The Bachelor of Arts in applied psychology prepares students for a professional career in a variety of industries. Students who complete this degree receive a good foundation in psychological concepts and theories and learn how to apply psychology skills to a certain field. Most degree programs give students the chance to choose an emphasis, such as in child and adolescent services or business. This degree prepares students to work in entry-level careers, such as in management and human resources, in social services agencies, and at community mental health centers.
A human factors degree focuses on behavior in relation to workplace settings, products, systems and machines. An individual studying human factors psychology learns about perceptual and cognitive abilities and behaviors and how to apply those principles to the design, safety and effectiveness of machines and other products. Graduates of master's and doctoral program in human factors work in government departments such as defense or transportation. Graduates also work in research and development firms and private corporations in all types of industries, such as aerospace, consumer products, and automotive and computer industries.
Industrial-organizational psychology degrees focus on applying psychology to work settings involving the behavior of individuals and groups. The degree, offered for master's and doctoral students, prepares psychologists for work in human resource departments, independent consulting firms and private practice or research. For example, degree students learn how improving workplace procedures, such as hiring practices, employee feedback and training programs, can improve employee attitudes and satisfaction. Organizational development is a specialty within this degree that focuses on change-management issues such as job redesign, company down- or up-sizing, and team building.
The Doctor of Psychology, or Psy.D. degree, is an applied clinical psychology degree. Students of this training program learn how to practice psychotherapy and counseling with clients. The Doctor of Psychology degree -- as opposed to the traditional Doctor of Philosophy, or Ph.D. -- requires students to spend more time in supervised professional development, gaining the client-therapist, one-on-one experience needed to work as a professional clinical psychologist. Students who graduate with this degree work in both in-patient and outpatient clinical treatment centers, as well as in private practice.