There’s a world of options for people interested in the life of the mind.
Psychology is the study of the mind as well as the different functions that drive behaviour. Psychologists study people and groups, learning how we function and finding ways to help us thrive. (There are also animal psychologists, but we’re focusing on human-based careers here.)
Psychology is becoming increasingly relevant across almost all fields of human endeavour, and especially in health, education, business, research and community development. It’s a growth area in Australia and overseas, with plenty of paths that you can follow.
Career options with a psychology degree
Your first thought might be someone sitting in an armchair, taking notes while their client talks about their feelings, and clinical practice is certainly an option for people with a psychology degree. You might be surprised, however, at the broad variety of careers available beyond that.
Clinical and healthcare settings
As we mentioned, you can use your qualification to become a clinical psychologist, behavioural therapist or one of many related positions in healthcare settings. These roles tend to involve liaising with clients to help them identify and solve personal issues, manage diagnoses and improve their wellbeing – often over the long term.
If you’re interested in this path, the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at RMIT sets you on the right track, with the option to go on to postgraduate clinical training.
Mental health support
Outside of clinical settings, there are options available to improve people’s mental health and welfare, often in collaboration with other professionals. Roles here include mental health practitioner, wellbeing officer and case manager. These professionals may work in schools, community centres, correctional facilities or even large organisations, providing practical and emotional support.
Courses like the Bachelor of Social Work or psychology electives within health-related degrees can open these doors.
Community work and social services
There are also paths for people who want to improve their community or help others thrive. For example, you could be a youth worker, assisting vulnerable young people during times of stress, or a community development officer, creating programs that boost social cohesion and individual wellbeing. Psychology graduates bring insight into human behaviour and motivation – an essential skill in these roles.
Combining psychology with a qualification in social work, youth work or public health can give you the edge.
Human resources and organisational psychology
Psychology can also be useful on an organisational level, if you’re interested in helping to shape the future of workplaces and other environments where humans come together (that’s most of them). This area can see you working as a:
- talent specialist
- organisational consultant
- workplace wellbeing expert, focusing on culture, motivation, leadership and performance.
You might even help redesign the entire recruitment process to be more human-friendly. Consider pairing your psychology studies with HR, business, or leadership training to enhance your opportunities.
Media, marketing, advertising and consumer behaviour
Understanding how people think – and how to influence their behaviour – has become increasingly valuable in these fast-moving industries. It can be as simple as choosing the right colour for a call-to-action button or as in-depth as analysing user behaviour to tweak an entire app’s user experience. Job titles like UX researcher and behavioural insights analyst are where psychology meets design and data.
The Bachelor of Design (Digital Media) or marketing-related electives can complement your psych skill set in this space.
Education and training
Schools, universities and other educational settings have changed a great deal over the decades, with more attention paid across the board to the psychosocial wellbeing of students and staff members. This has meant a rise in learning support roles, counsellors and behavioural intervention positions, as well as roles such as school wellbeing coordinator.
A psychology degree can also serve as a strong foundation for teaching, educational leadership or working in student services.
Research and policy
As in all sciences, there is always plenty of scope for further research and data analysis. Governments and independent organisations are very interested in learning more about how humans function – as well as how to craft policies that actually work in the real world. This means opportunities to work as a research assistant, data analyst, policy officer or program evaluator. If you’ve got an analytical mind and a curious streak, you might find your future in this field.
Look to psychology honours, postgraduate research degrees or double degrees in public policy or data science.
Do I need further study to become a psychologist?
A psychology degree is the first step towards registration. In Australia, psychologists need a minimum of six years of university training. To qualify, you have to complete an accredited undergraduate degree with a major in psychology and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), followed by a Masters in Clinical Psychology.
How to become a psychologist
Build a career exploring human behaviour, promoting mental health, and providing therapeutic support.
Undergraduate study options
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Bachelor of Criminology and Psychology
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February, July
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On campus
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Melbourne City
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Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years
Bachelor of Psychology
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February, July
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On campus
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Melbourne City
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Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
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February
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On campus
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Melbourne City
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Full-time 1 year, Part-time 2 years
Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
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February, July
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On campus
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Melbourne City
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Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years
Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
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February
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On campus
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Melbourne City
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Full-time 5 years, Part-time 10 years
Postgraduate study options
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Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
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February, July
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On campus
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Bundoora
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Full-time 1 year, Part-time 2 years
Master of Mental Health Nursing
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February, July
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On campus
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Melbourne City, Bundoora
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Full-time 1.5 years, Part-time 3 years
Where do psychology graduates work?
Psychology graduates work in a range of settings, depending on where they decide to focus their energies. This includes hospitals, private practices, schools, universities, community organisations, corporate offices, start-ups, research institutes, government agencies and not-for-profits.
In Australia, psychology graduates can find work with organisations such as:
- Beyond Blue
- Department of Health
- Headspace
- Australian Red Cross
- VicHealth
- Deloitte
- Monash Health
- community mental health organisations across the country.
Learn more about your psychology study options
RMIT's psychology degrees are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and provides a comprehensive and industry-focused education that can help you succeed as a psychologist in Australia.
