While bewitching the mind might not be possible yet in the muggle world, understanding and helping a troubled mind is a growing science called Psychology. Psychology is defined as the study of the mind and behaviour. It is a lucrative career opportunity for those who often wonder what happens in the most complex enclosure in the world, the human mind.
What Does A Career In Psychology Entail?
Behavioural or cognitive scientist and psychotherapist are some of the other popular terms used for a Psychologist. However, it is not restricted to just that. Psychology includes multiple disciplines that open up many job opportunities for aspiring candidates.
Clinical psychologists provide mental and behavioural health care to individuals and families. Popularly known as therapists, these individuals provide psychotherapy to patients diagnosed with various mood, affect or thought disorders.
These individuals assess criminal behaviour, witness credibility, child custody, and provide various other assistance to the judicial system.
- The school counsellor and Career counselling
Schools and higher education institutions often hire individuals trained in psychology to help distressed students and guide them in choosing a suitable career. Career counsellors are tasked with assessing the candidate’s personality, likes, dislikes, aptitude and other parameters that help in determining a career path that is most suited for the particular candidate.
Military psychology is a specialization within psychology that applies psychological science to promote the readiness of military members, organizations, and operations. The Indian Army currently does not have a recruitment service to include Psychologists among its ranks. However, one can apply to DRDO as a scientist or also work as a civilian clinical psychologist aiding the Army Medical Corps.
- Industrial and organisational psychology
Industrial psychologists study and evaluate a company's culture, employee behaviour, and work processes, and create or recommend programs and practices to improve employee productivity and organizational performance.
Teaching and core academics also happen to be lucrative career options for students of psychology. Psychology is a part of the curriculum in various schools and is offered as a subject in the 11th and 12th standards of the Humanities stream in India. There are also good opportunities available for teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses available in psychology in leading colleges and universities after qualifying for the requisite examinations such as the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Neuropsychology is the discipline which is concerned with how a person's cognition and behaviour are related to the brain and the rest of the nervous system. Professionals in this branch of psychology often focus on how injuries or illnesses of the brain affect cognitive and behavioral functions.
There are various other disciplines in psychology as well including Developmental Psychology, Sports psychology etc. which can also be pursued.
Any gaps left in the school education system are filled in by these individuals. They aid children who are diagnosed with learning disabilities or irregular cognitive functioning. With the help of such psychologists, such
How To Pursue An Education In Psychology?
Undergraduate Studies
In India, various universities offer bachelor's degrees in Psychology as BSc in Psychology and BA (Hons) in Psychology. The eligibility criteria for most universities is that the candidates need to pass the 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognised board with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks from any stream.
However certain colleges require science or any one of its disciplines as a subject in 10+2.
Postgraduate Studies
Following a bachelor's degree in general psychology, candidates can apply for an MSc degree in Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, etc
Psychiatry vs Psychology- Is There A Difference?
While both disciplines work to improve the mental health of the community, there are certain fundamental differences involved.
A psychiatrist is a mental health professional who deals with the diagnosis and administration of appropriate treatment for various mental health disorders. On the other hand, a clinical psychologist deals with helping the patient in recognising the faulty thought process and replacing it with a more rational thought via psychotherapy.
A psychiatrist has to attain an MBBS degree after qualifying for NEET (UG) exam followed by a post-graduation in MD (Psychiatry) to practice. While a clinical psychologist has to do a BSc in Psychology followed by a post-graduation in clinical psychology.
Due to such a stark difference in educational qualifications, psychiatrists are permitted under law to prescribe psychiatric medicines and drugs while psychologists are not.
How Much Will I Earn From A Career In Psychology?
The income that can be expected from a particular career is always a major factor in choosing disciplines. After completing a BSc and an MSc in psychology, a person can according to the specialisation expect an approximate salary as given below:
Job Opportunity
|
Avg. basic salary
|
Psychiatrist
|
INR 480,000 per year.
|
Industrial/Organisational Psychologist
|
INR 460,000 per year.
|
Neuropsychologists
|
INR 500,000 per year.
|
The School counsellor and Career counselling
|
INR 280,000 per year.
|
Clinical Psychologist
|
INR 360,000 per year.
|
Forensic Psychologist
|
INR 420,000 per year.
|
Education Psychologist
|
INR 700,000 per year.
|
Child Psychologist
|
INR 480,000 per year.
|
Needless to say, the income increases with the increase in expertise and years of experience.
List of top colleges/universities for psychology
- Lady Shri Ram College for Women
Lady Shree Ram College is one of the premium institutes of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Commerce. It is affiliated with Delhi University. It was established in 1956 and has a breathtaking 15-acre campus in South Delhi. It has a reputed Department of Psychology which offers B.A.(Honours) in Psychology. The admission is purely based on merit. The Psychology course offered is quite impressive, the teachers are great along with impressive Psychology labs.
Christ University is a private university. It was founded in 1969. In 2014, it has been ranked the 6th best college for Humanities. It offers various courses in Psychology. It offers PhD in Psychology, M.Phil. in Psychology, M.A. in Educational Psychology, M.Sc in Behavioural Science, M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, M.Sc in Counselling Psychology, and M.Sc. in Psychology(HRDM). The Undergraduate courses offered in the field of Psychology are combined. The courses are Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media, English AND Psychology; Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, psychology, English; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Economics, Sociology; Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts, English, Psychology; Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies, English and Psychology; Bachelor of Arts in Music-western Classical, Psychology, English. The Admission is based on an Entrance Examination namely CUET.
Fergusson College is an autonomous public educational institution offering courses in the streams of Arts and Science in the city of Pune. It was founded in 1885 by the Deccan Education Society. The college is affiliated with the University of Pune and accredited ‘A’ by NAAC. The college offers various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It offers BA in Psychology and an MA in Psychology. Various well-known, multi-national companies come to offer jobs and placements. The admission is purely based on merit.
It is an all-women college affiliated with Delhi University situated in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Jesus and Mary College is well known for its Arts courses which involve B.A.(Hons.) Psychology. The faculty is really helpful and great teachers. The Department of Psychology is famous for its dual focus on the theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject. The admission is purely based on merit.
It is one of the prominent colleges in India. It was established in 1869 and is situated in Mumbai. This college is affiliated with The University of Mumbai. It offers various courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It conducts an entrance test for certain courses. In the field of psychology, it offers B.A. in Psychology. The Admission process is based upon merit.
Psychology is a field that is brimming with possibilities, with discoveries waiting to happen, intersections still to be found, and lives yet to be enriched. A career that pays dearly and gives you a chance to make the world a happier, healthy and more peaceful place.
Medbots wishes you all the best for your career.