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Between the disciplines of psychiatry and psychology, psychology degree holders cannot prescribe medicine. So one might assume in an age where pharmaceutical innovations seem to happen every day, psychology as a field would start to diminish. But in fact, the opposite is happening. As clinical medicine further helps to unlock the mind, psychology is becoming even more relevant in today's stress filled world.

Pursuing a Degree in Psychology

Psychology is truly a fascinating field because it requires exploring the mind with the very instrument we're aiming to explore. There clearly is much more we have yet to discover about the human mind. There are numerous directions one can pursue when working towards a  psychology degree. You could work towards a psychology degree in human relations, nutrition, lucid dreaming, mass consumption, terrorism, artificial intelligence, etc. The potential career paths literally know no limits.

Earning a Bachelor's versus a Doctorate Degree in Psychology

If your ultimate goal is to become a fully licensed psychologist, you'll need to secure a doctoral degree in psychology before you can begin practicing. However, with a four year psychology degree, you should be qualified to assist psychologists and other mental health professionals with research, administrative duties, analysis, and treatment. In addition, some graduates with a bachelor's degree in psychology work as marketing researchers or test administrators.

Earning Potential with a Psychology Degree

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual salary in 2008 for psychologists was roughly $86,120. But given this career field is expected to grow much faster than the national average for other occupations, it's safe to assume salary ranges for psychologists should rise substantially in the coming years. This will be especially true if any medical breakthroughs further solidify our limited understanding of the human mind.

Source:

• U.S. Department of Labor--Psychologists