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Introduction to Psychology
Psychology is the study of people: how they think, how they act, react and interact. It is concerned with all aspects of behavior and the thoughts, feelings and motivations underlying such behavior. Psychology uses scientific methods to test and prove its theories on human behavior and using this knowledge aims to help people deal with their problems and bring about change for the better.
According to the British Psychological Society, ‘psychologists and psychological research have a big impact on all aspects of public life, particularly in areas such as education, health, the economy, industry and social justice.’ The far reaching and different disciplines of modern psychology offer increasingly popular, highly sought after and rewarding areas of work. The growing demand for qualified psychology graduates means an ever expanding range of careers and opportunities are open to students, particularly those with masters degrees and PhDs from top graduate schools.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
There are many different fields of psychology and increasingly varied areas of specialization. Broadly speaking, these include Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Occupational Psychology, Neuropsychology, Sport and Exercise Psychology and Teaching and Research Psychology.
In order to gain admission into a top graduate school, to complete a masters degree or Ph D program in the UK most schools require completion of an undergraduate degree in psychology obtaining either a first class or high second class grade. An MSc is usually seen as a gateway to a research PhD program.
For admission into graduate schools in the US the American Psychological Association (APA) says, “Most graduate departments make entrance decisions on a variety of factors, including test scores, GPA, course selection, recommendations, and practical experience. Most departments furthermore require that you take a standard aptitude test, usually the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Although programs vary in the weight they attach to test scores, successful applicants typically score well above 500 on both the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE.”
Work experience in your chosen field is strongly desirable but not always essential. Due to the confidential nature of psychological work, it is often difficult to acquire relevant work experience. This combined with the strong competition for graduate school programs mean work placements are not necessarily easy to find. If you are thinking of applying to a top graduate school in order to study psychology then working in a voluntary position, e.g. in the health service or education, can often strengthen your application.
WHAT I WILL LEARN/SKILLS I WILL ACQUIRE
The skills one gains when completing a masters degree or a PhD program depends largely on what areas the student has chosen to specialize in. All courses give the student a comprehensive knowledge in the assessment of personality, intelligence and attitudes, interviewing techniques, questionnaire design and analysis, child development and methods of teaching and learning as well as specialized research in their field of study.
Postgraduate study also provides introduction and access to becoming a chartered psychologist. Employers often prefer to appoint chartered psychologists because the title is the public’s guarantee that the person is trained, qualified and answerable to an independent professional body.
According to the APA, to independently practice as a psychologist anywhere in the United States or Canada, you must be licensed for such. Before granting you permission to take the licensing exam, the state licensing board will review your educational background. A doctoral degree does not automatically make you eligible; requirements vary from state to state. At a minimum, states require that the doctorate be in psychology or a field of study “primarily psychological in nature” and that it be from a regionally accredited institution. You also must have had at least 2 years of supervised professional experience.
POST-QUALIFICATION CAREERS
Psychologists are probably best known for their work in the health and education services, but a psychology degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities in many different walks of life. As a Chartered Psychologist, there are many career options open to candidates that are both emotionally and financially rewarding. According to economists at the Department of Labor in the US, opportunities for people with graduate degrees in psychology are expected to grow between 10% and 20% by 2010. Unemployment and underemployment for psychology graduates remain below what is noted for other scientists and engineers, and few drop out of the field.
