Choosing to pursue a graduate degree in psychology requires a great deal of research. There are many types of degrees, and a multitude of colleges and universities that offer them. The American Psychological Association (APA) publishes a valuable resource for students thinking about this next step, Graduate Study in Psychology (2015). This guide, which is routinely updated, includes information on approximately 600 psychology graduate programs offered in the United States and Canada. In it you will find a program’s application deadlines, tuition costs, graduate employment data, and other useful information.

A master’s degree in psychology is flexible and can prepare you to work in areas outside the field of psychology, including government, health care, business, marketing, and education. Many master’s-level psychologists devote their careers to research, working under PhD-level researchers at universities and other institutions. Others become therapists. Typically, this means earning a master’s degree, with an emphasis on counseling, and securing a state license to practice.

Table B.2 provides some general information about the types of degrees and training required of various mental health professions. In most states, master’s-level clinicians must obtain a license to practice and share details about their education, training, and licensing status with their clients. One can also earn a master’s degree in nonclinical specialties such as industrial/organizational psychology, engineering psychology, and leadership psychology. Some of these applied fields offer lucrative careers in business and industry. Finally, many students earning a master’s degree in psychology go on to complete their doctorate degrees.

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