So you re a psychology major. JOBS FOR PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS

Transcription

1 So you re a psychology major. JOBS FOR PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS

2 Helpful resources Career Paths in Psychology: Where Your Degree Can Take You, Second Edition Ed: Robert Sternberg, 2006 Applying to Graduate School in Psychology: Advice From Successful Students and Prominent Psychologists

3 Entry-level A "psychologist has a doctoral degree in psychology Many entry-level jobs are open to those with a bachelor's degree in psychology Typically, draw on skillsrelevant to psych coursework EG: Human services (counseling, social work) Business Criminal justice (probation officer, corrections officer) Health and recreation Education

4 Business Area (A minor in business would be helpful) advertising trainee administrative assistant insurance agent job analyst personnel worker/administrator public information officer advertising agent loan officer public relations airline reservations clerk management trainee sales representative claims specialist marketing representative small business owner customer relations marketing researcher store manager employee counselor media buyer staff training and development employment counselor occupational analyst warehouse manager

5 Mental Health/Social Services Area (A minor in family and child studies, justice studies, health and aging studies, or sociology would be helpful) behavior analyst case worker director of volunteer services drug/substance abuse counselor probation/parole officer program manager child protection worker employment counselor rehabilitation advisor corrections officer counselor aide day care center supervisor family service worker group home coordinator mental retardation unit manager residential youth counselor social service director veterans' advisor

6 Other Positions (Various other minors combined with psychology) affirmative action officer child care worker community relations officer congressional aide hospital patient service representative newspaper reporter college admissions counselor college admissions recruiter community recreation worker director of alumni relations (college) director of fund raising (college) fast food restaurant manager park and recreation director statistical assistant technical writer

7 Helpful Job Resource Once you have an idea of some specific job titles, you can learn a lot about these jobs by consulting the Occupational Outlook Handbook Available in our library Job descriptions, education and training requirements for jobs, salaries, and employment outlooks for 250 jobs.

8 MASTER'S- AND DOCTORAL-LEVEL CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY AND RELATED AREAS Psychology Research Applied Clinical Counseling Forensic Health Industrial/organization Sports Education Agency/community counseling School Educational psych School counseling School psych Social Work Art Therapy Music Therapy

9 Areas of Specialization in Psychology Clinical Counseling Developmental Educational Experimental Forensic Health Human factors Industrial/organizational Physiological School Social

10 How to choose and get in to Graduate School

11 Deciding to pursue a graduate degree At the master's (M.A.) and doctoral (Ph.D.) level, education becomes increasingly specialized To make the correct decision about education, be clear about your career goals. Be sure that the degree you pursue will prepare you for the career you want. (The wrong degree program is a waste of time and money).

12 Graduate School options If you want to help people with problems (do "counseling"), you are not limited to careers that require graduate degrees in psychology There are several pathways into counseling profession Insurance reimbursement rates: similar for psychologist, clinical social worker, and LMFT MA, MS, MEd, MSW, PhD, PsyD, EdD

13 Social work (MSW) Coursework and practica in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems, among other topics Work in a variety of settings (hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, etc.) Can obtain a license in clinical social work at the master's level in all states. List of programs in Summary Information on Master of Social Work Programs is published by the National Association of Social Workers

14 MSW, LMFT, School If child focus: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Programs at: Southern Connecticut; Central; UConn. Southern s website very helpful:

15 MFT Graduates with an LMFT degree work at: Eg: Mid-State Hospital, Children's Psychiatric Emergency Services of Saint Raphael's Hospital, Clifford Beers Clinic, Norwalk Hospital - Oncology Services, family service agencies, youth service agencies, private practice; organizations where families receive treatment. Can go on to doctoral studies. State licensure regulations: post-graduate practice year (1-2) in non-profit agency with supervision by LMFT Must sit for the state licensing exam.

16 Education graduate programs Education MA usually no thesis Focus on educational testing Counselor education Supervised experiences in psychological disorders School psychology Psycho-educational testing Counseling, behavioral modification APA publication, Graduate Study in Psychology lists APA-accredited programs in school psychology, educational psychology, and counseling psychology that offer education degrees (as well as those offering psychology degrees)

17 School Psych Employed in educational settings. Consult with teachers, parents, and school personnel about learning, social and behavior problems Help teachers/parents to better understand child s development, its relationship to learning and behavior Assess learning aptitudes, academic skills, social skills, personality and emotional development, and eligibility for special education programs and services Intervene to help solve conflicts and problems by working directly with students and families, providing counseling, social skills training, crisis intervention, behavior management, and other interventions Conduct research on effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management procedures, and other school services; generate new knowledge to improve learning and mental health adjustment

18 PhD vs. MA Higher salary More responsibility/ status More independence Harder to get into than med school Longer completion time (4-6 years) More occupational advantages than BA Easier to get into than PhD programs Shorter completion time (1-2 years)

19 How do I choose? 1. Compare admissions standards how hard is it to get in? 2. Compare the graduation requirements how hard is it to graduate?

20 What is a psychology PhD about? Specialize in a subfield of psychology developmental, social, personality, neuropsychology, clinical, health, etc. Learn lots about research methods and statistics Complete a research-based MA thesis plus PhD thesis

21 Why so much research? If research is not your cup of tea, programs in education and social work may be better fit For additional information, this article describes alternatives to traditional clinical PhD & strategies for being admitted to competitive PhD programs in clinical psychology. Halgin, R. P. (1986). Advising undergraduates who wish to become clinicians. Teaching of Psychology, 13(1), pp

22 Finding psychology programs APA publication, Graduate Study in Psychology Alphabetical list of subfields in psychology Lists the institutions that offer degrees in that subfield Identify schools then review details of admission requirements, deadlines, degree requirements, program goals, faculty/student statistics, tuition costs, and financial aid.

23 Getting in to psychology graduate school GPA GRE Posters, presentations, publications Research assistant experience Research focus as undergraduate Research interests that match prospective advisor Clinical experience Tailor courses, independent studies, and volunteer services to your career path