by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy involves the study of Psychoanalysis And Psychotherapy. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Practice The Provision Of Psychoanalytic Counseling To Individuals And Groups Based On The Psychodynamic Principles Evolved From Authorities Such As Freud, Adler, And Jung. Includes Instruction In Self-Analysis, Personality Theory, Dream Analysis, Free Association And Transference Theory And Techniques, Psychodynamic Theory, Developmental Processes, Applications To Specific Clinical Conditions, Practice Management, And Professional Standards And Ethics. Continue reading for the essential details every psychoanalysis and psychotherapy student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering psychoanalysis and psychotherapy programs.
Nationwide, psychoanalysis and psychotherapy is a popular field of study, with 5 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for psychoanalysis and psychotherapy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy programs later in this article.
Studies in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations psychoanalysis and psychotherapy graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a psychoanalysis and psychotherapy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a psychoanalysis and psychotherapy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several psychoanalysis and psychotherapy degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to psychoanalysis and psychotherapy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-doctoral training | 48% |
| Doctoral degree | 44% |
| Master’s degree | 8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | 85,073 | 14.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,066 |
| 4 years | $46,824 |
| 5 years | $52,641 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for psychoanalysis and psychotherapy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers psychoanalysis and psychotherapy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $68,140 |
With 1 different psychoanalysis and psychotherapy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased psychoanalysis and psychotherapy school rankings to help you.
Those considering psychoanalysis and psychotherapy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Counseling/Counselor | 10,855 |
| Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | 6,135 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling | 4,476 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions, Other | 3,545 |
| Clinical/Medical Social Work | 3,296 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician | 2,601 |
| Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling | 2,298 |
| Genetic Counseling/Counselor | 378 |
| Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling | 187 |
| Trauma Counseling | 161 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
