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If you think a career in psychology is all about becoming a psychologist who helps people by saying deep philosophical quotes, you are about to be surprised. Imagine being able to get into the minds of people and help them decipher their behavioural patterns! Imagine being able to know the exact reason behind variation in the body language of a person! Does it excite you? Well, Psychology expands further than that. It delves into the endless seas of the human mind and captures the thought patterns and behaviours common to an individual across different environments. Do you want to explore a career in Psychology? Read this blog to know all about what a career in Psychology offers, top courses, universities as well and opportunities to avail!
This Blog Includes:
- What is Psychology?
- Why Pursue a Career in Psychology?
- Branches of Psychology
- Skills Required to Become a Psychologist
- List of Psychology Courses
- Eligibility Criteria
- Top Universities to Study Psychology
- Career Scope
- Top Recruiting Companies
- Pay Scale/Salary of Psychologists
- Must-Read Books to Start a Career in Psychology
- FAQs
Must Watch Movies on Psychology
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the art and science of the human mind and the functions of the human mind, especially those affecting behaviour in a given circumstance. Psychology is the study of conscious and unconscious elements of the human mind such as thoughts and feelings. Psychology aims to understand the behaviours of individuals and groups through general principles and research specific cases. In all, Psychology is concerned with the complex ways and patterns in which people think, feel, behave, communicate and perceive the world.
Sounds interesting but you are thinking of will a career in psychology complement your personal goals. Right? Are you wondering if a job in this field will make you happy daily? Let’s dig a little deeper into the pool of careers in psychology and see if it’s a right fit for you.
Why Pursue a Career in Psychology?
A career in psychology allows one to change people’s lives by helping them self-discover and understand themselves better and by improving their mental condition. Apart from helping people, it also allows one to add to humanity through research work and help broaden the understanding of students by teaching this field of study.
Pros of a Career in Psychology
- Bright job outlook: With a large population of the world fighting wars with their minds, the need for psychology experts is on the rise. Nowadays, be it a school or a hospital- every organization employs psychologists, counsellors, and other professionals in this field.
- High earning potential: As you keep gaining experience, the value of your skills keeps on increasing, making a career in psychology a highly promising career with high earning potential.
- The satisfaction of helping others: Psychology is one of the few fields that provides one the opportunity to directly help consumers. No matter how much you earn, in a career in psychology, you earn only by helping others feel better. What can be more satisfying than this?
- Multiple areas of specialization: Based on your interests and preferences, you can choose from a wide range of specialization choices that come with a career in psychology.
Branches of Psychology
Psychology is a vast domain of study which encompasses a wide range of branches corresponding to the different crossovers and interdisciplinary combinations. Take a look at some of the major branches of Psychology you can choose to specialize in:
- Clinical Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Behavioral Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Occupational/Industrial Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Medical/Health Psychology
- Biopsychology
- Media Psychology
Skills Required to Become a Psychologist
Following are the skills you will be needing to pursue any of the job profiles in the Psychology careers list mentioned below. Let us go through them-
- Presence of an analytical mind to effectively diagnose the queries of patients
- Excellent communication skills to guide clients about their issues
- Great level of patience to act calmly even in complex situations
- compassion along with the ability to empathize with the clients will help you in handling clients.
Also Read: Psychology Interview Questions
List of Psychology Courses
Now that you are aware of the branches and specializations available, here is a complete list of psychology courses you can study to make a promising career in this field:
| Diploma | Bachelor’s | Master’s |
| Diploma in Psychology | BA Psychology BSc Cognitive Science BSc Health Behaviour Science BSc Psychology BSc Business Psychology BSc Forensic Psychology BSc Criminology and Psychology BSc Social Psychology BA Developmental Studies | MA Psychology MSc Psychology MSc Organizational Psychology MSc Clinical Psychology Master of Psychology MA Counselling Psychology MSc Behavioural Science MSc Developmental Psychopathology MA Developmental Psychology (Research Methods) MA Ed Curriculum, Instructional and Educational Psychology |
Eligibility Criteria
To become a part of the above-mentioned Psychology course, it is necessary to follow the listed below entry requisites-
- For Diploma/ Bachelor’s Courses: Basic education of 10+2 with Arts stream subjects from a recognized board
- It is necessary to present a good score on SAT exam/ ACT exam to study for UG courses
- For Master’s Courses: A UG degree in the same field as BA Psychology or any other related fields
- To study PG courses candidates are required to submit the score GRE or another country-level university exam
- Minimum required score in the exam like IELTS, TOEFL, etc or any other language proficiency exams
Psychology Universities in Canada
Top Universities to Study Psychology
Getting your psychology degree from a renowned global institution can help you get the right exposure and knowledge to explore the best opportunities and experiment in the research arena as well! Here are the top universities and colleges for Psychology as per THE and QS World University Rankings 2020:
| University | THE World University Rankings 2020 for Psychology | QS World University Rankings 2020 for Psychology |
| Harvard University | #6 | #1 |
| Stanford University | #1 | #2 |
| University of Cambridge | – | #3 |
| University of Oxford | – | #4 |
| University of California, Berkeley | – | #5 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | #9 | #6 |
| University College London | #4 | #7 |
| Yale University | #7 | #8 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | – | #9 |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | #8 | #10 |
Stanford University
Ranked as one world’s top universities, Stanford University was established in 1891. It consists of 40 undergraduate and postgraduate academic departments and 4 professional schools. The Department of Psychology at Stanford University is dedicated to training scientists who will work to advance theory and create knowledge that helps us address real-world problems.
University College London
A public research university located in London, United Kingdom, University College London (UCL) is a constituent college of the federal University of London. Psychology at University College London involves the largest number of researchers in the UK, research across various aspects of the field, teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and leadership in the development of psychology as a profession.
Princeton University
An Ivy League research university, Princeton University is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The graduate program at Princeton University offers specialization in diverse areas, including cognitive neuroscience, perception and cognition, developmental psychology, behavioral economics, language, learning and memory, the psychology of inequality, social psychology, systems neuroscience, and social neuroscience. Interdisciplinary programs leading to joint degrees in psychology and neuroscience or psychology and social policy are also offered.
University of Chicago
Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago is composed of an undergraduate college, various graduate programs, and interdisciplinary committees organized into five academic research divisions and seven professional schools. Since its founding in 1893, the Department of Psychology at the University of Chicago has been known for scientific research and scholarship that cuts across traditional disciplinary boundaries. Today, this broad and integrative vision of psychological science is reflected in the diversity of laboratories and collaborations within the Department, as well as research initiatives that connect psychology to other areas of the University and beyond.
University of Pennsylvania
Another private Ivy League research university, the University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1740. The university has four undergraduate schools which provide a combined 99 undergraduate majors[ in the engineering, humanities, business, and natural sciences, as well as twelve graduate and professional schools. The Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania is the oldest continuously functioning psychology department in North America.
Duke University
Founded in 1838, Duke University is a private research university in North Carolina. Admission to Duke is defined by U.S. News & World Report as “most selective.” Duke’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience has five graduate training areas: Clinical Psychology, Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology and Systems, and Integrative Neuroscience.
Harvard University
We know this university needs no introduction and you already know it is the United States’ oldest institution of higher learning and has produced eminent leaders including Barack Obama, Mark Elliot Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and many more. The field of Psychology first emerged at Harvard in the late 1800s under the scholarship of William James, and ever since then, Harvard has been at the forefront of the field. The Graduate Program in Psychology currently has around 65 graduate students who are trained in four major research programs: Developmental Psychology; Cognition, Brain, & Behavior; Clinical Science, and Social Psychology.
London School of Economics and Political Science
Founded in 1895, the London School of Economics, officially The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science is a growing community of researchers, intellectuals, and students who investigate the human mind and behavior in a societal context. The department conducts cutting-edge psychological and behavioral research that is both based on and applied to the real world.
Best Psychology Colleges in India
Career Scope
Studying psychology gives you the chance to have one foot in the land of science and the other in the land of the mind, giving you a wide range of opportunities to choose from. A career in psychology opens the doors for becoming a psychologist, therapist, counselor, and social worker. Mentioned below are the popular job profiles opting which you can pursue a career in Psychology in India as well as abroad-
Psychologist
A psychologist is someone who studies the human mind and human emotions and behavior, and how different situations have an effect on people. Psychologists also help people facing psychological disorders and issues and provide them with the best suitable treatments. Opting for the career path of becoming a Psychologist is one of the most common answers to ‘What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. There are different types of Psychologists are:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Biogerontologist
- Child Psychologist
- Cognitive Neuroscientist
- Cognitive Psychologist
- Community Psychologist
- Comparative Psychologist
- Consumer Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Criminal Psychologist
- Cultural Psychologist
- Developmental Psychologist
- Educational Psychologist
- Engineering Psychologist
- Environmental Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Geriatric Psychologist
- Gerontologist
- Geropsychologist
- Health Psychologist
- Media Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Navy Psychologist
- Neurologist
- Neuropathologist
- Neuropsychologist
- Organizational-Industrial Psychologist
- Physiatrist
- Psychiatrist
- Psychological Anthropologist
- Psychometrician
- Rehabilitation Psychologist
- School Psychologist
- Social Gerontologist
- Social Psychologist
- Spiritual Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
- Transpersonal Psychologist
Therapist
Another sought-after career profile in Psychology, a therapist is someone whose job is to treat a particular type of mental or physical illness or disability, usually with a particular type of therapy. There are varied types of therapists:
- Art Therapist
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapist
- Dance / Movement Therapist
- Exercise Therapist
- Existential Therapist
- Life Coach
- Marriage Family Therapist
- Musical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Psychotherapist
- Sex Therapist
- Speech Pathologist
- Transpersonal Therapist
Counsellor
A counsellor is a person trained to give guidance on personal or psychological problems. While exploring this career in Psychology, check out the different types of counsellors:
- Educational Counsellor
- Army Mental Health Specialist
- Career Counselor
- Child Abuse Counselor
- Child/Pediatric Counselor
- Community Mental Health Counselor
- Couples Counselor
- Crisis Intervention Specialist
- Depression Counselor
- Domestic Violence Counselor
- Geriatric Counselor
- Grief Counselor
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Marriage & Family Counselor
- Mental Health Counselor
- Multi-Cultural Counselor
- Pastoral Counselor
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- School Counselor
- Spiritual Counselor
- Substance Counselor
- Suicide Intervention Counselor
- Transformational Counselor
- Veterans Counselor
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
If you want to follow a career in Psychology in community welfare, then the noble path of a social worker is best for you. A social worker is a person in the profession of helping individuals, families, groups, and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being. Here are the types of social workers:
- Addiction Social Worker
- Child/Pediatric Social Worker
- Clinical Social Worker
- Community Social Worker
- Corrections Social Worker
- Disability Policy Worker
- Family Social Worker
- Geriatric Social Worker
- Hospice & Palliative Social Worker
- Mental Health Social Worker
- Military Social Worker
- Psychiatric Social Worker
- Public Health Social Worker
- Substance Abuse Social Worker
Apart from these prominent careers in Psychology, you can also explore the following ones:
- Psychotherapist
- Occupational Psychologist
- Human Resource Manager
- Organizational Psychologist
- Family Services Worker
- Professor
- Rehabilitation Counsellor
- Business Intelligence Manager, etc
Top Recruiting Companies
All psychologists and counselors who wish to lawfully practice counseling in India must register with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). To work as a Clinical Psychologist, one must complete an M.Phil and be registered with the RCI. The following are some of the most common industries in which psychologists work:
- Colleges, Universities, and Schools
- Outpatient Care Centers
- Hospitals and Clinics
- Health Practitioner Offices
- Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals
- Individual and Family Services
Pay Scale/Salary of Psychologists
If you can establish yourself in the area, a career as a psychologist may be quite gratifying. Those with the correct talents and education might expect to make a lot of money. The area of specialization and the quantity of experience a professional psychologist has are other crucial criteria that influence his or her remuneration. Those having an M.Phil. or a Ph.D. in Psychology can make much more.
| Profile | Starting Salary per annum (in INR) | Mid Level Salary per annum (in INR) | Senior Level Salary per annum (INR) |
| Psychologist | 4,20,000 | 6,00,000 | 9,60,000 |
Must-Read Books to Start a Career in Psychology
Here are some of our top-recommended reads for those planning to pursue a career in Psychology:
- Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace In a Frantic World by Mark Williams and Danny Penman
- The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Heidt
- Influence: The Psychology Of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
- Outliers: The Story Of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
- Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud
- Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- Flow: The Psychology Of Happiness by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
- Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman
- Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman
- David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art Of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell
Psychology Books
Free Online Courses to Go an Extra Mile in Your Career in Psychology:
- Introduction to Psychology, Open Yale Courses
- The Science of Everyday Thinking, edX
- Psychology – Perceiving the World Around You, Alison
- How the Brain Works, edX
- Critical Social Psychology, The Open University
- Social Psychology, MIT OpenCourseWare
- Mindfulness and Resilience to Stress at Work, edX
- Clinical Psychology, Learn Out Loud
- Applied Psychology – Understanding Consumer Attitudes, Alison
- Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization, Coursera
FAQs
Is an M.Phil in Psychology a better choice following an M.Sc in Psychology?
After M.Sc Psychology, a Ph.D. may be the most desirable further education choice.Is it possible for me to work as a forensic psychologist after earning a B.Sc. in Psychology?
An applicant for the position of Forensic Psychologist must have a master’s degree in the field of forensic science.Is a distance-learning Psychology degree useful for a job in the area of psychology?
The manner of degree has no bearing on a person’s subject understanding of Psychology. For jobs, however, a normal mode degree is preferred.Is it worthwhile to get a Ph.D. in Psychology?
A Ph.D. in Psychology is valuable because it allows one to work as a Professor at prestigious universities and as a Psychologist in prestigious corporations.
If you are reading this, it is possible that you are overwhelmed with information and brimming with zest to shape your career in psychology. We would suggest that it’s the right time for you to check out Leverage Edu and take the first step towards your awesome career.
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