Psychology Degrees

Overview

A degree in psychology gives students a comprehensive introduction into the discipline of psychology. It also ensures adequate exposure to related fields of psychology such as humanities and social sciences. A psychology degree prepares students for a variety of career choices, many of which are not specifically related to psychology. It is important to note that a bachelor's degree in psychology is not sufficient for qualifying as a psychologist. While many students continue with their education at the graduate level and become a certified psychologist or therapist, the majority of students who earn a BA in psychology find satisfying careers without attending graduate school. Some of the possible career paths that an individual might choose to take include social work, human resources, marketing, business management, and sales.

Benefits

Even though a bachelor's degree in psychology is not a professional degree, it is still a good way to become a well-rounded, well-educated individual who is a prospective candidate for a number of different employment options. You can obtain work in business management, sales, human resource, insurance, finance, marketing, and more. The average salary offered to the bachelor's degree holders ranges from $24,000 to $35,000. Self-employed therapists usually earn much more. For those who plan to complete advanced schooling and become certified psychologists, the job outlook is great. The median earnings of educational, vocational, and school counselors in 2004 were $45,570 annually and the median annual earnings of marriage and family therapists were around $38,980.

Costs

The average annual tuition fee to earn a master's degree in clinical psychology is around $5,350 for in-state residents and about $9,114 for out-of-state residents. A doctorate degree in clinical psychology may cost around $10,000 for in-state residents and about $14,691 for out-of-state residents. It is important to note that these annual tuition costs are simply averages; depending on the school and the program you opt for, the costs may be lower or higher. The cost of a distance education degree in clinical psychology also varies with the school and program.

Testing & Preparation

Check out the divisions of the American Psychological Association for better understanding of the different areas in psychology. The testing and preparation requirements vary with the school and your area of interest. However, a fair amount of research experience will give you an edge over the others.

Schools

Many colleges across the USA are well-known for their amazing psychology programs. This list includes reputed names such as University of Michigan, Stanford, Yale, Harvard, and University of California. You can also obtain online psychology degrees through universities like Capella, Walden, and Liberty.

Financial Aid

You can offset your education costs by taking advantage of the numerous opportunities given by colleges and universities in the form of scholarships, grants and loans, and federal student aid. The American Psychological Association offers over a dozen scholarships to psychology students. So, weigh all the financial options before choosing a place to study.