Clinical psychologists must be able to diagnose problems with patients. They must know how to consult their patients in dealing with behavioral, emotional, or mental issues.
They must also be able to develop plans of action that are therapeutic and helpful to the patient in overcoming obstacles. Master’s degrees in clinical psychology offer the necessary coursework and training that a student needs to tackle each of these issues.
As a clinical psychologist, one’s patient base could range anywhere from children to the elderly. Anyone suffering from an emotional or psychological condition can benefit from this area of expertise, but in order to get there, a counseling candidate must choose a specialty and apply for admission.
Clinical Psychology Master’s: Areas of Specialty
School psychology specializations prepare a graduate student for the educational sector. Areas of training include aiding those involved in a child’s education—parents, teachers, administrators—to help the child overcome the roadblocks to learning.
Mental conditions such as ADD, ADHD, or Asperger’s Syndrome may be considered obstacles. However, family turmoil or deaths within the family can also knock a child off track. School psychologists help students to deal with these changes while moving forward their education and personal growth.
Counseling specializations are not confined to the educational sector. Those who choose this path for their master’s degree will likely work with children, adults, families, and the elderly throughout their careers.
Counselors, like their school psychologist counterparts, must complete heavy amounts of coursework and learn skills of practical application in helping their patients to overcome mental, behavioral, or emotional obstacles.
The final area of specialization—applied behavioral analysis—works within a system of ethics to design and implement environmental changes for the patient. They also evaluate those changes to guide a course of measurable improvement in behavior.
As with the counseling specialization, candidates for applied behavioral analysis may work with children, adults, and the elderly. Behavioral/developmental disabilities and major mental illness are targets of the clinical psychologist in this field.
Clinical Psychology Master’s Degree Titles
The degree titles for pursuit of a master’s degree in clinical psychology are as follows:
• MS (Master of Science—Thesis, Clinical Psychology)
• MS (Master of Science—Practitioner, Clinical Psychology)
• MS (Master of Science in Psychology)
• MA (Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology—Marriage and Family)
MS in Clinical Psychology—Thesis
This degree area prepares one for a pursuit of a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or PsyD (Doctor of Psychology). This field helps a professional expand their knowledge and work toward publication while also placing them in a prime networking position within the profession. Emphasis is on assessment, research, and theory.
MS in Clinical Psychology—Practitioner
This degree program is a hands-on opportunity for graduate students to work under the supervision of a doctoral psychologist. Aside from the networking opportunity it also offers a high level of preparation for those who wish to work in the school or clinical profession and is a gateway to a PsyD program.
MS in Psychology
The MS in psychology is a popular online degree, though programs may also be offered on-campus. (See the schools near you for availability and eligibility.)
This path prepares you for the doctoral program of your choice and trains you in areas of psychotherapy and psychological principles for a scientific understanding of the assessment, evaluation, and treatment of patients. Students in this program will utilize the scientific method and become adept at psychological theories and how they apply to patients.
MA in Psychology—Marriage and Family
Like the other areas of specialization, the MA in psychology prepares one for a doctorate program and also helps provide the appropriate theoretical and practical knowledge to help married people and families deal with transitions or obstacles within their environment.
Be sure to read our other articles on choosing the right clinical psychology degree:
