An Overview of Earning Masters Degree in Psychology

An Overview of Earning Master's Degree in Psychology More in Student Resources APA Style and Writing Study Guides and Tips Careers In This Article Table of Contents Expand Overview Job Opportunities Earning a Degree Master's Degree Before a Doctorate Program Types Alternatives Are you thinking about earning a masters degree in psychology? A masters degree can open up a whole new world of career opportunities, but you should start by exploring whats involved in order to determine if its the right educational choice for you. Heres information about earning a masters degree in psychology, including how long it will take, your career options after graduation, and possible alternative degrees that you might want to consider. Overview A masters degree in psychology is a graduate-level degree that generally involves two to three years of study beyond your undergraduate (bachelors) degree. The two most common types of psychology masters degrees are the Master of Arts (M.A.) and the Master of Science (M.S.). An M.A. degree may indicate a stronger liberal arts focus, while an M.S. usually means theres a stronger concentration on research and the sciences. The type of degree offered depends on the school and program, however, since the academic requirements are often very similar. Some masters programs in psychology offer what is known as a terminal degree. This type of degree is designed to prepare graduates for professional practice in their specialty area. In other cases, a masters degree may serve as preparation for further study at the doctoral level. Specific course requirements can vary considerably, so take a careful look at the course outline of any program you are considering. You may also have to choose between a thesis and non-thesis option. Completing a thesis is a good choice if youre interested in further graduate study, while the non-thesis alternative might be ideal if you are more interested in entering the workforce immediately after graduation. Job Opportunities While having a masters degree means youll find more job opportunities than you will at the bachelors level, job options are still limited if youre interested in entering the field of professional psychology. A terminal masters program, however, does open the door to entry-level jobs in fields such as mental health, industrial-organizational psychology, and forensic psychology. Other potential sectors of employment include colleges, universities, private businesses, and government. Earning a Degree If youre interested in pursuing a masters degree in psychology, it pays to start planning early. Take a look at the requirements of a few programs youre considering, and then be sure to schedule all of the pre-requisite courses during your years of undergraduate study. Statistics, experimental methods, and developmental psychology are just a few of the common courses required by psychology graduate programs. Before you apply to a masters program, you may also be required to take the Graduate Record Examination or GRE. In addition to taking the main test, you might also need to take the GRE Psychology Subject Test. Once youve been admitted to a masters program, take note of the required courses, and check out your schools class offering schedule. Some classes are only offered every other semester or every other year, so plan carefully to ensure that you are able to take all the classes you need at the times you need them. Masters Degree Before a Doctorate One of the biggest questions facing students interested in earning a graduate degree in psychology is whether or not they should earn a masters degree before applying to a doctoral program. Many Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs do not require a masters degree, and students are able to begin these doctoral programs immediately after completing their bachelors degrees. If youre unsure if doctoral study is right for you, a masters degree can be a good option. Spend some time talking to your college advisor and faculty members to determine which option is the best choice based on your educational interests and career goals. Program Types While there are generalist programs available, many students elect to focus on a particular specialty area. Some of the different types of masters programs available include: M.A. or M.S. in experimental  psychologyM.A. or M.S. in industrial-organizational psychologyM.A. or M.S. in forensic  psychologyM.A. or M.S. in clinical psychologyM.A. or M.S. in social psychologyM.A. or M.S. in child development In addition to traditional masters programs, there are a variety of online masters degrees in psychology available. Alternatives If you determine that a masters degree in psychology is not the best choice to help you fulfill your academic and career goals, there are a number of related alternative programs to choose from. If you know that you want to work in the field of mental health, there are still plenty of other areas to consider. Counseling, social work, school psychology, education, and health sciences are other academic options that might also appeal to you. Some possible alternative degrees include: Ph.D. in psychologyDoctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)Masters in social workMasters in counselingMasters in sociologyMasters in academic affairsMasters in education