Chapter 11 Graduate Studies in Psychology

Advanced Psychology Degrees

Overview

  • Graduate study in psychology is popular but demanding; approximately 25% of undergraduate majors pursue it.
  • In 2019, 14% of psychology bachelor's degree holders had a graduate degree in psychology, and 43% had a graduate degree in any field.
  • Completing a graduate degree opens numerous professional pathways, including professional service (51%), research (14%), teaching (18%), and management (14%).

Master's-Level Training

  • A master’s degree can be terminal or a stepping-stone to doctoral training.
  • Degrees include Master of Arts (MA), emphasizing liberal arts, and Master of Science (MS), emphasizing science and research.
  • Master’s programs often have concentrations in experimental, clinical/counseling, or industrial-organizational psychology.
  • A master's degree can support independent function in business contexts, while clinical contexts may require supervision.

Doctoral Degree Options

  • The term "psychologist" is usually reserved for those with doctoral training.
  • Most psychologists work in university (26%) and health-care settings (25%).
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • The PhD is considered the most prestigious degree, providing optimal independence and preparing students for careers in academia, clinical, and business settings with a research emphasis.
  • It typically takes about 7 years to complete, concluding with an original research dissertation.
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
  • The PsyD degree is a clinical degree with less emphasis on research.
  • It takes between 4 and 7 years to complete.
  • PsyD programs are generally less competitive than PhD programs, with higher acceptance rates but less financial support.
  • PsyD programs tend to have more diverse theoretical orientations compared to the cognitive-behavioral focus in PhD clinical programs.
Doctor of Education (EdD)
  • The EdD is for those interested in clinically oriented activity, focusing on milder forms of dysfunction.
  • It typically takes 3 to 5 years to complete, often in departments of education.
  • EdD graduates usually work in educational settings.

Job Possibilities Across Different Subfields

  • Clinical Psychologists: Alleviate emotional and behavioral disorders in mental health settings.
  • Cognitive Psychologists: Study thinking, memory, and decision-making, often working in research or treatment.
  • Community Psychologists: Improve community life through intervention and prevention programs.
  • Counseling Psychologists: Address everyday adjustment problems in schools, hospitals, and businesses.
  • Developmental Psychologists: Focus on behavior across the lifespan, increasingly with aging populations.
  • Educational Psychologists: Improve learning through effectiveness studies and teacher consultation.
  • Engineering Psychologists: assist in the design of efficient and adaptive devices.
  • Environmental Psychologists: Examine the impact of environments on behavior.
  • Experimental Psychologists: Advance science through experimental design in academic and manufacturing settings.
  • Forensic Psychologists: Support the judicial system through expert testimony and research.
  • Health Psychologists: Develop interventions for health-related behaviors and conduct research.
  • Industrial-Organizational Psychologists: Improve workplaces through production systems, HR training, and personnel consulting.
  • Military Psychologists: Address the psychological needs of military personnel and their families.
  • Neuropsychologists: Examine brain function in normal and abnormal processes.
  • Personality Psychologists: Study individual differences in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
  • Quantitative Psychologists: Apply mathematics to psychology research design and data analysis.
  • Rehabilitation Psychologists: Help patients with disabilities adapt and overcome problems.
  • School Psychologists: Provide services to children and families in educational settings.
  • Social Psychologists: Study attitude formation and change, consulting with businesses and coaching group performance.
  • Sports Psychologists: Help athletes achieve goals by reducing fears and improving motivation.

Licensing and Additional Facts

  • Therapists must pass examinations and complete supervised clinical work to become licensed.
  • Licensing laws vary by state; the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards oversees the process.
  • Social work (MSW) is an alternative for those less interested in the science and math required in psychology.

Job Outlook and Salary Projections

  • The job market for psychologists is expected to grow 14% from 2016 to 2026, faster than average.
  • Salaries increase with each degree level, with the highest salaries for those in management or scientific and technological fields.

Getting Ready for the Job Market

  • Consider income, work-life balance, independence, and location when planning for a job.
  • Build a network through professional organizations and conferences.
  • Monitor job availability broadly and be flexible about moving on if needed.