10 Master's Degrees You Can Get with a Bachelor's in Psych

A psychology bachelor's degree teaches you a lot more than clinical theory, even if that's not always obvious while you're taking the coursework. Research design, statistical analysis, and a working understanding of human behavior all transfer directly into graduate fields well beyond traditional clinical psychology.

This list walks through 10 master's degrees that make practical use of the skills a psychology bachelor's degree already gave you, from counseling and human resources to public health and business. You'll also find details on prerequisites, application strategy, and career outlook, so you can see how each option builds on the foundation you've already got.

Why Is a Psychology Bachelor's a Strong Foundation for Graduate School?

Psychology programs put a heavy emphasis on research methods and statistics, which gives graduates a level of data literacy that plenty of other majors don't develop as thoroughly. That foundation transfers well into any graduate field that relies on evidence-based practice, from counseling to public health to organizational research.

Beyond the technical skills, a psychology degree also builds strong communication and interpersonal skills through coursework in areas like social psychology and abnormal psychology. Those skills matter just as much in a business or human resources graduate program as they do in a clinical setting, which is part of why psychology graduates show up across such a wide range of master's programs.

10 Master's Degrees You Can Earn With a Bachelor's in Psychology

The degrees below each draw on different parts of a psychology background, so the best fit really depends on which skills and interests you want to build on. Here's a closer look at each option.

1. Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

A master's in clinical mental health counseling trains graduates to assess and treat individuals dealing with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges, typically leading toward licensure as a professional counselor. Coursework covers areas like psychopathology, counseling theory, and group therapy techniques, building directly on the abnormal psychology and developmental psychology courses most psychology majors already completed.

Programs in this field often hold accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, which matters significantly for licensure eligibility in most states. A psychology bachelor's degree typically satisfies most prerequisite coursework for this path, making it one of the more natural next steps for psychology graduates interested in direct clinical work.

2. Master's in School Counseling

A master's in school counseling prepares graduates to support students' academic, social, and emotional development within K-12 settings, often requiring a practicum or internship inside an actual school. The curriculum draws heavily on developmental psychology and educational psychology, both of which overlap substantially with standard psychology bachelor's coursework.

Many school counseling programs also carry accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, and most states require this credential for school counselor licensure. Psychology graduates often find the transition into this field smoother than students from unrelated majors, since concepts like child development and behavioral intervention are already familiar territory.

3. Master's in Social Work

A Master of Social Work prepares graduates for clinical and macro-level social work roles, covering coursework in social welfare policy, human behavior in the social environment, and clinical intervention methods. Psychology graduates tend to have a head start in the human behavior components of the curriculum, even though social work also introduces policy and systems-level content that a typical psychology program doesn't cover in depth.

MSW programs carry accreditation through the Council on Social Work Education, which is required for licensure in every state. Some programs offer an advanced standing track for students who've already completed a bachelor's in a closely related field, though this option is more common for social work undergraduates than psychology majors specifically.

4. Master's in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

A master's in industrial-organizational psychology applies psychological research to workplace issues like employee selection, performance evaluation, and organizational development. This degree builds directly on research methods and statistics courses from a psychology bachelor's, along with any coursework in social or personality psychology.

I-O psychology master's programs don't typically carry a specialized programmatic accreditor the way counseling and social work do, but many follow guidelines established by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. This degree is one of the more direct extensions of an undergraduate psychology background, since it applies the same research skill set to a corporate rather than clinical setting.

5. Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis

A master's in applied behavior analysis trains graduates to design and implement behavior-change interventions, most commonly for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities. Coursework covers learning theory, behavioral assessment, and intervention design, all of which build on the learning and conditioning principles covered in most undergraduate psychology programs.

Graduates typically need a program that meets the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's coursework requirements in order to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam after graduation. A psychology bachelor's degree lines up well with this path, since foundational coursework in learning and behavior is usually already part of the undergraduate curriculum.

6. Master's in Human Resources Management

A master's in human resources management covers areas like talent acquisition, compensation strategy, and organizational behavior, preparing graduates for HR leadership roles across industries. Psychology graduates often bring a strong understanding of motivation, communication, and group dynamics into this program, even though the curriculum also introduces business-specific content like labor law and compensation analytics.

Some HR master's programs align with standards from the Society for Human Resource Management, though the degree itself isn't tied to a licensure requirement the way counseling and social work are. This path appeals to psychology graduates who want to apply behavioral science principles in a corporate setting without pursuing the research-heavy track of an I-O psychology degree.

7. Master's in Public Health

A Master of Public Health trains graduates to address health issues at a population level, covering coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, and health policy. Psychology graduates bring a useful research and statistics background into this program, though public health coursework also introduces new content areas like environmental health and health systems that a psychology degree doesn't typically cover.

MPH programs carry accreditation through the Council on Education for Public Health, which is worth confirming before you apply. This path suits psychology graduates interested in behavioral health promotion, community health work, or health communication roles that draw on an understanding of individual and group behavior.

8. Master's in Business Administration

An MBA covers core business functions like finance, marketing, operations, and strategy, and it's one of the more flexible graduate options for psychology graduates who want to pivot into the corporate world. Psychology's emphasis on communication, data analysis, and understanding group behavior translates well into coursework on leadership and organizational strategy, even though an MBA doesn't build on clinical psychology content directly.

Many MBA programs hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which is generally considered a strong quality signal in business education. Some MBA programs also offer concentrations in areas like organizational behavior or human capital management, which let psychology graduates lean into the parts of business education closest to their undergraduate training.

9. Master's in Higher Education Administration

A master's in higher education administration prepares graduates for roles in student affairs, academic advising, or campus administration, with coursework covering student development theory, higher education law, and organizational leadership within a university setting. Psychology graduates often find the student development coursework especially familiar, since it draws heavily on developmental and social psychology concepts.

Programs in this field are generally reviewed against standards set by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, rather than a single specialized accreditor. This degree fits well for psychology graduates who enjoyed working with college-age students during an undergraduate internship or campus job and want to build a career around student support services.

10. Master's in Forensic Psychology

A master's in forensic psychology applies psychological principles to legal and criminal justice settings, covering coursework in criminal behavior, eyewitness testimony, and psychological assessment within legal contexts. This degree builds directly on abnormal psychology and research methods coursework from a psychology bachelor's, along with any undergraduate exposure to criminal justice or law-related electives.

Forensic psychology master's programs typically hold standard regional accreditation rather than a specialized programmatic accreditor, since the field sits at the intersection of psychology and criminal justice rather than fitting neatly into either one. This path suits psychology graduates interested in roles like victim advocacy, correctional counseling, or consulting work within the legal system.

How We Selected These Degrees

To build this list, we reviewed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics alongside programmatic accreditation standards published by organizations like the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and the Council on Social Work Education.

We also considered how directly each field's coursework and career path connect back to a typical psychology bachelor's curriculum. Here's a closer look at how we approached it.

• Relevance to a psychology skill set: We prioritized degrees that build directly on research methods, statistics, and behavioral science coursework already common in psychology bachelor's programs.
• Prerequisite accessibility: We favored fields that most psychology graduates can enter without extensive additional coursework beyond their undergraduate requirements.
• Career demand: We looked at job growth projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to prioritize fields with strong long-term demand.
• Licensure and accreditation clarity: We noted programmatic accreditation where it applies, since it affects licensure eligibility in fields like counseling and social work.

What Prerequisite Courses Do You Need to Apply?

Most of the degrees on this list accept psychology bachelor's graduates without requiring many, if any, additional prerequisite courses, since core classes like statistics, research methods, and abnormal psychology already satisfy common graduate admission requirements. Fields like counseling, applied behavior analysis, and forensic psychology tend to be the closest match, since their prerequisite expectations overlap almost entirely with a standard psychology curriculum.

Other fields, including social work, public health, and business administration, may ask for a supplemental course or two in areas like policy, biostatistics, or accounting, depending on the specific program. It's worth requesting a prerequisite checklist directly from each program you're considering, since requirements can vary even among schools offering the same degree.

Do You Need to Take the GRE for These Programs?

A growing number of graduate programs don’t require the GRE, particularly for applicants with a strong undergraduate GPA. Counseling, social work, and applied behavior analysis programs are especially likely to waive the requirement, since these fields tend to weigh relevant experience and coursework more heavily than standardized test scores.

MBA programs are more likely to still require the GRE or GMAT, though many now offer waivers for applicants with several years of relevant work experience. Checking each program's current testing policy directly is worthwhile, since these requirements have shifted quickly over the past several admissions cycles.

How to Strengthen Your Application With a Psychology Background

Getting into a competitive graduate program takes more than a psychology degree alone, even when the fit between fields is strong. Here's what tends to make the biggest difference in an application.

• Relevant coursework: Highlight specific psychology courses, like statistics, research methods, or abnormal psychology, that align directly with your target program's curriculum.
• Research or field experience: Experience as an undergraduate research assistant, intern, or volunteer in a related setting demonstrates you understand what the work actually involves.
• Letters of recommendation: Ask professors who can speak specifically to your research skills or clinical potential, rather than those who only know you from a large lecture course.
• A focused personal statement: Connect your psychology background explicitly to your target field, explaining how specific skills or experiences point toward this next step rather than describing a vague interest in helping people.

Career Outlook for Psychology Graduates Pursuing These Degrees

Career outcomes vary quite a bit across these 10 fields, but several show strong, well-documented demand. Mental health counselors, a common destination for psychology graduates, have a projected 17% employment growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, and a median wage of $59,190 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Industrial-organizational psychologists, a path for graduates leaning toward workplace applications, earn a considerably higher median wage of $109,840, while school and career counselors earned a median of $65,140 with steady 4% projected growth. That spread illustrates just how differently these career paths can play out financially, which makes it worth weighing your own priorities around income, work setting, and day-to-day responsibilities before choosing a direction.

FAQs About Master's Degrees for Psychology Majors

Psychology graduates weighing their graduate school options tend to ask a similar set of questions before committing to a direction. Here are answers to the ones that come up most.

Can You Get an MBA With a Psychology Degree?

Yes, many MBA programs accept psychology graduates without requiring a business-specific undergraduate background, since MBA admissions typically weigh work experience and quantitative readiness more heavily than a specific major. Some programs may recommend or require a foundational course in accounting or statistics beforehand, so it's worth checking prerequisites directly with each school.

Which Master's Degree Pays the Most for Psychology Graduates?

Among the degrees on this list, industrial-organizational psychology and human resources management tend to lead to some of the higher-paying roles, particularly in corporate settings. Actual pay still depends heavily on industry, location, and years of experience, so it's worth researching salary ranges specific to your target role and region rather than relying on a single national figure.

Do All of These Master's Degrees Lead to Licensure?

No, licensure only applies to some of these fields, most notably clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and social work, all of which require passing a state licensing exam after graduation. Fields like industrial-organizational psychology, human resources management, and business administration don't involve a licensure process, since they aren't regulated the same way clinical and school-based roles are.

Is It Better to Get a Master's Degree in Psychology Instead of a Related Field?

Choosing a related field over a straight psychology master's often comes down to your specific career goals, since fields like social work or public health lead to licensure or career paths that a general psychology master's doesn't always provide as directly. A related degree can also be a practical choice if you're drawn to a specific application of psychology, like organizational behavior or public health, rather than clinical practice itself.

Can You Switch Career Directions After Starting One of These Master's Programs?

Switching directions after starting a program is possible but often means losing time and tuition already invested, since these degrees don't overlap enough to transfer credits between most of them. It's worth talking to a program's advising office early if you're having second thoughts, since some schools offer a way to shift concentrations within the same broader degree without starting over completely.

Explore Graduate Programs for Psychology Majors

These degrees show just how far a psychology bachelor's degree can stretch once you start looking at graduate options. Browse program listings on Learn.org and reach out to admissions offices directly to confirm prerequisite requirements before you apply.