Psychology Degree

Decide whether an Online Psychology Degree is right for you by learning about Psychology schools, related jobs and salaries..

Psychology Degree

Salary

Psychology Salary

Find state-by-state information regarding expected salaries for Psychologists, as well as information regarding potential job growth.

Education

Online Psychology Schools

Learn what it takes to become a Psychologist. Explore detailed listings of online Psychology schools to find the one that best meets your needs.

Job Description

Psychology Job Description

Educate yourself about what a Psychologist actually does. Learn about the day to day life of a Psychologist and the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to succeed in the field of Psychology.

Online Psychology Degree

What is psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of the mental and behavior processes of animals and humans.

What should I look for in an online psychology school?

The best online psychology schools should either possess either regional or national accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

In addition, you can often recognize top online psychology schools based on:

  • The school’s name and status
  • The school’s history
  • Teacher credentials
  • Alumni network
In choosing the best online psychology school for you, you should consider the following factors:

  • Admission requirements
  • Residency requirements
  • Class and teaching style
  • Testing methods used
  • Course content and presentation
  • Program length
  • Class size
  • Student-Teacher interaction
  • Technology use
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Transferability of credits
  • Availability of a dedicated administration team and resources

What levels of online psychology programs are available?

The following levels of psychology degree online programs are available:

  • Online Psychology Certificate Programs
  • Online Associates in Psychology
  • Online Bachelor in Psychology
  • Online Masters in Psychology
  • Online PhD in Psychology

How long does it take to get an online psychology degree?

The amount of time it takes a student to earn an accredited online psychology degree depends on the level of psychology degree being pursued and the pace of the student.

Typically, the breakdown is as follows:

  • Online Psychology Certification Programs – 6 months to 1 year
  • Online Psychology Associates Degree – 2 years
  • Online Psychology Bachelor Degree – 4 years
  • Online Psychology Masters – 2 years
  • Online Psychology PhD – 2 to 5 years

What are some examples of online psychology courses?

The following are some popular online psychology degree courses you may take as a psychology major:

  • Experimental Psychology
    In this top online psychology degree course students learn about basic research methods and experimental designs. Most experimental psychology courses require students to perform experiments.
  • Physiological Psychology
    This online psychology degree program course, sometimes called behavioral neuroscience, biopsychology or biological psychology, teaches students about the brain, neural actions, sensation and perception, basic neuroanatomy and physiological processes.
  • Cognitive Psychology
    Covering topics such as thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, language, judgment, attention, memory and information processing, most online psychology training programs offer this course which teaches students about the cognitive process that forms the foundation of human behavior.
  • Abnormal Psychology
    This popular online psychology school course focuses on the biological, environmental and cultural influences on abnormal behavior such as mood disorders, personality disorders, psychosomatic disorders and substance abuse. Students not only explore the background, assessment and diagnosis of these disorders, but also explore some of the available treatment approaches.
  • Developmental Psychology
    This is one of the most basic online psychology courses in which students study the course of human development from conception throughout the lifespan by looking at look at developmental changes in biological, emotional and cognitive domains, and how factors such as family, school, peers and culture influence growth.

What areas of psychology specialization are available?

The best online psychology degree programs generally offer specializations in areas of psychology such as:

  • Child Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Counseling Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Experimental Psychology
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Human Factors Psychology
  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • School Psychology
  • Sports Psychology
  • Social Psychology

What can I do with a psychology degree?

The best online psychology degrees are versatile and can lead to a career in many different fields.

Students with an undergraduate online psychology degree from an accredited online psychology school may consider jobs as:

  • Art Therapists
  • Child Welfare Caseworkers
  • Copywriters
  • Development Assistants
  • Human Resources Assistant or HR Specialists
  • Market Research Analysts
  • Media Buyers
  • Media Planners
  • Public Relations Specialists
  • Research Assistants
  • Retail Buyers
  • Teachers
Students with advanced accredited online psychology degrees may consider careers as:

  • Addictions Counselors
  • AIDS Counselors
  • Career Counselors
  • Clinical Counselors
  • Marriage/Family Counselors
  • Mental Health Counselors
  • Rehabilitation Counselors
Furthermore, those with graduate level education from a top online psychology school, generally a Ph.D. or a Psy.D., can work in psychologists jobs such as:

  • Child Psychologist
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • College Professor
  • Developmental Psychologist
  • Forensic Psychologist
  • Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychologist
  • Neuropsychologist
  • Psychotherapist
  • School Psychologist
  • Social Psychology

What is a psychologist?

A psychologist is a social scientist who studies and/or provides advice regarding the workings of the human mind, exploring things like cognition and behavior.

Some states reserve the title “psychologist” only for those who have passed state licensure exams in psychology.

What does a psychologist do?

The field of psychology has many different job specialties. And what a psychologist does depends largely on the area of concentration he or she chooses.

In general, research psychologists investigate the physical, cognitive, emotional, or social aspects of human behavior. Psychologists in applied fields, on the other hand, provide mental health care in hospitals, clinics, schools, or private settings.

Here is a listing of what some of the most common types of psychologists do:

  • Clinical Psychologists
    Clinical psychologists perform research in laboratories in an attempt to learn more about the human mind. This is the most popular online psychology degrees specialization. Areas of sub-specialization within this field include health psychology, neuropsychology, and geropsychology.
  • Counseling Psychologists
    Often referred to as psychotherapists, counseling psychologists offer clients mental health services. They use various techniques, such as interviewing, testing or even hypnosis, to advise people on how to deal with issues of everyday life. However, psychologists cannot offer prescription medications as part of treatment.
  • School Psychologists
    School psychologists often work for school districts to help resolve student’s learning and behavior problems. They also may evaluate services provided in the school setting such as the effectiveness of academic programs and behavior management procedures.
  • Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
    I/O psychologists work to improve productivity within an organization and the quality of work-life. They often conduct applicant screening, training and development, counseling, and organizational development and analysis. I/O psychologists may also be involved with research on management and marketing issues.
  • Research Psychologists
    Research psychologists often work in university and private research centers and in business, nonprofit, and governmental organizations to study behavior processes in human beings and animals. Much of this research is concentrated on areas such as motivation, learning and memory, effects of substance abuse and genetic and neurological factors affecting behavior.

How much does a psychologist earn?

Both the salary and projected employment growth for psychologists will vary by specialty and place of work.

For example, school psychologists earn an average of $69,870 per year, while counseling and clinical psychologists can earn between an average of $69,620 to $87,270 annually.

Also the government projects that clinical, counseling, and school psychologists will have 11 percent growth. Industrial-organizational psychologists are expected to experience 26 percent growth. And 14 percent growth is expected for all other psychologists. Job prospects are expected to be best for those with higher levels of education in the field of psychology.

This growth is expected due to increased awareness regarding the affects of mental health on areas such as learning, productivity and overall heath.

How do I become a psychologist?

Becoming a psychologist requires formal education from an institute of higher learning such as one of the many accredited online psychology schools. Depending on the type of psychologist you want to be, the answer to the question of how to become a psychologist will vary because the requisite level of education will vary.

Clinical and counseling psychologists generally must have a doctoral degree in psychology, complete an internship and have 1 to 2 years of professional experience on their resume.

Vocational and guidance counselors typically need a masters degree in counseling and 1 year of counseling experience.

School psychologists are also required to have master's degree followed by a 1-year internship.

One of the few areas that one can work as a psychologist without an advanced degree is for the federal governments. Federal Government candidates having a minimum of 24 semester hours in psychology and one course in statistics qualify for entry-level positions.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have certification or licensing requirements that must be met by all psychologists in independent practice or those who offer any type of patient care. Some States require continuing education for license renewal.

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Resources

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics: Psychologist

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a listing of different types of psychology positions a student can pursue with a psychology degree. For the prospective student, the BLS has solid information about salary, education and training required, duties and responsibilities, as well as job descriptions.

  • Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Careers in Psychology

    For current and past students of a psychology degree, a career in a growing specialization in psychology may be a viable option, especially for those who wish to further improve employment appeal. “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Careers in Psychology” offers prospective students the varied possibilities.

  • American Psychological Association

    The APA is considered one of the most reputable organizations in the field of psychology. The association offers membership to students at discounted rates, supplies scholarship information, publishes cutting edge research, and provides news and articles to keep psychologists informed. The website is a post for useful resources, as well as offer candidates a chance to network with other professionals and students.

  • Capella University: School of Psychology

    Capella University offers bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees in psychology. Prospective students will find Capella’s website useful in exploring the type of classes that are to be expected in the course of study.