| Allied Health World Home | Psychology | |
Psychology Degrees
By Ashley Boyce, an allied health world staff writer
Published: January 5th, 2010
What degrees are needed for a career in psychology?
To open an independent counseling practice requires a doctorate (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.). Earning this degree would also qualify graduates for careers in teaching, research at universities, clinical psychology, and health care services.A master’s degree (MS) in psychology will qualify the graduates for a career in applied psychology such as industrial-organizational psychology or as an assistant to a doctoral level psychologist. As assistants they would be qualified to conduct research and perform psychological evaluations.
Learn more about psychology salary.
A bachelor’s degree (BS) in psychology qualifies graduates to work as assistants to doctoral level psychologists in correctional programs, vocational rehabilitation offices, and community health care centers.What’s the academic path to earning these degrees?
After 3-4 years of undergraduate study spent earning a bachelor’s degree, an additional 2-3 years is required to earn a Masters in Psychology. If a student opts to pursue a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), as is increasingly becoming the standard for professional psychologists, then an addition 4-7 years of schooling beyond undergraduate study is required.What are the undergraduate requirements for a degree in psychology?
In addition to basic psychology, undergraduate prerequisites would include exploration of the social, physical, and biological sciences, as well as statistics and mathematical sciences. Competition for post graduate programs can be stiff. Some psychology schools even require students to already have psychology as their undergraduate major.What can I expect from post graduate course study in psychology?
Post graduate coursework would include education in the science of psychology covering the social, developmental, learning, and biological factors in human behavior. This would involve training in personality theory, normal growth and development, and the nature of psychopathology. Students would also receive specialized training in diagnostic evaluation techniques, psychological testing, and counseling methods. Studies would also include exploration into how stress, traumatic events, aging and culture affect human thought, emotion, and behavior.What does a degree in psychology cost?
The initial cost of earning a bachelor’s degree and satisfying undergraduate requirements is about $20,000. The additional cost of earning an MS, Ph.D., or Psy.D. so as to be able to practice clinical or counseling psychology varies widely depending on the institution.Learn more about psychology career fields.
According to estimates provided by www.allpsychologyschools.com the range for most MS programs in psychology would be between $15,000 and $30,000, or a total of between $35,000 and $50,000 when factoring in the cost of undergraduate study.
Going on to earn a doctoral degree means an additional $40,000 to $105,000 beyond the cost of undergraduate programs, or between $60,000 and $125,000 when factoring in the cost of undergraduate study.