In my 17 plus years of teaching psychology, I’ve heard the following phrase and question hundreds of times: “What can a person do with a psychology degree?” and, “I just want to help people.” You might correctly assume that the former is asked more by parents and the latter is most commonly expressed by students. I am also frequently asked about the relationship between psychology and Christianity, but that is for a later blog.
While there are myriad ways to help people, psychology offers a unique pathway and preparation for helping others, and to be clear, improving the lives of others with psychology as a bedrock of your education is for more than just counseling. Becoming a therapist requires a master’s degree or Ph.D., but there are other options that students can choose that do not.
For instance, many psychology undergraduates can get their feet wet working in entry-level roles such as working as a teen group-home supervisor or at a halfway house for recovering substance abusers. One could work in adult corrections, policing, court supervision, or in a juvenile detention center. Other Bachelor’s level career options can include serving as a Case Manager, Behavior Analyst, Research Assistant, Mental Health Worker specializing in clients with mental health disorders and developmental disorders, or even being a Psychometrist, someone who can administer psychological tests in a clinical setting.
This blog is part of a series featuring insights from Dr. Schuttinga, an experienced educator with a rich background in psychology and a passion for teaching from a faith-based perspective. Dr. Schuttinga has been an adjunct instructor at Bethel University, Century College, and Crown College. Prior to that, he was Associate Dean of Psychology at Universitas Pelita Harapan in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he led curricular review, new course development, faculty training, faculty mentoring, and online course development.
