What Advantages Does Obtaining a Master’s in Psychology Have Over a Bachelor’s?

Are you currently studying Psychology? Do you currently possess a Bachelor’s degree in the field? If you are an undergraduate student debating whether or not to dedicate the time to earn your Master’s, it is important to uncover the advantages of earning a Master’s in Psychology. Chances are you are aware of the fact that you must have a PhD. in Psychology to become a licensed psychologist, but not everyone who studies Psychology wants to be a psychologist. You have to consider what you would like to do with your degree once you graduate to determine which degree is the best choice for you. Read on, and find out if a Master’s in Psychology offers enough advantages to justify the time and monetary investment.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Psychology?

There are a variety of entry-level jobs you will be qualified for with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. If you would like to start off in the field as an entry-level professional rather than spending 6 to 8 years attending school, it could benefit you to study for a Bachelor’s degree. Typically, human or social services agencies will hire graduates with a Bachelor’s degree. You may be eligible for titles like: case manager, psychiatric technician, career counselor, social worker or rehabilitation counselor if you graduated from an accredited undergrad program.

What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Psychology?

The outlook for professionals with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology is not as positive as the outlook is for professionals with an advanced degree. If you are not sure if you should enroll in a Master’s program, you need to consider the opportunities that will be available to you. A Master’s degree takes between 2 and 3 years to earn, and is designed to help you master specific areas of practice in Psychology. This terminal degree may help prepare you for jobs in research or for further study.

You may apply for any of the entry-level jobs listed in the Bachelor’s degree section, but you also can apply for other jobs in fields like forensic psychology, industrial psychology and mental health. You may be able to get hired as a researcher, or as a generalist in another area of the practice. You will need to consider the average salary in the field, and how much you will spend on attaining a master’s to calculate the costs.

Other Advantages of a Master’s

If you would like to one day study for a PhD. so that you can become a licensed psychologist, it may be in your interest to study for Master’s before applying for a doctoral program. The competition to enter a doctoral program right out of undergraduate school can be very tough, and many students are not picked for admissions. By taking your Master’s, you can show you are capable of completing a graduate level study program and improve your chances of getting accepted into a specialized program.

As you can see, there are employment benefits and future educational benefits to earning a Master’s. You must consider what you would like to do in the future, how much it will cost to earn your degree and how much more you will earn each year with a Master’s. Make the best choice for you and your family.