Those wishing to become a licensed clinical or counseling psychologist must obtain a psychology degree at the doctoral level. Those with a doctoral psychology degree may also teach, conduct research, or work as a counselor within a variety of settings. Most individuals with a doctor psychology degree choose to open a private practice or work within a clinical setting. In order to obtain a psychology degree, it requires five to seven years of work at the graduate level.
A person with a psychology degree at the master’s level can find employment as a psychologist’s assistant. As such, the person conducts psychological evaluations and conducts research. Obtaining a master’s degree requires two years of full time graduate level work. In some states, it is also possible to become a school psychologist with a master’s degree, though other states require obtaining a specialist degree.
Fortunately, it is simple to pursue a psychology degree online. Obtaining a psychology degree online can help speed up the process of earning the degree, as a person can work at his or her own accelerated pace. It also makes it possible to work around personal or professional schedules while working toward obtaining a psychology degree online.
Job Description
The basic role of a psychologist is to study human behavior as well as the human mind. A research psychologist investigates the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social components of human behavior. A psychologist may also work in applied settings, such as industry, business, government, and nonprofit organizations. In this case, the psychologist may be responsible for providing training, conducting research, advocating for psychology, and designing systems. A psychologist may also work within the health service field, providing mental care to patients or clients in private settings, hospitals, clinics, and schools.
A psychologist must be able to develop hypotheses and collect data in order to properly perform his or her job. A variety of research methods may be utilized in order to perform this function. A psychologist may gather information by conducting a controlled laboratory experiment, or he or she might administer personality, performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests. Or, he or she may collect data by conducting surveys, through clinical studies, through interviews, through questionnaires, or through observation.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment opportunities for psychologists will grow faster than the average occupation through to 2014. The main reason for this growth is the increased need for psychologists in social service agencies, mental health centers, substance abuse clinics, in schools, with consulting firms, with private companies, and with hospitals. The greatest opportunities will be for school psychologists, particularly those with higher level degrees, because there is an ever-increasing awareness regarding behavioral issues and the mental health of students.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists was $54,950 in May 2004. Those who were employed in the offices of other health practitioners earned the most with a median annual salary of $64,460. Those who worked with individual and family services earned the least, with a median annual income of $42,640. Psychologists employed in an industrial-organizational capacity earned a median annual income of $71,400.
