Advanced Degrees in Psychology - College and PHD, PsyD Degree Programs

The psychology major offers a broad array of courses that increase our understanding of human actions in the past and present. With this understanding comes the responsibility to improve our relationships with others and to help others to achieve similar understanding and insight into their own behaviors. The program helps prepare the student for entry-level positions in agencies and organizations which seek to help those in need. It should be understood that the requirements for employment in many positions in the helping professions include advanced education beyond the bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor of Arts (Degree Completion Program):
Psychology

Masters of Arts Degrees:
Clinical Psychology
Clinical Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy
Counseling Psychology
Forensic Psychology
School Psychology
Sport Exercise Psychology

Advanced Degree in Psychology - Doctorate Degrees
Counseling Psychology

Psychology & Behavioral Sciences
Our College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences is where tomorrow’s clinical practitioners develop the specific skills they need. Our curriculum encompasses every major theoretical modality guiding clinical assessment and intervention practices.

You’ll benefit from the practical training and internships that provide the vital hands-on experience our programs are known for; small class sizes that create a dynamic environment and promote close interaction with your peers; and instruction from faculty who call upon the real-world knowledge they gain as successful working professionals.

Whether you're interested in pursuing your undergraduate degree, your master's degree or starting your doctoral degree, you'll find an Argosy University education is relevant, accessible, and flexible.

We have 13 campuses and six extension sites across the nation offering undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees in the disciplines of business, education, health science, and psychology and behavioral sciences.

AU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA) (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602.

Are you interested in human behavior? Many students choose to study psychology because they wish to better understand themselves and others. The Psychology major is designed for the adult student looking to apply their knowledge of human behavior in today's workplace. Ashford University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Contact us and let a helpful Financial Services Representative guide you through your Financial Aid options and help determine the best program for you.

Programs include: Federal Stafford Loan, Federal PLUS Loan, Federal Pell Grant.

Or you may choose to apply for your Employer's Tuition Reimbursement. Contact your Human Resource Representative to inquire about whether your employer offers a Tuition Reimbursement Program. In addition, Ashford University offers a "pay-as-you-go" approach to paying for courses. You are only required to pay for courses as you take them.

Article about Advanced Degrees in Psychology

What Degree is Needed?
Becoming a Doctor requires a Doctorate and Psychology is no less a demanding field, being as scientific oriented or as prestigious as pursuing a Doctorate of Medicine. There are some interesting differences though. First, one can enter the field with a Bachelors degree. While your activities will be limited, there is a growing trend for Bachelors degree holders to be employed in private industry in professions that do not require patient contact or counseling. Many states allow Baccalaureates’ to become certified as psychology teachers up to the high school level. Masters degree holders are granted the same opportunities but in a more expanded capacity.

Additionally, they are granted the certification to work as Industrial-Organizational Psychologists and can be employed as psychological assistants in research projects. However, the minimum requirement to work in the field is a Doctorate. This will require a minimum of five additional years of full-time study beyond your Bachelors degree. Keep in mind that this is a medical degree and requires all the dedication and rigor of a medical degree. Acceptance to graduate programs is highly competitive and you will need to focus your work early on. The reward is a field of study that is addictively fascinating, who isn’t interested in the nature of the mind? You will be delving deeply into its nature.

A Career in Psychology
There are extensive career options for a Psy.D.’s’. Private practice is the single, leading sector with over 34% of all 170,000 currently degree holders being self-employed as private practitioners or consultants. Next in line is Industrial-Organizational Psychologists. While there are fewer then 1.5% of all Psychologists working in this field, it is growing 2.5x times faster than all other fields. The vast majority, over 90%, work in the medical, clinical field. There are many different disciplines there as well. One of the strongest is school Psychologists. Many of the social concerns that are in the news are driving the increasing demand for Psychologists in the public school system. Research is also a strong field to track into providing an advanced environment to develop ones scientific interests. Average earnings for Doctors of Psychology are:

Offices of other health practitioners $68,400
Elementary and secondary schools 65,710
State government 63,710
Outpatient care centers 59,130
Individual and family services 57,440

These are figures for the various industry segments employing Psychologists in clinical, medical, and counseling positions. This also includes school Psychologists as well. Those employed in the Industrial-Organizational field average well above $77,000. Interestingly enough, 31% of all Psychologists are members of a union.

The Psychology Industry
While the average growth of this sector will exceed the general nation, average growth for all employment as mentioned above there are specific sectors of growth that are far ahead of even the fastest growing professions. The sector that is currently the focus of strong growth is the field of School Psychologists. There is increasing demand for professionals in this field and practices that specialize here are growing rapidly. The second is the Industrial-Organizational Psychology field. While the total number of individuals in the field is small, growth is projected to be over 26% over the next ten years. Our modern world is demanding, and this is a continuing source of stress for all. This means that this will always be a growing industry and a fascinating pursuit. If you are looking for an advanced degree in psychology including your PsyD then we have listed several of the top schools in the country that offer these programs.