Occupational fields in psychology

A Master's degree in psychology leads to a wide range of possible careers. Some laypeople equate psychology with psychotherapy. However, this is wrong. Anyone who has studied the content of psychology knows that you can work in very different professional fields. We would like to describe the most important professional fields here.

Clinical psychology and psychotherapy

• More than half of all psychologists work as psychological psychotherapists.
• Activities: including the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, counseling patients and relatives, prevention and health promotion, providing expert opinions
• Employers: e.g. own practice, psychiatric, psychotherapeutic or psychosomatic clinics and outpatient clinics, rehabilitation clinics, general hospitals, counseling centers
• Requirements: most jobs require - in addition to a Master's degree - training as a psychological psychotherapist or psychological child and adolescent psychotherapist at a recognized training institute

Teaching and research

• Because the psychology degree program prepares students very well for an academic career, the second largest field of activity is teaching and research, i.e. as research assistants, lecturers or professors
• Activities: including research in projects, also in interdisciplinary research teams, as well as teaching. Possible in all subjects of psychology
• Employers: Universities and other research institutions
• Requirements: Master's degree in psychology; research experience as a student assistant during your studies is favorable

Work, organizational and business psychology

• Activities: including analysis of stress in the workplace and improvement of work processes in organizations and companies, personnel selection, implementation of training courses, e.g. on the subject of communication, development and introduction of personnel management methods, prevention of workplace-related health impairments, career choice advice
• Employer: e.g. commercial enterprises (production and services), public administration, social institutions or hospitals, Federal Employment Agency or self-employed as a trainer, coach or management consultant
• Prerequisites: a focus on AOW in your studies, internships in the areas mentioned and additional training in practical skills such as communication, moderation and coaching are advantageous.

Educational psychology

• Activities: e.g. as a school psychologist, counseling for learning/performance difficulties or behavioral problems at school, school career counseling, further education and training for teachers, school development, counseling for children/young people and their families, counseling for students
• Employer: e.g. school psychology service, children's and youth homes or a family, educational, study, health and educational counseling service
• Prerequisites: a focus on educational psychology in your studies, internships in the areas mentioned and additional training (e.g. systemic counseling/therapy, interviewing, school psychology) are advantageous

Other professional fields

• Market and advertising research: including opinion surveys, research into the subjective perception of products and services, consumer opinions and purchasing behavior, motive research
• Forensic and legal psychology: including the preparation of expert opinions on various topics (custody/rights of access, credibility, recidivism, culpability), treatment of offenders, research on crime or crime prevention
• Traffic psychology: including assessment of people's fitness to drive, counseling, rehabilitation and retraining of conspicuous drivers, road safety education, safety and accident research
• Prerequisites: internships in the respective field are favorable; for some activities there are further training courses (e.g. at the German Psychologists Academy)

Further information on the individual professional fields can be found in the study guide of the German Society for Psychology
and the Professional Association of German Psychologists.

Film clips on professional fields in psychology

The numerous film clips on the various professional fields of psychology produced by the German Psychological Society
and the Professional Associationof German Psychologists
have produced.

What can I do with my Bachelor's degree?

Most professional fields require a Master's degree in psychology. For some, such as psychotherapy, this is even required by law. In others, you simply have much better chances with a Master's degree. This is why around 93% of all psychology bachelor's graduates go on to study for a master's degree in psychology, with a further 3% opting for a different master's program. Very few seek and find a job in a psychological field (e.g. occupational health management, social counseling, market research, human resources) with a Bachelor's degree. The University of Siegen offers a Master's degree in Psychology. A Master's course in clinical psychology and psychotherapy, which meets the requirements of the law on the reform of psychotherapist training and the licensing regulations, is currently being planned.

How good are the chances of getting a job after graduation?

The chances of finding a job in a psychological field after graduation are very good. Over the years, surveys have repeatedly shown that around 95% of all Master's graduates in psychology have found a job.