Is a Psychology Degree Good For Advertising?

A psychology degree can benefit your advertising career in many ways. Those working in advertising often use marketing strategies to appeal to a target audience, so understanding the consumers can be beneficial.

In this way, advertising professionals can use their psychology background to better understand consumer and human behavior. If you're considering a career in advertising that focuses on human behaviors, a psychology degree could be a good start.

What Are the Benefits of a Psychology Degree for Advertising?

As a psych major, you will need to choose a psychology degree program that interests you, such as business psychology, social psychology, or experimental psychology. Once you achieve your undergraduate degree, you'll gain a wide range of skills that will help you in advertising.

For instance, liberal arts and English courses can help you learn to recognize patterns in consumer behavior, improve planning skills, and gain more efficient communication techniques. You can gain more advanced skills in these areas by earning a graduate degree in psychology, with different types of psychology master's degrees to choose from or a psychology doctorate degree (PsyD).

Better Understanding of Consumer Behavior

As an undergrad, your coursework may consist of classes that overlap with a marketing degree as many college programs place focus on recognizing consumer behavior.

Having a strong knowledge of psychology allows you to examine human behavior and observe patterns. You can then utilize marketing strategies in an effective way, targeting consumer interest in your company's products.

Improved Strategic Planning Skills

As a psychology student, you will gain strategic planning skills, which will help you determine the focal point for a targeted audience. Expertise is necessary for planning strategies; psychology majors can apply their skills as they learn insights into market research and sales.

This type of planning also allows you to strategize with other employees, which can benefit with a knowledge of psychology.

Greater Communication Skills

Psychology courses can help you achieve greater communication skills. Part of the reason is because you learn about human behavior and the role of communication.

Additionally, strong communication skills will be needed in an advertising setting. Whether promotion takes place on social media or in print, the advertising must effectively communicate the intended message to the audience.

Enhanced Research Skills

In college, you'll learn the research skills needed to receive a psychology degree. Since new information is consistently uncovered in regard to the human brain, science, and psychology, you must be able to conduct research.

Staying current with this scientific evidence allows you to pivot or cater to a specific audience, depending on the research and planning skills necessary for the campaign.

Best Psychology Degree Specializations for a Career in Advertising

The psychology field involves understanding the human brain and how it works. If you seek a career in advertising and want to obtain a psychology degree in the process, you can consider numerous specializations.

Organizational/Industrial Psychology

You can pursue organizational psychology and industrial psychology specializations. Organizational psychology generally focuses on behavior in the workplace.

The industrial-organizational psychology branch is particularly useful for those interested in psychology within the workplace.

Experimental Psychology

Experimental methods are used across many forms of psychology programs. Through experiments, you can learn more concepts needed for your career.

In experimental psychology, you will learn observational methods and utilize surveys to assist with your research. These research skills can be beneficial for different careers in advertising, where data findings are a crucial part of the job.

Social Psychology

Social psychology is a specialization for those interested in the psychology of social marketing. Additionally, social psychology offers information about the science of persuasion.

This type of psychology plays an important role in effective marketing advertisements and campaigns to encourage consumers to make purchases.

Business Psychology

Those working in business administration can use the psychology skills learned in school to work in human resources. As part of a human resources department, you will potentially need to utilize business psychology when interacting with employees and resolving conflicts.

Clinical Psychology

Through clinical psychology courses, you may create your own private practice depending on your education experience. As a clinical psychologist with a private practice, you must, in a way, advertise yourself so that clients select you for their needs.

Advertising Career Opportunities for Psychology Majors

Psychology majors have a wide range of career paths to consider. From internships to entry-level job options, the psychology job market is vast. Below are some common careers.

Market Research Analyst

As a market research analyst, you will help advertise your company, maintaining a strong and popular image. In addition to this, you will focus on the business's sales.

If you choose to be a market research analyst, you will likely report your information to executive analysts and even the president of the company.

Organizational Psychologist

For those who major in organizational psychology, you will learn behaviors and the psychology of the workplace. Organizational psychologists use these skills to motivate staff.

When you help to provide a positive work environment for others, you can enhance employee engagement.

Campaign Manager

Marketing campaigns require a campaign manager. These campaign efforts and initiatives require heavy and persistent advertising.

With your role as a campaign manager or marketing manager, you must have excellent communication skills as you work with others to ensure a successful campaign. Through your education, you will learn ways to lead non-profit, social, or political campaigns.

Social Media Manager

If you work in the digital marketing sector, you will likely make use of social media to reach other businesses and customers. As a social media manager, you will target specific audiences.

Through social media options, you can reach audiences in a large region. To better help advertise your company, you can provide promotional material across numerous social media platforms.

Copywriter

As a copywriter, it's important to have well-rounded knowledge in a variety of areas. In the advertising field, you may be required to write pieces and articles about your business.

To effectively promote your business and secure a successful copywriting position, you must learn the psychology of readers for your target audience.

FAQs About Advertising Careers for Psychology Majors

There is a wide array of advertising careers for psychology majors to consider. Below, we've answered some common questions for psychology majors.

Are Psychology Degree Graduates Good Candidates for Advertising Jobs?

If you graduate with a degree in psychology, it may benefit you when applying for advertising jobs. Because you understand human behavior, you have more knowledge about aspects of advertising needed for a company to succeed.

What Advertising Careers Would Benefit From a Psychology Degree?

There are several advertising careers which would benefit from a psychology degree. For instance, you can become a market research analyst, organizational psychologist, or social media manager.

How Important Is Psychology When It Comes To Advertising?

When it comes to advertising, a psychology degree is extremely important. Because psychology focuses on the behavior of people, you can gain insight into the types of campaigns and initiatives that work best for customers.

Can I Complete a Degree in Psychology Completely Online?

You can complete a degree in psychology online without any on-campus requirements. Various schools offer online programs covering different psychology specializations.