Preparing for a Career in Psychology

1. 1
PSYCHOLOGY
(9th Edition)
David Myers
PowerPoint Slides
Aneeq Ahmad
Henderson State University
Worth Publishers, © 2010

2. 2
Careers in Psychology
Appendix A

3. 3
Careers in Psychology
Preparing for a Career in
Psychology
 The Bachelor’s Degree
 Postgraduate Degrees

4. 4
Careers in Psychology
Subfields of Psychology
Preparing Early for Graduate
Study in Psychology

5. 5
Preparing for a Career in
Psychology
As the 2nd
most popular college major in
the U.S., psychology prepares students
for a vast array of jobs.

6. 6
The Bachelor’s Degree
Psychology undergraduates offer
important skills which include:
1. Interpersonal skills
2. Willingness to learn new skills
3. Adaptability to change
4. Critical-thinking skills
5. Problem-solving skills

7. 7
Postgraduate Degrees
Requirements
The Master’s Degree: 2+ years of graduate study in a
subfield of psychology and an internship &/or thesis
Doctoral Degrees: 5-7 years of graduate study in a
subfield of psychology and to earn a:
-Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy), completion of a
dissertation.
-Psy.D. (doctor of psychology), completion of clinical
work and exams.

8. 8
Subfields of Psychology
Psychologist What she/he does
Clinical (licensed)
Studies, assesses, and treats people
with psychological disorders
Cognitive
Studies how we perceive, think, and
solve problems
Community
Enhances environmental setting to
improve individual functioning
Counseling Helps with adjustment problems
Developmental
Conducts & applies research in age-
related behavioral changes

9. 9
Subfields of Psychology
Psychologist What she/he does
Educational
Studies relationships between learning
and environments
Experimental
(research)
Investigates a variety of behavioral
processes in humans and animals
Health
Focuses on health promotion and
disease prevention
Forensic
Applies psychological principles in the
areas of research, policy, and law
enforcement
Industrial/
Organizational
(I/O)
Studies the relationship between
people and their work environments

10. 10
Subfields of Psychology
Psychologist What she/he does
Neuropsychologist
Studies the relationship between
neurological processes and behavior
Psychometric &
Quantitative
Studies methods and techniques used
to acquire psychological knowledge
Rehabilitation
Works with people with loss of
functioning to restore some or all of it
School
Assesses and intervenes with children
in school setting
Social Studies our interactions with others
Sports
Studies the factors involved in physical
activities to apply it to everyday
knowledge

11. 11
Preparing Early for Graduate Study in
Psychology
1. Network
2. Become involved in research
3. Volunteer in the field
4. Get good grades
5. Study and take the GRE