Best Master's Programs in Psychology

Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate degrees, with many graduates going on to apply for a Master's in Psychology program. Undergraduate degrees in education and counseling are also common among individuals seeking a Master's in Psychology, especially among students aiming to work as school counselors in the future. Social work is another relatively popular undergraduate degree, along with sociology and other social sciences for those interested in a Master's in Psychology.

Students with an interest in working for commercial companies may choose to complete undergraduate degrees in finance, human resources, or management. While others may take a more science-based path, completing their undergraduate training in health sciences, biology, and in some instances, pre-med courses.

The requirements for entry into a Master's in Psychology program vary; however, there are some standard requirements. Most programs require students to have a GPA of at least 3.0 although, some of the top schools require a GPA of 3.5. It is becoming increasingly more common for schools to require students to submit GRE test scores as well. Some schools are now requiring students to take the GRE psychology specialty test. The average total score among those admitted is often around 620.

An admission essay and at least two letters of recommendation are standard admission requirements at most schools. It is also becoming more common for schools to require students to attend an in-person interview to assess suitability.

Students need to weigh up a host of different factors when deciding on a Master's in Psychology program. One of the first considerations should be the various concentrations offered by schools. Students must ensure the concentration they want to study is offered at the school they are interested in attending.

It is vital that students make sure they attend an accredited school. Not only is accreditation a requirement for financial aid, but in most states, it is also a requirement for licensure as a clinical psychologist.

Another major consideration relates to the cost of tuition. The cost varies considerably between schools, so students will need to investigate the cost of completing a master's program at the schools they are interested in. Generally, attending an in-state school will be significantly cheaper than studying out-of-state.

Most schools offer a Master's of Arts in Psychology, or a Master's of Science in Psychology. A Master's of Science in Psychology often focuses on research and the science of the brain and behavior, while a Master's of Arts in Psychology typically has a liberal arts focus, though the academic requirements are often similar between them.

Most programs require students to complete between 36 and 54 credits. Programs can often be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Students will usually complete a combination of core and elective classes. Some schools require the completion of a thesis, while other schools require a portfolio and the completion of a comprehensive examination before graduation.

Psychology Foundational Courses

Most schools require students to complete a specified number of core, or foundational courses as part of their program of study. There is a degree of choice at some schools whereby students can choose their core classes from a larger pool of courses. In these instances, there are a set number of core classes they must complete. Some of the standard core classes for a Master's in Psychology include:

• Theories of Personality, which explores the development of personality, biological determinants, and self-esteem.
• Evolutionary Psychology, which looks at the factors that influence how humans think and interact.
• Developmental Psychology, which teaches students about different cognitive processes and how the brain develops.
• Social Psychology, which focuses on different aspects of society like social norms and conformity, and how they impact the thought process.

Psychology Specialist and Elective Courses

The elective options vary between schools and are generally in-line with the specialties offered. Possible elective courses include:

• Sports Psychology - explores the relationship between the mind and performance in the sporting arena.
• Counseling - considers the theories and practice of counseling.
• Addiction and Substance Abuse - explores the relationship between psychological principles and addiction.
• Organizational Psychology - looks at the behavior of employees in the work environment.
• Forensic Psychology - introduces psychology in the context of the behavior and motivations of criminals.

Licensure and Certification in Psychology

A license is required in all states to work as a clinical psychologist. To obtain a license, the candidate must:

• Complete their training at an accredited school;
• Hold a Doctorate in Psychology;
• Complete between 1,500 and 6,000 supervised hours of practice (depending on the state of the application);
• Pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.

There are similar certification requirements for those wishing to practice as counselors. Specialist certifications in counseling are available with certification dependent on the completion of an examination in the specialist area.

Those wishing to work as a school psychologist will need to obtain state licensure and then meet the state's Department of Education requirements. Usually, either a certification or license is required to work in a public school. Passing a teaching certification examination or an internship within a school are common Department of Education requirements.

A range of concentrations are available to students studying for the Masters in Psychology degree. Not all schools offer the same concentrations, so students must ensure the school they intend to attend offers the concentration they wish to pursue. Some of the more common concentrations include:

• School Psychology - focuses on young people and how to help them develop life skills and achieve their goals.
• Forensic Psychology - teaches students about the motivations of criminals and how to assess them clinically.
• Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology - focuses on learning the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and its various applications.
• Clinical Psychology - provides students with an understanding of psychopathology and its applications in a health and mental health setting.
• Counseling Psychology - focuses on the skills needed to assist those with physical, emotional, and mental health issues so they are able to resolve any crisis and their overall sense of well-being is improved.

There are a range of different factors to consider when deciding what to do after obtaining a master's degree in psychology. If students want to practice as a clinical psychologist, they will require a doctorate in most states. Many students complete a master's degree before moving on to their doctorate. Others may forgo a Master's in Psychology and move straight to a doctorate.

Doctorate programs are usually completed with full-time study on campus. They will typically take between four and seven years, during which the student will undertake research in a particular area of interest and write a thesis based on this research. Most doctorate students will also have teaching responsibilities within the school. Like the master's program, students will also complete a combination of core and elective coursework.

There are two doctorates available to students in psychology, The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology has a strong research focus and is better suited to those students looking to pursue a career in research or academia. The Doctor of Psychology focuses primarily on clinical practice. As it does not have the extensive research requirements of the Doctor of Philosophy program it typically takes less time.

A number of professional organizations exist in the field of psychology.

The American Psychological Association (APA) has over 122,000 members. The benefits of being a member of the APA include continuing education programs, networking opportunities, peer support, career support, and access to a range of resources. The APA will also advocate on behalf of its members.

The American Academy of Clinical Psychology (AACP) offers discounted liability insurance, continuing education webinars, a resource library, a member's directory, and opportunities to publish research in the Academy's journal with membership. The AACP also advocates on mental health policy on behalf of its members. Standard membership costs $30 each year.

There are a number of professional organizations that focus on a specific area of interest. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is important for those practicing in the field. It offers educational opportunities, networking, career resources, and a jobs board to its members. The AACAP has regional branches throughout the US. It advocates on policy in this area of study on behalf of its members. Mentorship programs are available to student members of the AACAP.

A Master's in Psychology does not necessarily mean that the student plans on pursuing a career as a psychologist. Opportunities for graduates with a Master's in Psychology are increasing as more organizations realize the benefit of employing a person with knowledge in this area, as psychology has a role to play in most human interactions and behaviors.

Counseling psychology is an option is for those who wish to practice but do not want to study for a doctorate. There are a range of specialist counseling jobs available, including addiction counselors, mental health counselors, and school counselors.

For those with medical training, a Master's in Psychology could help them develop a career as a psychiatrist.

Some of the less prominent roles that graduates may work in include probation and corrections officers, behavioral analysts, policy analysts, and market researchers. Within law enforcement, a psychology qualification may open the door to forensic psychology roles and specialist roles such as criminal profilers. The legal system sees psychology graduates working as jury selection and courtroom consultants. Other graduates may become psychology teachers.

An increasing number of people and organizations are only just realizing the role psychology plays in everyday life, and opportunities for future graduates will always be available.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Psychology

Although it is an exciting time to pursue a career in the commercial world, that utilizes the skills and knowledge learned by completing the master's program, the immediate job outlook for graduates looking to pursue careers as psychologists is not as bright. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment growth of just 3% between 2019 and 2029. However, this alone is not an accurate reflection of the job outlook for those with a master's in psychology.

Many of the specialist roles that graduates may look to move into are experiencing strong growth. Substance abuse, addictions, mental health, and behavioral counselors, for example, are expected to experience growth of 25% over the period 2019 to 2029. Criminal profilers fall under forensic science technicians, who have an expected growth rate of 14%.

According to the BLS, the demand for market research analysts is expected to increase by 18% and social service managers by 17%. This suggests that while demand for psychologists might be slow, the demand for those with a master's in psychology to work in peripheral areas is the complete opposite.

How to Become a Sports Psychologist

One exciting career path is working as a sports psychologist. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of professional sports teams having a psychologist on staff to work with players, with the US employing the most sports psychologists globally. For any sports fan with a qualification in psychology, this may sound like a dream job.

Sports psychologists work with both professional and amateur athletes helping them to use their minds to improve their performance. They might help athletes improve their mental state during pressure situations or work with players to help them outthink their opponents. Sports psychologists have become vital members of the coaching staff for several professional teams. Often, sports psychologists help athletes address other aspects of their lives as well.

How to Become a Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychologists are involved in determining criminals' motivations, assessing them to ensure fitness to stand trial, and making rehabilitation plans. They may also appear in the courtroom as an expert witness during trials. In addition to a Doctorate in Psychology, they will often have completed studies in criminology or criminal justice.

The field of forensic psychology is changing, and with governments looking for alternatives to custodial sentencing, the role of forensic psychologists is starting to move away from correctional facilities and into areas like probation and law enforcement.

Students studying for a Master's in Psychology are eligible to receive financial aid in the form of loans, grants, or work-study programs. Financial aid is awarded based on need. The first step to receiving financial aid is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is important that students remember it may take some time to process their application, so it is recommended that the application is made sooner rather than later.

Most schools have a financial aid office or webpage. These are valuable resources when determining if a student is eligible for financial aid from a given school.

Most states also offer financial aid. The requirements for state financial aid are available from the relevant state agency for the respective state.

Additionally, a range of scholarships are available to students studying for a Master's in Psychology.

• The NAJA Graduate Scholarship is for second-year graduate students who plan to work with children. The scholarship has a September deadline for applications.
• The DatingAdvice.com Future Counselors of America Scholarship is worth $500. Students need to submit an essay examining the psychology of online dating with their application.