Program Spotlight: Psychology

According to a recent education survey, Psychology has seen a spiral rise in choice and popularity among students all around the world. At the undergraduate as well as graduate level, the course provides a thrill to students with its interesting research and analysis which is the reason for its continuing popularity. 

Psychology majors seek a scientifically-driven understanding of the social, biological, cultural and neurological factors that influence human behavior and interaction. After studying psychology, students can often find that they can better predict and explain how other people will react. It can also help gain greater interpersonal and communication skills.

With the rise of importance of an individual’s EQ (emotional intelligence) over their IQ, even the business world is making it an important part of their hiring process. EQ refers to a person’s ability to perceive, control, evaluate and express emotions, and the subject of Psychology studies exactly this.

What kinds of Psychology degrees are there?

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

At the undergraduate level, you can pursue either a BA or a BS in Psychology. If you like to study the liberal arts then a BA degree is for you and, on the other hand, if you have a flair for scientific research and want more field work then go ahead and pursue a BS in Psychology. While one degree is not necessarily better than the other, according to some educational experts, you get more flexibility and opportunities if you earn a BSc in Psychology. Let’s do a quick comparison between the two degrees:

Master’s Degree in Psychology

Just like in Bachelor’s, a Master’s degree in Psychology can take the form of either a MA or MSc. Students who want to pursue masters have an array of specialization options to choose from, such as: 

• Counseling Psychology
• Developmental Psychology 
• Clinical Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Sports Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Social and Organisational Psychology
• Child Psychology and many more. 

Let’s have a look at some of the popular specialized Psychology degrees:

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is the specialty that focuses on diagnosing and treating mental and behavioral disorders. It has a broad scope and encompasses a wide array of disciplines. In order to practice, one needs to be a licensed Clinical Psychologist, and that entails a good 8-10 years of education. Besides a master’s degree, one has to complete a PhD or PsyD or MPhil. A PhD or MPhil is well-suited to individuals planning to focus their talents in research, while the PsyD prepares students to see clients in a clinic. Admission into these degrees is extremely competitive as the course of study is grueling. In addition to coursework and a dissertation, students are also required to complete one to two years as an intern to hone their clinical skills under a licensed clinical psychologist.

Philosophy, Assessment and Application are the prime focuses of the core courses of Clinical Psychology. You have to complete theoretical courses like Personality theory, Childhood psychopathology and human sexuality. You’ll also learn to assess the condition of a patient through written tests, observation and other tools. Experience in patient treatment and medical advising are all part of core courses in this degree.

Clinical psychologists work in a variety of environments including hospitals, private or community clinics, schools, or correctional institutions. Their average annual income generally ranges anywhere between $55,000 and $85,000.

Counseling Psychology

The focus of Counseling Psychology is to help people deal with the struggles of daily lives better by equipping them with tools which help them help themselves. Counseling psychologists endeavor to help their clients achieve self-actualization and improve their well-being by using a wide range of therapies.

As a student of Counseling Psychology, you will be introduced to various theories of counseling and personality, ethics of the counselling professions, techniques of conducting and evaluating psychological assessments and skills required to be a good counselor. Many courses also require you to undertake a supervised internship wherein you can learn the art of counseling more closely.

There are many jobs that you could undertake as a counseling psychologist, such as Family Therapy, Mental Health Therapy and Rehabilitation Counselor. On average salaries are in the range of $35,000 to $65,000 

Developmental Psychology

This is a branch of psychology concerned with human growth and changes across the lifespan of individuals. Developmental psychologists study the physical, cognitive, and emotional changes people go through and see how they adapt and develop at each stage of their lives. 

A student of Developmental Psychology would be concerned with the understanding of how behavior came to be and the cognitive and perceptual processes behind it. They would be observing, studying, and researching patterns of behavior in infancy, childhood and adolescence to better understand the changes that take place within us across a lifespan.

Developmental Psychologists, besides working in governmental agencies, schools and hospitals, may work in other health care facilities and centers for the elderly and the homeless. The median annual earnings range from $61,000 to $89,000.

Industrial - Organizational (IO) Psychology

This is an applied discipline that applies psychological theories and principles to organizations. Industrial-organizational psychologists study worker attitudes and behavior, evaluate management styles, social norms, conduct leadership training and all such tasks which increase workplace productivity and deal with the physical and mental well-being of employees. The overall goal of this field is to study and understand human behavior in the workplace. 

While a master’s degree promises a flourishing career in business all around the world, a doctoral degree comes in handy if you want to build an academic career. Core subjects include Organizational theory and development, Human factors, Work Motivation and attitudes, Consumer Psychology, Personnel psychology amongst many others. 

This degree entails careers such as Training and Development Specialist, Talent Management Manager, Management Consultant, HR Manager, with an average median salary between $60,000 to $85,000.

Psychiatry

Psychiatry, although not a branch of Psychology, is closely associated with Psychology as it works in tandem with the practices of psychology to treat mental, emotional and health disorders in humans. Psychiatry is a branch of medicine which also includes extensive clinical training and understanding of psychotherapies. Becoming a psychiatrist takes a great amount of dedication, education and effort, and this investment reaps immense financial rewards. Psychiatrists make an average median salary of up to $150,000.

Let’s understand the key differences between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist:

Conclusion

The best possible reason to earn a degree in psychology is simply a love for the subject matter. If you look forward to going to your psychology classes, enjoy discussing human behaviors, and love learning new facts about psychology, then there is a good chance that pursuing a psychology degree is the right choice for you.