Alan E. Kazdin, Ph.D., a Yale University psychology professor and former president of the American Psychological Association, suggests that having a burning research question or career goal that can be addressed only by a degree in psychology, is a great reason for entering a graduate program. From there, the field offers many academic and career options, including clinical work, research, teaching and business.
More Career Choices
Psychology is often associated with the mental health field, and careers such as guidance counselor, rehabilitation specialist or child protection worker. But there are many other jobs in business and government that you can pursue with an advanced degree, including:
- human resources manager
- market researcher
- employee trainer
- developmental specialist
- drug and alcohol specialist
- parole officer
Higher Salary Potential
Those with advanced degrees usually earn more than those with only an undergraduate education, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Summer 2021 Salary Survey.
Start with the GRE? Tests
One part of the graduate application process involves taking a standardized test, like the GRE? General Test. Most programs require them, but not all. Dr. Don Martin, an author and former admissions dean, recommends taking a test even if it’s optional. If your scores are good it couldn’t hurt, and it might help in the admissions decision.
The GRE General Test is a smart choice. It allows you to put more of your personal test-taking strategies to work. Within each section you can skip questions and return to them later, go back and change answers and more. It is also the only admissions test that lets you send only your best scores to schools, so you can take the test more than once to try and better your scores.
The GRE? program also offers the Psychology Subject Test, which can further demonstrate to schools your proficiency in the subject matter.