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There are several subfields in psychology to research and consider when working toward your degree. Where do your interests lie? We've created a list that describes what workers in each of these fields do in order to help you streamline your studies toward a specific psychology specialty and ensure that you'll be on the right path toward a successful psychology career.  Research Subfields in Psychology Clinical Psychology Clinical psychology constitutes the largest specialty. Clinical psychologists usually work in counseling centers, independent or group practices, hospitals, or clinics. They assess and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. (PhD or PsyD) Find Clinical Psychology Programs Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology Cognitive and perceptual psychologists study human perception, thinking and memory. (MS, PhD, or PsyD) Find Cognitive Psychology Programs Community Psychology Community psychologists treat whole neighborhoods or communities as "clients" by emphasizing prevention, education, and consultation to promote community mental health. (MA, PsyD, PhD) Find Community Psychology Programs Counseling Psychology Counseling psychologists use various techniques, including interviewing and testing, to advise people on how to deal with problems of everyday living. They work in settings such as university counseling centers, hospitals, and individual or group practices. In most states, people with master’s degrees cannot have their own private practice. (MA, PsyD or PhD) Find Counseling Psychology Programs Developmental Psychology Developmental psychologists study the physiological, cognitive, and social development that takes place throughout life. Some specialize in behavior during infancy, childhood, and adolescence, or changes that occur during maturity or old age. (PhD) Find Developmental Psychology Programs Educational Psychology Educational psychologists conduct research on classroom dynamics, teaching style, and learning variables; develops educational tests, evaluates educational programs, acts as a consultant for schools. (EdD, EdS, MEd or PhD) Find Educational Psychology Programs Engineering Psychology Engineering Psychologists conduct research on how people work best with machines. (MS, PhD, or PsyD) Find Engineering Psychology Programs Experimental / Research Psychology Experimental or research psychologists work in university and private research centers and in business, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. They study behavior processes with human beings and animals such as rats, monkeys, and pigeons. (PhD) Find Experimental Psychology Programs Forensic Psychology Forensic psychologists study problems of crime prevention, rehabilitation programs in prisons, courtroom dynamics, psychology and the law, select candidates for police work. (PhD) Find Forensic Psychology Programs Geriatric Psychology Geropsychologists deal with the special problems faced by the elderly. The emergence and growth of these specialties reflects the increasing participation of psychologists in providing direct services to special patient populations. (PhD) Find Geriatric Psychology Programs Industrial / Organizational Psychology Industrial / Organizational psychologists apply psychological principles and research methods to the workplace in the interest of improving productivity and the quality of work-life. (MA or PhD) Find Industrial / Organizational Psychology Programs Neuropsychology Neuropsychologists study the relation between the brain and behavior. They often work in stroke and head injury programs. (PhD) Find Neuropsychology Programs School Psychology School psychologists work in elementary and secondary schools or school district offices to resolve students' learning and behavior problems. (MA, EdS, EdD, PhD) Find School Psychology Programs Social / Personality Psychology Social psychologists examine people's interactions with others and with the social environment. They work in organizational consultation, marketing research, systems design, or other applied psychology fields. (MA, PhD) Find Social Psychology Programs Sports Psychology Sports psychologists help athletes refine their focus on competition goals, become more motivated, and learn to deal with the anxiety and fear of failure that often accompany competition. (MS, PhD) Find Sports Psychology Programs  |
