What Type of Psychology Degree Is Right for You?

Hours Categories Psychology

For anyone interested in the study of human behavior, there are a variety of psychology degrees offered by different colleges and universities. How can you know which one is right for you? Whether it’s undergraduate or graduate, the right degree can help you start or advance in your career.

When deciding which type of psychology degree to pursue, it is also important to consider the psychology field you are most passionate about. Understanding the different specializations in the field will help you select your desired concentration. We’ve compiled popular psychology degrees and concentrations below.

The Basics of Bachelor’s Degrees

A bachelor’s degree in psychology provides you with knowledge of the factors that affect human behavior and the techniques that treat behavioral and psychological disorders. Typical jobs associated with this degree include government case manager, career counselor and rehabilitation specialist. An undergraduate degree in psychology also provides you with the foundation necessary to further your education with a master’s degree and/or beyond.

Undergraduate Concentrations

Here are a few of the possible concentrations available to bachelor’s degree students:

The study of how people behave in the workplace and what we can do to improve efficiency and productivity.

The study of how behaviors help or hinder our learning and what strategies teachers can use to more effectively convey information.

The traditional study of mental health and the causes of mental illness, as well as how to treat these diseases.

The study of how humans behave in social situations and how we develop relationships, both platonic and romantic.

The Basics of Master’s Degrees

Master’s degrees in psychology build on the fundamentals learned in a bachelor’s degree program and provide a deeper understanding of topics including: research methods, cognitive psychology, learning theory and ethical practices in psychology. Typically, master’s programs emphasize research, and some programs include a thesis or final capstone project.

There are more careers available for students who graduate with a Master’s degree in Psychology. Graduate degree holders can pursue career options including clinical psychologists, counselors, social workers as well as psychologists.

Master’s Degree Concentrations

Some master’s degree concentrations include:

The study of various forms of media and how they influence human behavior.

The study of how behaviors help or hinder our learning and what strategies teachers can use to more effectively convey information.

The study of how human development affects our perceptions of surroundings and our social behavior.

The study of cognitive processes and brain activity and how that affects human behavior.

The study of how changes in the nervous system affect our immediate behavior, especially relating to motivation, learning, attention and perception.

The Basics of Doctoral Degrees

The terminal psychology degree is a doctorate, which expands even further on psychology concepts. A doctoral program will have an even deeper emphasis on research with students participating in significant individual research and study. The culmination of this degree is usually a dissertation, an applied research project to the profession of the student.

There are two primary doctoral degrees for psychology students, a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) and a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology). A Ph.D. program focuses on the scientist-practitioner model, meaning that psychologists will be trained with a foundation of research and science. The PsyD model is called the practitioner-scholar model and refers to using techniques to solve problems rather than research.

Doctoral Research Tracks

Instead of concentrations, doctorate degrees involve particular research tracks that vary from program to program. Here is one example:

Students will use skills to lead a series of research seminars and development courses as well as develop skills in a particular specialty.

This concentration focuses on a research project with extensive data collection and analysis.

Students will lead a research team in a project that helps solve a problem.

What’s Next?

Now that you have a better understanding of the degree and concentration that are right for you…now what? Whether you’ve decided on a bachelor, masters or doctorate level degree, Touro University Worldwide has psychology degree options at all levels. All of TUW’s psychology programs are offered fully online, so you can learn at a time and place convenient for you. Learn the most modern psychology techniques from dedicated and experienced faculty, and gain the skills you need to advance your career starting today.

For more information about TUW’s psychology degrees, visit any one of our program pages below:

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