A Degree in Psychology: Help Yourself Help Others
By Amanda Fornecker

Helping others is a big selling point for those who want to go into a psychology career. The career field is attractive, as psychology careers and job opportunities are expected to grow faster than the average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – an increase of about 15 percent from 2006 to 2016. Those who can expect to have the most opportunities are those who have attended psychology schools and have a doctoral degree in psychology. The BLS has reported that the median annual earnings of psychologists in May 2006 were $59,440.

Psychology schools teach students the basics and give them the background necessary to become a licensed psychologist. The length of each psychology program depends on the school and particular degree in psychology you choose to pursue. For instance, most forensic psychology positions require a master's or doctoral level higher education degree, though state and agency regulations vary widely on the type of training required. Forensic psychology is the application of psychology principles within the legal system. It represents the intersection between the study of human behavior, emotions, and thoughts and our legal and public policy arenas. Forensic psychologists evaluate and treat offenders and victims in the legal or correctional systems. They consult with law enforcement agencies on issues such as threat assessment, psychological profiling, and critical incident debriefing. Forensic psychologists also work with attorneys on jury selection and child custody disputes, and provide expert testimony during trials. As the field grows, so do the opportunities for education and training. For instance, Argosy University’s Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology program offers flexible course formats that include online and weekend classes to accommodate working professionals.

Admission into these, and other psychology programs is competitive; some psychology schools require that you have a bachelor's degree in psychology in order to ensure that you have the proper basic background and drive to become a psychologist. On the other hand, some psychology schools only require that you have taken some basic classes with knowledge of biological, physical, and social sciences, and statistics.

Psychology schools are certainly the place to begin a psychology career. This kind of education will give you the edge you need to secure the most competitive of jobs. And by helping yourself, you'll be able to help those who will require your psychology expertise.