Tally: Online Education Psychologist - August 2010

Let's face it: human beings are fascinating creatures. If the idea of spending your days peering into the remarkably complex machinery of the mind and helping people solve their problems sounds like your idea of bliss, a career in psychology or one of the other helping professions could be the right fit for you.

But no matter how great your friends and family members say you are at dispensing personal advice, you'll need to have a fair amount of formal education under your belt before you can establish a private practice as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor. For most entry-level jobs in the industry, a bachelor's degree is a must, and most states require that practitioners have at least a master's degree in psychology, counseling, or social work before they can begin to provide therapeutic services.

In the month of August, our expert fielded an array of questions about psychology degree programs, ranging from the requirements needed to practice in certain specialty areas to the curricular particulars of psychology degrees in Massachusetts and other states. Read on to learn more about the ABC's of psychology courses and psychology degrees, whether or not you're interested in becoming a psychologist.

Psychology Basics: Degrees in Psychology

We all know that psychologists perform research and counsel clients through difficult times, but what do aspiring psychologists actually study? According to our expert, the type of psychology courses a particular student is likely to encounter depends on his or her psychology degree program, area of specialization, and future career aims. For example, a psychology student who intends to focus on clinical research might focus more on methodology, statistics, and laboratory techniques. On the other hand, a student who would like to go into private practice will probably take classes focusing on development, abnormal psychology and therapeutic modalities, while someone who wants to be a school psychology might take classes in assessment and evaluation, child development, and learning disabilities. Generally speaking, any student who completes a doctorate degree in psychology completes enough courses to ensure that they have a broad-based understanding of the field, although their area of expertise is likely to be more tightly focused.

Psychology Degree Programs: Which One Suits Your Career Plans?

Because the field of psychology is so broad, and because licensure requirements can vary significantly from state to state, it's beneficial to have an idea of what--and where--you want to focus on before you begin a master's degree or doctorate degree in psychology. For example, in response to a query from a student with some work experience in the field who is considering pursuing a doctorate degree in psychology in Massachusetts, our expert pointed the student to the website of the state's psychological association. Researching similar groups in the state where you would like to study and/or practice can help you plan your degree program in psychology to suit applicable licensure and exam requirements in the jurisdiction.

Psychology Basics: The Best Traditional and Online Psychology Courses

Whether you want to pursue a career in psychology or you just want to learn more about what makes people tick, traditional or online psychology courses are a great way to gain some insight into the human mind--and add a few behavioral tricks to your repertoire. In response to a question about where to get started in the field, our expert suggests a few the top 5 psychology courses that can help new students learn more before deciding to pursue a degree in psychology. Classes such as listening skills, human motivation, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology and developmental psychology are interesting and helpful introductions to the subject that can prove beneficial whether or not you decide to get a degree in psychology. What's more, many of these introductory courses are offered online, making it easy for prospective students to get a taste of what the field has to offer on their own terms and timetables.

Spotlight on Psychology Jobs: What is it Like to Be a Psychologist?

Imagine that you have dedicated a decade of your life to fulfilling your dream of getting a doctorate degree in psychology. Now that you've got the diploma in hand, what's next? Our expert offers a taste of what it's really like to be a psychologist by discussing some of the most common specialties and areas of practice, including performing research and providing therapy, considering the way that even seemingly trivial variables such as the age, gender, and socioeconomic status of one's client base can impact the nature of the work. It's food for thought for anyone who harbors hopes of helping others through a career in psychology.

Whether you hope to set up shop as a psychologist in private practice someday or you just want to gain some insight into the workings of the human psyche, an online psychology course is a great way to get started. Explore the options available and choose a course that piques your interest!