"Mini-Guide" to an Online Psychology Degree

• “Psychology majors study the behavior and mental (emotional, learning, and thought) processes of animals and humans. You learn psychological principles, facts, and theories about individuals and groups, using experimental, observational and case study methods.”

- College Board Book of Majors, 2nd edition

• "[Psychology] is a science, depending on and informing physics, physiology, biochemistry and so on. It is related to the humanities because it depends on different philosophies, learns from and guide human interaction, and tells us how to deal with one another. It influences many other professions, from standards like ophthalmology and audiology to new files like virtual reality. It helps decision makers make plans for the military, schools, and hospitals."

- What Can You Do with a Major in Psychology? O'Hara, 2005

• “Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. The discipline embraces all aspects of the human experience — from the functions of the brain to the actions of nations, from child development to care for the aged. In every conceivable setting from scientific research centers to mental health care services, ‘the understanding of behavior' is the enterprise of psychologists.”

- American Psychological Association (APA)

• "Psychologists study the human mind and human behavior. Research psychologists investigate the physical, cognitive, emotional, or social aspects of human behavior. Psychologists in health service provider fields provide mental health care in hospitals, clinics, schools, or private settings. Psychologists employed in applied settings, such as business, industry, government, or nonprofits, provide training, conduct research, design systems, and act as advocates for psychology."

- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Psychologists"

Think about an online psychology degree program if:

• You enjoy trying to figure people out, especially yourself.
• You enjoy the "Self-Help" and "Relationships" aisles of Barnes & Noble.
• You can cope with stress.
• Friends and family seek your advice.
• You believe that the scientific method is the best way to test the effectiveness of people-helping methods.
• You are compassionate and enjoy working with a variety of individuals.
• You possess a caring nature.
• You enjoy science and biology.
• You are naturally curious about the human personality, why things happen and what makes people "tick".
• You like listening to people and being a shoulder to cry on.
• You are naturally socialable and investigative.
• You enjoy taking self-quizzes and personality tests.
• You secretly think you are better at helping people sort through their personal problems than Dr. Phil or Oprah.

If an online psychology degree or becoming a psychologist isn't quite right for you, consider these fields instead:

• Communications:
  Learn how to utilize the latest technology to convey information with the greatest effectiveness while catering messages to target specific audiences.
  Online Communications Degrees | Online Communications Programs
• Counseling:
  Understand the needs of individuals working to overcome life's challenges; learn how to best diagnose, treat, and help persons with behavioral and emotional disorders.
  Online Counseling Degrees | Online Counseling Programs
• Education:
  Know how the human mind processes and retains information and how different stages of development can affect those systems. Understand what methods and interactive tools are most engaging for every grade and subject.
  Online Education Degrees | Online Education Certificates
• Human Services:
  Learn about the needs of those living with violence, isolation, or poverty; what services are needed, how to initiate and manage the programs designed to ensure wellbeing and safety.
  Online Human Services Degrees | Online Human Services Certificates
• Sociology:
  Examine intricacies of human relationships how people relate to each other and how that pertains society as a whole.
  Online Sociology Degrees

Most schools allow you to choose a specialization – a focused area of study within the psychology degree.

• Child Psychology
  This popular branch of psychology deals with the different developmental stages of behavior beginning with the prenatal period and ending with completed growth within the areas such as language, learning, perception, and social interaction.
• Clinical Psychology
  Develop fundamental skills such as method and practice, psychology theories, and principles of empirical practice; heighten awareness and sensitivity for individual diversity, ethical practice and conduct.
• Educational Psychology
  Understand the stages of individual cognitive and learning growth and maturity; learn about historical and contemporary theories; develop and apply research methodology and evaluation skills.
• Forensic Psychology
  Forensic psychology is the intersection of mental health and the legal system. In order to apply psychological principles and knowledge to criminal justice and legal situations, you will need advanced knowledge of psychological concepts and theories; analytical, statistical and evaluation skills, as well as an in-depth understanding of the legal system.
• Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  Focus upon research methodology, theory and skills as a liaison for use in the business and work environment; understand corporate communication styles and learn how to use the resources within an organization to establish a motivating, inclusive and productive atmosphere.
• Marriage and Family Therapy
  In this rewarding field, students delve into the concepts, philosophy, and theories that are fundamental to family therapy. Develop interviewing as well as empirical skills, and learn how to assess and diagnose unhealthy behaviors.
• Social Psychology
  In this concentration, you will explore the ways in which individuals react to each other and why they interact in such ways; understand what causes certain emotional responses and how specific kinds relationships affect individual interaction.
• Sport Psychology
  Apply contemporary research and theory to the field of professional athleticism; learn strategies and methodology to motivate athletes; help them cope with stress or injury, and develop the communication skills necessary to be a successful liaison.

While the exact curriculum will vary from school to school, here are some of the courses you might take as a psychology major:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Adult Development
• Basic Forensic Psychology
• Child Development
• Cognitive Psychology
• Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Development of the Personality
• Developmental Psychology
• Experimental Psychology
• History of Psychology
• Introduction to Psychology
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• Learning and Memory
• Neuroanatomy
• Perception
• Physiological Psychology
• Psychology of Women and Gender
• Research Methods in Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Tests and Measurement

When you have completed your online psychology degree, you will likely have gained many of the following skills and competencies:

• Ability to gain current information about psychology and psychological research using such sources as libraries, printed reference material, etc.
• Ability to think critically to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes
• Appreciation of diversity, including individual differences, diversity of abilities, and socioeconomic, lifestyle, cultural and linguistic diversity
• Competency with empirical evaluation and analytical skills
• Development of personal insight into their your own behavior and mental processes, as well as those of others, and the ability to apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Function professionally with a high level of ethical and moral sensitivity as presented in the APA Code of Ethics
• Mastery of statistics and scientific methods
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to successfully work in a team
• Superb reading comprehension and writing ability
• Understanding of how science informs practice and how practice informs science
• Understanding of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology

As a multidisciplinary major focusing upon the behavior of individuals, the diversity of the human experience, and how personal experience affects decorum, psychology majors are needed in a variety of industries, such as:

• Advertising Agencies
• Colleges and Universities
• Commercial Retailers
• Correctional Institutions
• Counseling Centers
• Day Care Centers
• Employment, Recruitment and Staffing Companies
• Government and Public-Sector Organizations
• Hospitals
• Market Research Firms
• Mental Health Care Providers
• Non-Profit Organizations
• PR Firms
• Public and Private Schools
• Secondary (High) Schools
• State and Federal Government
• Youth Services

Possible Job Titles for Associate's or Bachelor's Psychology Degree Holders/Entry Level Job Titles

Here is a sampling of jobs you for which you may be qualified with a degree in psychology. Remember that requirements differ from state to state, and certain credentials may be required. Use this for inspiration, remembering that this many represents some, but certainly not all, of the careers can consider.

• Art Therapist
• Child Welfare Caseworker
• Copywriter
• Development Assistant
• Human Resources Assistant or HR Specialist
• Market Research Analyst
• Media Buyer
• Media Planner
• Public Relations Specialist
• Research Assistant
• Retail Buyer
• Teacher

Possible Job Titles for Advanced Psychology Degree Holders

• Addictions Counselor
• AIDS Counselor
• Career Counselor
• Clinical Counselor
• Marriage/Family Counselor
• Mental Health Counselor
• Rehabilitation Counselor

Though psychologists earn the highest income within the field of psychology, they also require the most education (practicing psychologists usually hold a Ph.D. or Psy.D.)

• Child Psychologist
• Clinical Psychologist
• College Professor
• Developmental Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychologist
• Neuropsychologist
• Psychotherapist
• School Psychologist
• Social Psychology