What Psychology Is
Psychology is an extraordinarily diverse field with hundreds of career paths. Some specialties, like caring for mentally ill people, are familiar to most of us. Others, like helping with design of advanced computer systems or studying how we remember thing, are less well known.
What all psychologists have in common is a shared interest in human behavior. In their work, they draw on an ever-expanding body of scientific knowledge about how we think, act, and feel, and apply the information to their special areas of expertise. Among psychologists, researchers spend most of their time generating knowledge; practitioners apply the knowledge; and some psychologists do both.
What Practicing Psychologists Do
Practicing Psychologists are qualified professionals who provide assessment, consultation and treatment for people of all ages.
Some areas include:
- personal growth
- career planning and life transitions
- learning and attention difficulties
- marital and relationship issues
- parenting and family concerns
- separation and divorce
- depression
- stress
- anxiety
- pain management
- health and wellness
- traumatic experiences
- habit disorders
- substance abuse
- problem gambling
- workplace stress
- performance enhancement
Getting Ready to Work In Psychology
If you are interested in a career as a psychologist, you have to complete a master's degree in psychology or equivalent.
Take time to research your choices. The program should match your interests. For example, some psychology departments may specialize in a subfield of psychology that appeals to you. In addition, investigate the areas of expertise and research interests of individual faculty members if your career interest lies in a specific type of research.
A graduate school's department of psychology is the best source of information about the nature of its program and its admission requirements. Throughout the application process, discuss your plans with your psychology faculty advisor.
Subfields Within Psychology
Psychologists specialize in a host of different areas within the field and may identify themselves by many different labels; such as:
- Clinical Psychologists
- Counselling Psychologists
- Developmental Psychologists
- Educational Psychologists
- Forensic Psychologists
- Health Psychologists
- Industrial/Organizational Psychologists
- Neuropsychologists
- Rehabilitation Psychologists
- School Psychologists
- Social Psychologists
- Sports Psychologists
You can also find additional career information about psychologists through the Alberta Learning Information Services (ALIS), Alberta Occupational Profiles website. Click here for the link directly to the Psychologist Profile.
How to Become a Registered Psychologist
Inquiries on how to become registered as a Psychologist in Alberta should be forwarded to the College of Alberta Psychologists.
Phone: (780) 424-5070
1-800-659-0857 Toll Free anywhere in Alberta
E-mail: psych@cap.ab.ca
Web Site: www.cap.ab.ca
Master's and Doctoral Degree Programs:
- University of Alberta Psychology Department
- University of Alberta Educational Psychology
- University of Calgary Psychology Department
- University of Calgary Applied Psychology
- University of Lethbridge
- Campus Alberta Graduate Program in Counselling
- City University of Seattle
- Gonzaga University
- Loma Linda
Four Year Bachelor's degree programs with major in psychology or educational psychology: - University of Alberta
- University of Calgary
- Grant MacEwan University
- University of Lethbridge
- Athabasca University
- Canadian University College
- City University of Seattle
- Concordia University College of Alberta
- Grande Prairie Regional College
- Red Deer College
- Taylor University College and Seminary
- The Kings' University College
- Ambrose University College
- Mount Royal University
