Types Of Psychology Graduate Degrees

A Guide to Psychology Specializations and Graduate Programs

The following guide reviews the various degree paths and tips for finding the right program, highlights prospective careers and provides insider knowledge from a working psychology graduate.

Psychology focuses on the mind and behavior, and how factors like culture, society and the economy affect individuals and groups of people. While careers in psychology vary from direct service roles to research and academic positions, those with a graduate degree in psychology are better able to pursue specific licenses and practice in their chosen field.

Find the Right Psychology Graduate Degree Concentration

The types of psychology graduate degrees available are as unique as the individuals they intend to serve, with specialized programs available to students hoping to work in various areas. Whether planning to complete a master's or doctorate level degree, the following programs are well-matched to a spectrum of research areas and interests.

Master's Degrees

• MS in Clinical Psychology

  Students interested in the science behind human behaviors and psychiatric issues are drawn to clinical psychology programs, which emphasize studies in the theories behind mental illnesses, deviance, psychiatric issues, and abnormal behavior. Graduates can be found in healthcare facilities, governmental agencies, and university settings.

• MS in Counseling Psychology

  Students aspiring to administer therapies to patients often take this path, which provides an in-depth study of the psychological and behavioral theories needed to treat clients. Graduates may counsel individuals, families, children, communities, or professional groups and find work in a variety of settings, including private practice.

• MS in Experimental Psychology

  These programs take a macro-level look at the field of psychology, specifically understanding the basic human psychological processes of learning, memory and cognition. Much of the work is researched based, with special emphasis placed on developing skills in designing studies and using scientific methods. The majority of graduates can be found in research facilities and universities.

• MS in General Psychology

  GP programs instill the foundations and theoretical principles of the discipline while also teaching proper research and practice methods. Some programs allow students to specialize in a particular area, while others focus on general principles entirely. Graduates are equipped to work in governmental agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations.

• MS in Health Psychology

  Health psychologists focus on helping individuals, groups and communities live overall healthier lives by highlighting ways to improve mental health, stress, activity levels, and daily nutrition. Courses focus on these topics while also developing students' knowledge of psychological principles and research to deliver holistic care. These professionals may work in governmental agencies, community health organizations, research agencies, or healthcare facilities.

• MS in Industrial Organizational Psychology

  Sitting at the crossroad of business and psychology, IOP programs prepare students to assess, identify and provide solutions for businesses. A large emphasis is placed on understanding human behavior and motivation as it relates to relationships between employers and their employees.

• MS in School Psychology

  With a focus on the psychiatric, behavioral, academic, and home-life issues commonly encountered by children, this degree prepares graduates to understand the cultural, social, community, and family factors that influence a child's behavior. Graduates commonly work with other professionals in the school system to develop a holistic plan for betterment.

• MS in Sport Psychology

  Sports are often called a head game, and sports psychologists work with athletes to help them improve their mental performance. Students learn about theories related to intervention, motivation and performance enhancement throughout the program. The majority of graduates will work with professional athletes, college teams or as consultants to a variety of clients.

• MS in Social Psychology

  Providing less emphasis on direct client interfacing, social psychology programs are more concerned with understanding what drives humans in social settings. Students consider questions relating to thoughts, feelings, connections and actions between humans while also reviewing group versus individual dynamics, self-identity and the influence of power.

Doctorate Degrees

• Doctor of Philosophy

  With a focus on the research side of psychology, students enrolled in these programs work closely with academic researchers and faculty mentors to gain hands-on research experience. They learn how to develop research projects, conduct studies, collect data, and present their findings to academic and medical outlets. Some programs allow students to concentrate on a specific area of psychology.

• Doctor of Psychology

  Students enrolled in these programs are planning to go into professional practice, working directly with a variety of clients and providing psychotherapy. Students learn about theories and techniques in the field and how to incorporate research findings into their practice. They also have the opportunity to practice their skills under the supervision of licensed psychologists.

Searching for the Right Psychology Program

Once a student identifies the branch of psychology they want to pursue, the next step is finding a program matched to their criteria. Prospective programs need to check off multiple boxes relating to accreditation, faculty interests, success rates, and licensure preparation. The following list helps students see how potential schools measure up to their needs.

• Licensing Preparation

  The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards oversees licensing examinations and regulates the field. While the majority of states require students to hold a doctorate to receive licensure, 16 states provide some form of licensing for master's level graduates. Students should ask how prospective programs prepare graduates for exams and what the student success rate is.

• Internship Placement and Success Rates

  Clinical tracks typically require an internship placement as a significant component of the program. Students should try to find out how the internship process is administered, sites where students are gaining placements and how long it takes the average graduate to find a job.

• Teaching Philosophy

  Depending on their interests, it's vital for students to research areas of emphasis within potential psychology departments. Individuals considering a clinical route should be sure their top choices are devoted to that facet of the field rather than applied psychology, and vice versa. Students who plan to use their knowledge and skills in a direct service arena should seek out programs that offer concentrations or specializations within their area of interest.

• American Psychology Association Accreditation

  The APA accredits doctoral-level psychology programs, internship programs and postdoctoral residency programs and is recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education as the national authority on standards of education. Doctoral students should ensure their list of schools are all APA-accredited, while master's level students should look for a school with a well-respected regional accreditation.

• Student Profiles

  Understanding a school's student body before enrolling will help students measure the level of a program's academic standards. While meeting with a current student may be difficult, asking the program administrator about academic backgrounds, GPAs, standardized test scores and research focuses is a good place to start. This information will provide prospective students with insight into the rigor of the program and the likelihood of their acceptance.

• Program Success

  Data about graduation rates, average completion times and the percentage of students with scholarships or loans informs prospective students about the success of a program. Departments with high dropout rates may be unsatisfactory, while those with a large percentage of students completing their degrees on time speaks to good mentorship and advising.

Psychology Graduate Degree

Whether at the point of applying or already enrolled in a program, prospective and current psychology students should keep a list of all the requirements situated between admission and graduation. Some of the biggest points on the timeline are highlighted below.

Spotlight on Psychology Careers

Additional Resources

With 56 divisions of psychology and topical areas recognized by the American Psychological Association, prospective students may feel overwhelmed when it comes time to pick a specialty. The following list of resources provides an overview of the field and highlights some specific areas of practice.