First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from James Madison University 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 45 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Psychology graduates from James Madison University have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) 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, 66% 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 Psychology graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 67%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMentorCross Roads Counseling Center Mar 2017 - Dec 2017 Main Office Secretary East Rockingham High School Aug 2017 - Aug 2018 Assistant Cheerleading Coach Luray High School Jul 2017 - May 2018 Luray High School Head Cheerleading Coach Luray High School Jun 2018 - Present Elementary School Counselor Page County Public Schools Aug 2019 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMasters of Education in School CounselingLiberty University 2017 - 2019 ABOUTI am recent graduate from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Coaching Education. I am currently interested in counseling and youth focused internship/volunteer opportunities, in addition to full time jobs within the public schools systems. I am currently attending Liberty University to pursue a Masters of Education in School Counseling.At James Madison University, I was member of the Gamma Phi Beta International Sorority. I held the positions of Assistant Administration Vice President and Ritual Assistant. Through Gamma Phi Beta I have been involved in fundraising and volunteering for Girls on the Run International and have served on the marketing committee for an annual event to raise funds. I have participated in Meals on Wheels with this organization. In addition, I was a photographer for The BlueStone Yearbook.Through coaching education, I became certified in the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) coach and listed on the National Coaches Registry for grades K-12. I have served as a volunteer mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County and have participated in the alternative break program to volunteer with the East Coast Migrant Head Start Program in Florida at multiple centers. I have been exposed to cultures outside of the United States during study abroad with the JMU Cross-Cultural Psychology Program to Perugia, Italy and Florence, Italy in May of 2016. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After looking through the various jobs that folks with a Psychology degree from James Madison University have taken on, it seems like a big chunk of them have landed roles that aren’t purely about psychology. A lot of graduates did go on to work in fields like healthcare, education, and mental health counseling. For instance, positions like Mental Health Therapist, School Counselor, and Behavioral Health Counselor definitely put their psychology knowledge to good use. Those roles involve direct application of what they learned in school, making them highly relevant and beneficial not just for the graduates but for the people they’re helping too.
On the flip side, many graduates also found themselves in jobs that are somewhat distant from psychology. Roles in sales, human resources, and IT didn’t really use the psychological principles they studied extensively. While some of those jobs may involve understanding human behavior in a broader sense, they primarily focus on skills unrelated to psychology, such as technical skills or administrative tasks. So, while there’s definitely a mix of jobs—some deeply relevant and others more tangential—it's clear that a psychology degree can lead graduates down quite a few diverse paths in the job market!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Psychology graduates (this is across all Psychology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to James Madison University):
Graduates from James Madison University with a degree in Psychology have taken various career paths, but many of them tend to land roles closely related to their field of study, especially within the first few years after graduation. A significant number begin their careers as mental health professionals—like therapists and counselors—showcasing a strong alignment with their educational background. For example, many graduates found their way into roles such as mental health counselors, behavior analysts, or case managers soon after finishing their studies. Others have ventured into research positions or educational settings, becoming school counselors or educators. It seems that a lot of graduates are genuinely using their psychology training to pursue fulfilling careers that allow them to make a difference in people's lives.
As we look five to ten years down the road, the trajectories appear to be a mixed bag. While some graduates continue to flourish in mental health roles or move into higher-level positions within educational or counseling settings, others seem to have switched gears into more corporate or administrative roles, such as account managers or human resources positions. It’s interesting to note that a few have successfully integrated their psychology background into research or technical positions, indicating the versatility of a psychology degree. However, there are also graduates who have taken more unexpected paths that veer away from the traditional psychology-related jobs, which may suggest that while a degree in psychology can lead to meaningful work, it also offers a broad range of options that not everyone may directly utilize in their careers. Overall, graduates of JMU in psychology have shown a solid inclination toward pursuing impactful careers, though some may find themselves in jobs that don’t specifically align with their studies.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at James Madison University, or really anywhere, has its challenges, but it can be pretty manageable if you stay motivated and put in the time. You’ll dive into interesting topics about human behavior, brain functions, and research methods, but you’ll also have to tackle some statistics and scientific writing, which can be tricky for some. JMU has a solid reputation for its supportive environment and engaging faculty, so that helps a lot. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s definitely doable if you're passionate about the subject and keep up with your work!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Psychology.
So, looking at this list of JMU Psych grads and their job paths, it’s kind of a mixed bag when it comes to money. Many of them started out in pretty standard entry-level positions, like teaching, counseling, or research roles—which are rewarding but usually don’t come with hefty paychecks right off the bat. Some have climbed the ladder to roles like Senior Account Manager or Vice President, which definitely suggests they’re doing better financially as they gain experience. Jobs in healthcare, like nursing and mental health counseling, tend to pay decent bucks too. Overall, it seems like some have found their way to solid salaries after a few years, while others still might be working up to that level. So, it really depends on the specific field and position—they all seem to have something going for them, but it’s not the instant big bucks you might hope for right away!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Psychology (this is across all Psychology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to James Madison University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Psychology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Psychology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: