Student Resources 5 Types of Psychology Degrees Psychology Degree Options and Jobs They Prepare You For By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book." Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 02, 2024 Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print Trending Videos Close this video player Verywell / JR Bee Psychology degree options include those at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The five main types are an associate degree, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, a PhD, and a PsyD. A psychology degree can help prepare students for careers in various fields, including mental health, education, counseling, research, and applied fields. For students thinking about earning a psychology degree, it's important to understand what level of education they need to enter their chosen career path. For some professions, a bachelor's degree might be sufficient. Other career paths might require a graduate degree. Here are the psychology degree types, how long each one takes to earn, and the career options available at each degree level. 1 Associate Degree in Psychology Bounce / Getty Images An associate degree in psychology is an undergraduate-level degree that usually takes two years to complete. Many community colleges offer an associate psychology degree option. One possible job option with an associate degree in psychology is to work as a psychiatric technician in a state mental hospital. In some states, you may also qualify for certain social work jobs, such as a casework aide or an addictions counselor assistant. Jobs available at the associate level are somewhat limited as most entry-level psychology professions require a bachelor's degree at the very minimum. Because of this, an associate degree is commonly used as a stepping stone toward earning a bachelor's. Earning your associate psychology degree is a great way to gain a solid background in the field before moving on to more advanced studies. 2 Bachelor's Degree in Psychology PeopleImages.com / Getty Images A bachelor's degree in psychology is an undergraduate-level degree that often takes four years to complete. At many universities, students can choose between a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Generally speaking, B.A. degrees tend to require more liberal arts general education courses, while B.S. degrees require more science general education courses. According to one survey, only about 27% of people with a bachelor's in psychology end up working in a field closely related to their degree. A few common job titles for people with this type of degree include case manager, psychiatric technician, career counselor, and rehabilitation specialist. Bachelor's degree holders often find work in other areas, including sales, management, and teaching. There is often a much wider range of job opportunities for those with a graduate psychology degree. However, a bachelor's degree serves as a solid basis for graduate study in psychology and does offer a selection of entry-level career options. 3 Master's Degree in Psychology West Rock / Getty Images A master's degree in psychology is a graduate-level degree that usually takes between two and three years beyond the bachelor's degree to complete. Like the bachelor's degree, students can usually choose between a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) in psychology. Graduates with a master's degree can find jobs in a variety of areas, including mental health services, government agencies, and business fields. While there are some opportunities for teaching at colleges and universities, these positions tend to be limited and highly competitive. A few job titles that a master's degree holder might find include marriage and family therapist, rehabilitative counselor, school counselor, and human resources manager. Jobs with a master's level psychology degree are far more plentiful than those at the bachelor's level, which is why this is one of the most popular degree options. While some master's programs offer what is known as a terminal degree, or an end-level degree designed to prepare students for the workforce, other master's programs focus on preparing students for doctoral-level study. 4 Ph.D. in Psychology Dan Dalton/Caiaimage/Getty Images A Ph.D. in psychology, or Doctor of Philosophy in psychology, is a doctoral-level degree that can take four to six years of graduate study to complete. The Ph.D. degree tends to take a more research-oriented approach but does include both theoretical and applied training. There are a wide variety of specialty areas to choose from with this psychology degree. Your choice will largely depend on what you choose to do after you graduate. If you're interested in working in psychotherapy or opening your own private practice, you might want to earn a Ph.D. in either clinical or counseling psychology. If you're interested in teaching, research, or an applied area, you might earn a Ph.D. in a specialty such as social, developmental, industrial-organizational, or experimental psychology. 5 Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Chuck Savage / Getty Images The Psy.D., or Doctor of Psychology, was created as an alternative to the traditional Ph.D. Psy.D. programs tend to be more focused on the professional practice of psychology. Those who earn a Psy.D. in clinical or counseling psychology and pass the required licensing exams are qualified to diagnose and treat mental disorders, conduct psychological tests, and provide psychotherapy. In most cases, the Psy.D. degree takes approximately four to seven years to complete. During this time, students receive extensive training in topics such as diagnosing mental illness, performing psychological assessments, and conducting clinical interventions. Just as with the Ph.D. degree, Psy.D. students are required to complete a supervised practicum and internship in a clinical setting. The practicum usually involves working part-time under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, while the internship is a full-time position that lasts at least one year. Once students have completed their required coursework, practicum, and internship, they can take the state and national licensing exams. Summary You have many options for which educational path to take in psychology. It's wise to explore which careers each psychology degree can open for you, investing your education dollars wisely to meet your career goals. 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Field of degree: Psychology. American Psychological Association. By the numbers: How do undergraduate psychology majors fare? Bureau of Labor Statistics. How to become a psychologist. By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book." See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit