Distance Learning: PsychologyMost people have at least a passing interest in psychology. The way human beings think and feel is a fascinating subject, and sometimes understanding a person’s inner workings helps make what had seemed to be inexplicable or unforgivable behavior, suddenly comprehensible. Not only is psychology interesting on its own, there are dozens of ways to apply it to the world. Educators, office personnel, politicians, and even sales people need an understanding of psychology to reach the greatest degree of success in their careers. Because psychological studies can be used in so many fields, there are many types of psychology certification and degree programs. For example, a specialist in human behavior studies the evolution of human behavior, how social expectations affect it and human behavior among diverse populations, and might use the degree in order to become a psychiatrist or to profile criminals. A student who earns a degree in counseling might begin her own business, counseling one or more specialized populations, such as children with learning disorders or newly divorced women. Someone who earns a master’s in organizational psychology has the skills necessary to be a major benefit to a large company, because that person has been trained to understand not only how individuals feel and behave, but how groups of people feel and behave as well. Just as there are a number of face-to-face programs that culminate in specialized psychology degrees, there are a nearly equal number of bachelor’s and master’s psychology programs that may be completed through distance learning. Before committing to earning a psychology degree through a distance learning program, many students opt to take one or two distance learning classes to see if studying and learning virtually will be a good fit. There are a great many accredited colleges and universities that offer Intro to Psychology classes where students get a basic overview of research methods, viewpoints and positions that have been taken by major figures in psychology, how biology influences psychology, normal and abnormal psychology, and psychological disorders. Pursuing these studies independently will help a student determine whether the material will be too difficult to handle outside of a traditional classroom. Students interested in pursuing a career as a counselor or therapist working in a clinical setting will find classes in abnormal psychology, crisis intervention, childhood psychological disorders, counseling theory, and other related coursework are widely available as distance learning options offered by institutions of higher learning in the United States, as well as in Canada. A degree in developmental psychology is eminently marketable and may lead to employment in family services, nursing care facilities, hospitals, and other jobs related to healthcare. This type of psychology job is projected to grow more than 25% over the next five years, to a large degree because of the aging population boom. Seniors need help coping with increased stress brought on by deteriorating health, loss of spouses and friends, failing memory, and major changes in lifestyle. Developmental psychologists also establish careers working with mentally delayed or disabled young people and adults, working with substance abusers, as school psychologists and diagnosticians, running hospital or university research studies, and a host of other jobs. Earning a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in developmental psychology via distance learning programs gives students the opportunity to take classes in child development and psychology, human development, adolescent psychology, psychology of aging, and more. Those with a particular interest in research and the science of psychology should expect a number of required classes that focus on statistics, psychological testing and outcome evaluation, research methods in psychology, and more in their distance learning programs. Understanding how to compile and evaluate information, approach different types of studies using a range of methodologies, and a thorough comprehension of the scientific method are essential skills that research psychologists must master. Whether you want to apply your understanding of human psychology to the criminal justice field as you attempt to untangle the complexities of criminal personalities, or the world of business where your knowledge of social psychology, conflict resolution, and the psychology of leadership can lead to a lucrative career, earning a degree from a virtual school or distance learning program may be the way to go for anyone who is self motivated and well organized. In fact, the first psychological profiling that people who are considering a distance learning program should undertake is of themselves. Individuals who tend to wait until the last minute to tackle assignments or who often need a little extra support might find that virtual programs just don’t fit their needs. Many students with a strong interest in psychology like to be around other people as much as possible because of all the opportunities to study human behavior and attitudes in the field, even if that “field” is the classroom and the subjects under study are classmates. For this type of student, a distance learning program might simply seem too dry and uninspiring. On the other hand, students who become easily bored and feel held back by other students’ endless questions or classroom discussions that just don’t relate to their own areas of interest might thrive in a distance learning environment that puts them in charge of their pace of learning. Others will do well because they are strongly focused and have a clear-cut goal from which they never waiver. There’s a practical reason for earning a psychology degree through distance learning, as well. Students who are a little older or who have lived life fully and have the full-time job or kids to prove it might not have the time to attend scheduled classes. They need the money the job provides, and leaving the kids for hours every day just doesn’t seem fair to them. These folks understand that getting ahead in life largely depends upon education, and distance learning is often the perfect answer for students with drive, determination, and an inflexible personal schedule. One final word of advice: These days, accredited distance learning program graduates garner the same degree of respect as do their brick-and-mortar graduate counterparts, but only if the online program has a solid reputation. A degree from a distance learning school that isn’t accredited isn’t worth much to the working world. Even degrees from programs that claim to be accredited might not be as solid as they first appear. It’s essential to make sure any program you are considering is being offered by a school that has been accredited by a recognized accrediting board or agency acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The American Psychological Association’s website is a good place to begin looking for programs that have been evaluated and given the stamp of approval by the Committee on Accreditation, which is the representative accrediting organization for psychology programs. Expect to combine distance learning classes with some coursework that must be accomplished in the traditional classroom, as the Committee on Accreditation does not yet approve programs that are based solely on distance learning. |
