Career Facts - Psychology Program
What They
Do:
Psychology is the science concerned with mind and behavior and spans
subject matter from biology to sociology. Many problems facing
society today are problems about behavior - drug addiction, personal and
work relationships, violence, stress and our relationship with our
environment.
Psychologists conduct research, serve as consultants to communities and organizations, diagnose and treat people with psychological adjustment disorders, teach, study work, home and social environments, promote physical and mental health, and develop solutions to meet the unique needs of the United States society and elsewhere.
Some of the sub-fields in psychology include clinical, counseling, developmental, educational, engineering, forensic, health, geropsychology, industrial/organization, neuropsychology, quantitative and measurement, physiological, psychometrics, rehabilitation, school, social and sports.
Related Occupations:
The study of psychology is good
preparation for many professions. Employers are interested in the
skills psychology majors bring to collecting, analyzing, and interpreting
data, as well as their experience with statistics and experimental design.
Related careers are found in marketing research, special education, clergy
and advertising.
Who Would Enjoy It:
Individuals possessing strong people
skills and a commitment to helping others or enjoy doing research.
Psychologists work independently and also team with other professionals -
scientists, physicians, lawyers, school personnel, computer experts,
engineers, policy makers, law enforcement, public health officials, and
managers. They work in laboratories, hospitals, courtrooms, schools,
universities, community health centers, prisons, business, corporate offices
and disaster areas to help trauma victims. While psychology careers
can be varied with flexible schedules on a day-to-day basis, they can be
demanding on time.
What They Earn:
Earnings vary greatly depending on
location, type of work and educational degree obtained.
Bachelor's - $15,000 - $28,000 (Jobs are limited)
Master's -
$28,500 - $75,000
Doctorate - $36,000 - $90,000+
How Many
Jobs Available:
Psychology is a discipline with a
tremendous demand and growth potential. According to the American
Psychological Association, it is the third fastest-growing field in America
through the year 2005 and is anticipated to steadily grow for at last
another 12 years after that. Demand is currently high in corrections,
corporate, and private sector.
How Much
Schooling, Training, or Skill Development:
Students who graduate with an Associates
Degree in psychology will typically transfer to a four-year institution.
People with a bachelor's level degree work as assistants in rehabilitation centers, high school psychology teachers, administrative support, public affairs, education, business, sales, service industries, health, biological sciences, computers, employment counselors, correction counselor trainees, interviewers, personnel analysts, probation officers, and writers.
At the master's degree level, psychologists typically work as psychological counselors or handle research and data collection and analysis in universities, government and private companies. Other careers are in health, industry, education, community mental health centers and industry. These jobs would include survey research, employee training, data analysis, and general personnel issues.
The highest paid and greatest range of psychology careers are available to doctoral graduates. The greatest expansion of career opportunities for doctoral psychologists in the last 10 years have been in the sub-fields of clinical, counseling, school, health, industrial and educational psychology.
What They Study at LCC
Follow the Curriculum Guide for Associate in Arts Degree with a
concentration in Psychology
Links
Social Science
at Lansing Community College
LCC Advising
American Psychological Association
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics
Mark Kelland, PhD
Lead Faculty Psychology Program
kellanm@lcc.edu
Kathleen Bonnelle, PhD
bonnelk@lcc.edu
Janis Elmore, PhD
elmorej@lcc.edu
Sharon Hughes, PhD
hughess@lcc.edu
Julia Petry
Social Science Department Chair
petryj@lcc.edu
