Are you interested in pursuing a career in psychology? If so, an online degree in psychology might be the perfect opportunity for you. With an online degree from an accredited university, you can further your education from the comfort of your own home and at a pace that fits into your everyday life.
An online degree in psychology could lead to many different career opportunities, including working as a clinical psychologist, school therapist, or industrial-organizational psychologist. Read on to learn more about why you should pursue an online degree in psychology and what it can lead to as a future career path.
Better Work-Life Balance
If you have ever dreamed of pursuing a career in psychology, then an online degree in psychology could give you the work-life balance that you are looking for. Working as a psychologist can be a very demanding career, requiring long hours and weekends on-call, so having the ability to work from home and set your hours can be a major benefit.
The average salary for a psychologist is around $73,000, so with an online degree, you could potentially earn the same salary, but with fewer hours, making it a great option for those who want to balance their work and home life.
An online degree also allows you to pursue an advanced degree and specialize in a specific area of psychology, such as industrial-organizational psychology or clinical psychology. This can help you earn a higher salary and open up a wider range of career opportunities.
Online Classes Are Ideal For Working Adults
If you are an adult who is pursuing a degree in psychology, then you might be wondering if online classes are right for you. The good news is that online classes are a great choice for working adults. With online classes, you can set your own pace, take classes at your convenience, and receive feedback from your professors quickly and easily.
With online psychology degree programs, you can also work with tutors who specialize in teaching adult learners. Online classes also come with lots of helpful features, such as live chat rooms, discussion boards, videos, and more. These features can help you connect with your peers and ask questions about the course content.
Online Degree Options in Psychology
If you enjoy learning about human behavior and psychology, then pursuing a degree in psychology could be a great choice for you. Psychology is a very broad field, so there are a variety of psychology degree options, including clinical psychology, counseling psychology, industrial organizational psychology, and more.
Each degree has a different focus and can lead to very different career paths. For example, someone with a degree in industrial organizational psychology might work as a personnel manager, while a clinical psychologist might work in a hospital or private practice.
The possibilities are endless. For the online psychology degrees that are currently available, students usually need to have a bachelor’s degree in psychology before they can apply.
Since there are so many different types of psychology degrees, you may also need to complete certain core courses in psychology such as abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and experimental psychology.
Potential Careers After Pursuing an Online Degree in Psychology
If you pursue an online degree in psychology, you have the potential to open up a wide range of career opportunities. The skills that you learn with an online psychology degree, such as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills, could apply to many different types of careers.
After pursuing an online degree in psychology, you could work as a clinical psychologist, counseling psychologist, research psychologist, or industrial-organizational psychologist. A clinical psychologist could work in a hospital setting, private practice, or focus on treating addiction or mental health issues.
A counseling psychologist could work in a school or with children to help them with emotional or behavioral issues. A research psychologist could work in a lab or focus on surveying and interviewing people.
An industrial-organizational psychologist could focus on improving workplace environments, helping employers select employees, or selecting employees for hire. These are just some of the potential careers that are open to psychology majors.
Research Psychologist
If you enjoy conducting research and solving problems, then pursuing an online degree in psychology could lead to a career as a research psychologist. Research psychologists often work in academic research centers and are responsible for designing experiments, analyzing data, and publishing findings in psychology journals.
A research psychologist can earn around $84,000 on average and often has a doctoral degree, such as a Ph.D. or PsyD. To become a research psychologist, you will likely need to complete a Ph.D. in psychology. A Ph.D. in psychology is a very rigorous and challenging degree but could lead to a career in academia and many different research opportunities.
Clinical Psychologist
If you enjoy helping people and want to work in a helping profession, then an online degree in psychology could lead to a career as a clinical psychologist. Clinical psychologists work with patients to treat mental health issues and often work in hospitals, private practice clinics, or schools.
To become a clinical psychologist, you will likely need to complete a Ph.D. in psychology, complete a year-long internship, and be licensed by the state. Becoming a clinical psychologist is a challenging career path, but can be very rewarding.
Counseling Psychologist
If you enjoy helping people and want to work in a helping profession, then an online degree in psychology could lead to a career as a counseling psychologist. Counseling psychologists work primarily with children and adolescents in a school setting to help them deal with emotional issues, social issues, and behavioral issues.
To become a counseling psychologist, you will likely need to complete a Ph.D. in psychology and pass a state exam. Counseling psychologists can also work in private practice, helping adults with emotional issues.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
If you enjoy analyzing data and problem-solving skills and want to work in a business environment, then pursuing an online degree in psychology could lead to a career as an industrial-organizational psychologist. Industrial-organizational psychologists work with businesses to help improve work environments, manage employees, and find new ways to increase productivity.
To become an industrial-organizational psychologist, you will likely need to complete a Ph.D. in psychology and pass a state exam. Industrial-organizational psychologists can often make six figures but may need to work for a large company to be successful.
Summing Up
If you enjoy learning about human behavior and psychology, then pursuing an online degree in psychology can open up many different career paths. With an online degree, you can pursue an advanced degree, such as a Ph.D. in psychology, and specialize in a specific type of psychology.
With an online degree, you also can earn a good salary, work in a helping profession, and have a better work-life balance. With an online degree, you could work as a clinical psychologist, research psychologist, counseling psychologist, or industrial-organizational psychologist. These are just some of the many potential careers that are open to psychology majors.