Honest Answers....Is getting a degree in Psychology a waste of time and schooling?

Question

I am going to receive my Associates in December, and as they say its best to have your mind made up in which career path you want to take. I like counseling, but I have been reading up a lot of psychology and I must say.....I'm not at all happy with the salary information that I have been seeing! I've heard a lot of people say that this field is indeed a waste, but do you guys think there is any truth to this...honestly??!!!

Answer 1

OK--I can handle this one for ya. I'm currently a graduate psychology student at the University of Texas. In other words: I already got my B.A. degree and am now going for my Master's, or MA. Part of the reason I came back was so I could command a higher salary and have more opportunites than with only a bachelor's. An Associate's degree in psych is worthless, sorry. Even with a BA the best you're gonna do in the job market is maybe a caseworker at the government level, probably city or county; like for those seeking welfare assistance and such. Or maybe in a state run mental hospital.
With a Master's you can counsel, and even do therapy, and also work as a counselor in a private psych hospital. Of course, going all the way to a PhD is going to make you a psychologist and command the highest salary, but we're talking at least six more years of school for you.
I'll not lie: as far as "bang for your buck"--by that I mean the salary you'll command in comparison to time in school, psych is not the best field. It's a field to go into because you love it and want to work with people. If you want to purely make money, get a business or Information Science degree.

Answer 2

A bachelor's degree generally takes four years if you attend through the regular academic year and take off summers. Add one or two more years for a master's degree depending on whether you go the route of the thesis. This of course would also be the time line if you were taking the traditional path and studying full time.

Answer 3

We need you, and it's much better than MSW...

Need at least a Masters, trust me, I have a BA. No dice.

This field is almost like a religion to me (Santa was a myth to me at 3 years old)...

But it is a waste if people do not refer anx/depression clients for physical issues first. Major problem I have with the field, almost cost me my life, and certainly the quality of life for 10 years.

Other than that, to heck with the money. This is a life mission, and a reason to value oneself at the end of everyday. No need to hear from a boss that you need to get more business, that you acquired the most x,y,z for company BS, you know?

I'm going into special education, just so I can afford to get my PhD. Then I want to teach at the collegiate level, and do research. So many advances have been made, but there's so much to go. Especially in neuropsychology!

Good luck, whatever you do! Value your own instincts before what anyone else says (my words are merely here to give balance out others'...)
To thine own self be true!

Answer 4

lol funny you should ask this. I tell you right now, if you're only getting an AA or BA in psychology, YES it is a big waste of yoru time and money! The pay is awful - trust me I know first hand! The job I have is only a job you do because you trully love it and love helping other people - if you're someone who only wants money, get another degree!

The only way you can earn more money in the psychology field is if you go on to get your master's or higher. Even then, the pay isn't THAT great.

You have to decide what you want out of your career - and if it's tons of money only, look elsewhere. If helping others is more your thing, you found the right degree. :)

Answer 5

If you want to get paid, then quite frankly, yes, it's a waste. In order to make even decent money you need at least a Master's degree if not a Ph.D. Then you've spent a pile on your education.
Try a major that's always been in demand, is in high demand now, and will always be in high demand. Engineering. Starting salaries (FIRST day on the job) will run about $30.00 an hour. Expect your salary to at least double in 3 years.

Answer 6

It completely depends on your goals in life. I wanted to have a high profile job so I chose to do my degree in marketing. Some people would be happy with the salary and recognition having a psychology degree would give

Answer 7

I do not think of counseling as a waist of time nor do I think of it in a way of making a lot of money. I am very interested in becoming a counselor as well.
if you are looking for something that has a lot of money behind it....look into becoming a community support worker, you will use your psychology degree, you will be helping people that need assistance, both physically and mentally challenged. You can go into behaviour management, also you can use your degree in Psychology and has great money in it.
getting a degree in Psychology opens a lot of doors for you.

good luck

Answer 8

they say that the people who are psych majors are the ones who have no idea what they want to do or they are planning on being a psychologist. I have to tell you yhough, I have had two friends that went the psych route, and one of them is working for children and family services handing out welfare, she hates it. the other is working for an electrical company, digging ditches. I say get out there and major in something interesting, though it really doesn't matter, unless you are going for engineering or math related, because if you don't have a masters or experience in the field it is going to be hard finding a job

Answer 9

you say you like counseling. But does it have to be in psychology? What else do you like? How about a financial adviser, or career counselor, or a corporate ... something.

Answer 10

You have to pick what you love, once you pick what you love then the money will come