Career Opportunities

William Paterson University's psychology program allows graduates to pursue a variety of jobs upon earning their bachelor's degree; it also prepares them to continue graduate study in the field.

Moreover, a major in psychology provides a solid background for those interested in advanced study in such areas as social work, education, law, public administration, business, medicine and theology. Within the field itself, career opportunities exist at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Here are some examples.

Bachelor's level
-social services
-health care
-human resources
-market research

Master's level
-social worker (MSW)
-counselor (eg. alcohol/drug abuse, school, mental hospital, agencies)
-organizational consultant
-community college instructor
-research technician

Doctoral level
-clinical psychologist (private practice, hospitals, mental health clinics)
-counseling psychologist (colleges and other school counseling centers)
-organizational psychologist (consulting firms and large corporations)
-research psychologist (universities and corporations)

Also see our handout regarding what can you do with an undergraduate degree in psychology.

See Dr. Schaeffer's presentation regarding careers in psychology.

If you "like" WPU's Career Development Office they will send you information about career guidance, job networks, workshops, and so forth:


Subfields in Psychology

Clinical Psychologists assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Cognitive Psychologists study mental processes, such as memory, perception, reasoning, and language.

Counseling Psychologists help people to adjust to change or to make alterations in their lifestyle.

Developmental Psychologists study the psychological changes that take place throughout the lifespan; sometimes they focus on children, adolescents, or the elderly.

Educational Psychologists concentrate on the application of psychology to teaching and learning.

Engineering Psychologists conduct research on how people work best with machines.

Forensic Psychologists apply psychological principles to legal matters.

Health Psychologists are interested in how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness.

Industrial/Organizational Psychologists apply psychological principles and research to the work place in order to improve productivity, working conditions and the work related lifestyle.

Neuropsychologists explore the relationships between the brain and behavior.

Rehabilitation Psychologists work with stroke and accident victims, people with mental retardation, and those with developmental disabilities caused by such conditions as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism.

School Psychologists assess and counsel students, consult with parents and school staff, and conduct behavioral intervention when appropriate.

Social Psychologists study how a person's mental life and behavior is shaped by interactions with other humans.

Sports Psychologists help athelets refine their focus and motivation, and learn to deal with the anxiety and fear of failure that often accompany competition.