Considering Graduate School?

Graduate programs can prepare you for careers such as psychologist, licensed mental health care provider, academic, lawyer, doctor, entrepreneur, social worker, or teacher. Graduate programs also vary in the type of degrees offered; Masters (M.A./M.S.), Doctorate (Ph.D.), Doctor of Psychology (Psy. D.), or other professional programs. See below for more information about preparing and applying to graduate programs.

 

Applying can be intensive and expensive.

Consider some of these questions below and talk with professors, career coaches, professionals in the field, current graduate students, and advisors before you start the process.  See below for more information about how to get started, understanding the timeline, and starting on the application process.

 

How can you know if graduate school the right decision?

Meet with professionals, faculty, and gain experiences in that area (internships, volunteering, research, etc.).  You want to weigh your interests with your values, work life balance and work satisfaction.

Some questions to ask yourself:

• What are my career goals?

• How will an advanced degree help to attain these goals? Is an advanced degree required?
• Am I ready to go to grad school right after undergrad or do I need time off?
• Will full-time work experience enhance my candidacy for graduate school admittance?

 

Graduate school is a long-term investment in yourself. 

Weigh the pros and cons of any programs you are exploring.  Research salaries in those fields. Will your grad program provide stipends and aid, assistantships, or allow for you to work while studying?

 

You are not limited by your major selection. 

You want to develop skills, interests, and experience toward your future goals.

 

Do you have to go to graduate school to become a psychologist?

Yes. You must complete a graduate degree in Psychology if your goal is to become a psychologist.

An undergraduate degree in Psychology provides you with broad knowledge of the field leading to many different careers.  A psychology graduate degree will provide you with training for a career in a specialized area of psychology.

 

Are students limited to graduate degree programs that match their undergraduate major?

No. Psychology and Neuroscience majors enter a wide variety of graduate programs.

Some examples are programs in counseling psychology, school psychology, education, business, health, medicine, law, public policy, biology, biotechnology, comparative human development, neuroscience, and public health.

 

Do students have to go to graduate school to have a good career?

No. Students who major in Psychology go on to work in many areas.  Some examples are law, business, human services, education, criminal justice, information technology, marketing, pharmaceutical firms, children's museums, major corporations, universities, medicine and health care. Neuroscience majors enter a similarly broad array of careers. Some consider research-related positions in biotechnology, the life sciences, or the pharmaceutical industry. Others consider areas including business, information technology, universities, education, and healthcare.

 

If you are interested in Health Professions or Law you should also review the requirements that may apply for eligibility to professional programs and prepare for any required entry exams (MCAT, DAT, LSAT for example).  Visit the Health Professions and Pre-Law Advising Links to an external site. for more information and additional resources to help with your journey. Also check out Law Day Links to an external site. and the Health Programs Fair Links to an external site..

 

If you are interested in a career in mental health check out “PBS Careers in Mental Health Care”.   Don’t worry; this self-enrollment process will not enroll you in a credit-bearing IU course. Instead, it gives you access to information covering these topics:

• Explore diverse career paths within the mental health care field
• Evidence-based practices are safe and effective psychotherapies. Why is it essential that you obtain training in them? How can you obtain training?
• Undergraduate preparation: Classes, experiential learning opportunities, research assistantships, community involvement, more.
• Choosing a graduate degree: Doctoral or masters? Ph.D. or Psy.D.? Clinical or counseling or something else?
• Selecting graduate schools: Keep calm and use our resources to search for programs!
• The Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP) maintains a website for undergraduates and others interested in applying to Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs. https://clinicalpsychgradschool.org/ Links to an external site.
  

   

PsychResearchList Links to an external site. is also a psychology resource containing various lists for paid internships, virtual graduate school information sessions, resources for applying to graduate school, and much more.

 

Students who pursue graduate studies in Psychology have gone into careers with research institutions, education, local, state, and federal government, nonprofit organizations, business and entrepreneurship. Additional common graduate paths include counseling, school psychology, clinical psychology, social work, education, research, non-profit management, business, and consulting.

 

Students who pursue graduate studies in Neuroscience have gone into careers with pharmaceutical companies, small biotech startups, academic institutions, and industry. Examples positions include biological technician, chemist, environmental scientist, microbiologist, and academic researcher.