Do You Need a Graduate Degree in Psychology?
Career paths that require a psychology graduate degree are growing. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that Mental Health Counselor roles will increase 23% by 2026. The same applies to Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors. New jobs may arise from the demand for mental health services among veterans, people with addictions, and others.
You do need a graduate degree in psychology for most career paths in this field. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that most psychologists need to earn a doctorate in Psychology.
The amount of education you’ll need also depends on your state’s licensing laws. For example, Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors in private practice must hold a license. In all states, that means earning a Master’s degree and completing supervised clinical experience.
What Psychology Jobs Can You Get with a Graduate Degree?
Many career paths that need a graduate degree in psychology involve working with patients. You could treat people for mental illness or counsel them to resolve personal challenges. Mental Health Counselors are a good example of this. They address mental health concerns ranging from stress and relationship problems to depression and suicidal thoughts. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists have similar goals but may use different techniques. For instance, Clinical Psychologists often give diagnostic tests and design behavior modification programs.
Other career paths involve research or solving problems by applying principles of psychology. For instance, Industrial-Organizational Psychologists help improve productivity and morale in the workplace. They may help organizational leaders plan policies and training programs that get results.
Annual Mean Wage for Psychology Careers
Occupation | Annual Mean Wage | Employment |
Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists | $81,330 | 108,060 |
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | $102,530 | 920 |
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $85,050 | 37,090 |
Marriage and Family Therapists | $53,860 | 42,880 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $46,560 | 241,930 |
State | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
California | 1,760 | $109,600 |
Florida | 1,310 | $97,210 |
Massachusetts | 810 | $82,440 |
Texas | 670 | $91,350 |
Maryland | 580 | $113,900 |
Psychologists who don’t work in healthcare could take part in a variety of industries. Forensic psychologists work within the criminal justice system and apply their knowledge in the courtroom. School psychologists work in educational settings, addressing student behavioral and learning challenges.
Masters in Psychology vs PhD in Psychology?
A Master’s in Psychology is typically the minimum education requirement for many career paths related to Psychology. A Master’s program usually covers an in-depth overview of the field, including research methods.
Ultimately, most psychologists need to earn a PhD or Psy.D. to meet state licensure requirements. A PhD program delves deeper into the field, with an emphasis on research. Expect to take courses in statistics and experimental procedures. Often, doctoral programs help students prepare for a particular branch of psychology. For instance, you could specialize in addictions or health psychology. To graduate, you usually need to pass a comprehensive exam and write an original dissertation.
Pursuing a PhD in Psychology could be your next move after earning your Master’s. Either program (or both!) could be a step toward your career goals. You could even pursue a dual Master’s/PhD program, where you enter with a Bachelor’s degree and earn your Master’s on the way to achieving your PhD.
Masters in Psychology | PhD in Psychology |
Sponsored Degree Example: MA in Psychology | PhD in Clinical Psychology |
Length of Program: 36 credits, 76 weeks | Length of Program: 6 years |
This program focuses on applying psychology principles to human experience. Students explore theories, research methods, and ethics in the field. Coursework also includes developmental, social, and counseling psychology. | This program uses a scientist-practitioner model, with a focus on research and clinical experiences. Choose from concentrations in health psychology, clinical child psychology, and neuropsychology. |
- Personality Theories
- Psychopathology
- Learning & Cognition
- Applied Social Psychology
- Psychological Testing & Assessment
| - Psychobiological Foundations
- Research Methods in Psychological Sciences
- The Nature of Emotion
- Clinical Supervision and Consultation
|
No specific program accreditations | Accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) |
What Classes Are Needed for a Psychology Graduate Degree?
Psychology graduate programs cover the scientific foundations of psychology. And, they cover professional applications for that knowledge. You could study developmental psychology and the biological bases of human behavior. You may also take courses in professional practices, ethics, and research methods. And if you pursue a concentration, expect to take in-depth courses in that area.
Courses you could take include:
- History, Systems & Philosophy of Psychology
- Psychopharmacology
- Cognitive/Intellectual Assessment
- Drug Addiction
- Life Span Development
- Multicultural and Gender Issues
- Personality Disorders
- Group Dynamics
- Statistics
What Courses Will I Take?
You could take core and concentration courses in psychology, plus electives in areas of interest to you. Common courses include:
- Psychopathology. This course explores disorders in psychology. Expect to study the causes and diagnostic criteria of mental illnesses. You could also learn how to treat these disorders.
- Behavior Analysis. This course covers adaptive and pathological behavior. You could explore factors that influence behavior. And, you could study how behaviors are learned.
- Psychotherapy. A course in Psychotherapy focuses on how to treat mental illness. You’ll study assessment methods, intervention strategies, and how to work with patients.
- Personality Psychology. Many programs offer a course that explores personality. You could study factors that make up a person’s identity and self-concept. These include gender, culture, and environmental influences.
- Research in Psychology. Research is generally an important part of graduate school. Expect to take one or more courses in research methods – like statistical data analysis and hypothesis testing.
What Should I know About Accreditation and Licensure in Psychology?
Earning a graduate degree in psychology from an accredited program might be important, depending on your career goals. For example, you may need to graduate from an APA-accredited program to earn professional licensure in your state.
The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits the following psychology graduate programs:
- Doctoral psychology programs in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, School Psychology, or combination programs
- Doctoral internships
- Postdoctoral residency programs
APA bases accreditation on factors like the breadth and quality of what students learn. The goal is to make sure what is being taught in your program meets current industry standards.
APA only accredits doctoral-level programs. But, the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) helps fill the gap. They accredit Master’s programs in counseling and psychology, with a focus on science-based and culturally responsive education.
And if you’re pursuing a counseling psychology program, CACREP should be on your radar. CACREP stands for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. They accredit Master’s and doctoral programs in counseling.
How Long is Graduate School for Psychology?
That depends on the graduate program and your enrollment status. Doctorate in psychology programs usually take four to six years for full-time students. Psychology master’s programs are usually around two years. However, some take as little as one year.
How Much Does Graduate School Cost for Psychology?
The average cost of a graduate degree from a public institution is $11,617 per year. This means you will be able to find programs both more affordable and more expensive than the average.
This visualization shows graduate tuition costs of four institutions with psychology graduate programs as reported by the NCES. We have then compared those costs to the typically most affordable and most expensive college options, also reported by NCES.
Instate/Out Of State Tuition | School |
$11,617 Average Public Institution University
$14,784 Average Private For Profit Institution Tuition
$26,551 Average Private Nonprofit Institution Tuition
sponsored
What are the Costs per Credit for Masters and PhD in Psychology?
Cost per credit varies by college or university. And, state universities may have in-state costs vs. out-of-state costs. Below are a few examples of the cost per credit as reported by these institutions offering graduate psychology programs.
University | # of Credits Required | Cost Per Credit | Total Tuition Cost |
Purdue University Global (sponsored) | 60 to 75 | $420 | $25,200 to $31,500 |
Grand Canyon University (sponsored) | 36 | $515 | $18,540 |
Capella University | 107 quarter credits | $530 (per semester credit, or 1.5 quarter credits) | $37,806 |
Saybrook University (sponsored) | 68 to 83 | $1,150 | $78,200 to $95,450 |
Best 50 Graduate Schools for Psychology in New York City:
