Should I Get a Degree in Psychology if I Don't Want To Be a Psychologist?

Although the term psychology is commonly associated with the process of psychotherapy, there is far more to psychology than clinical practice.

Psychology is an extremely broad field that studies the human mind and behavior in many different contexts and scales of analysis. Clinical psychotherapy makes up only one part of psychology.

While some psychology degrees are designed to prepare students for clinical practice, there are many other areas of psychology.

A psychology degree can be a strong choice even if you don't want to be a clinical psychologist.

Reasons to Study Psychology Even if You Don't Want to Be a Psychologist

Here are some reasons to consider a degree in psychology if you have no interest in clinical practice.

Master Professional Relationships

Almost all forms of employment involve professional relationships. Psychology graduates will be well prepared to understand the motives and intentions of their colleagues or supervisors.

A degree in psychology can help students read and assess interpersonal situations. Astute psychology graduates will be able to pick up on body language and subtle cues and respond accordingly.

Become a Better Communicator

A degree in psychology gives students the ability to connect to the people who they are communicating with.

Psychology students will be able to consider the tone, connotation, and affective impact of their words.

Learn How to Work with Data

Data literacy is one aspect of a psychology degree that is often overlooked. Psychology students will typically learn research statistics and common statistical software programs.

Psychology graduates can bring the added advantage of being able to spot meaningful trends and patterns in datasets.

Make Better Decisions

The study of human decision-making is a key area of psychology. Students will learn to investigate their own motives and recognize factors that contribute to hasty or poor decisions.

Psychology students will have an understanding of different forms of reasoning and will be able to frame complex problems well.

Other Career Paths for Psychology Majors

Here are some exciting career options for psychology majors who don't want to be psychologists.

Research

Research is one of the most important areas of psychology. Psychology researchers will learn how to test hypotheses and analyze data.

Common areas psychology researchers explore include memory, perception, learning, development, decision-making, and cognition.

A career in research can be a great choice for students who enjoy using theoretical knowledge and technical skills to answer complex questions.

Human Resources

Human resources is another common career path for psychology graduates.

Psychology students will be able to apply their knowledge of leadership, organizations, ethics, and conflict resolution as human resource managers.

Education

Because psychology students understand learning, memory, perception, development, and social behavior, they are valuable to educational organizations and schools.

Graduates of psychology programs can go on to become teachers, school counselors, educational consultants, or administrators.

Marketing

Because marketing requires a keen understanding of consumer behavior and motivation, psychology students often excel in the field.

Psychology graduates who work in marketing will be able to create powerful campaigns that impact consumers.

Market research is another great career for psychology graduates. Market research blends data analysis with a strong understanding of human behavior so psychology students will be well prepared.

How to Choose a Psychology Program

While there are many reasons to choose a psychology degree even if you don't want to be a psychologist, it is important to find a program that will support your needs.

Bachelor of Arts vs Bachelor of Science Psychology Degrees

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in psychology is a well-rounded liberal arts degree that will emphasize the humanities subjects.

A BA program is a great choice for students interested in communication and social behavior.

A Bachelor of Science (BS) in psychology will typically focus more on technical and scientific aspects of psychology. BS programs may be a good fit for students who like to work with data.

Talk to the Faculty

One of the best ways to get a feel for a psychology program is to reach out to the department faculty.

The emphasis of the department has a lot to do with the skills and interests of the faculty.

Students looking for a non-clinical psychology degree should ask what other areas of psychology are offered.

Consider Concentrations

One of the clearest ways to pick a psychology degree that matches your career goals is to find a program that offers a relevant concentration.

Look at the course catalog to see what courses are required and what electives you may be able to take to support your interests.

Find a Psychology Degree Today

A psychology degree can change the way you see the world and lead to many exciting career opportunities. Find a psychology program that matches your interests and career goals and start today.