By Dr. Matthew Loux and Derek Loux | 01/31/2025
As the psychology discipline has progressed, more specialties have risen that allow psychologists the freedom to explore the complexities of children or adult behavior. For individuals considering careers in this field, the question often arises: is a psychology degree worth it?
Majoring in psychology is definitely worth the time and effort invested in earning this degree. Earning a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in psychology enables graduates to seek satisfying work in multiple areas, such as clinical work, forensics, and education. Psychologists have real power to directly affect positive change in the lives of their patients.
The Truth about Psychology Education
What is the first thing students think of when considering the field of psychology? Perhaps it is therapy, the brain, or criminal profiling.
Psychology is often misunderstood. common myths suggest it lacks mathematical analysis and focuses solely on direct client interactions such as providing therapy.
Psychology, however, serves countless purposes and plays an essential role in helping society in various contexts. When students pursue an undergraduate degree or graduate degree in psychology, they can tailor their education by choosing a specialty area or combining their majors and minors to broaden their expertise.
The Benefits of Studying Psychology
Studying psychology has multiple advantages. They include:
- Personal growth and professional knowledge
- Opportunities for specialization
- Various career paths
- Contributions to society
- Workplace productivity improvement
Personal Growth and Professional Knowledge
Studying psychology can be beneficial, lead to personal growth and understanding. Learning how others think is a direct corollary to how you think for yourself.
For example, learning about mental health disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can educate you about symptoms present in your own life. A licensed professional can then confirm a diagnosis and suggest treatment for a previously unknown issue, which can go a long way in improving your quality of life.
A psychology degree can also be utilized a steppingstone to higher education and certifications. This knowledge is critical when helping patients with mental health struggles.
Opportunities for Specialization
Earning a psychology degree offers students the chance to specialize in a particular area of psychology. From clinical roles and consulting to teaching and research, there are many career paths.
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychologists examine social, emotional, and cognitive processes, and they can work in various locations such as hospitals, private practices, and schools. Clinical psychologists routinely conduct psychological evaluations for mental health issues and administer intelligence and personality tests. They can diagnose disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and personality disorders.
Often, a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) is required for clinical psychologists. Other requirements to become this type of psychologist may include an internship or postdoctoral training and a state license.
Counseling
Psychology majors may choose to seek job opportunities as mental health, substance abuse, and behavioral disorder counselors. They can work in clinical practice areas such as mental health centers, community health centers, or private practice.
Counselors can help provide guidance and support for people who have difficulties with a number of issues such as divorce, career changes, and family conflicts. A master’s degree from an accredited graduate school and an internship are normally required to become a counselor.
Education
There are many educational roles that psychology majors can pursue. For example, educational institutions such as private schools, public schools, junior colleges, and universities offer potential opportunities for psychology graduates. A Ph.D. is commonly preferred for instructors, but sometimes a master’s-level college degree is enough to teach at a junior college.
The benefit of having a degree in psychology involves not only understanding people's behavior but also using that knowledge to help students achieve academic success. This knowledge of how people behave can help students, whether at an in-person college or in an online environment, by allowing them to assess their struggles, difficulties, and best methods of success.
For instance, if you know that a student has a mental challenge, stressful career, busy schedule, or some other type of stressor, a background in psychology could help you assess the situation and provide ways to help the student succeed. Instructors could look for signs of stress or distress in their students and refer that student to student services or other university departments to seek help.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Industrial-organizational psychology is an interesting specialization for graduates with a psychology degree. Industrial-organizational psychologists work with management, technical or scientific consultants, or even state governments. They can assist with job analysis and the creation of tools such as assessments, interviews, and background checks for the recruitment and selection of employees.
Industrial-organizational psychologists can help with training and development by designing and implementing employee and leadership training programs. They can also perform other functions such as instituting changes, creating safe and efficient work environments, helping reduce injuries or illnesses, and assisting with job satisfaction and employee well-being.
Sometimes, an industrial-organizational psychologist can start with a bachelor’s degree. However, higher-level degree – such as a master’s degree in psychology – is often preferred by many organizations for this role.
Research
While many professionals with psychology degrees seek to work as counselors or therapists, some prefer to do research for scientists in organizations or academic institutions. This research is important for helping others to understand the human mind and why certain behaviors happen. Researchers want to conduct their own research to answer questions, such as why people act, feel, or think the way they do.
Various Career Paths That Are Possible with a Psychology Degree
A psychology background can provide a strong foundation for seeking roles in the medical field, particularly in areas that involve understanding behavior, mental health, and cognitive processes. These roles are usually fulfilled by a psychiatrist or neuropsychologist.
Apart from fields such as healthcare and education, however, studying psychology can be useful in business marketing. For instance, psychologists can help companies' marketing teams to analyze their customer demographics and predict buying trends. This information is useful for businesses seeking to understand their customers’ behavior and develop useful marketing strategies.
A psychology background can also be useful in the criminal justice sector. Psychologists can provide criminal profiling, diagnose offenders and inmates, and analyze crime trends. Forensic psychology also delves into examining criminals’ choice of victims, motives, and signatures.
Contribution to Society
Psychology plays a vital role in the everyday life of mentally healthier communities by addressing mental health needs, influencing public policy, and supporting educational reform. Graduates with psychology degrees can contribute to societal well-being by applying their expertise to help individuals, improve systems, and advocate for meaningful change at local, national, and global levels.
Mental health professionals are needed throughout the U.S. According to a 2024 report from Mental Health America (MHA), more than 23% of American adults (almost 60 million patients) were diagnosed with some form of mental illness. At least 5% of those patients contemplated suicide.
Those numbers skyrocket when adolescents are considered. MHA notes that half of adolescents with mental health struggles do not get proper treatment, in part because of the shortage of qualified professionals.
Workplace Productivity Improvement
Graduates of psychology programs can contribute positively in the workplace due to the skills that they possess. Employees with psychology knowledge can help others in the development of effective social skills, communication skills, and active listening. They can also teach others how to show empathy and resolve conflicts wherever necessary.
These skills are important. Teaching them to others can help employees to develop strong networks with colleagues, foster teamwork, and manage organizational relations effectively.
A knowledge of psychology adds to an understanding of staff motivation and behavior. It is this understanding that helps organizations to determine the factors that contribute to employee engagement, general satisfaction at work, and job performance.
Psychology graduates improve their critical thinking, problem solving skills, and other abilities. They can assess complex job environments, establish the cause of problems, and come up with proper solutions, all in a bid to enhance productivity, efficiency, and wellbeing.
A graduate in psychology has advanced research skills and analytical skills. These abilities are necessary for collecting and analyzing information, making informed decisions, and improving workplace processes, which leads to improving the overall performance of an organization.
Psychology Degrees at American Public University
For adult learners interested in studying human behavior, psychological principles, and other related topics, American Public University (APU) provides both an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree:
Courses in these programs include personality theories, research methods in psychology, learning and cognition, and statistics for social science. Other courses include the psychology of addiction and substance, child and adolescent development, multicultural issues in human behavior, cyberpsychology, and an introduction to social psychology.
These courses are taught by faculty members with a deep knowledge of psychology. For more information, visit APU’s arts and humanities program page.
Note: A bachelor’s in psychology does not provide licensure; preparation for licensure; or professional certification required for mental health counselors, practitioners, or psychologists. APU’s master’s degree in psychology does not provide licensure to engage in clinical practice, preparation for licensure, or professional certification.
Dr. Matthew Loux is an assistant professor at American Public University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and law enforcement administration and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Central Missouri State. In addition, Matt has a doctoral degree in management from Colorado Technical University and is pursuing a Ph.D. in educational leadership and administration at Aspen University. He is a Certified Financial Crimes Investigator, a Certified Fraud Specialist, and a Certified Fraud Examiner.
Derek Loux is an alumnus of American Public University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in developmental and child psychology from American Public University. Derek is currently working on his Ph.D. in psychology at Northcentral University.