aware that if you are accepted as a transfer student into a doctoral program after completing a master's degree, you may have to repeat some coursework.

What are Doctoral Degree Programs?

The doctoral degree in psychology opens up many career opportunities. In addition to coursework, a graduate student conducts research, takes comprehensive exams, and completes a dissertation. Students can apply to a PhD program in various areas of psychology such as Experimental, Industrial-Organizational, Human Factors, Social, and Clinical. A degree in Clinical Psychology also requires a yearlong internship. You should note that all graduate programs differ in their admission requirements. Thus, it is important to research individual programs for clarifying information. Additionally, you may wish to contact your advisor to discuss your plans for graduate study and ensure you are properly prepared.

What Kinds of Programs and Degrees are Available in the Field of Mental Health?

There are many different master’s programs that can lead to a career in the field of mental health, including a Master of Education in Counseling (MEd); Master of Social Work (MSW); or Master in Counseling or Clinical Psychology (MA or MS). Programs may be offered, for example, through a university’s School of Education, School of Social Work, or Department of Psychology. Whatever route you take most master’s programs in the field of mental health call for 50 to 60 credits of coursework at a graduate level. In many cases, students can earn a doctorate in the above-mentioned fields. Students interested in Clinical Psychology typically earn a PhD or a PsyD. A PhD is more research-based, whereas a PsyD is more focused on clinical practice. Working in mental health counseling requires that the individual obtains a license. Each state now allows students to forgo the lengthy doctoral degree route while still enabling them to practice professional counseling. In South Carolina, the license required for professional counseling at the master’s degree level is Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Typically, to fulfill the requirements for an LPC, you will need to complete graduate coursework, the national exam, and an approved LPC internship. Depending on your interests and educational degree, students may work in a variety of settings, such as schools, private practices, clinics, hospitals, and universities. For more information on the various degrees and career options, you may visit the Psychology Department website at www.clemson.edu/psych.