Now is the best time to pursue an advanced degree in psychology. It is among the fastest-growing fields abroad, and the requirement for experts in mental health is higher than ever before. The degree allows you to gain specialised knowledge and skills in a specific area of mental health. It usually requires two years of study to complete a master's program in psychology and earn the degree, but there are also shorter-term pathways to it. If you are passionate about helping people live a fulfilling life with a healthy mind and also seek career growth, here is everything you should know about a master's in psychology.
Let’s dive right in…
What Can You Do With a Master's Degree in Psychology?
An advanced degree in psychology does not automatically result in a career as a mental health service provider. While you can get roles that involve helping people with mental disorders, a postgraduate degree in psychology also paves the way to many nonclinical positions. For example, with the degree, you can become a human mind researcher who deals with scientific experiments or someone who designs and administers personality assessments and IQ tests.
Jobs for psychology master's degree holders:
- Mental health counsellor
- Clinical psychologist
- Forensic science technician
- FBI agent
- Forensic psychologist
Average salary: 49,000 USD/year
Projected growth: +22% until the end of 2031
Average Salary: 83,000 USD/year
Projected growth: +10% until the end of 2031
Average salary: 62,000 USD/year
Projected growth: +11% until the end of 2031
Average salary: Around 68,000 USD/year
Average salary: 103,000 USD/year
Projected growth: +3% until the end of 2031
Types of Master's Degrees in Psychology
Universities abroad offer programs such as master of science and master of arts in psychology. A master of science in psychology usually focuses more on the sciences and research. On the other hand, a master of arts in psychology pays more attention to the humanities and arts elements of psychology. Whether you choose an MA or master of science in psychology, you will complete an array of modules that build your skills and knowledge in psychology before concluding the program with a dissertation or research project.
There is a wide variety of specialisations for a master's degree in psychology, including ones that overlap with other topics, like sports, sociology, education, and business. If you are aware of what specialisation to choose, you can often find a specialised master's program.
A more generic master's in psychology covers the core aspects of psychology, with options to pick from an array of specialised modules. However, it is a good idea to think about what career you want to pursue before choosing any graduate program in psychology. There are clear specialisation areas in several psychology departments that offer dedicated support to people who pursue certain psychology careers.
Here are some well-known psychology specialisations you may want to consider:
- Counselling psychology
- Clinical psychology
- Criminology
- Experimental psychology
- Evolutionary psychology
- Business psychology
- Educational psychology
- Child psychology
Requirements for a Master's in Psychology
A bachelor's degree in a particular field is usually required for a master's degree in the same field, but this is not always the case in psychology. Even if you have a non-psychology bachelor's, like one in engineering, some schools will accept you for an advanced degree in psychology based on your prior grades and work experience. Relevant experience also works in your favour, as far as your application is concerned. This means that if you meet the other university criteria, your bachelor's degree need not be in psychology for a master's in the same field.
Some universities seek specific personal attributes in psychology candidates for certain specialisations like counselling, sensitivity, and maturity. Now, what are the other requirements for a master's in psychology? Basic entry criteria for the degree may be comparable across institutions, but each course may have its own specific requirements for admission. Almost every program requires undergraduate transcripts, good GPA, recommendation letters, and a personal statement.
The GRE may be widely accepted for almost every graduate program, but many institutions are doing away with it as standardised tests are being reconsidered as a measure of academic success for the upcoming future.
Benefits of Pursuing a Master's in Psychology in a Foreign Country
Even if you want to pursue a mental health career, you may wonder whether it is worthwhile to take a step towards it with a master's program in psychology abroad. Let us take a look at some valid reasons why you should consider joining a study-abroad program for this degree.
- Understanding the cultural impact on psychology at an international level
As a higher education field, psychology is all about studying the human mind as well as how society and cultures affect human behaviour. An overseas educational experience in psychology will allow you to analyse psychology and learn about it from a global and cultural perspective. For instance, analysing and understanding how your international peers deal with psychology will help you gain a more diverse perspective on the field.
- More course options to pick from
There are many psychology master's courses with non-psychology subjects offered in different top study destinations — which you may not have access to in your home country. Further, with the option of pursuing a one-year master's in psychology in a foreign country, you can graduate more quickly and start your professional career right away.
- Solid employment outlook and growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 3% increase in the number of openings for psychologists until the end of 2029, which is equal to the average job growth related to other fields of study. That said, a master's degree in psychology also allows you to pursue a non-clinical role, and the good thing is that there are some areas with faster growth rates in this regard. For instance, the BLS forecasts a 22% increase in the number of jobs for family and marriage therapists until the end of 2029. The BLS forecast is also similar for a different area of mental health that deals with counselling, behavioural disorders, and substance abuse.
- Competitive starting pay for many areas of psychology
The advanced degree enables accessing jobs with medium-range pay for almost every area of psychology and higher compensation for certain areas. For example, the average pay for a mental health counsellor in the USA is around $50,000 a year, but the related role of a psychologist has a greater average salary of around $100,000 per annum.
Best Universities for a Master's in Psychology Abroad
Are you ready to explore the different schools that are available to kickstart your career in mental health? If so, you may use the following list as a point of reference. Do your own research as well, and never hesitate to seek our counsellor's help with making the best choice for your future career in psychology.
|
University name |
Course |
Course duration |
Fees |
|
Western Sydney University |
Master of Clinical Psychology |
2 years |
AUD 40,320 |
|
Victoria University of Wellington |
Master of Educational Psychology |
Around 1.5 years |
NZD 40,450 |
|
Teesside University |
MSc Psychology |
1 year (for September intakes) |
£15,000 per year |
|
University of Victoria |
Psychology (MSc) |
2 years |
$16,152 (approximate) |
|
Monash University |
Master of Professional Psychology |
1 year |
$40,500 |
Is it Hard to Earn a Master's in Psychology?
A psychology master's program is usually somewhat challenging, even for a person with a bachelor's degree in this field. However, it is also an exciting and rewarding career option. We will explain this further in the answer to the next question.
Is it Worth Getting a Master's in Psychology?
To cut a long story short, yes. You can give back to your community with a master's degree in psychology. Even if you want a non-clinical role, there are high-paying psychology-related jobs that fit the bill, including some of the positions mentioned in the next question's answer. The qualification allows access to a variety of career paths that are appealing to people who enjoy this field but are uncertain regarding the specific role they want at the start of their careers.
Which Are Some of the Highest-Paying Psychology Jobs?
Neuropsychologist, sports psychologist, clinical psychologist, engineering psychologist, and forensic psychologist are some of the positions in this field that offer competitive pay. Your specific income in any psychology role depends on various factors, such as your geographic location and employment sector, to name two.
Who Can Pursue a Master's in Psychology?
You may be able to do so with a bachelor's in psychology, depending on the school where you apply. Some universities also accept non-psychology bachelor's degree holders to pursue master's in psychology courses. Therefore, it is a good idea to know what the requirements for a master's in psychology are. Even if a relevant qualification is optional, a psychology undergraduate degree holder will find it less challenging to complete the master's coursework as compared to their non-psychology counterpart.
Reach out to our expert counsellors for more in-depth information about the Master's in Psychology requirements, the best universities for the qualification, admission deadlines, and so forth.
