Counseling Psychology – Helping Others

Out of all the different disciplines of psychology, counseling psychology is probably the one most of us are most familiar with.  It involves one on one interaction with a client and a psychologist or counselor.  At the same time, though, it often  confused with a clinical psychologist.  These are two different disciplines and educations.  Counseling psychology has the main purpose of helping a person who does not suffer any serious mental ailments, such as bipolar disorder.  Counseling psychologists work in a variety of situations and settings including places of learning, they offer consultation for agencies like the government and hospitals, and can hold academic administrative positions like the dean of a college.

Study Skills in Psychology- Counseling Psychology

There are also two different degrees in this field.  The first is a master’s degree, or MA, and the second is a doctorate, or PhD.  Each offer their benefits and drawbacks. Therefore depending where you wish to position yourself for a career, it’s important to choose which one’s right for you.  With a master’s degree, there will be plenty of career opportunities when you graduate. This is because it is cheaper to employ a person with an MA  in relative to a PhD.  It’s generally a degree that takes two to three years to complete and is cheaper to obtain.  One major drawback to an MA is that it may not meet the licensure requirements of every state.  Depending on the state you reside in or hope to work in, you may be required to return to school to meet the requisites.

A PhD, on the other hand, requires usually about 5 years of higher education.  It involves more clinical experience and research than a master’s degree.  Although most universities offer funding, or pay, it usually does not add up to much, approximately $6000 to $8000 per year.  The major benefit to a PhD in counseling psychology is that once you’ve earned it, you hold the highest possible credentials in your field.  With it come many job opportunities and a higher salary range.

Counseling psychology is a very popular career choice as it aligns with the fundamentals that usually draw people to the program in the first place.  A masters or a doctorate will both open doors for a career in the field but it’s a very personal choice as to which one suits you best.  Consider where you’d like to be both on an educational and career standpoint and weigh the benefits and drawbacks to help you determine your best fit.

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