Abnormal Psychology Degree
Abnormal Psychology is the study of psychological abnormalities like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and borderline personality disorder. Individuals with a master’s degree can find job in a variety of settings including human services, mental health facilities, schools, hospitals and clinics.
Clinical or counseling graduates can go into private practice after they complete an internship working under the supervision of a doctoral level clinician and pass a licensing exam. Ph.D. and Psy.D. graduates can work in colleges and universities teaching future clinicians as well as the above mentioned settings for master’s graduates. They should pass a licensing exam. It varies by state.
Actually there is no specific degree in abnormal psychology. You should pursue a degree in clinical psychology to study abnormal psychology. Clinical psychologists diagnose and care for people who display abnormal behavior or mental disorders. You have to obtain a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. to become a clinical psychologist. You also can study abnormal psychology in masters’ programs.
Research Methods and Tools of Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Clinical psychologists use personality and intelligence tests, interviews, patient observation and written case studies to collect Abnormal Psychology data. Abnormal Psychology researchers use a professional reference manual, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, to diagnose patients.
This Abnormal Psychology reference book lists specific symptoms of various disorders, and also provides demographic information like the ratio of male to female patients exhibiting the disorder.
Master’s Degrees
Students in master’s counseling and clinical psychology programs take courses in abnormal psychology, personality theories and treatment of patients. Graduates of these programs can treat clients under the supervision of a doctoral level psychologist.
Doctoral Degrees
Nowadays you can get 1 of 2 doctoral degrees in clinical psychology–a Ph. D (research degree) or Psy.D. (professional degree). You can get a Psy. D. from a professional school, which has fewer research requirements than a Ph.D. Students in both programs must complete a year’s internship after finishing their coursework. Students in clinical doctoral programs take advanced courses in areas such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder and psychotherapy.
Professors in clinical psychology doctoral programs teach graduate students to diagnose and treat psychopathological (abnormal) disorders. Ph.D. students must pass a comprehensive exam.
Practicum and Internships
Master’s level students in counseling and clinical psychology must complete a practicum. It involves therapy with patients under the supervision of a doctoral level professional. It takes about 20 hours per week before graduating. Doctoral level students must complete a year’s internship at a mental health facility where they diagnose and treat patients under the supervision of experienced clinicians prior to graduating.
Research
Ph.D. students conduct research for a dissertation on a topic of their choice under the supervision of a faculty member. Clinical psychology students conduct research on conduct disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, bipolar disorders or the effectiveness of different types of therapy. When the dissertation is completed, the student defends it to a committee of faculty members. It’s good to note that Psy.D. and master’s level students are not required to conduct original research.
If you want to become a geriatric psychologist, you need to complete a bachelor’s, master’s degree in psychology with specializations in geriatric psychology. Private practice is still the most popular workplace for geriatric psychologists.
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Coursework for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree spans 4 years after a student receives their bachelor’s degree. Clinical psychologists work in a variety of fields to treat and prevent imbalance and maladjustment in human life. The coursework involved with obtaining Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree (Psy.D.) is extensive.
