Clinical Psychology Master's Degree

Published Aug 30, 2006

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To advance your career in the psychology field, you need advanced qualifications, and may find that a bachelor's degree is not enough. If you have a bachelor degree in psychology or a related field and are looking to move up in the psychology industry, you should strongly consider a Clinical Psychology Master's degree.

Degree Description

Clinical psychology is a branch of psychology where the main focus deals with the causes, diagnosis and treatment of individuals with mental disorders. Clinical psychology is one the largest fields in psychology dealing with severe disorders like bipolar disorder, dementia, insomnia, phobias and narcolepsy. After earning a full-time two year Clinical Psychology Master's degree, you will not yet be qualified to earn state license to practice independently, but graduates can find careers as clinical psychological assistants or practicing under doctoral-level clinical psychologists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.BLS.gov). Clinical psychology master's degree graduates may wish to go on to earn Doctorate Degrees and then go on to open their practices.

Degree Courses

Although each degree is different, most Clinical Psychology Master's degree programs will have a strong focus on mental disorders and ethical practices. A sample of coursework for the degree could include:

  • Adult Psychology
  • Child and Adolescent Psychology
  • Psychology Research Methods
  • Statistics
  • Psychological Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Experiment and Research Ethics
  • Patient Ethics

Benefits of a Clinical Psychology Master's Degree

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for psychologists is expected to grow 18-26% faster than average through 2014 because of an increasing need for psychologists in schools, hospitals, substance abuse centers and in private companies.

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