Benefits of a Clinical Psychology Degree Program

A desire to work in the Psychology field is a noteworthy endeavor. After all, Psychology is a helping profession, which means that the psychology practitioner reaches out towards others to help them in times of need. The profession can be quite rigorous, emotionally draining, and physically exhaustive. Yet, the benefits of helping others often outweigh these burdens. Because psychology is such a personally involved profession, it takes a very dedicated, mature, self-actualized individual to become a successful counselor. The prospective counselor must first learn to thoroughly understand themselves before they can learn to understand others. A Clinical Psychology degree prepares students to take on a variety of mental disorders, while also helping students to learn about themselves.

If your career endeavors involve Psychology-related services, such as counseling, social work, or psychiatry, then you will need to obtain an advanced level of education in Psychology. In many cases, a Bachelor’s of Psychology will not qualify you for the job of your choice. In order to move forward in the industry, you must seriously consider pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.

Although a Bachelor’s of Psychology degree will provide education on the various theoretical approaches, touch briefly upon various clinical or abnormal behaviors, and provide a broad-based informational education, students are rarely prepared in any way to work with others in the Psychology field. Likewise, the Bachelor’s degree does not help the student to learn about themselves in ways other than what is written in books. Often, students who begin a Clinical Psychology degree with the intention of becoming counselors learn enough about themselves to make wise career choices, choices which cannot be made with the limited Bachelor’s degree education. For example, a student may wish to become a Psychiatrist, which is the equivalence of a medical doctor, who is licensed to dispense psychiatric medications. However, during the course of their advanced studies, they may discover that they have a natural ability to personally and successfully counsel with others. Likewise, a student who wishes to work in a private counseling practice may find that, through a variety of practicum or internship opportunities, that they do not work well with the public. Therefore, the Clinical Psychology degree is of vital importance not only for state or local licensing requirements, but for personal growth, self exploration, and individual understanding as well.

Clinical Psychology, which is one of the many branches of Psychology, focuses upon the treatment, diagnosis, and causes of mental disorders in individuals. The Clinical Psychology field is quite large, and handles issues such as narcolepsy, phobias, insomnia, dementia, bipolar disorder, and other severe mental conditions.

Although there are a wide range of degree options in Clinical Psychology, most Master’s degree programs focus strongly upon ethical practices, treatment and diagnosis of mental disorders, theoretical treatment options, and a practicum or internship in the field. Course work could include areas such as patient ethics, research and experimental psychology ethics, treatment and diagnosis of psychological disorders, psychological statistics, research methods in psychology, and adolescent, child, and adult psychology.

According to the latest career outlook statistics, as provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that within the next ten years, the need for skilled, qualified professionals in the Psychology field will experience an increase of 18-26%. The greatest areas of need are anticipated within the private sector, in private companies, in substance abuse centers, in hospitals, and in public schools.

Argosy University offers two advanced Clinical Psychology degrees. The first, the Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology, prepares students for careers in clinical and private counseling, mental institutions, business settings, and social services. The second degree, the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, prepares students for the rigorous tasks involved in Psychiatry, Clinical Behavioral Pathology, leadership positions in mental institutions, and positions of prestige in the industry, among others. Both programs place great emphasis upon the development of counseling skills, knowledge, and development of the student in terms of essential attitudes for the successful professional psychologist. Individuals who hold an advanced degree in Clinical Psychology are also properly qualified for careers in psychology-related research, business, government, and educational settings.

Argosy University currently offers the Doctorate degree at Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Hawaii, Orange County, Phoenix, Schaumburg, Seattle, Tampa, Washington DC, Twin Cities, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The Masters degree is offered at all campuses except for the Orange Country location.