Hot Careers With a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Psychology Degree

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

A bachelor’s degree in psychology can provide you with the skills and tools needed to eventually enter the field. In other words, a bachelor’s degree is the first step in becoming a psychologist, but a master’s degree, doctorate and licensure is also needed before you can officially practice as a psychologist.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Psychology Degree

Thankfully, there are a variety of jobs available for those who only have a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Some employers actually prefer candidates that have an undergraduate background in psychology because it provides the employee with a wealth of psychological knowledge.

Moreover, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, especially a Bachelor’s of Arts (B.A.), not only prepares you for a multitude of careers (research, education, sales, justice system, human resources, private practice, etc.), it also offers valuable tools that you can use to accurately examine and assess various people and situations, which is an asset at any job.

Undergraduate psychology courses in a Bachelor of Arts degree typically focus on psychological theories, methods, and history. These programs take approximately four years to complete. Other courses that you may take include: lifespan development, statistics, mathematics, English, science, human development, abnormal psychology and sociology.

So what can you do with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) psychology degree? Well, the answer is “a lot.” This article will help you determine which path is best for you.

What are the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Psychology Careers?

Listed below are some of the popular careers you can pursue with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology:

Human Resources Executive
Employee Relationship Specialist
UX Designer
Market Research Analyst
Probation Officer
Trainer
Social Worker
Sales Representative
School Teacher
Case Manager
Public Administrator
Health Educator

Human Resources Executive

Human resource executives play a significant role in all organizations. A Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology may provide you with the tools needed to effectively manage employee relations, organize company functions, communicate with customers and clients and train new employees.

Psychology is fundamentally the study of human behavior. By studying psychology, a Human Resources Executive can gain deep insights into why people behave the way they do, which can be useful in managing employees, developing effective policies, and resolving conflicts.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programs also provide an understanding of emotions and can help HR executives develop emotional intelligence. This can assist in managing and resolving employee conflicts, handling stress, and promoting a positive work environment.

Many BA in Psychology programs include study in ethics, which can help HR executives navigate complex issues related to diversity, inclusion, workplace fairness, privacy, and other human resource management challenges.

To be successful in this career you will need a strong understanding of how the mind influences behaviors, especially in the workplace. You will also need strong organizational, communication and people skills.

Employee Relations Specialist

An Employee Relations Specialist acts as a mediator in a corporate setting. Their job revolves around ensuring that all staff members interact harmoniously, contributing to a positive, respectful working atmosphere.

Suppose there are conflicts between employees, or perhaps a worker isn’t grasping their job responsibilities. In that case, the Employee Relations Specialist is the one who steps up, offering guidance and working to resolve any misunderstandings. Their role is akin to that of a mediator, striving to understand the viewpoints of all parties and create a solution that satisfies everyone involved.

In addition, they might lead training and development programs for employees and managers about relevant topics such as workplace conduct, anti-harassment, or diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, they address any employee grievances or issues. It’s their duty to uphold company policies while also ensuring that the company complies with legal standards in employee treatment.

Collaborating closely with the human resources department, they also strive to respect and protect employees’ rights, ensuring fair treatment for all.

Psychology helps Employee Relations Specialists in understanding and managing emotions. Many principles and techniques of conflict resolution are rooted in psychology. A BA in psychology degree can provide insight into the dynamics of conflict and strategies for resolving it effectively.

A psychology degree often includes the study of implicit biases, stereotypes, and prejudice. For Employee Relations Specialists, this can be extremely useful in promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, and in resolving disputes that may have their roots in bias or discrimination.

UX Designer

A User Experience (UX) Designer plays a critical role in designing digital interfaces, like websites and mobile applications. A degree in psychology, particularly a Bachelor of Arts, can bring a significant advantage to a UX Designer. Here’s why:

Predicting and Understanding User Actions: As a UX Designer, understanding how users will react and interact is part of the job description. A background in psychology equips you with a solid understanding of cognitive processes and human behavior, a valuable asset for designing user-centric interfaces.
Conducting Comprehensive User Research: The principles taught in psychology play a significant role in conducting user research. Recognizing the underlying reasons behind users’ actions and choices allows a UX Designer to create more impactful design solutions.
Incorporating Empathy in Design: Empathy, a core skill developed through studying psychology, is invaluable in UX design. It helps designers view their creations from the users’ perspective, leading to a design that better fulfills the users’ needs.
Delivering a Pleasurable User Experience: Psychology studies offer insights into what makes people content, driven, and happy. These insights can help UX Designers design interactions that are not just user-friendly but also enjoyable.

In a nutshell, being a UX Designer in today’s digital world is a key role, and possessing a psychology background can prove significantly beneficial in creating superior, user-centric designs.

Market Research Analyst

When a company devises new products or services for the marketplace, they hire a market research analyst to help them determine what the buying public is interested in as well as how to price their products and services. Market research analysts determine this information by examining data collected from a variety of sources.

For example, an analyst might devise a questionnaire for consumers and use the responses to determine the level of interest in a specific product or service. Likewise, an analyst might keep tabs on current market conditions to help inform companies of the ideal timing to release their products.

The crux of psychology is understanding human behavior. Market research analysts can use this understanding to predict how consumers will react to new products or marketing campaigns, why certain products are more popular than others, and how consumer preferences may evolve over time.

Many BA in Psychology degrees involve coursework in statistics and research methods. This can be beneficial for market research analysts, who often need to collect and analyze large datasets to gain insights into consumer behavior.

Probation Officer

You may pursue a career with the criminal court system as a probation officer. A BA in Psychology degree program teaches you how to effectively work with prison inmates, those who have recently been paroled and probation violators.

Your bachelor’s degree will not only provide you with the skills needed to supervise those who have been court-ordered to attend treatment programs or parenting classes, it will also provide you with the tools needed to effectively interact with the court system.

Moreover, if you decide to pursue this career path, you may be required to develop rehabilitation plans for those under your supervision. Employers may hire you because of your in-depth understanding of the mind and human behaviors.

Furthermore, to serve in this capacity, you may be required to take a psychological assessment and/or a physical exam.

Trainer

Another career path you can venture into with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is training. This degree will provide you with the skills needed to help companies, businesses and organizations understand how their employees, clients and customers think, feel and behave.

With a BA degree in psychology, you are able to develop training modules for employees, teach employees how to reframe negative thoughts and behaviors, increase employee productivity and improve employee quality. You are also able to help employees understand the relationship between the company’s mission, value and objectives and their part in the company’s success.

Social Worker

You can use your BA degree in psychology to enter the world of social work. The knowledge you obtained may help you examine how social factors influence human emotions, thoughts, beliefs, opinions and behaviors.

If you decide to pursue this career, you will not only need a strong understanding of human motivations, you will also need good communication and social skills and a good sense of what others need (resources).

Sales Representative

If you consider yourself a “good salesperson,” then you may want to use your bachelor-level degree in psychology to enter the sales industry as a sales representative. The good news about this industry is that there are numerous jobs (retail, insurance, automotive, financial services, etc.) available.

Your psychology background will help you gauge a customer’s or client’s mindset and preferences so that you can offer a more suitable product or service.

Your psychological expertise will also help you identify sales objectives and offer suggestions on how to enhance or alter the products so they are more appealing to target groups.

To be successful in this career, you will need to be able to communicate with a variety of people and effectively manage challenging, difficult and/or stressful situations. This is where your background in psychology will be most useful.

School Teacher

You can also use your BA degree in psychology to become an educator. Although you will not be able to teach at the college level, you may be able to teach elementary, middle and high school – provided you get a teaching license.

Your psychology background may help you identify students who are experiencing psychological distress, either at home or at school. It will also provide you with valuable insight into the students’ learning styles and preferences.

Public Administrator

A public administrator is a professional who works in the public sector at local, state, or federal levels, managing public agencies, direct policy, and oversee public programs. The role of a public administrator can be diverse and multifaceted.

Public administrators play a critical role in implementing policies that have been established by elected officials. This may include developing procedures, overseeing operations, and monitoring the effectiveness of these policies.

Public administrators often manage public agencies or departments. This includes handling budgets, supervising employees, coordinating with other agencies, and ensuring the efficient delivery of services to the public.

Public administrators also engage with the public, gathering feedback, addressing concerns, and communicating the work of their agency or department. They may also work to build partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and individuals.

Health Educator

Health educators educate people about the importance of wellness and healthy lifestyle choices. By doing so, they contribute to the prevention of illnesses and help enhance the overall quality of life for both individuals and communities.

Part of their role includes designing a variety of informative materials like brochures, websites, and posters to educate the public about different health concerns. Additionally, they also design and implement educational initiatives, such as seminars, workshops, and courses centered around health topics.

Health educators advocate for healthy practices, from eating nutritious food and exercising regularly to adopting preventative care measures. They also provide useful tips and guidance on how to weave these habits into daily routines.

Moreover, in some instances, health educators offer individual or group instruction to help people better manage health conditions. This could involve assisting them to quit smoking, lose weight, cope with stress, or achieve other health objectives.

Psychology courses in a Bachelor of Arts degree often emphasize effective communication, listening, and empathy, which are critical for Health Educators when delivering health information in a manner that is clear and easily understood.

A BA degree in psychology also provides an understanding of mental health issues, which are often interconnected with physical health. Health Educators can use this knowledge to promote mental health awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging individuals to seek help when needed.

How Bachelor’s in Psychology is Different From Liberal Arts?

A bachelor’s in psychology is a specialized undergraduate degree focusing on the scientific study of human behavior, mental processes, and their applications. It encompasses various subfields such as clinical, cognitive, and social psychology, offering an in-depth study of research methods, statistical analysis, and the biological foundations of behavior.

Conversely, a bachelor’s in liberal arts is an interdisciplinary degree that includes a broad spectrum of subjects including humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. This degree is designed to develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills across diverse disciplines, rather than concentrating on the in-depth study of psychological theories and empirical research methodologies characteristic of a psychology program.

While psychology majors concentrate on understanding human behavior through a scientific lens, liberal arts majors explore a wider array of disciplines, preparing for versatile career paths.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology Degree? [2024 Guide]