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02/08/2019

Why You Should Get a Master’s in Psychology

In choosing a career path, our minds echo as multiple questions ricochet off the inside walls of our skull: Will I be happy with this path? Does this fall in line with my skills and values? Will this degree be enough for me? Will this provide enough for my family? Am I helping people? Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life?   A master’s degree in psychology may not even cross your mind when asking these questions. In making such an important decision, we try to be practical in determining the right career path based on financial stability, the kind of education you’d need, job and industry growth, and how you foresee your own growth and contentment. But a degree in psychology can be that practical option that opens a nearly infinite amount of doorways to different opportunities. Psychology is the science of behavior, and those who study it learn how to predict, understand, explain, and influence human motivations, cognition, emotions, and behaviors, which are all skills that can be employed in virtually any industry or occupation. Whether you are looking at one very specific career path or field of study, or are keeping your eyes, ears and mind open to multiple opportunities, earning a master’s degree in psychology can be not only one of your greatest triumphs, but also a complete game changer in your career, your future and your own growth as a person.           Here's a few reasons you should get a master's in psychology degree:  You're Passionate About Helping Others: Your psychology master’s degree puts you at a great advantage of knowing what to do in different situations, allowing you to become a transformational leader and allow those around you to flourish. No matter what your profession is or what industry you work in, your master’s in psychology will always provide you with the ability to help others. One of the big advantages for many professionals with this background is that they are able to identify potential psychological problems, build and maintain relationships, and provide useful guidance and advice to help the disadvantaged back on their feet. There Are A Variety of Job Opportunities: A psychology degree does not strictly mean your career path leads toward becoming a psychologist. Professionals with a master’s in psychology have a wide range of career opportunities to choose from, both within the industry and beyond. Many remain in the realm of psychology as researchers or workers in rehabilitation centers. But others also find themselves enjoying careers as college instructors and professors, academic advisors, HR managers, case managers, corporate managers, research analysts, and marketing and sales professionals. Here’s a list of other positions master’s degree holders obtain.* (*some positions may require additional education or credentials, such as certifications or licensure). Additionally, the job outlook is very positive. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an expected growth of 22% through the year 2020. It Offers A Desirable Salary: Of course, salary is a major factor when deciding on pursuing a master’s degree, and psychology master’s holders have the upper hand to make high figures. But salaries vary depending on what you specialize in or what your job title and position is. The average salary for professionals with a Master’s in Psychology is approximately $60,000. This can even go up into the six-figure range depending on the position and industry. It can also go up for those specializing in certain fields, such as Industrial-Organizational Psychology. If you have any questions or are wondering if our Online Master’s in Psychology is right for you, give us a call at 703-416-1441. We’re happy to discuss your future with you!

10/30/2018

What Makes a Good Counselor?

Have you ever thought about a career in counseling? Are you concerned whether or not a counseling degree will help you find a job that would “be worth it”? If so, below are just a handful of job titles you could earn with a degree in counseling:
  • Clinical Mental Health Counselor
  • Rehabilitation Counselor
  • Addictions Counselor
  • Career Counselor
  • Marriage and Family Counselor
But degree and employment opportunities aside, what makes a good counselor? They are licensed to practice Being licensed certifies that you meet the standards of the profession of counseling and are legally recognized to practice clinically, and gives both you and your clients a standard of care. It also allows you to show the caliber of your qualifications and makes you eligible to accept a potential client’s insurance, as well as legally securing your client’s privacy. (A violation of patient privacy results in potential job loss or other legal repercussions). But most importantly, it keeps you and your clients safe and responsible. They are put through rigorous training A Clinical Mental Health Counselor is a highly trained professional who can understand, identify, evaluate and treat various problems, both mentally or emotionally, that impact different areas of personal life. Counselors receive education in the fundamental aspects of the person: personality, family, society, culture, and aging, as well as specific problems that could arise like addictions, school or work related issues, depression/stress/anxiety, relationship struggles, acclimating to a life changing event and much more. Clinical Counselors are trained to evaluate and interpret diagnostic test results and create a comprehensive plan to address their clients’ particular needs. They can get very specific Upon graduation and licensure, Clinical Counselors can decide to specialize in an area they feel best suits their talents, knowledge and passion. There is a plethora of opportunities for clinicians who don’t specialize in a particular area, but many do specialize in child or adolescent counseling, marriage and family counseling, addictions counseling, or trauma counseling with specialization in therapeutic interventions like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming (EMDR). All the work pays off It's good to know that all of the trained and specialized services a counselor offers is helping the world move in a better direction, one individual at a time. It's also good to know it literally pays off too. According to recent polls done by ZipRecruiter, the average salary in the United States for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is $64,623 a year. That's above the current national salary average for working adults. This means that most LPC positions fall between $45,500 and $71,500 a year, which doesn’t include salaries for counselors who have a specialty or start a private practice. They help in a way that few can The demand for well-qualified counselors and experts in mental health is reaching an all time high. As a licensed clinical mental health counselor, you're trained and certified to accompany people on their journey to healing and transformation. You are able to assist them in working through whatever concern brought them to you, and helping them to learn the tools to take life in a new and healthier direction. If this seems like a career that could be your passion, go to Divine Mercy University’s website and look at the online M.S. in Counseling degree we offer. DMU takes a holistic approach to the person, knowing that each of us has a unique dignity, freedom and soul as well as mind, heart and body. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact us online or call us at (703) 416-1441.

02/14/2018

What Jobs Can I Get with a Psychology Degree?

An education in psychology can present you with many job opportunities. Besides the all-too-familiar role as a psychologist, there are countless other jobs in education, government, business, mental health and, even, ministry. The main skill that psychology students gain is the ability to understand how the human person thinks, acts and behaves. How they help people with mental health challenges depends on their area of expertise, level of education and experience. Here’s a snapshot of a few jobs you could get with a higher degree (master’s or doctorate) in psychology: Recommended Degree – Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Market Researcher: To develop an integrated business strategy, a market researcher is responsible for gathering information about target markets or customers. This duty is performed best with knowledge about how people think and behave. A psychology degree also helps them make unbiased conclusions from data and understand the importance of diverse surveying and its impact on results. Human Resource Manager: This role requires someone who is able to work effectively with a diverse group of people, which calls for an understanding of the mind and behavior. Instances of when this degree can be applied is when dealing with an employee with a mental illness, managing reports of sexual assault and instituting collaboration in a work setting. Pastor, Priest or Leader in Ministry: This role consists of helping others in need – mentally and spiritually on a daily basis, which requires them to provide sound counsel to members of their church. Oftentimes these roles become the first in line to help those in need. With a degree in psychology, they learn how to understand and address problems associated with individuals and families on a deeper level.  Consequently, they can address the problems of a diverse group of people and give them support to maintain their relationships, grow, heal and flourish.  Vocational Rehabilitation Provider: This person works with individuals with disabilities, special needs and mental health issues to help them seek employment that is achievable despite a prequalifying condition. Being knowledgeable about psychological problems and learning how to deal with stress will allow this person to aid their clients more efficiently and with great care. Recommended Degree – Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology Psychology Faculty or Professor: To be a proficient educator in this field of study, having a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology will allow you to teach beginners and advanced courses. It will also allow you to teach at colleges and universities with competitive programs. Additionally, this degree (along with experience) will allow you to become a licensed psychologist. Clinical Psychologist: This role consists of providing mental and behavioral health care to individuals and groups, which requires in-depth knowledge and practical clinical training. These skills allow them to address mental health challenges in a variety of settings, including private practice, outpatient clinics, consultation, and with the military. The days of only using a psychology degree in a clinical setting is evolving to help people who work in diverse environments. As a result, more people are able to help combat mental health challenges of their peers, coworkers and employees on a day-to-day basis. Learn more about our psychology programs at Divine Mercy University.
About DMU
Divine Mercy University (DMU) is a Catholic graduate university of psychology and counseling programs. It was founded in 1999 as the Institute for the Psychological Sciences. The university offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology, Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling, Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology, and Certificate Programs.