Career Outlook for Community Psychology

The nonprofit and public administration sectors are both in Montana’s top five industries by share of employment and wages. The non‐profit sector consistently accounts for over 11% of Montana’s total employment and wages, and the public administration sector accounts for over 8% of Montana’s total employment and wages. Nonprofits alone account for well over 2,200 employers, approximately 52,000 employees, and over $2.6 billion in wages. The state and federal governments are also the first and second largest employers in Montana, respectively. Combined, the nonprofit and government industries account for approximately one‐fifth of all Montana jobs and wages.

Students who graduate with a Community Psychology degree from MSU-Northern are readily employed in either nonprofit organizations or public service (federal, state, local, and tribal government).  Graduates may go on to work in a wide variety of specialty areas, including the following*:

  • Human Services
  • Social Work
  • Community Development
  • Public Health
  • Public Relations
  • Public Policy Analysis
  • Government Relations
  • DEI/Human Resources
  • Public Recreation Programs
  • Conservation Programs
  • Environmental Programs
  • Arts, Culture, & Humanities Programs
  • Church/Mission Programs
  • Community Service Organizations
  • Criminal Justice Programs
  • Substance Abuse Prevention Programs
  • Domestic Abuse Prevention Programs
  • Youth Mentoring Programs
  • Childhood Enrichment Programs
  • Mental/Behavioral Health Programs
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Private Consulting

Community Psychology graduates are also well prepared to continue their education through graduate studies in public administration, social work, counseling, law, and related professions.  Approximately 40% of program graduates from the last seven years have advanced directly to masters degree programs.

MSU-Northern’s Community Psychology program is a proud partner with the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement, which provides numerous exciting and hands-on AmeriCorps/VISTA employment opportunities, both during the summers and post-graduation!

* Note, some fields may require additional graduate level education and/or licensure.