What do Clinical Psychologists Do?
Clinical psychologists wear many hats. They help people deal with their problems, change their behavior, and adjust to life’s difficulties. Clinical psychologists work with those who need more long term and intensive help that a counseling psychologist can offer. Psychology degree programs can help those with an undergraduate degree in psychology broaden their focus.
Where do Clinical Psychologists Work?
Clinical psychologists work in a wide variety of settings. They typically work in mental health clinics, hospitals, counseling centers, prisons, and nursing homes. Their work in hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons help both the individual patient and their families deal with the changes that may be taking place in their lives. Clinical psychologists also help people admitted to hospitals for alcohol or drug problems, eating disorders, and who are experiencing other behavioral/mental health issues.
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How do Clinical Psychologists Help?
A psychology doctorate program will help the student to learn how to deal with a variety of issues they will come across in their work. This may include, but is not limited to, death, anxiety, depression, divorce, addiction, eating disorders, and abusive relationships. Clinical psychologists are not allowed to prescribe drugs to their patients, but they do refer their patients to medical doctors if they feel it is necessary for their treatment. Most of what clinical psychologists do is try to sort out confusing thoughts and feelings that may be interfering with a person’s life.
What are Alternative Career Opportunities for a Clinical Psychologist?
Clinical psychologists who are more experienced may choose to alter their career path and work in a more alternative setting. One example is forensic psychology. Clinical psychologists evaluate the mental health of suspects, write legal reports in cases, and act as experts in criminal trials. They may also work as a consultant to social, educational, and welfare agencies by designing and implementing new mental health programs. These types of careers require experience in the field and completion of psychology degree programs.
A psychology doctorate program is the first step after receiving an undergraduate degree for those who want to become clinical psychologists. However, there are many aspects to consider before embarking on the education. While the work is extremely rewarding and fulfilling, it can also be extremely difficult at times. Clinical psychologists must be prepared to deal with other people’s problems without becoming emotionally invested, and they must be able to encounter frustrating and depressing situations on a daily basis. Despite these extreme conditions, many clinical psychologists find their work to be extremely rewarding and feel as though their psychology degree programs prepared them for this new career.
Benefits of Online Psychology Degrees
Online programs are growing more popular and can be found for a variety of subjects, including psychology. Studying online offers students the freedom to learn in the comfort of their own home or any place with an Internet connection.
There are several types of online study modules. Some programs allow you to study at your own pace. There are no beginning or end dates. You have full flexibility to study whenever you want. Other online programs require certain times where you must log in and interact with the professor and classmates. Another type, called an online hybrid, is offered mostly online, but requires students to attend several on-campus sessions to attend meetings or take tests.
Bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in psychology can all be completed online. There are a variety of degree programs available, including social work, family and marriage counseling, clinical, educational, forensic, general, industrial, school and sports psychology.
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Online study offers students a myriad of benefits. One major benefit is a curriculum that is directly related to students’ individual career goals. Also, some graduates of online psychology programs have said they have had more access to their professors in an online environment than in a traditional on-campus setting.
Affordability and flexibility are another benefit. Online learning is usually less expensive. Plus, financial aid is sometimes available to eligible students, so online learning is an ideal option for those who have difficulty affording a college education. Online learning also enables students to keep full-time jobs or stay at home with kids while pursuing academic goals.
There was once a stigma associated with online degree programs. However, with advances in technology and more students needing to balance family and work responsibilities, more and more people are taking advantage of the benefits of studying online. Make sure that the online program is nationally accredited and that your program of study qualifies for licensure.
Before committing to an online degree program, evaluate your learning styles. Online learning requires strong time management skills. You will not be attending scheduled classes on campus or receiving much direction from your professor, unless you contact them. You will need to take charge of your study habits by planning time for homework. You also will need to assess your computer skills.
You will need to know basic Internet and e-mail protocol, since you will be required to do online research and e-mail communication with professors. In addition, assess your future academic and professional goals. Make sure the online program offers a variety of classes that will satisfy your career and academic goals.
So You Wanna Know How To Get Into Grad School in Psychology
Gaining admission to grad school isn’t exactly quantum physics, but there is a science that successful students follow to prevent their application from ending up in the rejection pile. If you’re applying to grad school in psychology, chances are that you are familiar with the following words: Smart, intelligent, stellar, and exceptional, and hey, maybe you’ve even been fortune enough to have been called a nerd a time or two. Trust me, it’s OK. I’ve heard the same thing more than once myself. Or maybe you’re not exactly used to the “smart kid” treatment. Maybe you just have a natural talent and passion for counseling others – and being a psychologist is your dream.
There’s a point in all of this, which is, no matter how you’ve developed an interest in grad school, your application will likely be one of several hundred competing for a spot on the rookie team of first-year students. Lucky for you there is a method to creating an application package that stands out from the competition and earns the stamp of approval from the admissions committee. The key is knowing the tips and strategies to demonstrate that you could be the greatest psychologist ever as a result of their training.
Ask me how I know this. Just a few years ago I was in your shoes. I had done well as a psychology major and knew I wanted to apply to grad school. I had great grades. I did a pretty good job on the GRE. I would be a shoo-in. Wrong. At the time, I knew very little about how to assemble a great application package. I had to apply three different times – each time learning more key information than the last – before I received my first acceptance letter. Same grades, same GRE scores. And I gained admission into one of the top graduate programs in psychology. Even earned a Ph.D. Not too shabby.
Just because I was clueless doesn’t mean that you have to be. In that spirit, I created this website to cover all of the need-to-know information about how to gain admissions to the graduate program of your choice. Way back when, I could only have dreamed of having all of this accessible information at my fingertips, much less someone at the other end of a wireless connection to answer my questions about grad school. (OK so I wasn’t exactly applying for grad school back in the Dark Ages, but you get my drift.) If it is your choice to earn a masters, Psy.D., or Ph.D., there is no reason why you shouldn’t get your very own acceptance letter, as long as you’re armed with the right information.
Psychology Career: 10 Ways to Increase Your Job Prospects
In a tight economy when not many places are hiring, continuing to look for work may seem like a futile effort. However, there are ways to improve your prospects for actually finding employment in the psychological field. Here are 10 great tips to help you do just that.
1. Further Your Education
When no one is hiring, one of the best things you can do is to improve your resume by furthering your education. One such example is receiving a psychology degree from Argosy University. The school offers both bachelor’s and doctorates degrees in this field. Tuition is reasonably priced. Even better, you can attend the school online if you don’t live near one of the schools many physical campuses.
2. Use Online Websites and Services
One of the most thorough means of finding employment these days is using different websites and online services that cater to job seekers. For example, CareerBuilder.com can provide you with a list of job offerings in psychology. Certain websites and services, however, may offer you better results than others. Make sure to try as many as you can and look for website reviews from other job seekers to help you in your search.
3. Attend Job Fairs
Many people simply apply for jobs by submitting resumes online. Even if you submit your resume in person, it may be hard to leave an impression. One way to make a bigger impact is to attend job fairs so you can speak to recruiters in person while they have your full attention. This is also a great way to learn more about the positions being offered than you would be able to otherwise. The advisers at Argosy University can help you keep track of upcoming job fairs and give you advice before attending.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Visit Companies in Person
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If sending out resumes online or through the mail has not worked for you, try visiting the offices of the businesses you wish to work for in person. Taking time out of your day to visit a psychology clinic or organization may show that you are making an extra effort and are taking the job offer seriously.
5. Learn a Foreign Language
In the current job market, the demand for bi-lingual employees is extremely high. The increasing number of Spanish speaking Americans has also greatly increased the need for psychologists who can speak that language.
6. Create an Internet Presence
Today, many employers use an applicant’s Internet presence as part of the application process. If you do decide to start a website or use a site like MySpace or Facebook, make sure to only include information that is likely to improve your chances of getting hired.
7. Network
Sometimes, the greatest resource you may be ignoring is the people you know. Let your friends and acquaintances who are already working for good organizations know you are looking for employment. Talk to friends or professors at Argosy University for help.
8. Try Industry Specific Publications or Websites
If your use of certain general employment websites did not produce results, you may want to try industry specific publications or websites such as the American Psychological Association.
9. Work on Your Resume
Often, it may not simply be your background that is holding you back. Sometimes it is a poorly formatted or worded resume that causes employers to choose not to call you back. Take advantage of professional resume services or resume work-shops to improve your resume’s appearance.
10. Don’t Only Settle for Full-Time Employment
If you can’t find a decent full-time position, offer to work part-time or to freelance for a company on a contract by contract basis. Certain companies that are not hiring full-time may take you on. This way you can gain extra experience and perhaps get hired for full-time employment when the organization is in the financial position to do so.
Critical Thinking Skills Help You Get Into Graduate School In Psychology
“Psychology is easy. It’s just common sense.” How many psychology students have uttered those words only to find out that they had underestimated the field of psychology? Earning a doctorate degree in psychology is certainly not about repeating “common sense,” but actually creating new knowledge by extensive use of your critical thinking skills. Not only are these skills engaged in research, but also in writing. While the college experience is supposed to engage these analytical skills, many students leave the university without them.
Solid critical thinking skills is one of the underlying factors that separates those who get into graduate school in psychology from those who do not. Rather than memorizing facts in preparation for an exam, getting a doctorate degree in psychology relies upon creating new knowledge. That is, designing your own research to extend scientific knowledge about human behavior as we know it today.
Whether you realize it or not, critical thinking skills are important to convey in your personal statement. As a matter of fact, your letters of recommendation that accompany your graduate school application package should speak to your ability to think critically. Graduate admissions committees want to know that not only do you have an interest in your area of specialization, but that you have knowledge of the field and specific ideas about where the field needs to go from here. And, yes, all of this is reliant not upon regurgitating facts, but have critical thinking skills. These are one of the factors that many applicants lack that essentially keeps them out of graduate school.
Critical Thinking In Psychology: Separating Sense From Nonsense is one of recommended books you should read if you’re interested in bolstering your critical thinking skills before you apply to graduate school. It is technically a textbook that some schools actually require that students purchase for their classes. If you haven’t taken many courses that require you to analyze passages, create original research studies, or analyze actual data, then you may benefit from reading this book before you go onto graduate school.
Did you know that less than 10% of applicants get into the graduate school of their choice? Personal statement writing is your chance to stand out from other applicants! Visit Doctorate Degree Psychology for more tips and strategies on how to get into grad school!
Aiming To Get Into A Psychology Doctoral Program? 3 Factors You Need To Consider!
One of the biggest mistakes that students make when applying to psychology doctoral programs is to rely on their GPA and GRE scores as a compass measuring their chances of getting in. What you may not have learned from your classes or even your participation in the Psychology Club is that psychology doctoral programs tend to admit “holy grail” students straight out of undergrad – those students who have those objective criteria at a minimum. You will need much more to get into graduate school. What other factors should you consider when preparing for advanced study in doctoral programs?
Research Experience
Psychology doctoral programs run on an apprenticeship model, meaning that you will likely be admitted with a faculty mentor that shares your research interests. However, more and more graduate programs are expecting that you will walk into the door with prior research experience. How do you get this research experience? Check for flyers around your Psychology Department on campus advertising for research assistants. If you cannot find any, ask a graduate student or even volunteer to work with one of your professors. Chances are that they will be happy to have you work with them on data entry and simple analyses, provided that you understand statistics, and that you are reliable and trustworthy! Does your university offer the option of enrolling in a Senior Thesis or Honors Thesis course? Ask an undergraduate advisor and they should be able to point you in the right direction.
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Scientific Writing Skills
Do you know the ins and outs of APA style? What about the specific conventions of scientific writing? Lots of people tend to think of the counseling, human practice side of psychology, but one commonality of Ph.D. level doctoral programs is an emphasis on research. You will spend many years as a doctoral student working to develop your own research projects, piloting data, and even submitting manuscripts over to academic journals. As a result, it pays to come into a doctoral degree program with a great understanding on scientific writing skills.
Consider Joining Psi Chi
Psi Chi is an international honor society for psychology. Not only will membership in this organization look good on your resume, but you will be able to network with like-minded students. Think about it: Where are you most likely to interact with other students who are serious about getting into graduate school? Getting involved may give you an insider edge to hearing about promising summer programs designed to give you the tools to develop a competitive edge through the graduate admissions process. And another plus to add to your resume may be leadership skills gained through volunteering and working with such a prestigious organization.
Did you know that less than 10% of applicants get into the graduate school of their choice? Personal statement writing is your chance to stand out from other applicants! Visit Doctorate Degree Psychology for more tips and strategies on how to get into grad school!
Can I Get Into Grad School In Psychology With A Subpar Gpa?
Ask the average applicant to graduate school in psychology and they will likely recite GPA and GRE scores as the top admissions criteria. They have intentionally spent many hours studying for their classes to achieve an excellent grade point average. It may seem like you have a slim chance of getting into graduate school without a top GPA from the outside looking in, but that is not the truth. If you indeed have a less-than-stellar GPA, you can still fulfill your dreams of earning a graduate degree in psychology. Here are some strategies to achieve a well-rounded graduate application package without graduating magna or summa cum laude.
1. Is your GPA as “subpar” as you might think?
This might seem like a silly question, but plenty of applicants obsess over their GPA as if it is the sole “make or break” criteria to get into psychology graduate programs. The reality is that it is not. If you have a GPA in the 3.0-3.5 range, you can STILL earn an acceptance letter to grad school – no matter what published statistics say on university websites. Even if your GPA is in the low 2.0-range, it is still possible for you to go onto advanced study in psychology.
2. Is your grade point average substantially higher in your major?
Take a quick inventory of your transcript. It is becoming more popular for graduate school applications to ask for your overall GPA and then your GPA in your major. Most applicants don’t necessarily realize it, but if you calculate your average GPA in your major, you may very well have a high GPA where it matters most. Even if you grad school application doesn’t ask for overall GPA in your major, if you can demonstrate a higher GPA it makes sense to bring this to the attention of the graduate admissions committee.
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3. Do you have an explanation for your low grades?
Did you not take your classes as seriously as you should have Freshman or Sophomore year? Did goofing off lower your GPA, but you were able to bounce back with a substantially higher GPA in your latter college years? If so, mention “your story” as an overall theme for your personal statement. Being able to boast a higher GPA during your Junior or Senior years (and presenting a convincing argument for why this makes you an ideal candidate) may be your ticket to get into graduate school.
4. Is your graduate application package well-rounded?
Ask a graduate admissions committee member and they will tell you that GPA isn’t everything. It may not even be the most important factor in admissions decisions. If you have a subpar GPA, you will want to balance this with great GRE scores, lots of practical or research experience, a thoughtful and well-written personal statement, and exemplary letters of recommendation.
You may want to strongly consider applying for master’s degree programs rather than Ph.D. programs. Usually doctorate programs admit those “superstar” students who have near perfect GPAs and GRE scores. Instead, master’s degree programs typically have more lenient admissions criteria than Ph.D. programs. Successfully gaining admission to a master’s degree program allows you to “start the clock over” and post a brand new grade point average. For many students it is a second chance to solidify chances of getting into psychology Ph.D. programs.
Did you know that less than 10% of applicants get into the graduate school of their choice? Personal statement writing is your chance to stand out from other applicants! Visit Doctorate Degree Psychology for more tips and strategies on how to get into grad school!
Career Paths in Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is a growing field in the United States that involves a blend of research in psychology, psychological theory, and practice in clinical settings within the legal justice system. In essence, it is the confluence of psychology and criminal justice, or a hybrid profession borrowing techniques and theories from psychology and the legal system.
What Career Opportunities are Available for Forensic Psychologists?
Forensic psychologists engage in expert testimony and psychological evaluation; expert testimony involves providing testimony as an expert on the likely validity of evidence presented in a legal case, while psychological evaluation may involve evaluating a suspect for the purposes of assisting the prosecutor or defendant.
A forensic psychologist works with individuals who are at an increased risk for engaging in aggressive behaviors. When working with these individuals, a forensic psychologist may engage in consultation, treatment, assessment or in a combination of the above to facilitate treatment.
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Forensic psychologists become involved in the legal process through provision of consultative services, as well as through conduction of research and offering of testimony. Additionally, they may offer direct treatment and other services to individuals who are involved with or impacted by the legal system, such as defendants or victims or family members of individuals involved in legal casework.
What Sub-Specialties Exist in Forensic Psychology?
It is relatively rare for forensic psychologists to be involved in the conduction of criminal profiling. But a few forensic psychologists do so regularly, but they are better known as investigative psychologists.
A police psychology sub-specialty in forensic psychology involves working specifically with police officers and persons related to law enforcement. A police psychologist may work to provide support for the families of law enforcement officers or work to optimize the functioning of a police department in a more consultative role.
An offender profiling sub-specialty involves creating profiles of particular offenders, assisting law enforcement and legal services in identifying the kinds of individuals likely to have committed a particular crime.
A criminal psychology or criminal behavior sub-specialty in forensic psychology involves studying the psychological profiles of criminals, as well as their behavior profiles.
A correctional psychology sub-specialty involves work in correctional settings, where a psychologist may work with inmates or with personnel who come in contact with the inmates.
A victims services or victimology sub-specialty involves work with individuals who have been victimized by criminals; a forensic psychologist may work directly with the victims or in a consultative role to those assisting the victims.
How to be a Psychology Professor
Psychology ranks amongst the top most-popular courses taken up in post secondary learning the world over. The popularity of this discipline has seen the proliferation and saturation of this career field. Graduates often get assimilated into the workforce as teachers, counselors, researchers and administrators. For those keen on teaching, becoming a psychology professor may be a career line worth pursuing. But what does it take to become a psychology professor?
Pursuing a career in psychology begins with a desire to become involved in the various aspects that define the psychology discipline. This passion should culminate in pursuing a Bachelors degree in psychology. This is a four year program that includes modules such as introduction to social sciences, discovering psychology sub-fields and exploring psychological theories.
A bachelor’s degree equips students to understand diverse ideas, theories and concepts, as well as analyze, evaluate and debate psychological theories and situations. This degree course will terminate in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
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After achieving this first step to becoming a psychology professor, the aspirant must now decide on specialization. The field of psychology is broad and this means that in order to pursue higher learning, one must specialize. Areas of specialization include forensic, clinical, counseling, developmental, social, research and organizational psychology. Getting a teaching or research position is the next step. This will begin to build on the necessary experience needed to join a Masters program. After deciding what sub-discipline to concentrate on, application to a Masters program should commence.
Further education is a prerequisite to advancing to a psychology professor position, and as such, this should be the main focus in graduate school. A Masters program takes roughly two years and provides the student with a solid foundation in their area of specialization. At this juncture, taking up a teaching position may be an added advantage as this will develop one’s communication and teaching skill. A Masters program will prepare the student for industrial-organizational positions or research assistant positions working under doctorate-level psychologists.
At this stage of one’s training, one is halfway the distance to becoming a psychology professor. The next step after finishing the Masters level of training is to apply for a doctorate degree. The reason for this is that most teaching positions at the professor level are only open to doctorate and higher level psychologists. Pursuing a doctorate requires five years of full-time graduate study concluding with a dissertation based on new research. This achievement opens the door to teaching positions available in a host of teaching institutions in the country and worldwide.
The road towards becoming a psychology professor requires experience, accreditation and continual learning. The ultimate qualification for a psychology professor would be a Ph.D in psychology. This would make it possible for the candidate to hold positions such as Dean of Faculty, Principal, Chancellor, and so on. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, doctorate or Ph.D psychologists are expected to have growing job opportunities with an average wage potential of over 0,000 per year.
Argosy University offers a wide selection of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in a variety of psychology concentrations at 19 locations across the nation.
Career Paths In Psychology – Do I Need To Get A Doctorate Degree In Psychology?
Lots of people apply to psychology doctorate programs because they believe it is the next step in their education and have run out of ideas about what else to pursue as a career. There are many career paths in psychology and going onto get a doctorate degree in psychology is just one of many options. At the doctoral level, you invest a minimum of five years in most psychology graduate programs. You need to be sure that a doctorate degree will get you closer to your ultimate career goal. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a good idea to apply to graduate school if you’re not 100% sure that this career path is for you. (And most graduate admissions committees at the doctoral level are screening carefully between lackluster applicants and those who really truly want to go on to earn a doctorate in psychology).
Career Paths in Psychology: Where Your Degree Can Take You
Career Paths in Psychology: Where Your Degree Can Take You was published by the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA offers its seal of approval on nationally accredited graduate programs in psychology. Whether you’re currently a college freshman, thinking about majoring in psychology, or already a masters degree student, Career Paths In Psychology is a go-to resource to educate yourself about your career options. You will be walked through 14 different psychology career options – taking you through a “Day in the Life” of each professional to allow a glimpse into the rewards and challenges of each path. (Also realize as you read that each professional has been successful in their chosen career path, so while their perspectives may be slightly biased, it does give you a picture of what your career might be like).
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Career Paths In Psychology Is Recommended For…
* Someone who is strongly considering pursuing a doctorate degree in psychology, but isn’t 100% clear on which subfield to specialize in or other career options outside of academia.
* If you think that psychology is all about counseling and sitting on the couch to work out your problems, you will learn about other areas of specialization in psychology.
* If you’re interested in the average salary range for different careers in psychology, then you will find valuable information here. (Most psychologists don’t go into the field to earn 6 figure salaries. Other factors motivate them, such as specializing in an area of interest or making significant contributions to solve social problems).
Who Is This Book Not Recommended For?
* If you’re not interested in going the distance to earn a Ph.D., this book may not be for you. There is a strong emphasis on answering the question of “What can I do with a Ph.D. in psychology” and not “What career options do I have with a bachelors in psychology?” or “What kind of career can I expect with a masters degree in psychology?” If you are interested in getting the latter questions answered, there are more suitable books such as Finding Jobs With a Psychology Bachelor’s Degree and Great Jobs for Psychology Majors.
Did you know that less than 10% of applicants get into the graduate school of their choice? Personal statement writing is your chance to stand out from other applicants! Visit Doctorate Degree Psychology for more tips and strategies on how to get into grad school!