Psychology Degree’s - A Closer Look

Recognition, a high-paying job, and good friends are just a few of the great perks and privileges that a psychologist could attain. Being a psychologist opens he doors to deeper interpersonal relationships with clients and thus giving a candidate another grounds for learning things. The best benefit though is the fact that they will be able to extend a helping hand to those who are in need. While there are several careers to choose from in the field of psychology, there are also several stages that an aspiring psychologist must take into consideration.

The field of psychology has different degrees to choose from. A student must be prepared to take on the challenges and be able to choose the best degree that would fit them right. Generally, there are five (5) major degrees in Psychology. These are: Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Doctorate degree, EdD, PhD or PsyD and Post-doctoral certificate.

The Bachelor’s degree is intended for those who have acquired a high school diploma, GED or an associate’s degree. This degree emphasizes the sciences in addition to psychology. Most (if not all) psychologists have a bachelor’s degree in psychology. It is usually a good start in the field of psychology. It has a clear path to a good counseling and clinical psychologist careers.

The Master’s degree program in psychology usually needs at least two (2) years of full – time graduate study. The program’s coursework generally includes mathematics, statistics, social sciences, physical and biological sciences, a clinical internship and a thesis based on original research. Psychologists with a master’s degree in psychology have the opportunity to work in the industrial-organizational field or serve as psychological assistants.

The Doctorate degree is further subdivided into different categories: EdD, PhD and PsyD. Doctorate in education or EdD requires a master’s degree in education or any related field. The EdD is likely to be a preferred qualification for many mid-career employees, many of them already have master’s degrees but wish to pursue studies at the doctorate level, which are based on research and the application of that knowledge in professional practice. The EdD is designed for the professional practitioner. Graduates of this field are qualified to work as administrators, superintendents, teacher educators, as well as other educational leadership positions. On the other hand, psychologists with a PhD qualify for a wide variety of teaching, clinical, research, and counseling positions in healthcare services, universities, elementary and secondary schools, government, and private industry. Entrance into PhD programs is highly competitive. A master’s degree in psychology is a prerequisite to a PhD program. The PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) is a newer professional degree, offered by the professional schools of psychology that focuses on clinical practice with only a minimum of research training. Entrance into PsyD programs is generally less competitive as compared to PhD programs. The Post-doctoral psychology certificate program are for professional psychologists with a PsyD or PhD who are eager to expand their knowledge and training in a specialty psychology area which include clinical, academic,  counseling, health, or organizational psychology.
A career in psychology is very rewarding and there is a clear path to being a good help especially to those who are in need. Whatever path it is that they may choose, they must bear in mind that aside from the green pasteur that they are that they are about to set their foot on and establish, they should always be available to help and give their patients meaningful advises that will help them carry on with life despite of the mere factual scenarios wherein they are having trouble coping up with it.