Resident expert, Samantha Wheeler, is the voice behind Psychology Degree. Read more about Samantha and her resource here.
“The most important study tip that I can offer another online student is to stay organized. At the beginning of a new class, you should sit down and look at the syllabus. Plan your own schedule out so that you can look ahead and anticipate when you will have deadlines. This will keep you from procrastinating and will help you to turn things in on time.”Read the Full Interview
“For managing stress, I try to take care of myself by getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, playing as hard as I work, incorporating friends and family into my life as much as possible, and taking a break when I need it.”Read the Full Interview
“The optimal level of education needed in the field of educational psychology is at least a masters degree, but even then, there isn’t a lot of opportunity to work in educational psychology without a higher degree.”Read the Full Interview
“If you like working with people and dealing with various types of psychiatric issues, this may be a good field for you. Those who succeed in this profession are those who enjoy figuring out puzzles and testing solutions, and who can look at a problem from more than 1 perspective.”Read the Full Interview
“I enjoy being able to bring human nature back into the way that people think about business. A lot of companies are so driven by profit that they overlook the role of human interaction. So I help people think about the way that group dynamics affect a project and how personal interactions enhance or detract from productivity.”Read the Full Interview
“I would advise any aspiring psychologist to take time away from school to gain real-world knowledge.”Read the Full Interview
Here is a quick quiz to help you decide if you have the personality it takes to succeed as a psychologist. Rate, on a scale from 1 to 5, how well each of the following statements describes you.
I am a people person and I enjoy interacting with others.
The majority of psychologists work in the clinical arena, so they spend countless hours working directly with patients. If you dislike personal interaction with others, you are not likely to succeed in the field of psychology.
I enjoy advising my friends and helping them to work through their problems.
Psychologists make their livings by counseling and advising others. You may enjoy working as a psychologist if you are inclined to help others resolve personal issues.
I work well under stressful circumstances.
Psychology can be a stressful career because so many clients come to rely on you. If you do not have a healthy way to handle the pressures that come from this type of work, you are likely to burn out.
I do not judge others.
Psychologists often work with people who make physically or emotionally destructive decisions. You must be unbiased when you provide therapy to people who struggle with issues like drug addiction, eating disorders or self-harm.
I am patient and willing to wait for results.
Achieving results in research or in the psychological treatment of patients can be a slow process. Patience is an essential trait if you plan to work in psychology.
I do not give up easily and I am willing to work hard to overcome obstacles.
Psychologists will find that their experiments sometimes fail and their clients do not always listen to their advice. Perseverance is important to success in the field of psychology because it takes constant and dedicated effort to get results.
I am able to convey my thoughts and feelings in words.
Psychologists must communicate with patients and colleagues on a daily basis. Whether you are a clinical or a research psychologist, you will be at a disadvantage if you do not have good writing and speaking skills.
I am a careful listener.
Most psychologists work in therapeutic settings where they are required to spend countless hours listening to their clients. If you tend to speak more than you listen, you may face difficulty as a psychologist.
I am open-minded and willing to look at situations from many perspectives.
All people are different, so they require different methods of therapy. A willingness to try new techniques in order to discover what works best for each of your clients will be essential to any psychology practice.
I know how to keep a secret.
Psychologists need to keep the information their clients tell them strictly confidential. If you cannot keep things to yourself, psychology is not the ideal career for you.
*Note that this is not a scientific quiz. The result is simply my rough estimate of how well I believe your personality matches that of a successful psychologist.
By my assessment, a career in psychology is probably not a good fit for your personality. Please go to the Admission Advisor homepage for a listing of other careers you may want to consider.
By my assessment, although a career in psychology may not be an ideal fit for your personality, if you are willing to adapt in a few areas, you can still find success in the field. Please see the list to the right for information on the areas that you may need to work on.
By my assessment, your personality is a good fit for a career in psychology. Scroll through our site to gain valuable insight into what it will take you to earn the necessary credentials.
Aside from personality, there are some practical considerations that you need to take into account before deciding on a career in psychology.
The main decision that you have to make is whether or not you want to attend graduate school. If you only have a bachelors degree in psychology, your job prospects and salary will be limited in the field of psychology. To work with patients in a clinical setting or to perform research that is related to psychology, you will need a graduate degree from an accredited school. So if you do not plan to go to graduate school, psychology is not the right career choice for you.
Some of the most common professions for those with a psychology degree include:
Doctorate (4 – 7 years of graduate school)
Average Salary: $63,000 (Lowest 10% earned less than $37,900; highest 10% earned more than $106,840)
Private practice, mental health clinics, hospitals
Clinical psychologists assess and treat a wide range of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders ranging from eating disorders to schizophrenia. Some clinical professionals specialize in specific problems such as phobias or depression. Others only work with specific population groups like children or the elderly.
Doctorate (4 – 7 years of graduate school)
Average Salary: $55,000
Universities, government agencies, corporate businesses, private practice
Cognitive psychologists study how people perceive, think and remember. Some of the topics that they explore include language, attention, memory and the processes that people use to make decisions and solve problems. Cognitive psychologists also sometimes use their skills for practical tasks likes creating educational curricula or designing software.
Doctorate (4 – 7 years of graduate school)
Average Salary: $63,000 (Lowest 10% earned less than $37,900; highest 10% earned more than $106,840)
Private practice, mental health clinics, hospitals
Counseling psychologists help clients deal with problems that occur in day-to-day life. For example, they help people to work through social and emotional problems, career setbacks and health concerns. Counseling psychologists use a variety of methods to treat patients such as testing, interviewing and intervention.
Doctorate (4 – 7 years of graduate school)
Average Salary: $56,500
Universities, government agencies, assisted living facilities, healthcare facilities
Developmental psychologists study how people change and grow throughout their lives in order to help people live better. In particular, they observe physical, social, intellectual and emotional growth patterns. They often study specific age groups like the elderly or young children.
Masters (2 – 3 years of graduate school); doctorate (4 – 7 years of graduate school) recommended
Average Salary: $59,440
Law enforcement, government agencies
Forensic psychologists apply psychology to the field of criminal investigation and the law. Those who work in the court system often provide psychotherapy to crime victims and evaluate whether alleged criminals are mentally fit to stand trial. They can also perform child custody evaluations and investigate reports of child abuse.
Doctorate (4 – 7 years of graduate school)
Average Salary: $100,000
Hospitals, medical clinics, private consulting
Health psychologists study how health and illness is affected by biological, social and psychological factors. They study issues like how patients deal with illness, pain management and how to change poor health habits. Health psychologists often work with medical doctors to provide patients with total health care.
Masters (2 – 3 years of graduate school)
Average Salary: $97,820 (Lowest 10% earned less than $38,690; highest 10% earned more than $149,120)
Corporate businesses, government agencies, universities, private consulting
Industrial-organizational psychologists apply psychological research to problems in the workplace. They tend to be expert communicators who can analyze business hierarchies to determine the weak points in an organization like a lack of productivity or a misuse of company resources.
Masters (2 – 3 years of graduate school)
Average Salary: $59,440 (Lowest 10% earned less than $37,900; highest 10% earned more than $106,840)
Schools, universities
School psychologists aim to promote a healthy learning environment that focuses on meeting the emotional, social and academic needs of children by collaborating with parents, teachers and students. They consult with families and teachers, evaluate children who need learning accommodations and conduct research into educational issues.
Masters (2 – 3 years of graduate school)
Average Salary: $54,000
Athletics, universities, private practice
Sports psychologists apply psychological principles to motivate athletes and improve their performance. Some sports psychologists focus on teaching skills like goal setting and imagery, which can enhance athletic performances. Others counsel patients who suffer from mental health problems like eating disorders or depression by using sports psychology strategies.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008, there were approximately 170,200 working psychologists in the United States. About 34% of these were self-employed as private practitioners. Around the nation, employment of psychologists is predicted to grow by an average of 12% over the next 10 years, which is on par with the national projected growth for all occupations. Job prospects are expected to be best for psychology graduates with doctoral degrees in an applied specialty such as health or counseling. In particular, the number of clinical, counseling and school psychologists is expected to grow by 11%, while industrial-organizational psychologists will see a 26% surge in growth.
| Profession | Employment 2010 | Projected 2020 | Average Growth |
| Psychologist | 17500 | 20600 | 18% |
| Counseling Psychologist | 154300 | 188000 | 22% |
| Industrial-organizational Psychologist | 2200 | 3000 | 35% |
| Clinical Psychologist | 154300 | 188000 | 22% |
| School Psychologist | 154300 | 188000 | 22% |
| Neuropsychologist Or Clinical Neuropsychologist | 17500 | 20600 | 18% |
| Profession | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Psychologist | 80360 | 83610 | 90460 | 84220 | 86510 | 85830 |
| Counseling Psychologist | 66110 | 68150 | 70190 | 72310 | 72540 | 73090 |
| Industrial-organizational Psychologist | 89920 | 86610 | 86460 | 102570 | 114040 | 124160 |
| Clinical Psychologist | 66110 | 68150 | 70190 | 72310 | 72540 | 73090 |
| Psychology Teacher | 64580 | 66460 | 69560 | 72140 | 74320 | 74890 |
| School Psychologist | 66110 | 68150 | 70190 | 72310 | 72540 | 73090 |
| Neuropsychologist Or Clinical Neuropsychologist | 80360 | 83610 | 90460 | 84220 | 86510 | 85830 |
| Profession | 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th |
| Psychologist | $42240 | $63790 | $90010 | $104940 | $116870 |
| Counseling Psychologist | $39060 | $50820 | $67880 | $88030 | $110410 |
| Industrial-organizational Psychologist | $55330 | $74340 | $94720 | $143950 | $187200 |
| Clinical Psychologist | $39060 | $50820 | $67880 | $88030 | $110410 |
| Psychology Teacher | $35740 | $49940 | $68150 | $90940 | $121740 |
| School Psychologist | $39060 | $50820 | $67880 | $88030 | $110410 |
| Neuropsychologist Or Clinical Neuropsychologist | $42240 | $63790 | $90010 | $104940 | $116870 |
The time that it takes to become a psychologist depends on what area of psychology you want to go into. For instance, to become a clinical or counseling psychologist, you must earn a doctoral degree. Doctoral degrees typically take 4 to 7 years of graduate school in addition to your 4-year bachelors degree. And for these professions, you will also need to complete an additional 1 to 2 year internship.
However, in some cases, you might be able to work as a professional psychologist after you earn your masters degree, which usually requires 2 to 3 years of study after the bachelors degree. For example, industrial-organizational psychologists only need a masters degree in psychology to practice. And school psychologists typically need only a 2-year graduate level degree.
Abnormal psychology is the study of unusual patterns of behavior, emotion or thought. The term abnormal refers to anything that is considered socially unacceptable. Some examples of areas that are studied in abnormal psychology include depression, obsession, compulsion, sexual deviation and eating disorders.
Cognitive psychology studies mental processes, such as how people think, perceive, remember and learn. It is the branch of psychology that seeks to understand how people acquire, process, and store information. Cognitive psychology methods are used to improve memory, increase accuracy in decision making and enhance learning.
Developmental psychology is the study of how people grow and change physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually as they age. This branch of psychology examines changes in areas like motor skills, problem solving abilities, ethics, language acquisition and self-identity over a person’s lifetime.
Personality psychology examines the thoughts, feelings and behavior that make individuals unique. It also addresses personality disorders like paranoia, antisocial behavior and narcissism. For example, personality psychology is used to create personality tests that people take to determine suitable partners and career options.
Social psychology uses scientific methods to study social influence, perception and interaction. It examines how the way that people think, feel and behave is affected by the thoughts and actions of other people. Social psychology explores topics like behavior, social perception, leadership, nonverbal behavior, conformity and prejudice.
Psychologists strive to understand and explain human behavior and mental processes. As you study psychology, you will learn how to identify, understand and solve complicated issues by viewing them from a variety of perspectives. You will be trained in different analytical strategies that can help you to apply practical solutions to challenging and complex questions.
As you study your psychology curriculum, you will learn to collect valid data and analyze it to discover what the numbers seek to convey. You will be trained to use statistical tools to interpret data and to understand probability statements. You will also learn statistical procedures and processes.
While studying psychology you will learn how to systematically gather and evaluate information about human experience and behavior. You will receive explicit training in experimental and observational research methods. For example, you can expect to learn methods like surveying and sampling techniques and qualitative analysis.
Strong written and verbal communication skills are vital for psychologists. In your career, you will speak with patients, colleagues and your patients’ families as you provide treatment. Written communication skills are also important since you will regularly write reports about your patient’s progress and your research findings.
As you progress through your psychology courses, you will gain critical thinking skills that will help you to provide treatment to your patients. You will learn how to question the evidence placed before you rather than jumping to conclusions. You will also learn to critically evaluate the quality of an argument based on logic.
Psychology is a versatile field and not all psychology majors become professional psychologists. Therefore, you can earn every level of undergraduate and graduate psychology degree. Specifically, you can earn psychology degrees at the associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. But keep in mind that you generally need a doctorate to practice and undergraduate degrees have little value in this field.
Associates degrees in psychology are not particularly valuable in this field, because the vast majority of psychology jobs require graduate level education. However, an associates degree serves as a basic introduction to the fundamentals.
An AA in psychology has liberal arts classes to give you a broad educational background. The AA degree is the best choice if you plan to transfer your credits into a bachelors degree program.
An AS in psychology has science, mathematics and computer classes to give you a technical education. However, the AS is very similar to the AA and can also be used to transfer into most bachelors programs.
An associates degree in psychology generally requires students to complete 60 to 65 credit hours. Most students take about 2 years to complete associates degrees.
To earn your associates degree in psychology, you will be required to complete introductory courses like developmental psychology and personality theory. You may also take classes in statistics and research methods to prepare you to conduct scientific research.
Most jobs in the field of psychology require graduate level degrees. But, with an associates degree, you might be able to work as a staff member at a residential treatment center, a psychiatric technician at a state mental hospital or an information counselor at a drug or mental health hotline. In order to increase your psychology-related job prospects, you should consider volunteering or doing an internship while studying for your AA or AS.
A few schools offer psychology associates degrees online. Pursuing an online psychology associates degree has few drawbacks because associates degrees in psychology are simply introductory degrees, which are not particularly valuable in this field. But if you decide to get your degree online, you need to make sure that the online school that you choose to attend awards transferable credits that you can apply toward a bachelors degree program in psychology.
Psychology is the fourth most popular major for undergraduates, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Although a bachelors degree in psychology provides a strong foundation if you want to earn a graduate level degree in psychology, it is generally not enough to qualify you to work as a professional psychologist. But you can use the knowledge and skills that you gain to work in disciplines like sales, customer service or business.
A BA in psychology offers more liberal arts courses so that you will have an opportunity to explore other disciplines along with psychology. The BA is preferable if you want to continue your studies in graduate school.
A BS in psychology has more science and mathematics courses, so you will spend more time learning research methods. The BS is a better choice if you want to start a technical career as soon as you graduate.
A bachelors degree in psychology typically requires students to complete about 120 credit hours. Students are usually able to finish bachelors degrees in 4 years.
Although exact course requirements will vary by program, most undergraduate psychology programs require students to complete core psychology courses like statistics, experimental psychology and abnormal psychology. You will also get to choose some elective courses, which could include classes like consumer psychology, social processes and human performance.
If you want to work in the field of psychology after completing your bachelors degree, you can become a case manager, career counselor, rehabilitation specialist or psychiatric technician. In addition, a select few bachelors in psychology graduates have the opportunity to work as psychologists for the government, which only requires entry-level psychologists to have a bachelors degree that includes at least 24 semester hours in psychology. But you should be prepared to face stiff competition if you are interested in a government psychology position.
If you plan on joining the workforce directly after completing your bachelors degree, then pursuing an online psychology bachelors degree may be a viable option. Because a bachelors degree is not research intensive, there is no reason that you cannot learn your course material online. But if you decide to do so, make sure that the online psychology program that you choose is accredited and reputable.
However, if you intend to continue your education to earn a masters or doctorate, you might want to think twice about enrolling in an online psychology school. Admission to a good masters degree program in psychology can be competitive, so graduating with an online psychology bachelors degree will be a disadvantage when you apply to graduate school.
A masters degree in psychology is a graduate-level degree that will allow you to delve deeper into the field of psychology and broaden your job prospects. Some psychology masters programs offer terminal degrees, which are designed to prepare you for professional practice in your area of specialization. Terminal masters degree programs open the door for psychology jobs in fields like mental health, industrial-organizational psychology and forensic psychology. However, if you want to obtain your doctorate in psychology, you should not enroll in a terminal program because many doctoral programs will not accept those credits.
The MA in psychology technically focuses on the liberal arts. However, there is no significant difference between the MA degree and the MS.
The MS in psychology technically offers a stronger research and science curriculum. But in reality, the MS degree is very similar to the MA.
An EdS degree applies psychology research to educational settings. The EdS degree is preferable if you want to work in the field of school psychology.
Masters degrees in psychology typically require students to complete 30 to 45 credit hours. Students typically finish masters degree programs in 2 to 3 years.
As a masters degree student in psychology, most of your classes will be related to the specialization that you choose. But no matter what your specialization is, you will take classes like applied therapeutic techniques, psychological testing, developmental psychology and pathology. In addition, you may be required to write a thesis based on your original research, although some programs allow you to select a non-thesis option.
Although a masters degree opens up more job opportunities than a bachelors degree, your qualifications will still be limited and you will generally work under the supervision of doctorate-level psychologists. However, you can work independently as an industrial-organizational psychologist, a forensic psychologist or a school psychologist. In addition, you will be qualified to work as a social services manager, drug and alcohol specialist, behavioral counselor or child protective services worker.
As you choose a school for your masters degree, you should consider your motivation for pursuing this level of education. If you plan to get a job as soon as you graduate, you should look for a school that offers a terminal program in your area of specialization. Terminal degrees prepare you for psychology jobs in specialized fields like mental health, industrial-organizational psychology and forensic psychology.
But if you want to earn your doctorate, you will want to make sure that the program you choose prepares you for admission to a doctoral program. For example, if you are interested in a clinical doctorate program, you should choose a masters program that gives you the most opportunities to gain experience interacting with patients. And if you are interested in a research-based doctorate program, you should choose a masters program that focuses on psychological research.
In addition to the general admissions requirements for graduate school, most programs require that you major or minor in psychology during your undergraduate education.
Pursuing an online psychology masters degree is not a wise decision for a variety of reasons. For example, it will be extremely difficult to conduct research and gain practical counseling experience in an online program. In addition, you will need strong letters of recommendation from your professors if you want to apply to a doctoral program in psychology. It is much easier to foster strong relationships with your professors in person that it is through an online school. Even so, if you still want to get your psychology masters degree online, you should make sure that your program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). APA accreditation will be essential if you decide to transfer to a clinical, counseling or school psychology program for your doctorate.
An overwhelming majority of psychology professions require you to get a doctoral degree, which is the highest level of education that is available in this field. A doctorate in psychology is the only degree that will allow you to open your own private practice and work as a professional psychologist.
Psychology PhD programs focus heavily on theoretical research. A PhD is a good option whether you plan to practice professionally or you want to teach and conduct research.
PsyD programs are practice-oriented, so they focus less on research than PhD programs. The PsyD is the best choice if you want to open your own practice.
EdD programs are similar to PhD programs, but they emphasize educational research. The EdD is ideal if you want to work as a school psychologist or in educational policy development.
The amount of time it will take you to complete your doctorate depends on a variety of factors such as the type of degree you are pursuing, your educational background and the specific doctoral program that you are enrolled in. However, generally speaking you must complete 90 to 120 credit hours to earn a psychology doctorate. Most students complete their doctoral degrees in 4 to 7 years.
As you pursue your doctoral degree, you can look forward to taking specialized courses in your concentration. Even so, most programs will require all students to take courses in behavioral analysis, clinical practice techniques, statistics and research design. You should also keep in mind that some doctoral programs in psychology require you to participate in personal psychotherapy. Finally, you should expect to spend several years writing a dissertation based on your original academic research. You will also be required to complete internships in your area of psychology.
With a doctorate, you can work in virtually any field of psychology, from clinical and forensic psychology to teaching and conducting research at colleges and universities. However, a psychology degree will not limit you to this particular field. With this degree, you will be a strong candidate for any job where an understanding of the human psyche is beneficial, such as sales, market research or business management.
No matter what your concentration is, it is important that your school’s psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA accredits clinical, counseling and school psychology programs. Many states require that students have a degree from an APA-accredited program in order to be eligible to earn a professional license, which you need to work as a psychologist.
Getting into a doctorate program can be challenging because the admissions process is very competitive. However, it is important to note that a masters degree is not necessary to apply to a doctoral program in psychology. Many doctoral programs accept students who have just finished their undergraduate studies. But you need to have a background in psychology, statistics and mathematics to be considered for admission with just a bachelors degree.
Although some schools offer online psychology doctorates, there are a couple of reasons that you should not pursue this option if you want to be taken seriously as a professional. First, doctoral programs require heavy research and clinical experiences, which are difficult to manage through online psychology programs. Next, there are currently no online psychology doctorate programs that are accredited by the American Psychological Association. That means that after you graduate with an online doctorate, you will still be unable to get a license to practice in many states.
As you study psychology, keep in mind that if you want to open up your own practice, you will need to be licensed. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the licensing requirements in your state. You can either contact the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards or your state’s licensing board for information on state-specific licensing laws.
Although some requirements vary by state, all states require that psychologists pass a state licensing exam. But before you can take that exam, you need to complete an approved internship, which consists of 3,000 hours, or about 1 to 2 years, of supervised professional experience. In addition, some states also require psychologists to take a number of continuing education courses to renew their license.
School psychologists can also earn specialized professional certification from the National Association of School Psychologists. In addition to passing the National School Psychology Examination, you must earn 60 graduate credit hours in school and a complete a 1,200 hour supervised internship.
Bureau of Labor Statistics – Psychologists
American Psychological Association (APA)
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
Association for Psychological Science
American Board of Professional Psychology
American Psychoanalytic Association
National Association of School Psychologists
Psi Chi – The International Honor Society in Psychology
Pysch Web – Comprehensive Psychology Information for Students and Teachers
