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The
field of psychology studies the human mind and human behavior.
Psychology careers can branch out into research, or providing
health services in hospitals, schools, private settings,
businesses, or training in nonprofit organizations. A psychology
career may also lead to research, designing systems, or
supporting various national and international issues. Since much
of the training requires collecting data, research, and
observation, an online psychology degree program is a valuable
way to complete an education in this field.
Job Description and Responsibilities with a Psychology Career
A psychology career covers a
broad range of opportunities and settings that may include direct practice, as
well as solving problems through research. Clinical psychologists are often
directly involved with people to treat mental, behavioral, and emotional
disorders. Cognitive psychologists are essentially researchers who study human
perception and memory. Counseling psychologists help people find resources to
cope with difficult life circumstances. General responsibilities for
psychologists may include:
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Providing guidance and advice
for specific life circumstance
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Providing guidance and advice
in a coaching setting
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Recognizing a person's
strengths and helping them obtain psychological well-being
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Studying how various
behaviors and emotions influence human thought
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Conducting research using
computers and other tools
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Understanding societal and
historical influences on social structure
An online psychology degree
program can help students specialize in a particular industry or field and
further their education after completing psychology school. Alternatively,
pursuing a psychology degree online can be the exclusive way of completing
training that is usually available through a majority of psychology colleges.
Common specializations for a
psychology career include:
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Clinical Psychology
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Cognitive Psychology
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Counseling Psychology
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Developmental Psychology
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Educational Psychology
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Experimental Psychology
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Health Psychology
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Forensic Psychology
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Neuropsychology
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Rehabilitation Psychology
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Sports Psychology
Each of the psychology programs
designed to specialize in these areas are available through variety of online
psychology degree formats.
Skills Needed to Be Successful
in a Psychology Career
Psychology schools and training
programs provide foundational skills to become successful in a psychology
career. Since psychologists are often involved with people, interpersonal
communication skills are incredibly important. In particular, psychologists need
to develop skills such as:
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High levels of enthusiasm
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A high level of patience
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The ability to work with
diverse groups and populations
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Effective stress management
techniques
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Understanding social and
racial influences
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Conducting work outside of
the office
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Being flexible and available
for patients
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Being able to complete
detailed work
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Developing the ability to
lead and inspire others
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Being emotionally stable and
mature, especially under stressful situations
Career Options with a Psychology Degree
A psychology degree offers a variety of opportunities in the fields
of research and social services. Psychology colleges can prepare students for
the variety of skills and
educational backgrounds, and online psychology degree programs offer flexibility
for any students which stood in working during their education. After completing
a psychology degree program, a student may explore a career as a:
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Clinical psychologist, where they work in counseling centers and independent
groups
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Counseling psychologists, where they may be involved with interviewing and
testing patients
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Industrial organizational psychologists, where they apply research methods to
the workplace to improve productivity and counseling job applicants
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Social
psychologists, where they examine and make sense of people's interactions with
their social environment
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Environmental psychologists, where they may study cognitive and social
developments for particular groups
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Experimental psychologists who work in private research centers and
universities to conduct research
Psychology Degree Requirements and Options with an Online Psychology Degree
Psychology colleges offer a
variety of psychology degree programs for students interested in pursuing a
long-term career in the field. The curriculum is taught by skilled professionals
who have experienced both in the field and conducting research. Developing
critical thinking skills is an important part of completing both an online
psychology degree program, and one that is formally taught at psychology school.
Advanced course programs in an online psychology degree formats are helpful in
obtaining additional professional advancement. The availability of psychology
programs varies by college or university, and this is one reason why an online
psychology degree is an attractive alternative. The most common specializations
and courses of study in pursuit of an online psychology degree include
psychology courses such as:
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Lifespan Development
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Cognitive Psychology
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Inferential Statistics
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Research Methods
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Learning Theories
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Biological Basis of Behavior
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Foundations of Psychology
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Ethics and Multicultural
Issues and Psychology
Psychologists who complete a
master's and doctoral education have the most promising opportunities, including
opening up their own private practice. Online psychology degrees to offer
advanced education in these areas. A doctoral degree is required for employment
as an independent licensed clinical or counseling psychologist in every state.
The specialist degree is required in most states to work as either a school
psychologist, and most require at least a Masters degree along with a one-year
internship after completing graduate studies.
Competition for admission to a
graduate psychology degree program is fierce, and pursuing an online psychology
degree offers an attractive opportunity. A bachelor degree in psychology
qualifies a person to assist psychologists, and many choose to work in research
roles or as a technician. Most employers, however, do not consider a bachelors
degree for adequate for a long term position. Completing a psychology degree
online and proceeding with advanced education is proving to be a valuable course
of study.
Online Psychology Degree
Program Accreditation
The American Psychological
Association (APA) currently accredits doctoral training programs in fields such
as clinical psychology, counseling, and school psychology. The International
Association of School Psychologists, in addition to the National Council for
Accreditation of Teacher Education, is involved with advanced psychology degree
programs in various psychology colleges and schools. Online psychology degrees
may also be accredited by the institution or college they are administered by.
Psychology Career Potential and Employment Prospects with a Psychology Degree
After
completing either an online psychology degree program, or training at a formal
psychology school, many students choose to obtain work experience by working as
an assistant or researcher within their specialization. Psychology programs that
lead to doctoral degrees are the most attractive for potential employers, and
doctoral degree in the fields enable students to open up their own private
practice. Many psychologists hold faculty positions at universities and
colleges, as well as pursuing teaching at the preschool, kindergarten, or
postsecondary level.
School
psychologists in particular, will enjoy attractive job opportunities as the
demand for school psychologists and student counseling is constantly rising.
With the rise in health care costs and preventative treatments, the number of
employee assistance programs is also spurring the need for clinical and
counseling psychologists and specialists. Any psychology degree programs that
specialize in these areas are attractive opportunities for students of the
long-term. Demand is particularly strong for people holding doctorate degrees
from leading universities.
Median annual
salaries for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists were $54,950 in May
2004. Median annual earnings of industrial organizational psychologists were
$71,400 in 2004. Related occupations include:
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