Thursday, February 19, 2009

Psychology Degree Distance Learning

The Washington Post (See Reference 1) eloquently stated that a virtual revolution was brewing for colleges. According to the Washington Post, colleges, like newspapers, are being torn apart by the ability to share information on the internet and many collegiate institutions are learning that online classes are simply cheaper to produce. Virtual classrooms are becoming increasingly common.


A woman on the computer


Considerations


Many people decide to pursue an online psychology degree because of the convenience of being able to learn from the comfort of their homes. Online degrees are especially popular among nontraditional students that have jobs and families. The three most popular degrees for students are business administration, criminal justice and nursing, but there is a growing segment of the population that is interested in pursuing an online degree in psychology. The leading school for online degrees continues to be the University of Phoenix. The school has an enrollment of more than 400,000 students each quarter.


Degree Programs


There are three primary degree programs that a person can pursue to gain a higher level of education in psychology. These three programs include a bachelors program, master programs, and a PHD program. There are over a dozen accredited universities that offer degree programs, and it's up to the future student to figure out which school is right for them.


University Considerations


When pursuing a psychology degree online, students should look for a university that is professionally oriented and has a great academic program. A good school will have a curriculum that is taught by skilled professors that have experience applying their knowledge. The right psychology program will help an individual develop critical thinking skills and apply psychological principles in various work settings.


Psychology Branches


Psychology is a rather large field that has various branches. Although it's possible for students to obtain a degree in general psychology, potential students also have other options. They can choose to study clinical psychology, educational psychology, sports psychology, counseling psychology and other niche fields in which they desire to develop a professional career. The specialty that a person chooses when obtaining a psychology degree is based on their preferences.


Accreditation


To find out if a school or degree program is property accredited, potential students should visit the American Psychology Association or the Department of Education's accreditation pages. These resources are useful in making sure that the school won't be a waste of time and money. Proper accreditation is essential for students who eventually want to become licensed psychologists.


Students who are interested in pursuing a psychology degree through distance learning can turn to free courses and lectures online to help them make a firm decision. Ivy league universities like Yale University and MIT offer free lectures that expose a potential student to what it would feel like to start taking psychology courses online.







Tags: psychology degree, interested pursuing, potential students, pursuing psychology, pursuing psychology degree