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Psychology Alumni Careers with a Master's Degree in the Helping Professions

Lake Forest College / Academics / Majors and Minors / Psychology / Psychology Graduate Outcomes / Psych Masters Helping Professions

Approximately half of psychology alumni earn master's degrees in the helping professions.

To learn more about specific careers within the helping professions, scroll down or select from the buttons below.

pie chart: Helping Professions: 51.06% Education: 15.71% Business: 9.97% Other Psychology: 7.25% Medical/Health: 6.34% Other Grad Degrees: 6.34% Public Health/Policy: 3.32%Degree areas: Psychology alumni with a Master's Degree

Helping Professions: 51.06%
Education: 15.71%
Business: 9.97%
Other Psychology: 7.25%
Medical/Health: 6.34%
Other Grad Degrees: 6.34%
Public Health/Policy: 3.32%

Preparation MSW Clinical Counseling and Therapy School Psychology and Counseling Occupational Therapy Sport Psychology Back to all Outcomes

How can I prepare for these outcomes?

Take More Psychology & Work Hard in PSYC 221/222

Go beyond the 9-course minimum. Analytical skills are in demand.

Develop Other Specialties

Add a second major or a minor. Seek leadership experience.

Develop Connections & Learn About Various Career Paths

Connect with faculty, alumni, campus speakers, CAC.

Your PSYC advisor can connect you with the alumni listed here!

Conduct Research with Faculty

Gain experience as a psychological scientist in a research lab.

Present Your Work

Student Symposium. Glassman Symposium. Eukaryon. MPA.

Use the Career Advancement Center (CAC)

Secure an internship. Develop your resume. Enhance your skills.

Grow your network. Prepare for interviews. Prepare for post-grad.

Get Involved

Psi Chi. Current Advances in Psychology (CAP) Series. Campus life.

Master’s of Social Work (MSW)

Focus

Broad, focusing on social systems, human rights, community development, and individual therapeutic work. High flexibility, allowing switching between clinical and macro admin/policy work.

Clinical License

Graduates can become Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW).

Roles

Therapist, case manager, child welfare worker, policy advocate, community manager, etc.

Settings

Hospitals, schools, child welfare agencies, private practice, clinical setting, non-profits, etc.

Choose MSW if:

You are interested in a wide range of career options, want to address social systemic issues alongside mental health, or want the ability to work in social services or case management.

Common MSW Programs for our Alumni (64+)

  • Loyola University Chicago (12+)
  • Univ. of Illinois Chicago (9+)
  • University of Chicago (7+)
  • Aurora University (5+)
  • Dominican University (4+)
  • Washington Univ. St. Louis (2+)
  • Boston University (2+)
  • University of Denver (2+)
  • Boston College (2+)
  • University of Michigan (1+)
  • University of Wisconsin (1+)
  • University of Minnesota (1+)
  • Indiana University (1+)
  • Ohio State University (1+)
  • Fordham University (1+)
  • University of Maine (1+)

Common MSW Careers for our Alumni

Position Titles

  • Social Worker (10+)
  • Therapist/Counselor (16+)
  • Clinical Social Worker (5+)
  • Clinical Director (7+)
  • Medical Social Worker (3+)
  • Owner of Private Practice (3+)
  • School Social Worker (6+)
  • Advocate (3+)

Sample Employers

  • Hospitals: U of I Hospital; Northwestern Medicine; Advocate
  • School Districts: Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, NYC Dept of Education
  • Gov’t Agencies: Health & Human Services; Veteran’s Affairs
  • Non-Profits: Recovery Centers; Family Services; Wellness Centers
  • Clinical Settings: Private Practice; Counseling & Health Centers

Master’s of Clinical/Counseling/Therapy

Focus

Direct, specialized therapeutic care, clinical mental health intervention. Lower flexibility, generally focused directly on counseling or clinician roles.

Clinical License (Depends on State)

Graduates can become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs), or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs).

Roles

Mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, etc.

Settings

Private practice, mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, etc.

Wide Variety of Degree Types & Titles (# Alumni)

  • MA or MS in Counseling Psychology (23+)
  • MA or MS in Clinical Psychology (9+)
  • MA or MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (8+)
  • MA or MS in Clinical Counseling (7+)
  • MA or MS in Marriage & Family Therapy (4+)
  • MA or MS in Art Therapy & Counseling or Clinical Therapy (3+)

Choose Master of Clinical/Counseling/Therapy if:

You want to specialize immediately in counseling/therapy, prefer a focused curriculum on psychology, and do not wish to do community-based case management or policy work.

Common C/C/T Schools for our Alumni

Institution (70+ Alumni)

  • The Chicago School (9+)
  • Roosevelt University (4+)
  • Adler University (7+)
  • Marquette University (2+)
  • Rosalind Franklin University (6+)
  • Ball State University (2+)
  • Argosy University (6+)
  • Loyola University Chicago (1+)
  • Northwestern University (5+)
  • Boston College (1+)

Common C/C/T Careers for our Alumni

Position Titles (70+ Alumni)

  • Therapist (12+)
  • School Counselor (5+)
  • Counselor (11+)
  • Art Therapist (3+)
  • Director/Supervisor (8+)
  • Private Practice Owner (3+)

Sample Employers

  • Clinical Settings: Private Practice; Counseling & Health Centers
  • School Districts & Universities: Illinois, Michigan, Maine, Minnesota
  • Health Systems: Children's Hospitals; Behavioral Health Hospitals
  • Centers for: Anxiety; Autism; Children; Families; Adolescents

Master’s of School Psychology/Counseling

Focus

Support students’ academic, behavioral, and emotional functioning through intervention, data-based decision-making, academic counseling, career counseling, developmental guidance.

Roles

School psychologist, school counselor, college counselor, etc.

Wide Variety of Degree Types & Titles (12+ Alumni)

  • MA or MS or M.Ed. In School Psychology (6+)
  • MA or M.Ed. In School Counseling (4+)
  • M.Ed. In Educational Psychology (2+)

Choose Master’s of School Psychology/Counseling if:

You want to mentor students and guide their academic, personal, and career development, assess learning and behavioral challenges, and use data to improve students’ academic success.

Common Schools for our Alumni

  • Western Illinois University (2+)
  • Concordia University (2+)
  • Loyola University Chicago (2+)
  • Marquette University (1+)

Master’s of Occupational Therapy

Focus

Help people develop, recover, or adapt the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial skills needed for meaningful daily activities.

Roles

Occupational therapist (pediatric, school, rehab, acute care, etc.)

Choose Master’s of Occupational Therapy if:

You want to help people regain independence and improve their ability to participate fully in everyday life.

Common Schools for our Alumni (9+)

  • Univ. of Illinois Chicago (3+)
  • Washington Univ. St. Louis (1+)
  • Midwestern University (1+)
  • St. Bonaventure University (1+)

Master’s of Sport Psychology/Performance

Focus

Mental processes that influence performance, motivation, skill development, and confidence for athletes, performers, and teams.

Roles

Sport-focused therapist; Sport or performance consultant

Choose Master’s of Sport Psychology/Performance if:

You want to help athletes and performers optimize confidence, focus, and peak performance.

Common Schools for our Alumni (5+ Alumni)

  • Univ. of Illinois Chicago (1+)
  • University of Denver (1+)
  • Florida State University (1+)
  • California Baptist University (1+)