http://www.getdegrees.com/careers/psychology/psychology-jobs-careers/
getdegrees.com
Stanley Rubenti
A pyschology degree potentially qualifies you to hold any number of positions within science, education, business, health, and public policy. Although completing a doctorate degree is the most popular path in this larger field, it is possible to become involved with pyschology with a bachelor’s or master’s degree as well.
Psychology Jobs & Careers
Psychology is a multidisciplinary field that borrows from and influences organizational behavior, social work, sociology, anthropology, public policy, legal studies, substance abuse, criminology, and even business. And thus, depending on the psychology degree you complete, it’s possible to transition into any number of potential career fields, including any of these popular options:
• Behavioral psychologist
• Clinical psychologist
• Cognitive psychologist
• Counselor
• Departmental supervisor
• Developmental psychologist
• Experimental or research psychologist
• Health psychologist
• Hospital administrator
• Human resources specialist
• Industrial-organizational psychologist
• Market and survey researcher
• Mental health counselor
• School psychologist
• Social psychologist
• Social worker
• Sociologist
• Special education teacher
• Spiritual advisor
• Substance abuse specialist
Psychology Degrees: Which One Is Right for You?
Introductory modules at psychology degree programs are usually quite similar because students must master the basic theories, methodologies, and research areas that are common to most psychology disciplines. After that, you can select a psychology degree track of your liking and focus more of your attention on specialized aspects of the field. The training required to work in advertising and marketing, for example, is very different from the courses necessary to become a psychologist in social welfare programs. Some areas require greater emphasis on clinical research and statistics, while others ask that you specialize on organizational learning and interpersonal skills.
Having an ultimate career destination in mind can help you decide which types of classes, and ultimately which degree track, you need to take while enrolled in a psychology program. Some psychologists complement their training with courses outside of the department in order to meet the needs of hybrid occupational fields. Psychologists who work closely with law enforcement agencies, for example, might need to complete criminology, legal studies, and cryptology courses not offered by the main psychology department.
How Much Psychology Career Training Do You Need?
In most states, a bachelor’s degree is the bare minimum needed to work in the larger psychology industry. However, you might be limited to community mental health centers, correctional programs, and marketing firms, often as an assistant or technician.
In order to gain greater exposure and more responsibility, a masters degree is typically required. If you have designs on launching your own private practice, however, you’ll find that many states require doctoral training. A master’s degree can be useful if you want to work as an industrial-organizational psychologist or as a human resources professional.
Finally, there are psychologists with full PhDs. With this level of certification, you should be qualified to fulfill most positions within your specific field of study, although some employers might expect you to have extensive work experience as an assistant to a more tenured practitioner.
Psychology Certification
Regardless of what type of specialty or level of training you decide to pursue, be prepared to pass any relevant licensing exams that might apply. Although not mandatory for all positions in all states, it helps to be fully certified in your field since employers typically want to enforce safety and regulatory standards within their organizations. As a general rule, positions with greater responsibilities usually demand more rigorous certification standards.
Whichever path you choose in this diverse and rewarding field, it promises to be an interesting one. Start working towards your career in psychology today.
Stanely Rubenti is a world traveling writer and editor who has lived in Japan, the US, Thailand, and France. He currently resides in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he offers college admissions advice for international students interested in studying abroad.
