The Advantages To Earning A Psychology Degree

A psychology degree offers individuals a versatile understanding of the development and behavior of humans and a sound educational basis for a number of careers. Students enrolled within a psychology degree program gain a solid liberal arts based education with courses in history, foreign language, and writing specialized courses within many areas of psychology Psychology majors may concentrate studies in general, industrial/organizational, counseling, forensic, clinical, or child psychology. Students also participate in courses including the history of psychology, research methods, statistics, cognitive psychology, and the psychology of personality.

Many online colleges and universities have developed innovative online degree programs to extend instruction beyond campus borders. Many students find pursuing a degree through online programs as the most convenient, affordable means of expanding education necessary for personal and career success. Online programs feature virtually the same educational experiences, materials, and instruction as their traditional, brick and mortar counterparts. Online programs also offer the added benefits of a more personalized degree and increased flexibility in class scheduling. Online courses generally also consist of smaller classes, in croups of 25 students or less, who have one on one interactions with instructors and other students. Online degree programs are generally a great path to ensuring the educational background necessary for future success.

What Students Learn Within A Psychology Degree

Psychology degree programs offer students the ability to understand the history of psychology as well as an expanded understanding of the emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and personalities of the human mind. Students also gain skills and information necessary to evaluate, monitor, diagnose, and treat a variety of personality and mental disorders. Most professionals in the psychology field are required to complete a minimum of a master’s degree to qualify for employment. Many students begin studies within an associate degree program to gain basic knowledge of the field. Courses at an associate level include: basic computer skills, composition and rhetoric, writing about literature, communications, business and professional writing, introduction to geography, introduction to biology, statistics, Western civilization: Ancient through Medieval, Western civilization: Renaissance through modern; college Algebra, introduction to psychology, psychology of adjustment and personal growth, substance abuse, lifespan development and psychology, psychology of women, sport psychology, group behavior, introduction to sociology, principles of human behavior and their applications, human growth and development, and an internship. Graduates who complete studies within associate degree programs often advance to entry level employment or continue studies within higher degree programs.

A bachelor degree program in the discipline of psychology offers students an expanded understanding of the field as well as specialized electives. Courses include: introductory psychology, principles of human behavior, psychology as a science and profession, effective writing: writing in social science, English composition, basic research methods in psychology; general quantitative research methods; financial and managerial accounting for decision making; introductory microeconomic analysis and policy; introductory macroeconomics analysis and policy; labor economics; corporate finance; policy making and evaluation; principles of marketing;, global marketing; organizational communication; introduction to health services organizations; employment relations; law of labor-management relations; human resources ethics; basic management concepts; employment relations; the law of labor-management relations; social, legal, and ethical environment of business; leadership and motivation; management and organization; ethical leadership; supply chain management; history of work in America; work and occupations; gender, occupations, and professions; introduction to sociology; introduction to biology; introduction to philosophy; human growth and development; and an internship experience. Graduates who complete bachelor degree programs may advance to employment or continue studies within a master’s degree program.

A master’s degree program offers students the specialized knowledge necessary to function as professionals within psychological occupations. Courses at a master’s level include: advanced personality psychology; industrial organizational psychology; cognitive behavior therapy; advanced social psychology; psychology of sex similarities and differences; psychopathology: theory and research; advanced developmental psychology; topics in psychology; psychological assessment; behavioral medicine; psychological psychology; neuropharmacology: the biochemistry of behavior; advanced human neuropsychology ; conditioning and learning; advanced memory and cognition; experimental and biological psychology; principles of neuropsychological assessment; psychological research; directed research; psychopathology: theory and differences; master’s thesis seminar; master’s thesis research; conditioning and learning; advanced memory and cognition; and an internship. Graduates who complete studies within a master’s degree program often advance to employment or continue studies within a doctoral degree program.

A doctoral degree program offers students the ability to gain the knowledge and training necessary to be considered experts in the field of psychology. Courses include: clinical research methods and psychometrics; psychopathology; history and systems; computer application in statistics: laboratory; developmental issues in clinical psychology; personality assessment; behavioral assessment; intellectual assessment; teaching seminar; introduction to psychotherapy; ethics; psychodynamic psychotherapy; cognitive and behavioral therapy; biological bases of behavior; substance abuse; research design and analysis; applied social pscyhology; learning, cognition, and emotion; psychopharmacology; diversity issues in clinical psychology; advanced research seminar; dissertation, dissertation maintenence; and an internship.

Prospective Jobs For Graduates With Psychology Degree

Graduates who complete psychology degree programs gain a solid education necessary to gain employment within careers based upon educational level, area/s of speciality, and related work experiences. Most graduates with psychology degrees advance to employment within a number of mental health positions for private and public agencies and organizations. Graduates who complete associate degree programs often gain employment as intake clerks within hospitals or mental health treatment centers, mental health assistants, administrative assistants, social services clerk, drug counseling assistant, or medical records technicians. Graduates with bachelor degrees may advance to jobs as case managers within social service programs, career counselors, rehabilitation specialists, or psychological technicians. Master’s degree graduates often gain employment as marriage or family counselors, school psychologists, industrial psychologists, forensic psychologists, substance abuse counselors, research assistants, market researchers, laboratory mangers, industrial psychologists, and/or high school or vocational school psychology educators. Graduates who complete doctoral degrees frequently gain employment as instructors within colleges and universities, clinical psychologists, counseling psychology, educational psychologists, forensic psychologists, health psychologists, neuropsychologists, occupational psychologists, sports and exercise psychologists, or lead researchers within facilities.

Salary Range For Psychology Degree Graduates

Psychologists who complete psychology degree programs gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to establish long term and lucrative careers. Employment for graduates is based upon factors like: level of education, area/s of specialty, and related work experiences. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports average earnings for psychologists ranges from $48,700 to $82,800 annually. As with most occupations, graduates who complete advanced degrees, specialize or continue education, and gain work experience generally have higher earnings than graduates with less education, training, and experience. Associate degree graduates who work as medical records technicians generally earn $24,290 to $39,490 annually. Graduates with bachelor degrees employed as career counselors earn $38,740 to $65,360 annually. Master’s degree graduates who gain employment as school psychologists earn $50,360 to $86,250 annually. Graduates who complete studies within doctoral degree programs and work as industrial or organizational psychologists earn $54,100 to $115,720 annually.

Career Outlook And Advancement Opportunities For Psychology Degree Graduates

Graduates who complete studies within the field of psychology gain the education and skills required to function as professionals within a dynamic field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that employment for psychologists will increase by 12 percent at a fast as average rate through 2018 in comparison to other occupations. Graduates who complete advanced degrees, gain work experience through volunteer or internship programs, and specialize studies within industrial, health, organizational, or school psychology fields will find increased employability. The demand for qualified mental health workers and professionals is expected to rise due to population expansion, increased demand for employee assistance providers, health care policy changes, and the rising incidence of mental health disorders, job stress, addiction, and marriage or family problems. Most graduates who complete studies within associate or bachelor degree programs begin employment within entry level positions at hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, or mental health facilities and advance to positions with greater responsibilities upon gaining required experience and continuing education. Graduates with master’s degrees often begin employment as entry level psychologists within established practices advance to positions as instructors within vocational schools. Graduates who complete doctoral degree studies often begin employment as lead psychologists or researchers and advance to teaching positions within colleges or universities. Many graduates begin private, self owned practices upon completing advanced degrees, gaining licensure, and securing adequate funding.