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To
be a successful Psychologist you should:
- like to solve problems by gathering information from
a number of different sources
- be able to present information clearly through writing
and speaking
- be knowledgeable about psychological tests and assessment
techniques
- be familiar with psychotherapeutic approaches to helping
people to change
- have good interpersonal skills and the ability to
understand how other people experience things
- be able to conduct and/or understand research related
to human behavior and functioning
- feel strongly about helping people to do the best
they can
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| What
type of education and/or training do I need?
Psychologists receive their education through academic
programs at colleges and universities. A 4-year bachelor's
degree in psychology can qualify a person to assist psychologists.
The study of psychology is also good preparation for many
other professions.
People with master's degrees in psychology often work
under the direction of a psychologist, especially in clinical,
counseling, and school settings. In many states, such
as Connecticut, one can become a certified school psychologist
with a master's degree and sufficient supervised experience.
As might be expected, the highest paid and greatest range
of jobs in psychology is available to doctoral graduates.
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| Do
I need a license or certification for this career?
Licensure is required in the state of Connecticut. Prerequisite:
In addition to an approved Doctoral degree in psychology,
licensure requires post-doctoral work experience and passing
standard licensing examinations. Certification as a school
psychoogist is regulated by the State of Connecticut Department
of Education. |
| Where
can I get more information? American Psychological
Association
750 First St, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(800) 374-2721 www.apa.org
National Association of School Psychologists
4030 East West Hwy
Suite 402
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 657-0270 www.nasponline.org
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| What
is the salary for this career? $60,320 -
$104,000
(Source: National Health Council's Health
Careers Book) |
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| What
will my job be like? Psychologists traditionally
study both normal and abnormal functioning, and also treat
patients with mental, emotional, and behavioral problems
such as depression, anxiety and fears, drug abuse, eating
disorders, and problems with self-esteem and stress. Additionally,
psychologists work with business executives, performers,
and athletes to manage stress and improve performance.
With people living longer and society becoming more ethnically
and culturally varied, psychologists are finding new opportunities
to conduct research and develop services to meet the needs
of a more diverse society.
Psychologists contribute solutions to problems through
careful collection and analysis of data, and development
of intervention strategies - in other words, by applying
scientific principles to problems of everyday life.
The field of psychology encompasses both research, through
which we learn basic things about human and animal behavior,
and practice, through which that knowledge is applied
in helping to solve human problems. One of psychology's
most unique and important characteristics is its coupling
of science and practice, which stimulates continual advancement
of both. |
| Where
could I work? Psychologists are employed in
many settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes,
and schools. Many psychologists have a private practice
where they work by themselves or with other professionals.
Other workplace settings include:
- Businesses Colleges and Universities
- Market Research Firms Prisons
- Rehabilitation Centers
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| What
is the future of this career? Among fields
requiring a college degree, psychology is expected to
be the third fastest-growing field in America through
the year 2005 and to continue to grow steadily for at
least another dozen years after that. Psychologists are
also expected to take an increasing role in helping our
society learn to use and manage technology effectively.
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| Where
can I get the education and/or training? Almost
all colleges and universities in Connecticut offer bachelor
and/or master's degrees in psychology. Only the University
of Connecticut in Storrs, the University of Hartford in
West Hartford, and Yale University in New Haven offer
doctoral degrees in psychology.
- Central Connecticut State University, New Britain
- Connecticut College, New London
- Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic
- Fairfield University, Fairfield
- Quinnipiac University, Hamden
- Sacred Heart University, Fairfield
- Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven
- St. Joseph College, West Hartford
- Teikyo Post University, Waterbury
- Trinity College, Hartford
- University of Connecticut, Storrs
- University of Hartford, West Hartford
- University of New Haven, New Haven
- Wesleyan University, Middletown
- Western Connecticut State University, Danbury
- Yale University, New Haven
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