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Guide to College Majors in Psychology

What is Psychology?

Enrolling in a college degree program in Psychology provides access to one of the most challenging and rewarding professional fields today. Students who choose to pursue this course of study learn the necessary skills to assist people in improving their mental health. College degree programs in Psychology provide graduates with the skills and tools they need to be successful in this challenging and vital field.

Psychology degree programs are designed to offer enrolled students a solid educational background of traditional science and liberal arts courses. As the Psychology college degree program progresses, this basic education becomes integrated with the more in-depth knowledge, skills, and expertise that are necessary for success in the many specializations in the professional field of psychology. The more advanced the degree in Psychology, the more specific and in-depth the coursework becomes.

In the past few years, the availability of online and distance learning programs in the academic field of psychology has seen a significant growth. The expansion of the industry of online and distance learning degree programs in the field has made it possible for students in all situations to obtain a college degree in Psychology while continuing to maintain their lives at work and at home.

Students who choose to obtain an education in Psychology will be prepared for a wide variety of professional opportunities in the field. Those with an educational background in psychology can apply their knowledge and skills to many different professional specializations.

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Career Education in Psychology

Undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs

Undergraduate Coursework
The coursework of an undergraduate level college degree program in Psychology begins with foundational information based on the theories and styles of thinking of dominantly influential psychological theorists such as Freud, Adler, Jung, and many others. Some more specified subjects of study include self-analysis, dream theory, free association, and transference theory. There is also a strong focus on correct medical procedure and the importance of the adherence to a strong code of ethics. Social and political influences on the field of psychology are also discussed.

The following courses are commonly included in the course of study of an undergraduate college degree program in Psychology:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Psychology Statistics
• Conditional Learning
• Physiological Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology

Undergraduate elective courses may include:

• Sensation and Perception
• Motivation, Health Psychology
• Psychology of Stress
• Approach to Human Communication

Graduate and Post-graduate Coursework
The requirements for the completion of a graduate or doctoral level study in Psychology may include an independent study, mentorship, large-scale research projects, a preliminary oral defense, and a final oral defense. Proficiency in a foreign language and solid technological skills may also be required. Students in an advanced post-graduate program in Psychology are deeply engaged in discovering the nuances of psychology and drawing conclusions based on empirical and new thought. Students draw on the knowledge of Freud and others but are encouraged to hypothesize new theories on their own, so that they may help make developments for a new generation of patients.

Graduate and post-graduate courses in Psychology may cover topics such as:

• Biology
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Quantities
• Social Psychology
• Motivation
• Abnormal Psychology
• Dream Theory

Students may also study Cross- Cultural Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, Experimental Psychology, and Political Psychology. Studies in the relationship between psychology and religion, and between psychology and law are also growing in popularity.

Psychology students must also take care not to engage in self-diagnosis, an occurrence that is common in graduate programs. Self-examination is necessary when pursuing this line of work and the tendency to falsely detect mental disorders in oneself is quite common. An appropriate perspective and a professional detachment are hallmarks of a successful psychologist and are integral to future happiness and professional fulfillment.

Ideally when a student graduates with a degree in Psychology they will be able to:

• Utilize psychology to improve their professional life and realize future career potential
• Be able to analyze and appreciate psychology in the political, social, and multicultural context of today's society
• Illustrate the communication and interpersonal skills gained during study
• Be well prepared to conduct serious scientific research, conduct experiments, present projects and findings, and utilize technology to the greatest degree possible

Colleges and Universities offering online or distance learning degree programs in Psychology:

Capella University - Online graduate degree programs in Psychology
American InterContinental University Online - Online Master's and Bachelor's Psychology Degrees
Walden University - Online graduate programs in Psychology
Ellis College - Online Bachelor in Psychology

What can you do with a College Degree in Psychology?

Career options for aspiring psychologists

The job of a psychologist is to investigate and assess the emotional, cognitive and social realms of human behavior. Psychologists provide mental health care in many different facilities such as hospitals, clinics, schools, or private settings. Psychologists use techniques such as interviewing and testing to help people deal with problems on a daily basis.

The academic and private segments of the field offer the most opportunity for those who wish to pursue a career in psychology. Many holders of doctorate and Master's level degrees in Psychology choose to pursue a career in academics, teaching future psychologists and extending their own education through research and collaboration with students and colleagues. Those who choose an academic setting are able to draw from their educational backgrounds each day.

Psychologists who choose to go into private practice have a direct impact on their patient's daily existence. The relationship between the psychologist and the patient is highly personal. The psychologist must uphold the doctor-patient contract of confidentiality. Psychology students are taught about the importance of communication and trust. Those in private practice must learn how to separate their professional lives from their personal lives and ensure that they don't "bring their work home." Separation and compartmentalization techniques are vital to the success of professionals in the mental health field.

Working environment
The working environment of a psychologist depends entirely on his or her professional field specialization. Many clinical, counseling, and school psychologists choose to develop a private practice, allowing them to create their own schedules. These psychologists often choose to work weekend and evening hours, however, in order to be available to their clients. Psychologists who work in hospitals, schools, and other health facilities may have the option to work regular weekday hours. Some, however, must maintain evening and weekend hours.

Psychologists who choose to enter an academic career usually have to fulfill teaching, administrative, and research responsibilities. Some psychologists employed in academia also maintain a part-time consulting practice.

Many psychologists must at times handle an erratic schedule, due to the pressures and time constraints associated with travel, conferences, research, deadlines, and an overload of work.

Career Specializations

One of the greatest benefits of having a degree in Psychology is the sheer versatility the degree provides. Students of Psychology enter many successful careers with different specializations.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists utilize research methods in order to improve productivity and satisfaction in the workplace. Some techniques used by professionals in this specialized field include applicant-training, screening, and research related to management and marketing problems. These professionals may work independently or for government. The departments they focus on can vary but many are employed in the Human Resources departments of organizations and businesses.

Clinical psychology
Clinical psychologists work in private practices, hospitals, counseling centers, and clinics. One job of a clinical psychologist is to assist clients who are disturbed mentally and emotionally as they try to heal and to adjust to a regular life. Some clinical psychologists work with medical patients to help them adjust to or recover from an injury or an illness. Clinical psychologists can also work in physical rehabilitation centers, helping people who have suffered spinal injuries or strokes, or who have chronic pain or neurological conditions. Still other clinical psychologists devote their careers to helping people handle emotional crises like death or divorce.

It is common for clinical psychologists to evaluate their patients' conditions through interviews and diagnostic tests. They may treat individual, family, or group patients through the development of programs designed for behavior modification. Clinical psychologists often work in collaboration with physicians to develop treatment programs for mutual patients. Clinical psychologists who work in academic settings like a college, university, or medical school, devote their careers to teaching graduate students about the psychology field. Some clinical psychologists work in the field of public health, designing and implementing mental health programs for communities.

The specified field of clinical psychology also has its own specializations. They are:

• Health psychology: Health psychologists design health counseling programs that are meant to help individuals reach particular health goals, such as weight loss and the cessation of smoking.
  
  
• Neuropsychology: Neuropsychologists often work with stroke and head injury patients, studying the relationship between the brain and human behavior.
  
  
• Geropsychology: Geropsychologists specialize in the particular psychological problems of the elderly population. New Mexico is currently the only state in the Unites States in which clinical psychologists are permitted to prescribe medications to patients. In order to obtain this permission, however, clinical psychologists in New Mexico must receive special training and education. In states other than New Mexico, clinical psychologists must work with other medical professionals when developing a treatment for a patient that involves medication.
  
  
• Developmental psychology: Developmental psychologists focus on the cognitive development and social development of people at all stages of life. Some developmental psychologists focus on infant, child, or adolescent behavior, while some focus on adult and elderly behavior. Developmental psychologists may also study the effects of developmental disabilities.
  
  
• Counseling psychology: Counseling psychologists help patients solve interpersonal problems. Counseling psychologists employ many strategies, including group sessions, hypnosis, and one on one interviews. Today's techniques go far beyond the traditional "sofa therapy" and can cover a wide range of topics. A good rapport between the counselor and the patient is essential for the counseling programs to be successful. Individuals with strong positive self-images and personalities are well equipped to be successful in this psychological field.
  
  
• Forensic psychology: Forensic psychologists are experts at the psychological evaluation of criminals. They are often called upon to evaluate the psychological fitness of individuals who must stand trial. This specialized field requires the psychologist to be of sharp legal mind and be able to evaluate legal situations. Forensic psychologists must state and defend his or her psychological evaluations in court.
  
  
• School psychology: School psychologists help students with learning and behavioral problems or differences. School psychologists may work in elementary, middle, or secondary schools. School psychologists cover a wide range of issues that students deal with. They work with teachers and parents and members of school administration to develop and implement strategies with which to improve classroom management and student performance. They work to prevent and deal with substance abuse. They work with students who are disabled and with students who demonstrate particular gifts or aptitudes. School psychologists also evaluate the results, benefits, and effectiveness of many different kinds of school programs and services.
  
  
• Social psychology:Social psychologists examine the interactions between people and between people and the larger social environment. They may focus their studies or professional careers on the effects of group dynamics, leadership skills, individual attitudes, and qualities of perception on market research, systems design, or other specialized fields of psychology.
  
  
• Experimental or research psychology: Experimental or research psychologists focus their research careers on behavioral patterns, specializing in such aspects of behavior as motivation, learning, memory, attention, sensory processes, thought, and the effects of genetics, neurology, and drug and alcohol abuse on behavior. Experimental or research psychologists usually work in private centers of research, private businesses, government organizations, nonprofit organizations, and colleges and universities. Experimental and research psychologists often use human beings and other animals such as rats and monkeys to conduct their research.

Diversity in the field

As the attractiveness of psychology continues to grow, the number of female and minority students pursuing a degree in Psychology is increasing. The professional future of female psychologists and other minorities is bright because as the recognition of societal issues related to gender in the workplace and at home continues to grow, women are uniquely equipped to deal with the issues their clients may bring to their practice. The number of female psychologists varies throughout the country on a geographic basis. The majority is based in larger cities, while a smaller number of female psychologists can be found in rural areas.

Career Statistics

According to The Majors Handbook, the top occupations that employ those with a bachelor's degree in Psychology are:

• Top and mid-level managers, and executives
• Sales occupations
• Social Workers
• Other management related occupations
• Personnel training occupations
• Administrative occupations
• Insurance, securities, real estate, and other business services
• Registered nurses, physicians assistants, and therapists
• Accountants, auditors, and other accounting specialists

The College Handbook cites that 50% of Psychology graduates work for businesses and non-profit organizations. Another 16% work for the government, 14% work for educational institutions. 13% are self-employed and the remaining 9% work in private charitable organizations.

The career opportunities for those graduates holding PhDs and Master's degrees in Psychology are considerably greater. According to the American Psychological Association, almost 90% of Psychologists holding PhDs were employed in the field. Approximately 75% of Psychologists holding PhDs were employed full time. Psychologists with advanced degrees also enjoy the benefit of collaborating with colleagues and continuing their own education through workshops, both in person and online.

Career Outlook

The economic outlook for the field of Psychology continues to be positive. The professional opportunities in the field are expected to increase 10% to 20% through 2008. This increase is about the same as the average national growth rate, according to government statistics. Those graduates who decide to pursue degrees in Social Work can expect an even higher growth at 36%. The skills learned through a degree in Psychology can be applied to almost every opportunity in the American job market today, which makes the degree extremely appealing.

The increasing demand for psychologists in hospitals, social service organizations, mental health care centers, rehabilitation centers, private businesses, and schools, ensures that those working in almost all specializations of the field of psychology can expect average to good growth of employment opportunities in the next several years. This is especially true for school, clinical, and counseling psychologists.

School psychologists may be the most in demand of all specialty psychologists. Parents, teachers, and school administrators are increasingly aware of and concerned about the ways in which students' mental health affects their behavior and ability to learn in the classroom.

Clinical psychologists will also be highly in demand as people need more and more help dealing with depression, alcohol and drug abuse, job-associated stress, divorce, and other times of emotional crisis. In addition to this, clinical psychologists will be needed to develop, implement, and help people through prevention programs as they struggle with maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Businesses will demand more and more the services of industrial-organizational psychologists who can help encourage productivity in the workplace and the retention of employees. Industrial-organizational psychologists can also help the staff of a company manage issues of diversity, gender, and discrimination. These psychologists also assist in the development of effective surveys and market research tools and strategies.

Those students who graduate from a doctoral program in Psychology should be in particularly good shape for entering the job market, especially if they have focused their studies on a specialty such as counseling or school psychology. Those with computer science and quantitative research skills may receive preferential treatment in the job market.

Students who have obtained a Master's degree but have not obtained a PhD will have tough competition when looking for a job, especially if their focus is in a specialty other than school or industrial-organizational psychology. Most other jobs that fall inside of other specialties in the field require that the successful applicant have achieved a PhD. Master's degree holders, however, may find employment as counselors or psychologist assistants. They may also find employment at universities with research centers, in the government, or in private companies, conducting research and collecting data.

Those students who hold a bachelor's degree in Psychology but choose not to pursue a higher degree will have a difficult time finding employment in the field, though they may find employment conducting research and collecting data in institutions such as rehabilitation centers. Bachelor's degree holders may also teach high school psychology if they also obtain appropriate state public school teaching certification.

Salary Information for Careers in Psychology

The opportunity for increased earnings and greater prestige are increased for those students who choose to go on to an advanced degree in Psychology. The Handbook on College Majors notes that those with a Master's degree in Psychology and one year's field experience could start at roughly $44,000 a year. Those with a PhD could start at $37,000, and those with experience could start at $45,000.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2002, the average annual salary of clinical, counseling, and school psychologists was $51,170. Average annual salaries ranged between more than $87,060 and less than $30,090.

Certification and Licensure

Related Associations

• American Psychological Association
• The National Association of School Psychologists
• The Association of Black Psychologists
• The Association of Educational Psychologists
• The Asian Association of Social Psychology

Explore Related Degree Programs

- Online Degrees in Psychology
- Online Degrees in Social Work
- Online Degrees in Counseling
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