I have been studying psychology ever since the second semester of college and I absolutely love it and have always planned on going to graduate school to obtain a masters in a specific psych field. The only problem is, I am graduating in three semesters… I need to take the GREs this winter and start looking into graduate programs but since I haven’t found my niche yet, I don’t know what kind of program to look for. For a while I was very interested in school psychology, but after taking an educational psychology and theories of learning class, I realized it wasn’t for me. Next semester I am taking a research course and I had always planned on choosing a topic related to the field I wanted to earn a masters in, because the independent study would show my true interest in it. But now I have no idea what to do. I’m lost, does anyone have advice? I know for a fact I want to continue my education in psychology, I just don’t know which field of psych.
I have taken a ray of psych courses… clinical, counselling, abnormal, personality, school, social, research, experimental, physiological, and many developmental psych courses. I enjoy most of them, but wouldn’t know what to do with a masters degree in personality psychology, for an example.
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How Can I Find My Niche Within Psychology?
Posted on July 25, 2012.
If you don’t want to be a therapist (MFT), licensed clinical psychologist (Ph.D or Psy.D), or a professor/researcher (Ph.D) then you are looking in the wrong place.
Psychology is only good for 2 career choices, regardless of your specialty:
Becoming a professor
Becoming a therapist/clinician
The only career you’re likely to get with ANY of the different masters in psychology degrees is a career as an MFT. You can choose whichever of the masters programs, but it will still lead you to the same end result of an MFT license. There are very few jobs for research-oriented positions and all the other careers in psychology’s sub-fields (cognitive science, behavioral, abnormal, personality, social) require a Ph.D or Psy.D.
The safest bet is clinical psychology, then once you’re working on your doctorate you can focus more on neuropsychology, developmental psychology, behavioral psychology, etc.
Research jobs don’t really exist as a “stand alone” type of job in psychology. Research positions are filled by Ph.D professors and masters level students who are working on their Ph.D. Almost no one gets a “job” strictly as a researcher; researchers are almost always professors at a university or clinicians at an institution.
If you have more questions feel free to message or e-mail me.
EDIT: Good point on those two certifications stood, but knowing what a psychologists salary is I can’t imagine those two certifications making much money. Most psychologists salaries aren’t anything to write home about unless they have a successful private practice somewhere rich.
Well, what the other poster said isn’t entirely true. In fact, it’s becoming a common misconception that you need a PhD to do anything in psychology. You could always become a Psychology Technician- but the pay isn’t anything to speak of. However, Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts make about as much as RNs. Some more info:
Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®, BCBA-D®):
The BCBA and BCBA-D are independent practitioners who also may work as employees or independent contractors for an organization. The BCBA conducts descriptive and systematic behavioral assessments, including functional analyses, and provides behavior analytic interpretations of the results. The BCBA designs and supervises behavior analytic interventions. The BCBA is able to effectively develop and implement appropriate assessment and intervention methods for use in unfamiliar situations and for a range of cases. The BCBA seeks the consultation of more experienced practitioners when necessary. The BCBA teaches others to carry out ethical and effective behavior analytic interventions based on published research and designs and delivers instruction in behavior analysis. BCBAs supervise the work of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts and others who implement behavior analytic interventions.
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®):
The BCaBA conducts descriptive behavioral assessments and is able to interpret the results and design ethical and effective behavior analytic interventions for clients. The BCaBA designs and oversees interventions in familiar cases (e.g., similar to those encountered during their training) that are consistent with the dimensions of applied behavior analysis. The BCaBA obtains technical direction from a BCBA for unfamiliar situations. The BCaBA is able to teach others to carry out interventions and supervise behavioral technicians once the BCaBA has demonstrated competency with the procedures involved under the direct supervision of a BCBA. The BCaBA may assist a BCBA with the design and delivery of introductory level instruction in behavior analysis. It is mandatory that each BCaBA practice under the supervision of a BCBA. Governmental entities, third-party insurance plans and others utilizing BCaBAs must require this supervision.
You usually need a Bachelor’s and experience to be a BCaBA, and a Master’s and experience to be a BCBA. This is a great career track, with quite a few opportunities for advancement. And Behavior Analysts that specialize in Autism treatment and care are in HIGH demand as of late, due to the increase in diagnoses.