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    Career Education in Psychology

    A doctoral degree usually is required for independent practice as a psychologist, and amasters or specialist degree is required to work as a school psychologist. A bachelor's degreein psychology, however, can open the door to assisting psychologists and other professionalsin community mental health centers, vocational rehabilitation offices, and correctional

    programs. Bachelor's degree holders may also work as administrative assistants forpsychologists. A graduate with a bachelors degree in psychology may also find employment infields such as sales, service, or business management.

    Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology

    Bachelor's degree programs in psychology typically begin with current theory, as well as thehistorical contributions theorists such as Freud, Adler, Jung, and many others. Some morespecific subjects of study include self-analysis, dream theory, free association, andtransference theory. There is also a strong focus on correct medical procedure and theimportance of the adherence to a strong code of ethics. Social and political influences on the

    field of psychology are also discussed.

    The following courses are commonly included in bachelor's degree programs:

    Introduction to Psychology Psychology Statistics Conditional Learning Physiological Psychology Abnormal Psychology

    Undergraduate elective courses may include:

    Sensation and Perception Motivation, Health Psychology Psychology of Stress Approach to Human Communication

    What Can You Do With a College Degree in Psychology?

    Psychologists provide mental health care in many different facilities, such as hospitals, clinics,schools, or private settings. Psychologists use techniques such as interviewing and testing tohelp people deal with problems on a daily basis.

    The academic and private segments of the field offer the most opportunity for those who wishto pursue a career in psychology. Many graduates of advanced psychology degree programschoose to pursue a career in academics, teaching future psychologists and extending their

    own education through research and collaboration with students and colleagues. Those whochoose an academic setting are able to draw on their educational backgrounds each day.University psychologists usually have to fulfill teaching, administrative, and researchresponsibilities. Some psychologists employed in academia also maintain a part-timeconsulting practice.

    Psychologists who choose to go into private practice have a direct impact on their patients'daily lives. The relationship between the psychologist and the patient is highly personal. The

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    psychologist must uphold the doctor-patient contract of confidentiality. Psychology studentsare taught about the importance of communication and trust. Those in private practice mustlearn how to separate their professional lives from their personal lives and ensure that theydon't "bring their work home." Separation and compartmentalization techniques are vital to thesuccess of professionals in the mental health field.

    Working Environment

    The working environment of a psychologist depends entirely on his professional fieldspecialization. Many clinical, counseling, and school psychologists choose to develop a privatepractice, allowing them to create their own schedules. These psychologists often choose towork weekend and evening hours, however, in order to be available to their clients.Psychologists who work in hospitals, schools, and other health facilities may have the option towork regular weekday hours. Some, however, must maintain evening and weekend hours.Many psychologists must at times handle an erratic schedule, due to the pressures and timeconstraints associated with travel, conferences, research, deadlines, and an overload of work.

    Psychology Career Paths

    One of the greatest benefits of a psychology degree is the sheer versatility it provides.Students of psychology enter many successful careers with different specializations.

    Industrial-Organizational PsychologyIndustrial-organizational psychologists use research methods to improve productivityand satisfaction in the workplace. Techniques include applicant training, screening, andresearch related to management and marketing problems. These professionals maywork independently or for the government. The departments they focus on can vary butmany are employed in the human resources departments of organizations andbusinesses.

    Clinical psychologyClinical psychologists work in private practices, hospitals, counseling centers, andclinics. One job of a clinical psychologist is to assist clients who are mentally oremotionally disturbed as they try to heal and to adjust to a regular life. Some clinicalpsychologists work with medical patients to help them adjust to or recover from an injuryor an illness. Clinical psychologists can also work in physical rehabilitation centers,helping people who have suffered spinal injuries or strokes, or who have chronic pain orneurological conditions. Still other clinical psychologists devote their careers to helpingpeople handle emotional crises like death or divorce.

    It's common for clinical psychologists to evaluate their patients' conditions through

    interviews and diagnostic tests. They may treat individual, family, or group patientsthrough the development of programs designed for behavior modification. Clinicalpsychologists often work in collaboration with physicians to develop treatment programsfor mutual patients. Those who work in academic settings, like a college, university, ormedical school, devote their careers to teaching graduate students about thepsychology field. Some clinical psychologists work in the field of public health, designingand implementing mental health programs for communities.

    The field of clinical psychology also has its own specializations. They are:

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    Health psychology: Health psychologists design health counseling programs that aremeant to help individuals reach particular health goals, such as weight loss and thecessation of smoking.

    Neuropsychology: Neuropsychologists often work with stroke and head injury patients,studying the relationship between the brain and human behavior.

    Geropsychology: Geropsychologists specialize in the particular psychologicalproblems of the elderly population. New Mexico is currently the only U.S. state in whichclinical geropsychologists are permitted to prescribe medications to patients. In order toobtain this permission, however, clinical psychologists in New Mexico must receivespecial training and education. In states other than New Mexico, clinical psychologistsmust work with other medical professionals when developing a treatment for a patientthat involves medication.

    Developmental psychology: Developmental psychologists focus on the cognitivedevelopment and social development of people at all stages of life. Somedevelopmental psychologists focus on infant, child, or adolescent behavior, while somefocus on adult and elderly behavior. Developmental psychologists may also study the

    effects of developmental disabilities. Counseling psychology: Counseling psychologists help patients solve interpersonal

    problems. Counseling psychologists employ many strategies, including group sessions,hypnosis, and one-on-one interviews. Today's techniques go far beyond the traditional"couch therapy" and can cover a wide range of topics. A good rapport between thecounselor and the patient is essential for the counseling programs to be successful.Individuals with strong positive self-images and personalities are well equipped to besuccessful in this psychological field.

    Forensic psychology: Forensic psychologists are experts at the psychologicalevaluation of criminals. They are often called upon to evaluate the psychological fitnessof individuals who must stand trial. This specialized field requires the psychologist to beof sharp legal mind and be able to evaluate legal situations. Forensic psychologistsmust state and defend their psychological evaluations in court.

    School psychology: School psychologists help students with learning and behavioralproblems or differences. School psychologists may work in elementary, middle, orsecondary schools. They work with teachers, parents and administrators to develop andimplement strategies to improve classroom management and student performance.They work with students who are disabled and with students who demonstrate particulargifts or aptitudes. School psychologists also evaluate the results, benefits, andeffectiveness of many different kinds of school programs and services.

    Social psychology: Social psychologists examine the interactions between people andbetween individuals and the larger social environment. They may focus their studies orprofessional careers on the effects of group dynamics, leadership skills, individualattitudes, and qualities of perception on market research, systems design, or otherspecialized fields of psychology.

    Experimental or research psychology: Experimental and research psychologistsfocus their research careers on behavioral patterns, specializing in such aspects ofbehavior as motivation, learning, memory, attention, sensory processes, thought, andthe effects of genetics, neurology, and drug and alcohol abuse on behavior.Experimental or research psychologists usually work in private centers of research,

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    private businesses, government organizations, nonprofit organizations, and collegesand universities. Experimental and research psychologists often use human volunteersand animals such as rats and monkeys to conduct their research.

    Diversity in PsychologyAs the field continues to grow, the number of female and minority students pursuing a degreein psychology is increasing. As the recognition of societal issues related to gender and racecontinues to grow, women and minorities are uniquely equipped to deal with the issues theirclients may bring to their practice.

    Psychology OutlookPsychologists held about 170,200 jobs in 2008, with 29 percent of those employed in non-teaching roles at educational institutions, such as counseling, testing, research, andadministration, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). About 21 percent wereemployed in healthcare, primarily in offices of mental health practitioners, hospitals, physicians'offices, and outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers. Government agencies atthe State and local levels employed psychologists in correctional facilities, law enforcement,and other settings.

    Employment of psychologists is expected to grow 12 percent from 2008 to 2018, the BLSreports, but growth will vary by specialty. The fastest growth is expected to be amongindustrial-organizational psychologists, at 26 percent; clinical, counseling, and schoolpsychologists are expected to see 11 percent growth; and jobs for all other psychologists areexpected to grow by 14 percent.

    Certification and LicensurePsychologists who offer any type of patient careincluding clinical, counseling, and schoolpsychologistsmust meet certification or licensing requirements in all states and the District of

    Columbia. Licensing laws vary by state and by type of position and require licensed or certifiedpsychologists to limit their practice to areas in which they have developed professionalcompetence through training and experience. Clinical and counseling psychologists usuallyneed a doctorate in psychology, an approved internship, and 1 to 2 years of professionalexperience. In addition, all States require that applicants pass an examination. Most statelicensing boards administer a standardized test, and many supplement that with additional oralor essay questions. Some states require continuing education for renewal of the license.

    Related Associations

    American Psychological Association

    The National Association of School Psychologists The Association of Black Psychologists The Association of Educational Psychologists The Asian Association of Social Psychology

    http://www.apa.org/http://www.apa.org/http://www.nasponline.org/http://www.nasponline.org/http://www.abpsi.org/http://www.abpsi.org/http://www.aep.org.uk/http://www.aep.org.uk/http://www.asiansocialpsych.org/http://www.asiansocialpsych.org/http://www.asiansocialpsych.org/http://www.aep.org.uk/http://www.abpsi.org/http://www.nasponline.org/http://www.apa.org/