Psychology’s Many Fields

PhD Specializations

Counseling

Clinical

Educational

School

Indust/Organ

Developmental

Research/Biopsych

Social/Personality

Other

14

37

16

6

12

6

5

PhD Psychologists

1997 data PhD areas

PhD workplaces Universities

Schools

PrivateCompanies

Non-ProfitOrganizations

Government

Self employed

34

622

10

11

17

PhD Workplaces1997 data

Three primary areas Psychologist’s

interests often overlap.

Clinical Research Applied

Clinical Settings Clinical Psychology 4-5 years beyond

BA PhD with research Clinical internship Licensed by state Hospital, clinic or

private practice “Psychologist”

1st

Qtr

3rd

Qtr

Psychiatry Started with Freud Medical degree MD – 4 yrs Residency – 4 yrs Prescribe drugs Diagnosis and

treatment Little time to do

therapy

Psychiatrists need help Too busy and

expensive to be therapists

Employ MSW’s 2-3 yrs beyond BA Clinical social

workers Case management

Clincial Psych vs Psychiatry PhD or Psy D in

Psychology Talk therapy Most cannot

prescribe drugs Non-Freudians

MD with psychiatric residency

Drug therapy Can write

prescriptions Only 1 out of 5

Freudian

Counseling Psychology MA or PhD “Adjustment

problems” Fewer clinical skills Marriage and Family,

School, Rehabiliation Schools of Education

as at CCSU

Research Specializations Science of Psychology May be clinicians More interested in

testing theories Developing new ideas Many different

interests Chapters in Intro Psych

book

Biopsychology (PSY 450) Biological Basis of

Behavior Brain injury and

recovery Parkinson’s

disease Schizophrenia Neuropsychology

Developmental (PSY 236) Life-span

development Early childhood Adolescence Adulthood Aging Death and Dying Geropsychology

Social Psychology (PSY 372)

Group influences on behavior

Social bonds Prejudice and violence Obedience to authority Bystander intervention Cults, hate groups Cooperation and kinship

Experimental Psychology Broad term includes

faculty interested in Learning and

Memory (PSY 200) Cognitive (PSY 281) Motivation (PSY 440)

Applied Specializations

School, Work and Community

School Psychologist MA or PhD Help teachers promote

learning and social development

Tests and interviews Develop individual plans PPT (Parent, pupil,

teacher)

Guidance Counselor MA (CCSU) Schools of Education Don’t need to have been

teacher Activities vary Some counseling Some career/college work Some administration PPT’s (parents and

teachers)

Community Psychology MA (CCSU) or Phd Help communities

solve problems Prevention of crime

and illness Organizing, mobilizing Determine needs Locate resources

Industrial/Organizational

IO (PSY 234) MA or PhD Workplace Personnel Consumer

Relations Human factors

Emerging Areas Health Psychology (PSY 241) promotion of wellness prevention of disease stress reduction

Forensic Psychology legal issues jury selection eyewitness testimony victim advocacy

Do I need an advanced degree?

Yes, If you want to be a counselor, clinician, teacher, or researcher

Master’s degree sufficient in many cases

Lots of interesting careers in human services with just a BA

Here are some workplaces for BA grads

Post-graduation plans

OthergradschPsygradschWork

Go to work or go to grad school?

Post-graduation paths for BA psych majors from 4 yr institutions.

Based on 1998 APA survey.

0 5 10 15 20 25

Social Services / Public Affairs

Business / Managers

Educators

Administrative support / Clerical

Sales

Health Professionals

Series1

BA Career Paths

%

What employers want from psychology majors

Listening skills Ability to work in

teams Getting along with

others Interpersonal

relationship skills Focus on

customers or clients

Desire and ability to learn

Willingness to gain new, impt skills

Adaptability to changing situations

Ability to suggest solutions

Problem-solving skills