Masters or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Degrees: Now Earn Yours Online
Degrees in psychology once took four years of traditional college
plus several years of graduate study. Thanks to the internet,
you can now acquire your degree in less time and at lower
cost. With advanced degrees, however, you may expect some
residency requirements in order to complete lab course and clinical studies. continued below »
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Psychology is the study of human behavior, of the way our brains work, and what motivates us to think and act as we do. Just as you would expect from the endless variety of human personalities and interests, a psychologist can choose from a nearly endless list of specialties and will be sure to have a career that never gets boring. Like a work of art, no two cases will ever be the same. According to Money magazine, more students graduate with psychology degrees than that of any other program.
What
it takes to succeed with a psychology degree
Any doctoral (PhD) degree in psychology is going to be a specialization
after you've earned a master's degree in general psychology.
You can also earn a bachelor's degree in psychology and begin
specializing with your master's degree.
You may have already finished your undergraduate degree in psychology and may be on your way to an advanced degree. Or you may be just beginning. In either case, a career in any psychology related field requires certain skills on your part. First, you need a broad knowledge base. Therefore, don't underestimate the value of any of your courses, including the ones that may not be your favorites such as English or Math. You need critical thinking skills and communication skills so you can communicate your findings effectively. You also need to be skilled at gathering information and at using a variety of methods to conduct research. You need to be sensitive to the diversity of our 21st century world, as well as informed in the history of psychology so you will know what others have discovered before you. Finally, you need a strong value system yourself with a high standard of ethics and a determination to always maintain scientific integrity.
The
doctoral degree
According to CNN
Money, about 40% of those with undergraduate psychology
degrees go on for graduate degrees which range from careers
in law and business to teaching or guidance positions in public
school or college environments. Because of the extreme range
of applications for a psychology degree—even just a bachelor's
degree—it isn't possible to predict a salary range. Whether
you have a career in law or in a high school guidance office,
it is possible to have a salary of $80,000 or above; it also
possible to have a salary closer to $20,000 although those
with a doctoral degree can usually expect more. Your salary
is determined by your specific degree, the geographic location,
the need for people in your specification, and your own accomplishments
