Sunday, October 2, 2011

Opportunities For Those With A Master Of Arts In Psychology

A college education was not always required for some careers. Advanced academic degrees were first given in European universities in the Middle Ages; however, these degrees were strictly Doctoral degrees. Master's degrees were not regarded as a grand achievement. They were simply seen as a stepping stone toward eventually receiving a more prized triumph - the PhD. It is a good thing that societal views have changed since then, because a Master of Arts degree offers many opportunities in all fields, but especially in the field of psychology.
A Master of Arts degree differs from a Master of Science degree in the field of psychology. A Master of Arts degree provides students the opportunity to work in the humanities discipline. Classes in the Master of Arts program offer students a more analytical or liberal arts point of view. A Master of Science degree in psychology deals with more empirical sciences and offers a more scientific and research-based program.
Universities and colleges offer various forms of the Master's degree. The Master of Arts degree can be specialized or generalized. For students who wish to enter the mental health field, a Master of Arts with a program specializing in Clinical or Counseling Psychology would be beneficial. A more generalized program benefits students who are unsure as to which field of psychology they want to work in.
Some universities provide a terminal degree. A terminal degree means that students end the program with a Master's degree. Other universities offer doctoral programs that offer Master's degrees on the way to getting the Doctoral degree. Individuals in these types of programs are not advised to stop at the Master's level, but to continue on with the Doctoral program.
A Master of Arts degree provides training for entry-level careers in psychology, as well as the possibility to get a license to practice in specific fields of applied psychology. A Master of Arts degree is ideal for students who have somewhat of an idea of the professional path they want to eventually take. A Master's degree in psychology does not qualify graduates to open their own independent practices nor provides them the title of "psychologist." Many programs in psychology, including specialized programs, offer students a variety of classes in order to help clarify career options.
Not all students coming out of college with a Bachelor's degree knows what they want to do with their lives. Master's programs are appropriate for individuals who want to branch out into a new field of study and need more schooling to decide if the industry is right for them.
Typical careers for an individual with a Master of Arts degree in psychology include entry-level jobs in mental health, industrial-organizational psychology, forensic psychology, education, private business, and the government. Although these jobs are entry-level positions, they offer knowledge and experience to those individuals who may not be sure if they want to continue education in the field of psychology after attaining a graduate degree.
A Master of Arts degree in psychology offers students the opportunity to clarify whether they want to continue to get a Doctoral degree, or simply stop at the Master's level. Whether the individual goes on to get a Doctoral degree or not, a Master of Arts degree will open many doors for growth and success in the field of psychology. Perhaps you can even earn an online Master's, as long as its an accredited degree.

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