According to Steven Williams of the APA Research Office (APA Monitor, March 2000, Vol. 31, No. 3, p. 13), the highest salaries earned in 1999 were by doctoral-level psychologists who held positions in applied psychology (industrial/organizational).

Below are the average salaries in 1999 for doctoral-level psychologists, with approximately 15.9 years of experience (as reported by Williams, 2000):

Applied Psychology (Industrial/Organizational)	$90,000
Research/Educational Administration	$83,000
Administration in the Human Service field	$65,000
Direct Human Service - School Psychology	$71,000
Direct Human Service - Clinical Psychology	$65,000
Direct Human Service - Counseling Psychology	$60,000
Psychologists in Research Positions	$60,000
Psychologists as Faculty (vary based on rank)	$52,000 (9- to 10-month); $64,000 (11- to 12-month)

APA’s Research Office also reported the salaries of master’s-level degree-holders in psychology. To download their full report, go to http://research.apa.org/99salaries.pdf.

Below are the average salaries for master's-level degree-holders, as reported by APA's Research Office:

Applied Psychology (Industrial/Organizational)	$68,000
Research/Educational Administration	$61,500 to $72,000
Administration in the Human Service field	$51,000
Direct Human Service - School Psychology	$61,000
Direct Human Service - Clinical Psychology	$45,000
Direct Human Service - Counseling Psychology	$39,500
Psychologists in Research Positions	$39,000
Psychologists as Faculty (vary based on rank)	$46,500 (9- to 10-month)

** Readers are cautioned that all of the above mentioned salaries vary based on geographic region, setting of employment, and level/years of experience.

What can I expect if I major in psychology? Psychology is versatile because it provides students with important, marketable skills. Training in psychology is unique because it will develop a range of skills and techniques applicable to so many different types of work. Psychology helps students improve their writing, enhances computer literacy, provides math and measurement skills, and builds problem-solving skills. Of course, students majoring in psychology also gain interpersonal skills and improved self-awareness. These types of skills (sometimes referred to as "emotional intelligence" are predictive of success in work and relationships. The specialized disciplines within psychology span a broad range. No matter what the focus, students who study psychology possess a great deal of information that can be transferred to the world of work, making psychology majors some of the most sought-after prospects to employment recruiters.

Most psychology programs will require majors to take a set of core courses. These typically include:

• Experimental Psychology/Research and Statistics
• General Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Human Development/Developmental Psychology
• Learning Theories
• Physiological Psychology
• Theories of Personality.

In addition to the core courses, students will choose electives that are of interest to them. Most schools offer specialized training, or tracks, in various areas of psychology. For instance, a psychology student may specialize in clinical psychology and would choose electives that pertain to that realm of psychology (e.g., Abnormal Psychology and Testing and Assessment). Other areas of specialization include counseling psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, school psychology, forensic psychology, sports psychology, neuropsychology, experimental psychology, developmental psychology, and educational psychology.

The American Psychological Association published a book entitled Is the Psychology Major for You? Planning for Your Undergraduate Years, which may help you with your decision about whether or not to major in psychology. Link to http://www.psywww.com/careers/books.htm to find out more.

What kinds of jobs can I get with a degree in psychology? The practical application of scientific psychology can take on many forms. Most people first consider the clinical and counseling aspects of psychology, such as helping troubled teens, working with children with emotional problems, or helping adults cope with job and relationship stress. However, the jobs available to a psychology major go well beyond the clinical arena. For example, many psychology majors opt to work for businesses, helping them to structure their work environment, solving organizational problems or by selecting personnel. Psychology majors also look toward careers in fields that enhance health through education, training and rehabilitation. Virtually any problem or need in society can be addressed by the research methods and theoretical principles of experimental psychology. Thus, psychology as a profession provides an opportunity for one to make significant contributions to society.

JOBS WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE
The types of entry-level jobs for which undergraduate psychology majors are typically prepared are those that utilize the aforementioned skills (e.g., writing skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, etc.).

At the bachelor’s-degree level, a psychology major can find work in community health settings as a case worker, therapeutic support staff working with children and adolescents, family service worker, or drug/substance abuse counselor. For other entry-level positions in the mental health/social services field, go to http://www.psywww.com/careers/entry.htm

Psychology majors can also find employment in business and other areas. Examples of positions in the business area are public relations, administrative assistant, insurance agent, marketing research, and sales representative. Other positions attainable by the psychology major include college admissions recruiter, congressional aide, and newspaper reporter.

JOBS WITH A MASTER’S DEGREE
In most states, master’s-level practitioners are required to work under the direct supervision of a licensed, doctoral-level psychologist. Psychology majors holding a master’s degree often work in community clinics (doing family therapy, group counseling, etc.), hospitals, or programs designed for specific populations (e.g., drug and alcohol programs, programs for people with mental retardation, etc.).

JOBS WITH A DOCTORAL DEGREE
Most states require that you hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in order to use the label of psychologist. At the doctoral-level, counseling psychologists often work in group counseling practices, private practice, or programs designed for specific populations (e.g., drug and alcohol programs). Clinical psychologists often serve as faculty in academic settings, work in hospitals/clinics, or have a private practice. School psychologists work in a school setting, and in some states only require a master’s degree plus specialization resulting in state certification (usually about 30 credits beyond a master’s degree).

For more information on graduate schools and the average length of time each of these degree-programs entail, go to http://www.rider.edu/suler/gradschl.html#counseling. For a list of books regarding careers in psychology, go to http://www.psywww.com/careers/books.htm