10 Entry-Level Psychology Jobs That Don’t Require an Advanced Degree

Advanced careers like psychologist and psychiatrist require an MD, Ph.D., or Psy.D. degree. However, you don’t need an advanced education to qualify for many psychology jobs. A high school diploma, associate, or bachelor’s degree can qualify you for many entry-level positions, letting you gain valuable hands-on experience while helping people in need.

Dive into 10 entry-level jobs that don’t require an advanced degree and find the one that aligns with your personality and goals.

An entry-level psychology job requires some level of education or training but little to no professional experience. Although the table below presents a general overview, keep in mind that the characteristics of entry-level psychology jobs differ by employer. You may need extra education, training, or experience to qualify.

These 10 entry-level psychology jobs require a high school, associate, or bachelor’s degree. Many feature career pathways you can open up by gaining experience. Working an entry-level job can also help you refine your career goals and plan for extra education, if necessary.

A great career path for professionals interested in behavioral health, registered behavior technicians (RBTs) help individuals and small groups identify and resolve behavioral issues. They can specialize in a specific age group or disorder.

RBTs-in-training learn how to measure and assess client behaviors, troubleshoot issues, and follow ethical guidelines. Local community and vocational colleges can help you prepare for this career through in-person or virtual learning.

Typical workplaces include schools, daycare centers, and hospices. Professionals report to a board-certified behavior analyst. Workers can improve their resume by earning RBT certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

An associate degree in psychology provides the academic foundation you need to become a crisis line specialist or counselor. Even so, potential employers may require a post-graduate certificate or industry certification, such as the American Association of Suicidology Crisis Specialist Training and Certification Course©.

On the job, crisis line specialists and counselors take phone calls from people experiencing severe psychological distress. Their work involves identifying problems, connecting callers with appropriate resources, and documenting important information. Finding services for people in need requires heightened communication skills, as crisis line specialists and counselors collaborate with community services agencies.

One of the fastest-growing careers in psychology, psychiatric technicians monitor clients’ progress in clinical settings, such as hospitals and mental health treatment centers. Other responsibilities include admitting and discharging clients, recording vital signs, and administering prescribed medications. Their reports help licensed psychologists and psychiatrists make informed treatment decisions.

Psychiatric technicians may work with any age group and follow a normal work schedule. Typical job sites include psychiatric hospitals, general hospitals, and drug treatment centers. Although you only need a college certificate to qualify for entry-level positions, an associate or bachelor’s degree may help you in a competitive job market.

Peer support specialists act as a first point of contact for clients with a mild-to-moderate mental health disorder. Working with clients reveals the disorder’s nature, causes, and potential treatment pathways. Specialists use this information to recommend life changes or outside services, such as therapists, social workers, or work placement advisors.

The steps to become a peer support specialist vary by state, and certification in a specific mental health disorder can improve your resume. Some specialists focus on disorders they overcame. Volunteering opportunities can help you learn more about what it takes to enter this impactful profession.

Residential counselors work with clients living at a treatment facility. They perform one-on-one and group counseling sessions to help clients identify issues’ root causes and find appropriate solutions. Other responsibilities may include leading clients in physical exercise or other recreational activities.

Residential counselors can specialize in working with children and adolescents, older adults, or individuals trying to beat addiction. Career benefits may include on-site room and board. However, professionals often work irregular hours, as live-in treatment facilities require 24-hour staffing.

Although many positions require only a high school diploma, you may need an associate degree to qualify for some entry-level positions.

Also known as mental health workers or residential care technicians, psychiatric aides provide clients with emotional, social, and physical support. Typical responsibilities include taking vital signs, helping clients with mobility issues, and teaching new clients about the treatment facility’s rules and routines. Aides must also restrain clients who pose a threat to themselves or others.

Becoming a psychiatric aide requires less education than becoming a psychiatric technician. However, a background in psychology can prepare you to better serve clients seeking care. Psychology knowledge can also help you work alongside nurses, physicians, and psychologists.

People in need work with social and human service assistants to find appropriate services in their community. This process starts when a licensed social worker recommends them to a client. Meetings reveal which services clients may need, such as food assistance, healthcare, or housing.

Social and human service assistants routinely check in with clients to track progress and adjust services as needed. Employers include local and state government agencies, independent family services agencies, and residential care facilities. Social and human service assistants may need to travel to clients’ homes or job sites.

Job applicants with only a high school diploma should focus on job postings that offer on-the-job training.

Professionals working in substance use and addiction counseling help individuals and families overcome addiction. One-on-one or small-group sessions let these counselors identify the best course of treatment and refer clients to other mental health services, if necessary. Like other psychology professionals, drug abuse counselors update and maintain confidential medical records.

Requirements to become a drug abuse counselor vary by state. You may need to earn a bachelor’s degree, complete up to 4,000 hours of work experience, submit recommendation letters, and pass an examination. Check your state’s health and human services website for the latest information.

Victim advocates work with people who have recently experienced physical abuse or assault. Responsibilities include helping clients develop a safety plan, navigate the criminal justice system, and find appropriate outside support services. They may work with the same clients for many months.

Typical employers include colleges, hospitals, local and state law agencies, and community centers. You can complement your bachelor’s degree with a professional certification, such as the Center for Legal Studies Victim Advocacy Certificate. Certifications can also help you meet your state’s licensure renewal requirements.

Professionals in this career may work irregular hours, as violent crime can happen at any time of day.

Psychology clinical research assistants work for colleges and universities. Responsibilities may include recording data, performing research, and preparing materials. They report to a professor performing experiments related to their specialization.

Current college students can gain valuable experience and prepare to enter a competitive job market by completing a research assistant internship. Other advantages may include earning college credit, networking with potential employers, and learning research skills applicable to entry-level psychology careers and graduate coursework.

Improving your communication and interpersonal skills can strengthen your application for full-time positions, as research assistants serve as a point of first contact for participants in psychological studies.

If you hold a high school or associate degree, an entry-level psychology job can expose you to different career paths and let you network with experienced professionals. Workers with a bachelor’s can experience these benefits and also explore specializations they may want to pursue in a master’s or doctoral program.

After gaining some on-the-job experience, you may discover that you need extra education to reach your career goals. Jobs requiring a master’s in psychology include marriage and family therapist and industrial-organizational psychologist. A doctorate in psychology can prepare you to work as a postsecondary teacher or clinical supervisor.

No matter your education background or goals, don’t forget that entry-level psychology careers let you work directly with people in need. As a result, you don’t need an advanced degree to help others or make a positive impact in your community.