Psychology Ph.D., MS
and MA Degree
Graduate School Planning and Information
Psychologists study the human mind and human behavior.
Research psychologists investigate the physical, cognitive, emotional, or
social aspects of human behavior. Psychologists in applied fields provide
mental health care in hospitals, clinics, schools, or private settings.
Like other social scientists, psychologists
formulate hypotheses and collect data to test their validity. Research methods
vary depending on the topic under study. Psychologists sometimes gather
information through controlled laboratory experiments or by administering
personality, performance, aptitude, and intelligence tests. Other methods
include observation, interviews, questionnaires, clinical studies, and surveys.
Psychologists apply their knowledge to a wide
range of endeavors, including health and human services, management, education,
law, and sports. In addition to a variety of work settings, psychologists
usually specialize in one of a number of different areas.
Clinical psychologists—who
constitute the largest specialty—usually work in counseling centers,
independent or group practices, hospitals, or clinics. They help mentally and
emotionally disturbed clients adjust to life and may help medical and surgical
patients deal with illnesses or injuries. Some work in physical rehabilitation
settings, treating patients with spinal cord injuries, chronic pain or illness,
stroke, arthritis, and neurologic conditions. Others help people deal with
times of personal crisis, such as divorce or the death of a loved one.
Clinical psychologists often interview patients
and give diagnostic tests. They may provide individual, family, or group
psychotherapy, and design and implement behavior modification programs. Some
clinical psychologists collaborate with physicians and other specialists to
develop and implement treatment and intervention programs that patients can
understand and comply with. Other clinical psychologists work in universities
and medical schools, where they train graduate students in the delivery of
mental health and behavioral medicine services. Some administer community mental
health programs.
Areas of specialization within clinical
psychology include health psychology, neuropsychology, and geropsychology. Health
psychologists promote good health through health maintenance counseling
programs designed to help people achieve goals such as to stop smoking or lose
weight. Neuropsychologists study the relation between the
brain and behavior. They often work in stroke and head injury programs. Geropsychologists
deal with the special problems faced by the elderly. The emergence and
growth of these specialties reflects the increasing participation of
psychologists in providing direct services to special patient populations.
Counseling psychologists use
various techniques, including interviewing and testing, to advise people on how
to deal with problems of everyday living. They work in settings such as
university counseling centers, hospitals, and individual or group practices.
(Also see the statements on counselors and social workers elsewhere in the Handbook.)
School psychologists work
in elementary and secondary schools or school district offices to resolve
students' learning and behavior problems. They collaborate with teachers,
parents, and school personnel to improve classroom management strategies or
parenting skills, counter substance abuse, work with students with disabilities
or gifted and talented students, and improve teaching and learning strategies.
They may evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management
procedures, and other services provided in the school setting.
Industrial-organizational (I/O) psychologists apply
psychological principles and research methods to the workplace in the interest
of improving productivity and the quality of worklife. They also are involved
in research on management and marketing problems. They conduct applicant
screening, training and development, counseling, and organizational development
and analysis. An industrial psychologist might work with management to
reorganize the work setting to improve productivity or quality of life in the
workplace. They frequently act as consultants, brought in by management in
order to solve a particular problem.
Developmental psychologists study
the physiological, cognitive, and social development that takes place
throughout life. Some specialize in behavior during infancy, childhood, and
adolescence, or changes that occur during maturity or old age. They also may
study developmental disabilities and their effects. Increasingly, research is
developing ways to help elderly people stay as independent as possible.
Social psychologists examine
people's interactions with others and with the social environment. They work in
organizational consultation, marketing research, systems design, or other
applied psychology fields. Prominent areas of study include group behavior,
leadership, attitudes, and perception.
Experimental or research psychologists work in university and private research centers and in business, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. They study behavior processes with human beings and animals such as rats, monkeys, and pigeons. Prominent areas of study in experimental research include motivation, thinking, attention, learning and memory, sensory and perceptual processes, effects of substance abuse, and genetic and neurological factors affecting behavior.
A psychologist's specialty and place of
employment determine working conditions. Clinical, school, and counseling
psychologists in private practice have their own offices and set their own
hours. However, they often offer evening and weekend hours to accommodate their
clients. Those employed in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health
facilities may work shifts including evenings and weekends, while those who
work in schools and clinics generally work regular hours.
Psychologists employed as faculty by colleges
and universities divide their time between teaching and research and also may
have administrative responsibilities. Many have part-time consulting practices.
Most psychologists in government and industry have structured academic jobs.
About a third of U.S., I/O psychologists are
academicians. They work for both colleges and universities. There are three
areas of responsibility: research, teaching, and community service. The first
two are the most important, and depending upon the institution, greater
emphasis will be placed on research or teaching. Large universities will
normally emphasize research whereas smaller colleges emphasize teaching (which
is one reason many students prefer to attend smaller liberal arts colleges
where the faculty put most of their efforts into teaching). At many large
research oriented universities, faculty do little teaching at all (leaving that
to their doctoral students), spending most of their time doing research and
writing grant proposals. These are "publish or perish" institutions
that place a great deal of pressure on their faculties to conduct research, and
see that as their greater (but not only) mission.
The typical university professor is expected to
cover all three areas. This makes for a busy and varied job, and requires a lot
of juggling of many different projects/tasks. With many demands, it is rare to
have long periods of time on which to work on a single project or task.
However, there is a great deal of latitude in how professors conduct their
work, as they receive no day-to-day supervision. They might have their classes
assigned by a department chair, but the rest of their activities they decide
themselves. This high level of autonomy is a major reason many I/O
psychologists decide to pursue an academic career where they can follow their
own interests.
Specific Tasks: A university professor will typically do many or all of the following
1. Teach class
2. Prepare activities, lectures, materials, or tests for a class
3. Grade assignments or exams
4. Plan a research project
5. Collect data
6. Analyze data (usually with statistical software such as SAS or SPSSX)
7. Write research articles, book chapters, and books
8. Supervise research of graduate students (thesis or dissertation)
9. Advise students concerning course requirements and careers
10. Supervise independent study of students
11. Serve on department or university committees
12. Serve on committees for national associations, such as Society for Industrial and
Organizational Psychology (SIOP)
13. Review manuscripts submitted to journals (people who publish in journals are asked to serve
as peer reviewers for manuscripts submitted by other researchers)
14. Provide information to the public (e.g., talk to newspaper reporter or do a television/radio
news segment)
15. Consult with private and public organizations about their problems related to I/O
16. Write grant proposal
Increasingly, many work as part of a team and consult with other psychologists and
professionals. Many psychologists experience pressures due to deadlines, tight schedules,
and overtime work. Their routine may be interrupted frequently. Travel usually is required to
attend conferences or conduct research.
Psychologists held about 182,000 jobs in 2000.
Educational institutions employed about 4 out of 10 salaried psychologists in
positions other than teaching, such as counseling, testing, research, and
administration. Three out of 10 were employed in health services, primarily in
hospitals, mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and
other health facilities. Government agencies at the Federal, State, and local
levels employed more than 1 in 10 in hospitals, clinics, correctional
facilities, and other settings. The U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and of
Defense employ a majority of the psychologists working for Federal agencies.
Some psychologists work in social service organizations, research
organizations, management consulting firms, marketing research firms, and other
businesses.
After several years of experience, some
psychologists—usually those with doctoral degrees—enter private practice or set
up private research or consulting firms. More than 4 out of 10 psychologists
were self-employed.
In addition to the jobs
described above, many psychologists held faculty positions at colleges and
universities, and as high school psychology teachers.
A doctoral degree is usually required for
employment as a licensed clinical or counseling psychologist. Psychologists
with a Ph.D. qualify for a wide range of teaching, research, clinical, and
counseling positions in universities, healthcare services, elementary and
secondary schools, private industry, and government. Psychologists with a
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree usually work in clinical positions or in
private practices. An Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree will qualify an
individual to work as a school psychologist. Persons with a master's degree in
psychology may work as industrial-organizational psychologists. They also may
work as psychological assistants, under the supervision of doctoral-level
psychologists, and conduct research or psychological evaluations. A bachelor's
degree in psychology qualifies a person to assist psychologists and other
professionals in community mental health centers, vocational rehabilitation
offices, and correctional programs. They may work as research or administrative
assistants or become sales or management trainees in business. Some work as
technicians in related fields such as marketing research.
Clinical psychologists usually must have
completed the Ph.D. or Psy.D. requirements and served an internship. Vocational
and guidance counselors usually need 2 years of graduate study in counseling
and 1 year of counseling experience. School psychology requires a master's
degree followed by a 1-year internship.
In the Federal Government, candidates having at
least 24 semester hours in psychology and one course in statistics qualify for
entry-level positions. However, competition for these jobs is keen because this
is one of the few areas in which one can work as a psychologist without an
advanced degree.
A doctoral degree usually requires 5 to 7 years
of graduate study. The Ph.D. degree culminates in a dissertation based on
original research. Courses in quantitative research methods, which include the
use of computer-based analysis, are an integral part of graduate study and are
necessary to complete the dissertation. The Psy.D. may be based on practical
work and examinations rather than a dissertation. In clinical or counseling
psychology, the requirements for the doctoral degree usually include at least a
1-year internship.
A master's degree in psychology requires at
least 2 years of full-time graduate study. Requirements usually include
practical experience in an applied setting and a master's thesis based on an
original research project. Competition for admission into graduate programs is
keen. Some universities require an undergraduate major in psychology. Others
prefer only course work in basic psychology with courses in the biological,
physical, and social sciences; and statistics and mathematics.
Psychologists in independent practice or those
who offer any type of patient care(including clinical, counseling, and school
psychologists(must meet certification or licensing requirements in all States
and the District of Columbia. Licensing laws vary by State and by type of
position and require licensed or certified psychologists to limit their
practice to areas in which they have developed professional competence through
training and experience. Clinical and counseling psychologists usually require
a doctorate in psychology, completion of an approved internship, and 1 to 2
years of professional experience. In addition, all States require that
applicants pass an examination. Most State boards administer a standardized
test and many supplement that with additional oral or essay questions. Most
States certify those with a master's degree as school psychologists after
completion of an internship. Some States require continuing education for
license renewal.
The American Psychological Association (APA)
presently accredits doctoral training programs in clinical, counseling, and
school psychology. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education,
with the assistance of the National Association of School Psychologists, also
is involved in the accreditation of advanced degree programs in school
psychology. The APA also accredits institutions that provide internships for
doctoral students in school, clinical, and counseling psychology.
The American Board of Professional Psychology
(ABPP) recognizes professional achievement by awarding certification, primarily
in clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, counseling, forensic,
industrial-organizational, and school psychology. Candidates for ABPP
certification need a doctorate in psychology, 5 years of experience,
professional endorsements, and a passing grade on an examination.
Aspiring psychologists who are interested in direct patient care must be emotionally stable, mature, and able to deal effectively with people. Sensitivity, compassion, and the ability to lead and inspire others are particularly important qualities for clinical work and counseling. Research psychologists should be able to do detailed work independently and as part of a team. Excellent communications skills are necessary to succeed in research. Patience and perseverance are vital qualities because results from psychological treatment of patients or from research usually take a long time.
Employment of psychologists is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all
occupations through 2010. Employment in healthcare will grow fastest in
outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment clinics. Numerous job
opportunities will also arise in schools, public and private social service
agencies, and management consulting services. Companies will use psychologists'
expertise in survey design, analysis, and research to provide marketing
evaluation and statistical analysis. The increase in employee assistance
programs, which offer employees help with personal problems, also should spur
job growth.
Opportunities for people holding doctorates from
leading universities in areas with an applied emphasis, such as counseling,
health, and educational psychology, should be good. Psychologists with
extensive training in quantitative research methods and computer science may
have a competitive edge over applicants without this background.
Graduates with a master's degree in psychology
qualify for positions in school and industrial-organizational psychology.
Graduates of master's degree programs in school psychology should have the best
job prospects, as schools are expected to increase student counseling and
mental health services. Masters' degree holders with several years of business
and industry experience can obtain jobs in consulting and marketing research.
Other master's degree holders may find jobs as psychological assistants or
counselors providing mental health services under the direct supervision of a
licensed psychologist. Still others may find jobs involving research and data
collection and analysis in universities, government, or private companies.
Very few opportunities directly related to psychology will exist for bachelor's degree holders. Some may find jobs as assistants in rehabilitation centers, or in other jobs involving data collection and analysis. Those who meet State certification requirements may become high school psychology teachers.
Median annual earnings of salaried psychologists
were $48,596 in 2000. Median annual earnings were $48,320 for clinical,
counseling, and school psychologists and $66,880 for industrial-organizational
psychologists. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest
numbers of psychologists in 2000 were as follows:
|
Hospitals |
$52,460 |
|
Elementary and secondary schools |
51,310 |
|
Offices of other health practitioners |
50,990 |
|
Offices and clinics of medical doctors |
47,890 |
|
Individual and family services |
35,720 |
The Federal Government recognizes education and
experience in certifying applicants for entry-level positions. In general, the
starting salary for psychologists having a bachelor's degree was about $21,900
in 2001; those with superior academic records could begin at $27,200.
Psychologists with a master's degree and 1 year of experience could start at
$33,300. Psychologists having a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree and 1 year of internship
could start at $40,200, and some individuals with experience could start at
$48,200. Beginning salaries were slightly higher in selected areas of the
country where the prevailing local pay level was higher. The average annual
salary for psychologists in the Federal Government was $72,830 in 2001.
*Psy 350 (Abnormal
psychology)
*Psy 380 (Cognitive)
*Psy340 (Social Psychology)
*Psy360(Behavioral
Neuroscience)
Recommended Elective Classes:
*Psy 499[Research
Lab (2 Semesters)]
*Psy452 (Intro
to Coun. & Therapy)
*Psy470 (Intermed.
Stats)
*Psy 497[Research
Lab (1 or 2 Semesters)]
*Psy 370 (Testing
& Measurement)
*Psy 495 [Community
Psy (1 or 2 Semesters)]
*Psy 351 (Psychology
of Personality)
*Psy361(Neuropsychology)
u Provide students with mentors in their chosen disciplines
u Give information about universities, scholarships, and fellowships
u Supply scholars with money stipend to conduct
research
u Give them the opportunity to publish research
u Present their findings at research and professional
conferences
MARC ProgramPhone: 619-594-7195Room No. GMCS: 321C |
McNair Scholars ProgramPhone: 619-594-1473Room No. GMCS: 322D |
COR ProgramAddress: 6505 Alvarado Rd. Suite 110Phone:
619-594-6915
|
