The field of psychology has exploded in popularity over the last decade. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, almost two-thirds (61%) of adults in the United States now say they are open to exploring new career opportunities in the field of psychology, making it one of the fastest growing professions for that demographic.
With the demand for qualified workers continuing to grow, prospective students have more opportunities than ever before to advance their education and pursue their passions from anywhere in the world.
If you’re interested in pursuing a degree program in psychology online or in an alternative format, there are many different paths you can take. Depending on your interests and career aspirations, there are numerous types of degrees that may be right for you.
What is Psychology?
The word “psychology” comes from the Greek word “psychology”, which means the study of the human mind. It’s the study of human behavior and mental processes. It is an applied science that aims to understand individuals and groups by studying their interactions and behaviors.
It’s an interesting field of study. Many different studies fall under the umbrella of psychology. Some studies focus on how people think, how they learn, and how they remember things.
Some studies focus on how people interact with one another, how they communicate, and how they solve problems together. So, this is a very multi-faceted field of study, and there are many different ways for people to specialize and focus their studies within the field of psychology.
How to Find the Best Online Psychology Programs
If you’re interested in pursuing an online or distance degree in psychology, you have many resource options available to you. First, many reputable online university and college websites regularly publish rankings and reviews of the best programs in the field.
A quick online search will reveal many of these, including websites like US News and World Report, and Great Colleges. These ranking resources can be helpful when researching programs and may provide you with some important information about schools you may not have been aware of before.
Next, many websites provide user reviews and feedback from current and former psychology students, including websites like Rate My Professor, and College Central. These resources can be helpful when you’re making your choices and can help you to find information about programs that you might otherwise not have known about.
Online forums and communities can also be helpful when you’re trying to find information about the best online psychology programs and may provide you with helpful information and advice from other students in the field.
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Bachelor’s degrees in psychology are generally designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the applied sciences of psychology. These programs are designed to give students a broad introduction to the field of psychology and will focus on the methods and tools that psychologists use to conduct research and explore human behavior.
These programs are designed to be four years in length, and many students also choose to pursue minors or additional specializations in other fields alongside their studies in psychology.
Bachelor’s in psychology programs are often designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the psychology field, and many of these programs also provide students with credits for continuing their education. Many bachelor’s in psychology programs also prepare students to sit the GRE and gain admission to graduate programs in psychology.
Master’s Online Degree in Psychology
A master’s degree in psychology online is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career as a licensed psychologist, or as a researcher or scientist in the field. These programs are designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field of study.
These programs are designed to be two years in length, and many students also choose to pursue research specializations or minors in other fields alongside their studies in psychology.
Master’s in psychology programs are often designed to prepare students for admittance to doctoral programs in psychology, and many of these programs also provide students with credits for continuing their education. Many master’s in psychology programs also prepare students to sit the GRE and gain admission to doctoral programs in psychology.
A Doctorate Online Degree in Psychology
A doctorate in psychology online is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career as a licensed psychologist or as a researcher or scientist in the field. These programs are designed for students who already have a master’s degree in psychology or a related field of study.
Most doctorate in psychology programs are designed to be five years in length, and many students also choose to pursue research specializations or minors in other fields alongside their studies in psychology.
Doctorate in psychology programs is often designed to prepare students to sit the GRE and gain admittance to licensed psychologist programs. Most doctorate in psychology programs also prepares students to sit the psychological licensing exam and become licensed psychologists.
A Professional Online Degree in Psychology
A professional degree in psychology online is designed for students who are interested in being involved in the business side of psychology. These programs are designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field of study.
These programs are designed to be two years in length, and many students also choose to pursue research specializations or minors in other fields alongside their studies in psychology. Professional in psychology programs are often designed to prepare students for admittance to doctoral programs in psychology, and many of these programs also provide students with credits for continuing their education.
Professional in psychology programs are often designed to prepare students for admittance to doctoral programs specializing in business psychology.
Conclusion
Choosing the right online psychology degree program is important, and it can be helpful to know what each type of degree offers students, and what each degree path might lead to. If you’re interested in pursuing an online or distance degree in psychology, you have many resource options available to you.
First, many reputable online university and college websites regularly publish rankings and reviews of the best programs in the field. Next, there are also many online forums, communities, and websites that provide user reviews and feedback from current and former psychology students.