Exploring Career Opportunities with a Diploma in Psychology

Psychology has remained a mystery to the thousands of generations before us and still never ceases to amaze us. The study of the mind is an interesting and rich subject that keeps expanding each year with discoveries.

A report by Virginia Tech this month revealed that even witnessing a traumatic event while not experiencing any trauma directly, can alter your brain’s molecular structure. Nearly 10% of all PTSD(post-traumatic stress disorder) patients are reportedly those who have witnessed violence. (Source: ScienceDaily)

Now that we have entered the era of intelligent machines and human-like robots, holding a depth of knowledge about the human psyche, cognitive biases, and emotional intelligence, can even open doors to roles within legislative/ regulatory bodies as well as the tech industry. Take for example Elon Musk’s experiments with Neuralink, Generative AI’s learning through human inputs or even the realm of Ethical bias programming within AI.

Pursuing a career in this exciting field can offer you a lifetime of wisdom, knowledge, connection to humanity and lucrative salaries!

Did you know?

In 2018 a study by NIH ( National Institute of Health) Found that there were only 1.27 psychologists per 100,000 people in Malaysia. (Source: NIH)

If you’re a student in Malaysia charting your future, or a professional seeking a fulfilling career change, a Diploma in Psychology could be your gateway to fulfillment.

The American Psychological Association’s trends report highlights the growing demand for psychology-related services across various industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) predicts that clinical, counselling, and regular and school psychologist roles will rise by nearly 20%.

What’s more?

Malaysian degrees and diplomas from reputed institutions are accepted worldwide. A Diploma in Psychology from a Malaysian College positions you for an impactful international career in the field while ensuring you receive a premium education at an economic cost.

Read on to learn about the career pathways available after a Diploma in Psychology.

Understanding The Diploma in Psychology and Its Importance

A Diploma in Psychology gives you a solid foundation in the core principles of psychology. You’ll explore how people think, feel, and behave.

This is crucial because:

• It’s a stepping stone: It can lead to further study, like a bachelor’s degree, allowing you to specialize later with a graduate diploma in psychology.
• It builds essential skills: You’ll develop critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills – valuable in any career.
• It helps you discover your passion: It lets you explore if a psychology career is the right one for you.

Top Career Paths and Opportunities after Diploma in Psychology

While a full psychologist role requires advanced degrees, a Diploma in Psychology provides valuable skills for assistant positions and related fields. Diploma holders can pursue roles such as Psychological Assistants, Behavioral Technicians, and Community Support Workers, gaining valuable experience in the field.

• Psychological Assistant: Supporting psychologists with administrative tasks, data collection, and client interaction.
• Behavioural Technician: Assisting in implementing behavioural intervention plans.
• Community Support Worker: Providing support to individuals with mental health challenges in community settings

Beyond direct psychology roles, the diploma equips you with transferable skills like strong communication and empathy, which are highly valued in fields like human resources and customer relations.

Entry-level salaries in Malaysia, for diploma holders in related fields may range from MYR 2,000 to MYR 4,000 per month, depending on the specific role and location. (Source: Statista)

Alternative Career Paths with A Psychology Diploma Qualification

A psychology diploma is also useful in fields like:

• Human Resources
• Social Work
• Community Development
• Marketing and Communications
• Public Relations
• Life Coaching
• Business to Customer relationship management

What’s Next After a Diploma in Psychology?

After your diploma, you might:

• Go on to a bachelor’s degree: This will deepen your knowledge and expand your career opportunities. You could even look for an Advanced diploma in psychology or a bachelor’s degree to further improve your career prospects within the field, while you work in Malaysia.
• Gain work experience: You could find entry-level job roles within psychology and psychology-related areas.

With the right Diploma in Psychology, you may be able to find mentors within the industry, high-quality contacts with practising psychologists and other resources through networking events and on-campus activities.

This can also bring you in contact with reputed people within psychology and further your chances of securing an internship under them.

Why Choose a Career with a Diploma in Psychology?

A career in psychology offers the chance to:

• Make a real difference: You can help individuals, families, and communities thrive. Nearly 59% of all mental health patients were Malay followed by Chinese at 22%, in a survey conducted by PubMed Central. (Source: PMC)
• Stay challenged: It’s intellectually stimulating, requiring you to think critically and solve complex problems.
• Choose from diverse paths: You can specialise in areas like clinical, counselling, or industrial-organisational psychology.
• Psychology Career Pathways are diverse and often equip students with an arsenal of transferable skills. This means that you would be able to function in many industries with the skills you gain from psychology studies.

That’s not all!

LSBF Malaysia’s globally accepted certifications and courses can even help you obtain career opportunities within psychology careers abroad.

The average salary for entry-level roles in psychology in Singapore is around S$ 3500 to 6000 (11,645-19,965 RM) per month. (1 S$ = 3.32 RM, as of March 2025)

(Source: SG Jobs )

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Diploma in Psychology

If you’re in Malaysia and considering a career in psychology, think about:

• Your interests: What areas of psychology excite you most?
• Your strengths: Are you good at communicating, empathising, or analysing?
• Your goals: Do you want to work directly with people, conduct research, or apply psychology in business?
• Your preferred location for permanent work: Would you like to work abroad, or within the country? If you wish to work abroad, choose your diploma in psychology from an institution that can provide a lucrative educational pathway and chances to work abroad.

If you wish to work within the country, ensure your chosen institution is recognised and accredited by reputed statutory bodies.

Also, look for the institute’s reputation within the industry and top job roles in Psychology in Malaysia.

Areas of Practice Endorsement (AOPEs): Psychology Specialisations

Psychology has many specialist areas, including Areas of Practice Endorsement (AOPEs). You can pair your Diploma in Psychology in Malaysia with higher education initiatives within these fields to power up your career.

Pursuing specialisation within these fields can open various psychology career paths for you in Malaysia and abroad.

• Clinical Psychology: Assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions.
• Counselling Psychology: Provide therapy to individuals, couples, and families.
• Educational Psychology: Work in educational settings to support students with learning and behavioural challenges.
• Industrial-Organisational (I/O) Psychology: Apply psychological principles to improve workplace productivity and employee well-being.
• Research Psychology: Research to understand human behaviour and mental processes.
• Health Psychology: Promote healthy lifestyles and help people manage illness and stress.
• Forensic Psychology: Apply psychology in the legal system, such as assessing criminal behaviour.
• Sports and Exercise Psychology: Help athletes improve their performance, motivation, and mental health.
• Neuropsychology: Assess and treat cognitive problems related to brain injuries or neurological disorders.
• Occupational Psychology: Focus on workplace issues such as recruitment, training, and employee well-being.

The Future of Psychology in Malaysia

“Health is more than just the absence of illness; it encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being. The right to health is not merely a privilege; it represents a fundamental human right that demands universal acknowledgement and fulfilment.”

– YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health in Malaysia, April 2024

(Source: WHO)

Psychology is a growing field, and there’s a need for qualified professionals in Malaysia. A Diploma in Psychology in Malaysia could be a strategic move that can help you build a career in a field of growing importance.

At LSBF Malaysia, we’re here to help you build this successful career. We aim to provide a supportive learning environment where you can explore your interests and develop your skills through our diploma in psychology courses and diploma in psychology courses in Malaysia.

Consider enrolling in our Diploma in Psychology. Visit our website or contact our admissions team to learn more about how this course can help you. We’re here to support you in achieving your academic and career goals.

This blog was written by Rebecca Paulraj

FAQ

What is a Diploma in Psychology?

A Diploma in Psychology introduces you to the fundamental concepts and principles of psychology. It covers topics like human development, social psychology, cognitive psychology, and research methods.

What Qualifications Do I Need to Get into a Psychology Diploma?

Entry requirements vary, but generally, you’ll need to have completed your secondary education (SPM or equivalent) to qualify for a Diploma in Psychology in Malaysia. Check the specific entry requirements for a Diploma in Psychology in Malaysia on our website or get in touch with our admissions team – we’re happy to help!

What Skills Do I Need to Enter a Psychology Career?

Psychology careers require a mix of skills:

• Communication skills: To talk effectively with clients and colleagues.
• Empathy: To understand and share the feelings of others.
• Critical thinking: To analyse information and solve problems.
• Research skills: To conduct research and analyse data.

What Are Psychologist Salaries Around the World?

Psychologist salaries can vary depending on factors like location, experience, and specialisation. It’s a good idea to research a psychologist’s salary based on your chosen career path and location.

Here is a comparison of the salary for a general psychologist role in various countries.

Top countries for psychology careers along with their average psychologist salary figures:

Malaysia: The average psychologist’s salary in Malaysia ranges between RM 3444 to 4000. However, Psychologists with private businesses and clinics are known to have higher session fees ranging from RM 200 to 400 per session. (Each session is approximately between 1-2 hours long) Source: Indeed, Payscale

United Kingdom: The UK offers competitive salary ranges for psychologists, ranging from GBP 4000 to 5000 per month. Source: Jooble, Payscale

Australia: Psychologist salaries inAustralia are quite substantial, often ranging between $10,000 to 12,000 per month. Source: JoobleSingapore: Singapore is a great place to grow your psychology career. The demand for psychologists in Singapore is high and psychologist salaries within Singapore are impressive. The average salary of a psychologist in Singapore is around SGD 4500 to 6300 per month. Source: Indeed