Master’s Degree in Psychology: 5 Top Paying Careers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Psychology Instructors
- Forensic Psychologists
Careers in psychology are excellent for people who want to explore the human mind and help their fellow man. For people who have earned a master’s degree in psychology, they will find that their degree qualifies them for many exciting job opportunities. Five of these careers are discussed below. All of these positions provide top salaries and are in moderate to high demand today.
1. Marriage and Family Therapists
One high-paying career that is available for persons with a Master’s in Psychology is that of a marriage and family therapist. Marriage and family therapists provide therapeutic guidance to couples and families who are struggling with issues that are affecting their well-being. Many of these professionals work out of their private practices, but some are employed by such organizations as social service agencies, mental health centers, hospitals, school systems, substance abuse centers, and government agencies.
2. Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
The American Psychological Association describes positions as industrial-organizational psychologists as ideal for persons with a master’s degree in psychology as well. To boost one’s chances of obtaining a position in this area, it is best if psychology majors enroll in courses relating to such topics as human resource management and organizational behavior before graduation. Industrial-organizational psychologists use their knowledge of psychology to examine the behavior of employees and make recommendations for procedures and processes that will help improve employee productivity, motivation, and loyalty.
3. Rehabilitation Counselors
Also among high-paying careers in psychology that can be obtained with a master’s degree are positions as rehabilitation counselors. Rehabilitation counselors help disabled persons build life skills and cope with feelings of depression and anxiety. These professionals can be found working in many different work settings including hospitals, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, unemployment offices, and social service agencies. Common responsibilities of rehabilitation counselors are to determine clients’ strengths and weaknesses, create individual therapy plans, and monitor clients’ progress.
4. Psychology Instructors
Another great-paying career choice for people with a Master’s in Psychology is to become a psychology instructor. This option is perfect for psychology grads who would like to share their knowledge of psychology with college or university students. In addition to teaching the theories and models of psychology to students, psychology instructors are also responsible for such tasks as creating lesson plans, grading written assignments, encouraging and monitoring student discussions, meeting with other instructors, and speaking with students about their progress.
5. Forensic Psychologists
Obtaining a position as a forensic psychologist is perfect for people with a Master’s in Psychology who are interested in how psychology is applied to legal cases. Forensic psychologists work with attorneys and evaluate persons convicted of crimes to determine if they are mentally competent to stand trial. Their other responsibilities may vary depending on particular cases but often include helping to prepare witnesses for trials, evaluating the credibility of witnesses, investigating reports of child abuse, and providing therapy sessions to family members of victims.
Related Resource: 25 Best Affordable Master’s in Psychology Online Degrees
Careers in psychology provide a broad range of occupational opportunities for psychology graduates. And for those with a Master’s in Psychology, the five career options discussed above are among the most popular and highest paying options today.