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What Can I Do With a PhD in Psychology?

Considering a doctorate in psychology? Wondering what jobs you can get with a PhD in Psychology? We break it down for you here.

If you’re passionate about psychology—and passionate about fostering positive change in people’s lives—you may be considering a doctorate in psychology. Rigorous and meaningful, pursuing a PhD in Psychology will equip you with the expertise to qualify for a range of professional opportunities and enjoy a purposeful, long-lasting career helping others.

Jobs With a PhD in Psychology

So what can you do with a PhD in Psychology? Let’s explore your options.

What Can I Do With a PhD in Psychology?

A PhD in Psychology will provide you with the skills for diverse career paths in a wide array of environments, from nonprofits and social service agencies to private practices.*

Where can you work with a PhD in Psychology?

  • Social service agencies
  • Government agencies
  • Healthcare organizations
  • Corporations
  • Community agencies
  • Schools and universities

What positions are possible with a PhD in Psychology?

  • Educational consultant, such as in schools and hospitals
  • Researcher
  • Professor 
  • Administrator
  • Directors or managers in various content-appropriate fields, such as human resources, marketing, or career planning & development

Interested in seeing how those with a doctorate in psychology are putting their education to work? Explore some real-life examples of jobs you can get with a PhD in Psychology.

What Are Some of the Different Fields of Psychology?

When you choose to earn your PhD in Psychology, there a number of different fields in which you may wish to specialize. Some top choices include:

  • Educational Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Social Psychology 
  • Research in Psychology
  • Teaching in Psychology 

Finding the Right PhD in Psychology Program for You

Now that you’ve seen how much you can do with a doctorate in psychology, what’s the best way to pursue your degree? Locally or out of state? On campus or online?

Psychology PhD programs are rigorous, requiring a great commitment of time and effort. With the ability to learn at your own pace and on your own timeline, many seeking a doctorate in psychology find that online PhD in Psychology programs suit their busy schedules. Walden University’s PhD in Psychology is also offered in a popular Fast-Track Option. This is a great choice for students who wish to complete their doctorate in less time. To take advantage of this option, students take additional courses and begin their dissertation early to expedite their path through the program. The Fast-Track option is currently available for all PhD in Psychology specializations.

While some may prefer the face-to-face communication of brick-and-mortar institutions, the technology employed by today’s online psychology PhD programs also enables real-time, face-to-face interaction between both instructors and fellow students—albeit from a distance.

Interested in pursuing a doctorate in psychology? Discover how Walden University’s online PhD in Psychology program can help you foster positive change in your life and the lives of others.


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

*Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

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