Social services provides a wide array of job choices for recent B.S. graduates. The field encompasses nonprofits and governmental entities that provide support in health care, housing, job training and mental health services. Jobs in this field include case work, grant writing, case coordination, case management, social work and administration. Case work and case management jobs provide opportunities for travel in the surrounding communities a professional serves. Administrative careers generally focus on quality management, billing, research, computer systems maintenance and budget management. Salaries for careers in this field generally range from $29,010 to $57,564, depending on experience and advanced degree certification.
Forensic psychology is a fast-growing career field that provides opportunities in law enforcement and criminal justice. Career paths include adult/juvenile probation, incarceration rehabilitation programs and program consultation. Professionals in this field use their expertise in understanding human behavior to assist mentally ill defendants and analyze criminal intent in legal cases. Salaries typically range from $35,000 to $50,000.
Another popular field for B.S. graduates is teaching. Graduates learn a variety of disciplines within psychology, such as social psychology, child development, cognitive psychology and adolescent psychology. These skills are attractive to school districts that require teachers to have expertise in the developmental needs of children. Graduates with B.S. degrees can easily find teaching jobs in primary and secondary schools through alternative certification. In some cases, bachelor-level professionals can work as adjunct professors at community colleges or alternative schools. The typical salaries for kindergarten through grade 12 teachers are $40,056 to $42,715. Of course, the salary will be higher for a professional with an advanced degree, such as a master of arts or master of science.
A graduate with a B.S. or B.A. degree can land jobs as research assistants for psychologists at hospitals, universities and psychiatric institutes. Research assistants help psychologists with duties such as clinical trials, in-person interviews, data management and data collection.
If you are serious about pursuing a career in psychological research, the best option is to become a licensed psychologist, which requires earning a doctor of philosophy degree, or doctor of psychology degree if you are more interested in clinical practice. Salaries range from $30,760 to $40,000.
Both B.S and B.A graduates in psychology have training that is easily transferable to many fields. Bachelor-level professionals have marketable skills that are in high demand, such as writing, research, knowledge of human behavior, analysis and interviewing. These skills are highly adaptable and can be parlayed into nontraditional jobs, such as contracting, consulting or life coaching.
The potential for growth is increasing within the field of psychology. The demand for people with psychology degrees will continue to rise through 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and those who hold advanced degrees will benefit from a labor market in need of their diverse skills. Growth in the health care industry alone will create a greater need for clinical services. If you plan to pursue a career in psychology, an advanced degree will offer greater opportunities for specialization, prestige and a higher salary.