4 Careers With a Master’s in Psychology
The U.S. continues to face a shortage of mental health professionals. When the American Psychological Association surveyed psychologists in 2024, 53% reported they had no openings for new patients.
Enrolling in a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (MSCP) program could be a good option if you want to work directly with clients facing mental health challenges. Earning a master’s degree in psychology can prepare you for a rewarding role in business or consulting.
Exploring potential career outcomes with a graduate degree in psychology can be worthwhile for if you have a passion for supporting mental wellness.
Why Should You Get a Master’s in Psychology?
Earning a master’s degree in psychology enables you to gain a deep understanding of the factors that mediate human behavior, psychotherapy, and psychological research. A master’s in psychology program prepares you for clinical roles or for positions in business, consulting, or community program management.
Master’s in Psychology Curriculum
Master’s in psychology degree program students typically take courses that cover topics such as:
- Psychopathology
- Psychotherapy
- Professional ethics
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Psychopharmacology
- Research methods
Students also take courses that align with the specialization or track they are pursuing while earning their degree. For example, a student pursuing a track in consulting and applied psychology might take courses in family systems or relational psychotherapy. While a student pursuing a track in business and organizational consulting might take courses in organizational management or applied performance management.
Career Fields with a Master’s in Psychology
The careers pursued by individuals with a psychology master’s degree span fields such as:
- Psychotherapy and mental health services
- Social services
- Research
- Business
- Education
Earning a master’s degree in psychology sets out the foundation for you to pursue a doctorate in the field.
How to Get a Psychology License
Before you can launch a clinical career with a master’s degree in psychology, state licensure is needed. To work as a licensed professional clinical counselor or a licensed marriage and family therapist, you need to satisfy state requirements for obtaining a license to work in those roles. The specific requirements for state licensure vary by state, so you need to become familiar with the licensing requirements of the state you intend to practice in.
The general requirements to earn a license include the following:
- Complete a relevant bachelor’s degree program. Investing the time to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field can help you establish a solid educational foundation. Psychology is a good major because it can set the stage for becoming a licensed therapist or counselor.
- Earn a master’s degree in psychology or counseling. As a grad school student you will receive classroom training and complete a practicum that provides them with real-world experience working with clients.
- Complete the required supervised clinical hours. Depending on your state and the specific type of license, you need to complete 2,000 to 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience to qualify for a license, according to the American Counseling Association.
- Pass an exam. In addition to fulfilling requirements for education and clinical hours, you will need to pass a state-required exam in your specific field.
- Apply for state licensure. You will need to apply to the licensing board of the state you plan to study and work in.
After obtaining state licensure, you can then pursue a clinical role in any of a wide range of work environments.
4 Psychology Careers With a Master’s Degree
The following are specific examples of careers with a master’s degree in psychology that you may want to pursue.
1. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs) work with clients to help them address their behavioral, psychological, or emotional issues. LPCCs create treatment plans and provide therapy to help their clients improve their lives. LPCCs benefit from developing strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to demonstrate compassion and listen to their clients.
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors such as LPCCs are expected to see 19% job growth from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That growth rate significantly exceeds the 4% growth the BLS projects for all occupations during that period.
As of May 2024, the BLS reports that substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors had a median annual salary of $59,190.
2. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) treat individuals with mental, emotional, and relationship issues that arise within the context of a family system, marriage, or couple. Just like LPCCs, LMFTs benefit from cultivating skills in areas such as communication, listening, and showing compassion.
LMFTs are expected to see 16% job growth from 2023 to 2033, according to the BLS. They had a median annual salary of $63,780 as of May 2024.
3. Private Practice Therapist
People who earn a master’s degree in psychology can also work as therapists in private practice. For example, licensed professional counselors (LPCs) provide therapy services to clients who face behavioral, mental, or emotional challenges.
LPCs and LPCCs provide similar services, but LPCs need to comply with less extensive clinical experience requirements as compared with LPCCs. LPCs also typically work with clients who face less serious issues than the clients of LPCCs. Both LPCCs and LPCs benefit from cultivating their skills in areas such as communication and listening.
LPCs are within the category of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, for which the BLS projects 19% job growth from 2023 to 2033. They also report that those professionals had a median annual salary of $59,190 as of May 2024.
4. Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor
Working as a certified addiction treatment counselor (CATC) is another potential career with a master’s degree in psychology. CATCs focus on helping clients who face challenges related to addiction and assist them through the process of recovery. While not all CATCs need to have a graduate degree, earning a master’s degree can qualify you for advanced certification in addiction treatment in some states, such as California.
Strong skills in areas such as communication, demonstrating compassion, and listening helps CATCs excel.
As stated previously, the BLS projects 19% job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors from 2023 to 2033. CATCs had a median annual salary of around $62,000 as of February 2025, according to the compensation website Payscale.
Prepare for a Rewarding Career with a Master’s Degree in Psychology
The careers individuals can pursue with a master’s degree in psychology extend across a wide range of fields. From clinical positions to positions in business or program management, these roles can provide you with the chance to use your psychological expertise in meaningful ways.
If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in psychology, explore Notre Dame de Namur University’s Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree program to learn how it can help you reach your career goals. Offering two tracks to choose from:
- Consulting and applied psychology
- Business, organizational, and consulting psychology
The MSCP program can help you establish the educational foundation you need for a solid and well-rounded career. Start working toward your graduate degree in psychology today. Fill out the form below and a member of our Admissions team will get in contact with you shortly.
Sources:
Addiction Counselor Certification Board of California, Upgrade CATC Certification
Agents of Change Continuing Education, “LPC vs. LCPC: Navigating Career Paths in Counseling”
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, About Marriage and Family Therapists
American Counseling Association, Clinical Experience
American Counseling Association, Licensure Requirements
Grow Therapy, “What Is an LCPC and Should You See One for Therapy?”
Indeed, “How to Become an Addiction Counselor in 6 Steps (With Tips)”
Indeed, “How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor (With Salary)”
Indeed, “How to Become a Mental Health Counselor in 5 Steps”
National Association of Social Workers, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) Overview
Payscale, Salary for Certification: Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Marriage and Family Therapists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors