Science and technology are gaining new heights every day. People are adopting modern ways and new lifestyles to stay abreast of the world. But somewhere in all these advancements and the changing scenario of the world, people are facing increased levels of stress, depression, loneliness, emotional disturbances, and other behavioral and adjustment problems. This has created a plethoric need of psychologists all over the globe. Due to this the scope of psychology is rising day by day. Psychology is attracting many young people to opt for it as a career. So if you are one of them then you've come to the right place!
Psychology is the key to unlock all the locks of our mind. If you are interested in solving the puzzles of the human mind and behavior and want to study in-depth about its various concepts and theories then psychology is definitely for you. Psychology is a vast subject that focuses on the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. After completing a bachelor's degree in psychology (Hons) or as psychology one of the subjects, to build a well-rounded career in this field, higher education is necessary. This article will provide you with necessary information about the specializations in master's psychology, the best colleges offering postgraduate courses in psychology and the key points to keep in mind before opting for masters in this subject!
MA vs MSc Psychology
Masters in Psychology degrees can take the form of either a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc). Currently, there are no major differences between the degrees in India. The degree provided depends on the college that is offering the course and there is not much difference in the syllabus of MA and MSc Psychology. A student with a BA (psychology) degree can apply for MSc programs too.
Specializations Offered
There are many specializations in the master's psychology. Few of them are as follows-
- Master's in psychology- Masters in Psychology mainly deals with the study of theories, principles, and methods of psychology. This is more knowledge-based and involves studying emotions, learning, thinking, perception, intelligence, memory, and other topics related to the mind.
- Master's in Applied psychology- Masters in Applied Psychology involves using psychological theories, techniques, and tools to solve practical problems regarding the human mind and behavior.
- Clinical psychology- Clinical psychology deals with the study, diagnosis, and treatments of psychological disorders. It includes therapies and counseling. A clinical psychologist requires to be licensed by the RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) to start their practice.
- Counseling psychology- Counselling psychology focuses primarily on education, social, and career adjustment problems. The work of a counseling psychologist is quite similar to that of a clinical psychologist.
- Industrial and organizational psychology- It deals with workplace behavior, focusing on both the workers and the organization who employ the workers. It includes training employees, improving work conditions, developing criteria for selecting employees, etc.
Colleges for Master’s in Psychology
Top colleges for Master's in psychology in India| SR.NO | COLLEGE NAME | COURSES OFFERED | CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION |
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Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) | MA in Applied Psychology (Clinical and Counselling Psychology)- Chennai (Banyan) campus | Entrance test- TISSNET |
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Delhi University | MA in Applied Psychology (South campus), MA Psychology (North campus) |
50% by direct merit and 50% by an entrance test and interview |
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Christ University | MSc in Behavioural science, MSc in Clinical Psychology, MSc in Counselling Psychology, MSc Psychology (HRDM), MSc in Educational Psychology, MSc Psychology (HRDM) with an MA in Business and Organizational Psychology (Steinbeis, Germany) |
Entrance test |
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St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous) | MA Psychology: Lifespan Counselling | Entrance test |
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Fergusson College Pune | MA Psychology | Entrance test |
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Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi | MA Psychology | Entrance test |
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Ambedkar University Delhi | MA Psychology (Psychosocial Clinical Studies) | Entrance test |
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Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi | MA in Applied Psychology | Entrance test |
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Mithibai College of Arts, Mumbai | MA Psychology (Industrial) | Merit-based |
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Symbiosis College of Arts & Commerce, Pune | MA Psychology | Merit + Personal interview |
Life of a student of Master's in Psychology
As fascinating as psychology looks it takes one to go the extra mile to be proficient in this subject. But which field doesn't require hard work? The answer is there's no such field that can be mastered without hard work and psychology is not an exception. The life of a psychology student in Masters is very different from that of a bachelor's student. It's like a whole new world for the students stepping foot into the post-Graduation. The concepts and theories learned in bachelor's get deeper and more detailed. Students get a key idea of applying theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. The focus is more on practical aspects.
Many colleges conduct a number of workshops, seminars, conferences, and even recommend places that give students a better understanding of the practical aspects of psychology and how everything works. A student has to do various internships, volunteering programs on their own too.
The advantage of all this is that a student can explore different fields of psychology by actually experiencing it closely with the professionals. Interactions with professors become more important. One will witness a transition from textbooks to original works of Psychology geniuses.
A Master’s program helps the students to get a clear picture of whether they want to go for a practical based approach and work in the field of mental health in the future or are more interested in the theoretical and research-based aspects.
First Psychology Lab in Leipzig
Career opportunities available after a Master's in Psychology
A master's psychology degree opens the door to an immense number of opportunities for the degree holders. The following are a few of the major areas you might want to focus on in your job search:
| Jobs at Colleges and Universities | Jobs in Local, State, and Federal Government | Jobs in Health Care and Mental Health Services | Jobs in Business, Sales, Marketing and Advertising |
Vocational rehabilitation provider Self-reliance specialist Developmental specialist |
Drug and alcohol specialist Employment counselor Human resources analyst Parole officers Psychology program manager Rehabilitation counselor Social service manager |
Behavioral counselor Health project coordinator Psychiatric technician Rehabilitation specialist Group home coordinator Family services worker Child protection worker Childcare supervisor |
Human resources manager Advertising agent Market researcher Employee trainer Public relations representative Project manager Sales representative Store manager |
Upcoming Fields
Psychology is an ever-evolving field and provides no dearth in new opportunities. Some of the exciting upcoming fields are:
- Neuropsychology – 2 years MSc course in Gujarat Forensic Sciences University.
- Sports psychology – 2 years MA/ MSc course under the University of Rajasthan; Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University; and National Sports University.
- Health psychology –2 years MSc course under the University of Hyderabad.
- Forensic psychology – 2 years MSc course under Gujarat Forensic Sciences University
A master's psychology program is packed with practical learning. This is all a part of the life of a master's psychology student. It may seem quite engaging but, as you are stepping on another rung of the ladder of success the extent of hard work and efforts required, increases too. But you'll enjoy this hard work if you're truly passionate about psychology.
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Robert
December 4, 2020 at 3:12 pm