On Line Psychology Degrees

Monday, November 29, 2010 posted by Amy Belgrade

Many students are now choosing to enroll in one of the many on line psychology degrees that are available through hundreds of colleges across the United States. The trend of online learning has grown rapidly over the last 5-10 years, and it’s important to recognize that trend and see it as a new way of learning. On line psychology degrees offer a number of benefits to students of all levels.

Since the field of psychology is so vast, it’s important that one finds the right degree for their future career. There are a variety of on line psychology degrees and specialties within the field of psychology. Below are the three different types of psychology degrees, and how they can be applied to your work in psychology.

a. Bachelor’s in Psychology – This degree is the starting point for psychology majors. This undergraduate degree is usually done within 4-years depending on whether or not the student is full time or part time. This degree can be earned online and/or on-campus, depending on what works best for the student.

b. Master’s degree in psychology – This graduate degree program is the next logical step after earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology. This program can take up to 2 years to complete and provides a more advanced look at psychology. A master’s degree can be used for career advancement and can be narrowed down to a specific specialty including clinical psychology, forensic psychology, educational psychology, counseling psychology and more.

c. Doctorate in psychology – The highest degree on can earn in any field is the PhD or Doctorate in psychology. This program can take years to complete, including an independent study and thesis prior to graduating. These programs can be done online and on-campus as well. Earning a Doctorate in psychology can qualify you to work as an independent psychologist with your own practice, or at a managerial level within an organization such as a hospital or school.

On line psychology degrees not only offer a quality education (given that you have enrolled in a regionally or nationally accredited institution), but they can also be completed during the days and times that are more convenient for you. To enroll in on line psychology degrees, you must have a computer with a working Internet connection. This will enable you to log into your education portal through the school’s website, complete required readings, view lectures, and participate in classroom discussions. You can even submit your homework and take your exams online. While this may be a great advantage to you since you can attend your classes at almost any given time, you should also be aware that there are still deadlines that have to be met.

The key to enrolling in on line psychology degrees is being able to be disciplined in setting aside a certain amount of time each week to complete assignments and take exams. You must also be self-motivated and your own cheerleader. For some it can be very easy to forget about class for a week or so, therefore if you choose on line psychology degrees, you should make sure you’re ready for the commitment and the challenge!