For a growing number of professionals with an interest in psychology and counseling, online psychology masters degrees serve as an accessible alternative to traditional institutions for advancing their careers. Psychology distance education programs are designed for the needs of working professionals, and offer a no-nonsense, "real world" oriented approach to gaining job skills.
MA or MS in psychology allows students the freedom to work in the field without the lengthy process of earning a PhD. Although graduates of online master's programs can opt to continue on to a PhD program, there is no expectation that this will be the case.
Here are some of the most popular online graduate master's degree specialization options available in psychology.
Mental Health Counseling Specialization
This online specialization trains students to counsel both individuals and groups. Depending on the student's coursework and related internships, graduates might find themselves working with many different populations, including addicts, college students, children, the elderly, the mentally ill, crime victims, or inmates. Although students often choose to specialize in a specific area of counseling psychology (see below), others choose a more generalist approach to leave their career options open.
Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization
One counseling area that often has its own specialization is marriage and family therapy. Graduates in this area learn how to assist clients in developing more healthy and successful relationships. As part of these degree programs and to earn certification, students participate in extensive field work and residencies.
Addiction Counseling Specialization
Another area of counseling psychology that often has its own specialization is addiction psychology. Addiction counseling students learn about the physiological, psychological, and behavioral elements of addiction, and strategies of treating different kinds of addictions. Graduates in this field work at treatment centers, private practices, nonprofit community organizations, colleges, and prisons. Residencies and field work are also an important part of this degree program.
School Psychology Specialization
Along with an extensive internship and a certification exam, an online master's degree in school psychology can lead to a career working with elementary and secondary school students. A school psychologist needs to be trained in assessment methods, as a good deal of the job is testing children to determine if they are eligible for special education, gifted programming, and other services. School psychologists also are trained to assist teachers, guidance counselors, and parents with children who are in need of academic or behavioral interventions.
Industrial Psychology Specialization
This specialization can be ideal for students who are interested in both business and psychology. Industrial psychologists work in organizations to help manage conflict, motivate employees, and create a develop a psychologically health environment in the workplace. They often work in conjunction with human resource departments, and some become executive coaches.
Options for Online Master's Degrees in Psychology
For students seeking careers related to psychology that do not require a PhD, there are a variety of options for online masters programs that offer real world experience and the flexibility of distance learning. Prospective students should investigate further and find out what programs are most suited for their needs.
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
