Online Psychology Degrees | Careers in Psychology

Online Psychology Degrees | Our TOP Recommendations
Request FREE information today. There is NO OBLIGATION to enroll.

Psychologists examine the human thought and behavior. Research psychologists study the cognitive, physical, emotional, or social characteristics of the human experience.

• Nature of the Work - Psychologists working in health service industries offer mental health services in clinics, schools, hospitals, or private practice. Psychologists who work in government, business, industry, or nonprofit organizations, offer instruction, perform research, develop organizational systems, and advocate for psychology.
• Online Psychology Degrees - A doctoral degree is typically required for solo practice as a psychologist. Psychologists with a Ph.D. or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) are eligible for a broad range of research, teaching, clinical, and counseling jobs in health care services, elementary and secondary schools, private industry, universities, and government. Psychologists holding a doctoral degree frequently work in clinical settings or in private practice, but they also conduct research, are educators, or function in administrative capacities.
• Licensing - Psychologists in solo practice or those who provide patient care must meet certification or licensing requirements in all states including Washington, D.C. Licensing laws differ by state and by type of job and require certified or licensed psychologists to focus their practice on certain areas in which they have acquired specific competence through education and experience.
  
  

Online Psychology Degrees | Careers in Psychology

A doctoral degree typically requires 5 to 7 years of graduate study, which ends in a dissertation based on a student’s unique research. Classes in quantitative research methods, which feature the use of computer-based analysis, are an important component of doctoral study and are required to finish a dissertation. The Psy.D. degree may be based on examinations and practical work instead of a dissertation. In counseling, clinical, and school psychology, the prerequisites for a doctoral degree must include an internship lasting at least one year.

A specialist degree is required in most states for a person to be employed as a school psychologist, although a few states still hire school psychologists with master’s degrees. A specialist (Ed.S.) degree in school psychology involves 3 years of full-time graduate study or at least 60 graduate semester hours and a 1-year full-time internship. Since their professional practice involves educational and mental health aspects of children’s development, school psychologists’ education features coursework in education and psychology.

Individuals with a master’s degree in psychology may be employed as industrial-organizational psychologists. They also find work as psychological assistants supervised by doctoral-level psychologists and may perform research or evaluations. A master’s degree in psychology typically involves at least 2 years of full-time graduate study. Requirements generally include hands-on experience in an applied environment and a master’s thesis based on a student’s unique research.

Graduate psychology program admission competition is tough. Many universities require students to have an undergraduate degree in psychology. Others require only coursework in basic psychology with others courses in the physical, biological, and social sciences and in mathematics and statistics.

A bachelor’s degree in psychology enables an individual to help psychologists and other professionals in vocational rehabilitation centers, community mental health centers, and correctional institutions. Bachelor’s degree holders could also find work as research or administrative assistants for psychologists. Many work as technicians in similar fields, like marketing research. Several others find work in other fields like service, sales, or business.


Online Psychology Degree - Graduate - Careers in Psychology


Psychologists had approximately 166,000 jobs in 2006. Educational institutions employed around 29 percent of psychologists in jobs other than teaching, such as research, counseling, testing, and administration. Approximately 21 percent had jobs in health care, mainly in offices of mental health counselors, hospitals, doctors’ offices, and outpatient mental health and substance abuse institutions. Agencies at state and local government levels employed psychologists in law enforcement, correctional facilities, and other environments.

Quicker-than-average job growth is projected for psychologists. Employment opportunities should be the best for individuals who hold a doctoral degree in a specific specialty like counseling or health, and those holding a specialist or doctoral degree in school psychology. Individuals with master’s degrees in fields outside of industrial-organizational psychology will face stiff competition. Job options will be limited for individuals with only bachelor’s degree.

Employment opportunities should be the best for individuals who hold a doctoral degree in a specific specialty like counseling or health, and those holding a specialist or doctoral degree in school psychology. Psychologists with a lot of training in quantitative research and computer science may have an edge over individuals who do not.

Online Psychology Degrees - Graduates - Earnings Statistics

In May 2006, the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics reports average annual incomes of wage and salary counseling, clinical, and school psychologists were $59,500. The middle 50 percent made between $45,250 and $77,725. The bottom 10 percent made less than $35,250, and the top 10 percent made more than $102,750.

Related Occupations - Psychologists work with individuals, repairing relationships and providing comfort. Other careers with similar responsibilities include social workers, counselors, clergy, recreation workers, special education teachers, sociologists, funeral directors, market and survey researchers, and human resources, training, and labor relations managers. Psychologists often diagnose and treat problems and assist patients in their recovery process. These responsibilities are comparable to those of doctors and radiation therapists, dentists, surgeons, audiologists, optometrists, and speech-language pathologists.


Online Psychology Degrees - Graduate Schools - Universities

There are an excellent number of choices if you are looking for online Psychology Degrees. Online schools and colleges now provide the same curriculum as the traditional education. Learning online provides you with so much more flexibility to suit your lifestyle and current employment. We include our top recommendations for graduate schools and universities who offer online Psychology Degrees.

Go from Online Psychology Degrees to Social Sciences Online