Psychology is a popular choice for a degree program—in fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, psychology is the fifth most popular among college majors, with more than 100,000 bachelor’s degrees granted in the subject in 2021–2022.¹ While a bachelor’s degree in psychology can help build foundational skills useful for further study in psychology or related disciplines, it also supports transferable skill development relevant across a range of professional settings.

1. It Can Be Broadly Relevant and Helps Develop Soft Skills

   Psychology, the study of the mind and behavior, helps us better understand ourselves and others . This background can prove to be relevant for many careers.

   And, while psychology graduates gain hard skills such as research and statistics, a bachelor’s degree in psychology also helps develop one’s soft skills, or people skills. These include the ability to communicate well and think critically and analytically. Research highlighted by the Harvard Business Review suggests that skills such as collaboration and adaptability are important for long term career mobility and resilience.²

2. It’s Excellent Preparation for Graduate and Professional Studies

   While a BS in Psychology is great preparation for advanced studies in the discipline, it’s also a relevant precursor to advanced degrees in many related fields, including education, social work, law, medicine, and the life sciences. Because psychology graduates are often skilled in analyzing data and relaying complex information, the degree can be excellent foundational preparation for graduate work, including doctoral-level studies.

3. It Provides a Solid Foundation for a Variety of Occupations

   The skills acquired in a psychology degree program can translate to career paths other than clinical practice. The skills you develop—understanding human behavior, analyzing data, and communicating effectively—are valuable across many industries.

   For example, teachers could use psychology to understand student motivation and learning styles. Marketing professionals might apply behavioral insights to understand consumer decision-making. Human resources specialists often rely on psychological principles for team building. 

   Here is an extended look at how knowledge from a BS in Psychology degree might translate into practical skills across different professions.

   Career Field	How Psychology Knowledge Might Be Applied	Example in Practice
   Marketing / Advertising	Applying behavioral psychology, persuasion, and decision-making principles	Creating compelling campaigns informed by behavioral insights
   Human Resources (HR)	Using knowledge of personality, motivation, and group dynamics	Assessing job candidates, improving workplace culture, and resolving employee conflicts
   Counseling / Social Services	Applying foundational concepts of human behavior, stress, and interpersonal dynamics	Informing approaches to communication, engagement with support services, and understanding individual or group needs within social or community settings
   Business Management / Leadership	Using motivation theory, organizational psychology, and leadership styles	Building productive teams and improving employee engagement
   Law / Criminal Justice	Applying behavioral analysis, decision-making, and social psychology	Understanding criminal behavior, jury psychology, or interrogation techniques
   Sales / Customer Experience	Using persuasion, emotional intelligence, and behavioral cues	Building rapport with customers and understanding buying motivations
   User Experience (UX) / Product Design	Applying cognitive psychology and human behavior insights	Designing apps and products that are intuitive and align with how people think and interact with technology
   Public Policy / Government	Using behavioral science to influence social outcomes	Designing programs that encourage healthy behaviors or civic participation
   Coaching / Leadership Development	Applying motivation, goal-setting, and personality frameworks	Helping individuals improve performance and develop leadership skills

4. There Are Many Options for Focus Areas

   For those who choose to earn a BS in Psychology degree, there are many areas in which to specialize based on your interests. These concentrations include:

   • Addiction
   • Applied Psychology
   • Child and Adolescent Development
   • Forensic Psychology

   Or, you can choose a concentration in General Psychology to gain a broad understanding of  psychological theories and practices, relevant for a number of career options. At Walden University, there is also the Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM) option, which gives you a head start on your master’s degree at Walden in a variety of AIM-eligible programs of study. With AIM, you can earn credit toward a master’s degree while completing your undergraduate studies.  

Consider a BS in Psychology From Walden University

As a psychology student at Walden, you’ll study the fascinating world of human behavior while building foundational skills that could be applied to a range of career paths. 

If you decide to pursue a bachelor’s in psychology, consider the flexibility of an online program that allows you to manage your professional and family responsibilities while you earn your degree. For more than 50 years, Walden University has been at the forefront of delivering high-quality degree programs to working professionals. 

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, including the BS in Psychology. Earn your degree using a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=37
²Source: https://hbr.org/2025/08/soft-skills-matter-now-more-than-ever-according-to-new-research

Note on Licensure:
The BS in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.