Degrees
Colleges
About
First, some facts. Of the Counseling Psychology graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 202 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Counseling Psychology graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 43% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Counseling Psychology graduate.
See the details:
|
Relevance score: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis with a Bachelor's degree in Counseling Psychology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONIntramural Student Coordinater Indiana University Indianapolis Aug 2023 - Present ABOUTI am a detail-oriented, organized, reliable peson, who is studying to become a mental helth therapist at IUPUI. I completed my undergrad in Psychology and am currently studying to get my masters in counseling. I love learning new things and connecting with others around me. I'm a quick learner and can work well within a team. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with friends and family, working out, reading, listening to music, and watching New Girl/ How I met your mother. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When examining the career paths of individuals who graduated with a degree in Counseling Psychology, a clear trend emerges regarding the types of jobs they pursue and the relevance of these roles to their education. On one hand, many graduates find employment in fields that closely align with counseling and mental health, such as therapists, counselors, and social workers. These positions rely heavily on the skills, theories, and techniques taught in their academic programs, making them highly relevant to a Counseling Psychology degree. For instance, jobs like Mental Health Counselor, Behavioral Health Technician, and various therapy-related positions showcase a strong utilization of the knowledge acquired through their studies.
On the other hand, a significant number of graduates move into roles that, while perhaps benefiting from soft skills gained in Counseling Psychology such as communication and empathy, do not directly apply the core competencies of their degree. Jobs like customer service representatives, administrative assistants, and sales roles highlight this disconnect. These positions often focus more on operational responsibilities rather than mental health support or counseling practices. It suggests that while interpersonal skills from their background can be advantageous, they aren't necessarily essential for success in such roles. In summary, while many Counseling Psychology graduates do find relevant positions that leverage their educational background, a notable segment of them also end up in unrelated jobs, indicating a gap in aligning career trajectories with their academic training.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Counseling Psychology graduates:
When examining the career trajectories of individuals who graduated with degrees in Counseling Psychology, there seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. Many graduates find themselves in roles that align reasonably well with their educational background, indicating a generally positive outcome for those entering the field. However, there are also many instances where graduates end up in roles that diverge significantly from their studies, suggesting that not everyone finds a perfect fit right after graduation or within the first few years.
For many, the first job post-graduation often appears to align well with counseling-related roles, such as internships or entry-level positions in therapy, counseling centers, or educational settings. This kind of start lays a solid foundation for building experience in the field. As we look five to ten years down the line, a sizable portion of graduates transition into more specialized roles like Licensed Professional Counselors or clinical supervisors, which is fantastic as it shows progression within the field. For example, several graduates take on roles such as therapists or counselors, which is likely what they aimed for when pursuing their degrees.
However, there are also numerous cases where individuals veered from the expected path. Some found themselves in unrelated areas such as customer service, marketing, or even education that don't directly utilize their counseling psychology skills. This indicates that while some might land where they want to be, others might struggle to find a relevant position and may take what they can get, especially in the early years out of school. It's essential to recognize that while some graduates flourish into successful careers that reaffirm the value of their education, not everyone does so, and a considerable number may divert into other industries altogether.
As a high school student considering this field, it's crucial to understand that the trajectory can be somewhat unpredictable. Pursuing a degree in Counseling Psychology can lead to fulfilling roles in therapy and counseling, but be prepared for the possibility that you may start in a different genre or take a while to find your niche. Keeping options open and being flexible can ultimately lead to a satisfying career path.
A Bachelor’s degree in Counseling Psychology can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s not necessarily the hardest degree out there, but it's definitely not a walk in the park either. You’ll dive into some pretty deep topics like human behavior, mental health, and different counseling techniques, which can be tough to wrap your head around sometimes. There’s also a fair amount of reading, writing, and maybe even some group projects that can be a drag. If you're genuinely interested in the subject matter, it can make the work feel more manageable, but it’ll definitely challenge you if you're not fully into it. So, while it might be easier than, say, engineering, you shouldn't underestimate the effort it requires! Just come prepared to engage with the material and put in the work, and you’ll be fine.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Counseling Psychology.
Looking at these graduates, their income really seems to vary based on their job choices and the industries they’re in. For the Counseling Psychology graduates, like the one from Texas State University, owning a practice or working as an independent contractor can definitely lead to a decent income, especially as they gain more clients. However, others, like the graduate from Ashford University, started off in jobs that typically pay less and have continued along similar lines, which might not contribute significantly to their earnings.
Then you have graduates who’ve found their niche in school counseling or various support roles, which can be rewarding but sometimes come with lower pay scales depending on the state and institution. Overall, it seems like some graduates are setting themselves up for a better financial future with entrepreneurial paths or specialized roles, while others might struggle initially due to the nature of their jobs. If you’re aiming for a solid income in this field, exploring different avenues while gaining diversifying experience seems key!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Counseling Psychology. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Counseling Psychology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Counseling Psychology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Liberty University
|
71 | 19 |