Guide to College Majors in Psychology

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What is Psychology?

A college degree in psychology opens the door to one of the most challenging and rewarding professional fields today. Psych students learn the necessary skills to assist people in improving their mental health; they also gain knowledge and abilities that are valued in many other fields, such as business and politics. Psychology degree programs provide graduates with the skills and tools they need to be successful in a variety of challenging careers.

Psychology degrees offer students a solid educational background in traditional science and liberal arts. As the student progresses, this basic education becomes integrated with the more in-depth knowledge, skills, and expertise that are necessary for success in one of many specializations in psychology. The more advanced the degree, the more specific and in-depth the coursework becomes.

In the past few years, online and distance learning programs in psychology have seen significant growth. Online bachelor's degrees in psychology provide general education and fundamental psychological skills in a flexible format. Online master's and PhD degrees, which require hands-on clinical training, often include residences and locally arranged practica to ensure a quality academic experience.

Students who choose to obtain a psychology degree will be prepared for a wide variety of professional opportunities, and not just in psychology. Those with an educational background in psychology can apply their knowledge and skills to many different professional specializations. At the bachelor's level, psychology graduates are sought in fields like statistics, probation and corrections, public relations, health education, social work, human resources, recreational therapy, education, physician assisting, and much more.

Career Education in Psychology

On-Campus and Online Degree Programs

Bachelor's degree programs in psychology typically begin with current theory, as well as the historical contributions theorists such as Freud, Adler, Jung, and many others. Some more specific 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 bachelor's degree programs:

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

Master's and PhD Degrees in Psychology
Graduate degree programs in psychology may include independent study, mentorship, large-scale research projects, a preliminary oral dissertation defense, and a final oral defense. Proficiency in a foreign language and solid technological skills may also be required. Psychology graduate students are deeply engaged in discovering the nuances of psychology and drawing conclusions based on empirical thought. Students draw on the knowledge of today's experts but are encouraged to add new theories on their own, so that they may contribute to treatment 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. The relationship between psychology and religion, and between psychology and law, are also popular areas of study.

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, she will be able to:

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

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 graduates of advanced psychology degree programs 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 on their educational backgrounds each day. University psychologists usually have to fulfill teaching, administrative, and research responsibilities. Some psychologists employed in academia also maintain a part-time consulting practice.

Psychologists who choose to go into private practice have a direct impact on their patients' daily lives. 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 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. 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.

Psychology Career Paths
One of the greatest benefits of a psychology degree is the sheer versatility it provides. Students of psychology enter many successful careers with different specializations.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Industrial-organizational psychologists use research methods to improve productivity and satisfaction in the workplace. Techniques include applicant training, screening, and research related to management and marketing problems. These professionals may work independently or for the 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 mentally or emotionally disturbed 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's 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. Those 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 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 geropsychologists 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 "couch 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 their 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. They work with teachers, parents and administrators to develop and implement strategies to improve classroom management and student performance. 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 individuals 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 and 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 volunteers and animals such as rats and monkeys to conduct their research.

Diversity in Psychology

As the field continues to grow, the number of female and minority students pursuing a degree in psychology is increasing. As the recognition of societal issues related to gender and race continues to grow, women and minorities are uniquely equipped to deal with the issues their clients may bring to their practice.

Psychology Career Statistics

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the top professions for psychology bachelor's degree holders are:

Top and mid-level management
Sales occupations
Social work
Other management-related occupations
Personnel training
Administration
Insurance, securities, real estate, and other business services
Nursing and physician assisting
Accounting and auditing

The College Board's College Handbook reports that half of psychology college 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 graduates with PhDs and master's degrees in psychology are more specific. 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 by 15% through 2016, according to the BLS. Those graduates who decide to pursue degrees in social work can expect an even higher growth at 22%. The skills learned in a psych degree program 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 good job growth.. 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 continue to require 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.

Psychology PhD graduates 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, 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 applicant have 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 are unlikely to find employment as psychologists, but as stated above, many other fields seek graduates with a good understanding of human behavior. 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
According to the BLS, in 2006, the median salary of clinical, counseling, and school psychologists was $59,440. Counselors took home approximately $47,530 and social workers earned $37,480.

Certification and Licensure

Related Associations