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Psychologists/Counselors provide counseling services, treatments, and advice to individuals who are emotionally distressed, have mental issues, or suffer from addiction, learning disorders, and other behavioral disorders.

While there are a vast variety of areas to specialize in, some may choose to be experts in clinical health; treating people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or obesity, where others may specialize in mental health, which includes schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. Some of the best qualities of psychologists are that they are great listeners and big thinkers with a calm, relaxed demeanor, which are all essential traits for this profession.

These professionals take theoretical approaches while utilizing a range of techniques to assist patients to cope with or overcome mental, physical, and emotional challenges; enabling them to live a better lifestyle. Both psychologists and counselors may work in hospitals, clinics, schools, counseling centers, and private healthcare practices that may even be their own. Some of the fields a psychologist or counselor may work in are education and training, clinical research, and healthcare.

Components of A Successful Career in Psychology/Counseling

Vital components of a career in Psychology consists of the following:

• Earning an Associate’s degree, a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and possibly even a Doctorate

• Getting certified and licensed

• Earning a Master’s in Business (MBA) (1 to 2 years) - If you are considering starting your own practice

• Joining a professional association in your field

• Owning your craft by continuing your education and staying up-to-date on the latest trends and technology; taking extra courses, attending conferences and webinars, and reading newly published papers.

• Networking and creating your online social presence (According to the U.S. Department of Labor, over 80% of job openings are filled through networking)

• Most importantly, never forget your original goal to help people

How to Earn a Degree in Psychology or Counseling

Although there may be only a few career options for someone holding an associate’s degree in psychology, this degree is a good stepping stone to move up to a bachelor’s degree just the same as a bachelor’s degree can lead into a master’s, and a master’s to a doctorate.

The path to earning a degree in Psychology/counseling is as follows:

• Earn an associate’s degree (2 years)

• Bachelor’s degree (2 to 5 years) - Specialize in a specific area

• Master’s degree (2 to 3 years) with a focus on business

• Doctorate either in “psychology” or “Philosophy in psychology” (4 to 7 years)

• Post-doctorate training (1 year)

Typical Degree Requirements

The basic requirements for earning an associate’s degree in psychology/counseling include getting 50 to 60 credits while completing core requirements and 3 to 4 psychology electives. The full program typically takes 2 years to complete and will prepare you for the following employment opportunities:

• Addiction Rehabilitation Assistant

• Youth Counselor

• Home Care Aide

• Psychiatric Nursing Assistant

The basic requirements for earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology/counseling include getting 120 to 130 college credits. Of those 30 to 36 must be courses in psychology. This can take anywhere from 2 to 5 years to complete.

A bachelor’s degree can lead to many entry-level positions such as:

• Mental Health Technicians

• Human Resource Workers

• Case Managers

• Social Services Agents

The basic requirements for earning a Master’s degree in psychology/counseling include getting 35 to 45 credit hours, completing all of the curricular requirements, a practicum or an internship, and a master’s thesis. This program can be completed in 2 to 3 years.

Earning a master’s degree allows practitioners to get licensed and work at a private practice in certain states as well as landing a job in the following fields:

• Forensic Psychology

• Mental Health

• Business Psychology

The basic requirements for earning a Doctoral degree in psychology/counseling include getting 70 to 80 college credits, a project defense before a board, doctoral dissertation paper and project, and you must engage in a certain amount of hours of supervised therapy under a professional, experienced psychologist. This course may take 4 to 7 years to complete.

The Doctoral Degree in Psychology is the highest obtainable degree in this area. With this degree, you can do just about anything. Some common occupations include:

• Teacher

• Researcher

• Patient Diagnosis and Treatment

• Practitioner

Typical Certifications Needed

To practice psychology or counseling you must be state-licensed. Those who work at a federal or state institution, a research lab, a college or university, or certain corporations may be exempt from being licensed in some states.

After earning a doctoral, and completing a clinical post-doctoral internship, and dissertation, you are required to take and pass the ‘Professional Practice of Psychology’ exam and an ethics exam may also be required in some states.

Because each state has different licensure requirements, it is important that you check with the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) as they provide licensure information for all states.

It is mandatory in every state that school counselors receive school counselor state certification, some states may even require a teaching certificate and 2 – 5 years teaching experience as well.

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) offers a ‘National Certified Counselor’ (NCC) certification to graduate degree holders who complete at least 2 years of field work (CACREP-accredited programs graduates who are educated in counseling are exempt), as well as those who pass the ‘NBCC's National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification’ (NCE). This certification is voluntary, but if passed, you may be exempt from the state's required certification exam.

Other national organizations in general mental health counseling certifications include..:

• Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (NACCMHC)

• Certified Mental Health Counselor (CMHC)

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

The NBCC and other organizations, like the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC), also offer specialized certifications in fields like school counseling, addictions counseling, clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, and rehabilitation counseling.

To maintain their certification, NCCs must complete at least 100 hours of acceptable continuing education credit every five years (or retake and pass the NCE). State certifications also require continuing education, but the required amounts may differ by state.

Related Associations:

• National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

• Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC)

Academic Standards

The American Psychological Association (APA) sets guidelines for psychology training at both the undergraduate and graduate levels that include fairly standard curriculum, which must be adhered to in order to be recognized or accredited. Many states require licensed psychologists to continue their education which may include updating their subject matter, and knowledge of professional ethics, where most require at least 20 hours per year or 40 hours every two years.

Hence, other professional associations including the British Association for Counselling (BACP) sets training standards for psychotherapy and counseling in the U.K.

Exams and Experience Needed

All U.S. states and most Canadian provinces require that you pass the EPPP, created by the ASPPB, which consists of 225 multiple-choice questions. Passing scores are different in each state. However, most require at least 500, or 70%, on the computer-based exam. In addition, some states may also require that candidates also pass an oral exam, where others only require candidates to take a jurisprudence exam.

The licensure fees (including application, initial licensing costs, and exam fees) can range anywhere from $500 to over $1,000. For more information, check ASPPB's ‘Handbook of Licensure and Certification Requirements’. There are also study materials and prep courses available to help you out for a fee.

To obtain licensure, all states require that counselors in any field have experience. However, the amount of experience needed varies from state to state.

The School of Psychology & Counseling is devoted to cooperation among assisting careers that causes an alternative strategy to health, quality in research as well as medical skills, as well as lighting of job by faith. Building healthy marriages and also relationships, helping individuals to live even more functional as well as meeting lives, concentrating on students' well being and paving the way for their success, progressing the field with ground-breaking psychology research study- each is a ministry with infinite influence. LETU's psychology & counseling programs prepare you to make a real difference in the lives of others, despite your location of interest.

Award-winning professors with experience in the field act as your specialist advisors as well as engage with you in research study, mentorship and also international service. Experience maximum readiness with practicums and also clinical training in our on-campus Center for Counseling, as well as via partnerships with regional organizations.

Full both a Bachelor of Counseling Psychology and also Master of Arts in Clinical Health Counseling in just five years. Objective Declaration: The Institution of Psychology & Counseling engages trainees in an environment of quality, solution, professionalism and trust, and transformation faith. Pupils are committed to individual as well as professional growth as well as health, academic success, and honesty in job. Grads improve the lifestyle for people, pairs, households as well as areas via alternative assimilation of counseling and also the Christian worldview.

We're all familiar with these stereotypes of mental counseling. However regardless of what we've seen on TELEVISION or review in publications, these occupations are much more important as well as complicated than these random details would suggest. Counseling and psychology are our ideal actions to trauma and also mental disease. They help prevent or respond to major crises, as well as work to get people the aid they require so that they can go after more normal lives. And Also University Selection aspires to obtain you started as well as join this terrific field! We've compiled rankings like the Best Online Bachelor's Levels in Psychology, to aid you get your profession started appropriate!

The typical academic course begins with a four-year Bachelor's of Scientific research in Psychology. A counselor holds a Master's degree while psychologists have a PhD or a PsyD.Graduate colleges might vary, yet a lot of want an undergraduate GPA of 3.5, a minimal 1200 on the GRE, and evidence of job experience. While seeking a Master's degree, college students discover more about principles, individuality, and also specific evaluations. Master's programs last anywhere from one to 4 years. Master of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Master of Substance Abuse/Addiction.

People are amazed by psychology; it plays a vital part in several modern tv dramas, while likewise engaging us in the form of prominent publications and uplifting paper articles. But in spite of its popularity in the mainstream, psychology is also a facility, expert market, which uses well-trained professionals to study cognitive, psychological, as well as social actions in people. Psychologists are a few of one of the most well-positioned specialists in the contemporary economy, as they can expect not just to make unbelievably high wages (with typical wages of $75,230/ year), yet their market is also quickly increasing, with 19% development in industry work expected over the following years, according to the Bureau of Labor Stats.

College Choice has actually assembled a number of rankings associating with the Psych area, including the Best Online Bachelor's Levels in Psychology, for trainees looking at the undergraduate degree. There are additionally positions for prospective graduate students, namely the Best Online Master's Degrees in Psychology. Flexibility and also cost can likewise be essential things for psych students, both at the graduate as well as college levels, so we have also noted one of the most Budget friendly Online Psychology Degrees and also one of the most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Psychology.

If you're captivated with the human mind as well as have a need to both recognize as well as assist people, clinical psychology might be a good career path for you. According to the National Partnership on Mental Disease (NAMI) virtually 1 in 25 (10 million) grownups in America cope with a significant mental disease. Scientific psychologists focus on identifying and also treating these various mental, psychological, and also behavior disorders. A psychologist can specialize in chronic health problem like weight problems, mental problems like anxiety as well as anxiousness, and also psychological issues like schizophrenia. According to the Bureau of Labor Stats, professional psychology work are estimated to expand 19 percent through the year 2024, so it's a beneficial level to acquire.

Whether you choose to work for an institution, authorities department, army branch, or open up a private practice, there are lots of opportunities for scientific psychologists today. The typical salary of a medical psychologist is $75,000 as well as can also rise above $100,000 relying on your location and practice. Since every state needs licensure to practice professional psychology, you will certainly need a postgraduate degree. If you're looking for adaptability in getting an advanced degree, take a look at University Option's position of the very best Online Master's in Clinical Psychology Levels.

Counseling Psychology Degree Needs are really different from one counseling psychology program to the next. The requirements for every type of counseling psychology degree vary greatly as well as can vary a lot more in between programs. Because the goal of each type of program is to inform its pupils and prepare them for access into a profession in counseling, the requirements can be rather different than those for other sorts of levels.

One of the biggest distinctions among the kinds of counseling psychology levels is the topic and also the concentration of research that will be called for of each candidate. While there are numerous locations of emphasis that vary by program, the general classifications include: Individual, Family, Couples, Marital, Team, Rearing, Applied Study, Life Transitions, Expert Growth, and Youth/Young Grownup Counseling. Each of these locations of focus will certainly need a different sort of coursework. Counseling Psychology Masters Programs commonly need a combination of coursework and internship experience.

Lots of colleges, colleges, as well as occupation institutions supply on the internet counseling psychology level needs. For those pupils that are working full-time, it may be difficult to attend their college or university on a daily basis of the week. Online education has actually opened several chances for the functioning grownup. It has actually likewise opened up a lot more opportunities for lots of functioning specialists and has actually allowed them to seek education and learning at their own pace.

A lot of counseling psychology masters programs, however, need a minimum of 5 semesters and usually 10 to fifteen semesters of full time research study before a pupil receives his/her certification. Several of the fundamental coursework includes:

* Psychological Evaluation - Many training courses in counseling psychology have actually professional or applied clinical courses. These programs are designed to help pupils discover to take a look at and also diagnose mental health conditions such as depression, eating disorders, anxiousness, phobias, obsessive uncontrollable disorder, interpersonal relationships, alcohol as well as substance abuse, tension, depression, and alcoholism. These programs will be prepared in the list below way:

* Situation analysis and research study- Scientific programs can be a two-credit hr or four-credit hr program. Pupils work carefully with a licensed scientific psycho therapist, to create a special study as well as to map out a program of therapy. The details goals of the class can vary relying on the details counselor's training.

* Formal research techniques- This training course is usually taken after a student has actually finished the first four training courses of undergraduate psychology degree. The goal of this training course is to acquire an understanding of study methods, consisting of a research study, data collection, and also coverage of findings. Students will certainly complete several jobs related to their chosen field.

* Social abilities- Social skills are the capacity to recognize, take care of, and make reliable social connections. Trainees will certainly discover exactly how to efficiently analyze circumstances and also create connections with others. There are four areas of counseling psychology that concentrate on social skills:

* Communication Abilities- Interaction skills are important in all facets of any type of relationship. This training course will explore the basis of interaction, practicing abilities that can be utilized in everyday life.

* Self-worth as well as social skills- Self-confidence is vital to creating an effective connection. This program covers the structures of self-confidence and also teaching students abilities for increasing their self-worth. Pupils will certainly likewise find out exactly how to produce, handle, and act on social connections.

* Concept of Relationships- This program analyzes both fundamental interpersonal skills and Theory of Relationships. It educates trainees to examine issues like jealousy, competition, perfectionism, work-family conflict, and adolescent development. It also aids trainees understand other standard concepts that refer to interpersonal relationships.

In general, the demands for counseling psychology degrees can be rather various from program to program. The coursework and also project demands that you will encounter will additionally vary. rely on your specific counseling psychology program and also the type of trainee that you are trying to find.

Counseling psychology is an expanding area that assists individuals with a range of psychological, behavior, and social problems or disorders. Whereas clinical psychologists have a tendency to deal with serious psychopathology, counseling psychologists collaborate with people, groups, or pairs with regular, developmental problems and also shifts that take place in day-to-day living, such as stress and anxiety, depression, grief, low self-worth, tension, and self-destructive impulses. Counseling psychologists should not only have sharp paying attention abilities, they also require to have a deep understanding of human actions to provide handy strategies for those in need.

While the salary overview varies relying on which location of counseling psychology you go after, the median spend for grads mores than $72,000 per year. The job overview isn't bad either; with a faster than ordinary work development price of 20 percent, counseling psychologists remain in demand. Obtaining a master's degree in counseling psychology is an important for a profession in psychology nowadays, as well as it opens the door to a job in which you can make a distinction in hundreds of lives. If you think counseling psychology is the occupation for you, look into College Choice's released ranking of the most effective Master's in Counseling Degrees.

It is estimated that at least one in 10 children have significant mental health problems. These concerns can cause obstacles in their house or institution lives, and it's the duty of a Kid Psychologist to help them work through these issues. Psychology is one of one of the most preferred bachelor's levels in the nation, and if you like working with children, a degree in Kid Psychology is an outstanding means to progress your career as well as assistance thousands of children at the exact same time. With a degree in Youngster Psychology, you will operate in a school or scientific setting to evaluate, diagnose, and also treat a range of behavior, psychological, as well as developmental disorders.

You could work in a college, medical facility, or personal center, or perhaps conduct study of your very own to acquire a much better understanding of the domino effects of child advancement. These experts earn high incomes, with the top percentile bringing home almost $125,000 a year. So look into the most effective Online Master's in Kid as well as Adolescent Psychology Degrees or the Most Affordable Online Master's in Youngster and also Teen Psychology.

How long does it take to earn a Psychology or Counseling degree?

What you need to understand about online learning is that the amount of time it takes to complete courses entirely depends on your commitment to studying.

A typical bachelor’s degree requires 120 to 129 credits to complete the course, which can take around 2 years for full-time students with associate’s degrees who attend college on campus, where online training usually takes 4 years but can take up to 7 years since most students only study part-time. In fact, most online schools have a time limit to complete programs that include psychology, where they give you 7 years to complete the program and if you don’t finish in that time you will lose credits earned toward your degree.

Another example is studying for a master’s degree full-time on campus can take 2 years to complete, where studying online for the same course can take 3 to 4 years depending on how many courses you complete each semester. However, you should also be aware that, if you devote more time to studying than most on-campus students; if you complete courses during the summer and maintain a full course load each year, you will be able to finish your degree in less than 4 years.

How much does a degree in Psychology or Counseling cost?

It can cost $8,000 to $60,000 a year for a bachelor’s in psychology. This includes tuition, room and board, books, and supplies.

For a doctoral degree, the cost ranges from $7,000 to $40,000 per year.

Then there are license fees that range anywhere from $500 to over $1,000, which includes application and exam fees as well as the cost for the initial license.

If you attend a brick-and-mortar college in-state, it will cost you much less than it would for out-of-state attendees, while it usually doesn’t matter what state you reside in when studying online.

Moreover, when attending a brick-and-mortar school you will have to pay for room-and-board or transportation, books, and other supplies, while online students don’t require such things. However, they do have to pay technology fees usually on a per-credit-hour basis, but some may offer tiered rates. Technology fees include tech support, technology improvements, and online training management systems.

Typical technology fees include:

5 or less credits = $86

5-8 credits = $189

9 or more credits = $252

Does the school have the psychology major(s) you’re considering?

Before choosing a major there are some important facts you should know about.

In general, you can begin your career as a school counselor, a psychologist, or other by earning a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in counseling, social work, psychology, education, or sociology but you will still need a master’s degree to qualify as a licensed counselor in most states.

Many bachelor’s degree courses include a combination of liberal arts and science, as well as classes for the concentration you choose to focus on. You can select from counseling, psychology, human services, and more.

Furthermore, there are numerous specializations and subfields associated with a major in psychology such as industrial/organization, statistics, behavioral, educational, social, development, cognitive, neuroscience, and clinical.

How many students graduate “on time,” in four years?

Only 5% of students enrolled in a 2-year degree program, actually graduate from community colleges in two years, 36% of students enrolled in four-year flagship public and private colleges earn a bachelor’s degree in 4 years, and 19% of students enrolled in 4-year non-flagship public university, graduate on time.

The problem lies in not earning enough credits during a semester. Most bachelor’s degrees require around 120 credits to complete. If you earn 15 credits each semester, you will have 30 credits a year and in four years you will have accumulated enough college credits to earn your bachelor’s degree. However, numerous students only take enough courses to earn 12 credits each semester, which adds one year to the program length. Talk to your school advisor to find out how to ensure you graduate on time.

What kind of accreditation does the program hold? How is it regarded in the field?

Accreditation is a very important facet of your career since, if the college you attend is accredited by a reputable association, the degree you earn from that college will have more value and some employers include this information when evaluating you for employment.

The reason why accreditation is so important is that, without it, it’s hard to determine what kind of standards the training programs hold and if they are up to date with technology and innovation.

A college gets accredited voluntarily by an association of their choice. The association will interview and inspect the college thoroughly to see if they meet their standards of everything from cleanliness to academics and, if the college passes the inspection, the association puts their stamp on them as an assurance that they meet all their requirements.