Child Psychology Resource Guide

This guide is provided as a resource for students focusing on Child Psychology and related disciplines, as well as those interested in the subject. The resource guide is divided into various broad categories, and each resource is annotated with a brief description. This resource guide also contains hyperlinks to several professional associations, databases and journals to assist with research in the area of Child Psychology.

Included also are Child Psychology educational resources and tutorials for teachers, parents, therapists and those interested in furthering their understanding of the discipline of Child Psychology. These additional resources offer a deeper understanding of the discipline. These educational resources are designed for both students and teachers to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge. Social media accounts to follow are listed in order to obtain the latest updates in the field. [Read more…]

10 People Who Gained Extraordinary Abilities From Brain Damage

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Savants are people who display extraordinary abilities, sometimes far exceeding what we might think of as normal. These abilities can include exceptional memory recall, lightning calculation ability and uncanny artistic skill. Certain cases have attracted the attention of the media, even the 1988 film Rain Man was inspired by a real figure, and the field is subject to constant scientific research and debate.

Among the most amazing cases in this area are “acquired savants”, individuals left with extraordinary abilities following a brain injury or central nervous system trauma. The leading American authority on savant syndrome, Dr Darold Treffert, believes that there are probably fewer than fifty living prodigious savants, that is, those whose gifts would appear incredible in anyone. Yet, while some of these acquired abilities continue to amaze and baffle, Dr Treffert is not alone in thinking that such cases may point to untapped abilities in all of us. Read on to find out what these might be.
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Editor’s Picks: 10 Recommended Online Psychology Degree Programs

The schools included here are among the country’s best recognized online psychology degree programs. Additionally, these schools have high graduate placement rates.

Good online psychology degrees provide a first-rate education. Students may study from anywhere in the world on their own time.

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Recommended Bachelors in Psychology Programs

9. University of Massachusetts

Program Overview

The online Bachelor’s of Psychology degree offered by UMass Online is considered to be among the top 100 programs in the country. The school also offers online master’s degrees in psychology.

Tuition

Psychology bachelor’s degree students at UMass pay $355 per credit.

Unique Features

UMass ensures that online students get access to outstanding faculty. The university is committed to student success. The class schedules are also flexible and convenient. Highly qualified instructors are available for queries by e-mail, chat or phone.
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How Much Does A Psychologist Make?


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Psychologists can make a substantial salary depending upon where they practice. Private practice psychologists typically earn more than professionals working in hospitals or government environments, but both professionals have the opportunity to earn a significant portion. The average salary in 2010 was $68,640 according to BLS.gov. Currently, the median income of a psychologist is $82,877. The salary depends upon educational attainment, type of practice, region of the country and experience.

Recommended Psychology Programs

What are the Responsibilities of a Psychologist?

Psychologists observe the behavior of individuals and interpret how people react and relate to others and their environment. Instead of drugs, psychologists engage in talk therapy to treat patients who are ill and distressed. They are not able to prescribe drugs, but they can help patients develop a plan of action to move forward in their lives.

How Do You Become a Psychologist?

To practice in the field, a psychologist must have at least two to four years of psychology experience and a master’s degree, doctoral degree or another specialist degree. A license or certification will also be required to practice. They must be familiar with all the practices, procedures and concepts in the field. These professionals may report to a medical director. To be successful in the field, a general understanding and creativity is required.

Job Outlook for Psychologists

From 2010 to 2020, the occupation is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2010 to 2020. The growth rate is faster than average. Psychologists with a doctoral degree will have a better chance at obtaining a job than those with only a masters or specialist in school psychology.

What Does A Psychologist Make at Different Stages of a Career?

The top ten percent of psychologists have an earning potential of $111,810 or more. These psychologists have established their clientele and may have their own private practice. They can set their hours and accommodate clients on their schedules. They are experienced in the industry and may have written publications to share their knowledge with the masses. Experienced psychologists are often independent consultants.

The lowest 10 percent earn less than $39,200. These are typically entry level positions or psychologists who are just establishing their clientele. They have little to no experience and need time to practice their craft. They may work in hospitals, clinics, government and nursing homes.

What Do Psychologists Make in Different Geographic Areas?

States pay psychologists differently based upon the cost of living and demand. For instance, clinical psychologists receive some of the best pay rates in New Jersey. The typical salary is $92,380. New Mexico has some of the lowest pay rates at $61,880. In Florida, industrial psychologists are paid the highest at $126,640. Other geographic salaries include:

Illinois: Mean annual pay for psychologists is $64,270.

Arizona: This state has some of the highest pay rates of any type of psychologist at $101,100.

Rhode Island: This state has some of the lowest paid salaries at $60,240.

Greeley, Colorado: Colorado is also one of the best states for psychologists. The highest paid salaries for psychologists are often in excess of $170,280.

Minnesota: The highest payment for industrial psychologists is $124,430 in this area.

Salinas, California: Psychologists receive high wages of $166,700 in this area.

Houston, Texas: As an experienced psychologist, expect to receive $84,020.

Brockton, Massachusetts: A mean salary of $77,940 is offered to psychologists in Brockton.

How Much Do Psychologists Make with Differing Levels of Education?

Bachelors of Psychology Salary: The average salary is $34,000 annually.

Masters of Psychology Salary: The average salary ranges from $43,151 per year for a mental health counselor to $67, 563 for a nonprofit organization director. People with 20 years or more make $74, 433.

Doctoral of Psychology Salary: The salaries range from $64,140 to $145,500 depending upon the specialization. The median for all psychologists is $86,120.

How Much Do Different Types of Psychologists Earn?

Child Psychologists: In a private practice, a child psychologist may make $85,000 annually. To earn this amount, a doctorate is typically required.

Experimental or Research Psychologists: The average salary averages between $90,690 and $91,980 if employed in individual and family services or educational and support services. An experimental psychology doctoral degree is required for most positions. A bachelors and masters are required to reach this level of educational attainment.

Industrial Psychologists: Industrial psychologists earn a median salary of $87,330 according to BLS.gov 2010 statistics. This is one of the highest paying psychologists in the industry.

Clinical, School and Counseling Psychologists: These psychologists earn a median salary of $66,810 according to BLS.gov statistics.

25 Scholarships For Aspiring Psychology Degree Seekers


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For students who are aspiring psychologists, there are a great many psychology scholarships, grants and other opportunities that are available. Here is a sampling of the many opportunities out there: 25 scholarships aimed at future psychology degree holders.

1. The Benton-Meier Scholarship

Offered by the American Psychological foundation, this scholarship is available to graduate students in neuropsychology for an amount up to $2,500 for an academic year.

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2. National Pathfinder Scholarship

The National Federation of Republican Women offers three scholarships of up to $2,500 to female graduate or undergraduate students studying psychology. They must be studying the subject with a behavioral concentration that focuses on addiction and substance abuse problems.

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3. Society For The Scientific Study Of Sexuality Research Grant

Two grants of up to $1,000 each are awarded by this organization, which elects to use its grant money for those students studying the psychology of sexuality and gender identity.

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4. Gallagher Koster Health Careers Scholarship Program

Open to full-time undergraduate students studying a health profession, juniors and seniors in college can receive this scholarship as long as they have a 3.0 GPA or higher. 50 such scholarships are awarded on an annual basis.

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5. Annette U. Rickel Dissertation Award

Eligibility to this scholarship, offered by the American Psychological Foundation, supports students who are conducting research for their dissertation that involves public policy. That public policy must involve and directly benefit young children or at-risk populations.

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6. American School Health Association Scholarship

Three $1,000 scholarships are provided annually to students in psychology and other healthy-related areas of study who are concentrated on benefitting the health of young children. The focus of the organization is America’s public schools, but such a specific focus is not needed in order to qualify for the program.

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7. Psi Chi Allyn & Bacon Awards

Psi Chi, which its the national honors society for students of psychology, offers a competitive empirical research program which allows for three scholarship awards. Submitted empirical research papers are ranked first, second, and third, with prizes descending from $1,000 to $650 and $350 respectively.

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8. Cappex Psychology Scholarship

A single $1,000 scholarship is offered by this scholarship-searching website, with eligible students studying psychology as an undergraduate at any four-year institution in the United States.

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9. American Psychology Foundation Graduate Study Scholarships

The APF offers more than fifteen scholarship programs to support research being done by graduate-level psychology students at accredited universities throughout the United States.

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10. Okura Mental Health Leadership Foundation Fellowship

This lucrative scholarship is issued in the amount of $25,000 to students studying the psychology of the Asian-American and American Pacific Islander population. Research, training, and service efforts are all eligible to receive these funds.

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11. Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Child Psychology Graduate Student Fellowship

This APF scholarship supports psychology students who are working specifically with child psychology concentrations and programs at major universities.

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12. Esther Katz Rosen Graduate Student Fellowships

Another child psychology scholarship, this fellowship program focuses on financing the efforts of those students researching gifted and exceptional children and the psychological effects of these matters.

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13. F. J. McGuigan Dissertation Award

Graduate students composing their dissertation on understanding the human mind can qualify for this award, which helps to support and fund research into the materialistic understanding of the mind in both practice and theory.

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14. Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship

Graduate students can qualify for this APF scholarship if they’re conducting research into mental illness and ways to reduce the stigma associated with such illness in the Western world.

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15. AFSCME/UNCF Union Scholars Program

This $5,000 annual scholarship is intended for liberal arts undergraduate students, psychology majors included, who have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and hold a valid United States driver’s license.

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16. Bruce and Evelyn Davies Otto Fellowship

Psychology majors and other students of the sciences and technology can qualify for this $2,500 scholarship as long as they’re a full-time undergraduate student with a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

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17. Behavioral Sciences Student Fellowship

Sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation, this fellowship is targeted toward graduate and undergraduate students who are studying behavior psychology or the psychological implications and causes of Epilepsy in sufferers.

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18. Wayne F. Placek Grants

This research grant supports undergraduate and graduate students who are looking into behavior aspects of psychology as it is related to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities around the world.

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19. Visionary and Weiss Grants

These grants are intended to cover the research costs of students who are engaged in research covering intervention programs and their psychological methods and implications.

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20. Lizette Peterson Homer Grant

This research grant is awarded to graduate or undergraduate students whose work is primarily related to the prevent of abuse, injury, and suicide, in all segments of the population.

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21. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Easily one of the most lucrative graduate research fellowships, this NSF program offers an educational tuition grant of $10,500 per year as well as a $30,000 research stipend for those in the psychology field who are conducting research into any area.

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22. Psi Chi Graduate Assistantship Grants

Available to graduate students who intend to enroll in a university’s teaching assistantship program, these scholarships are distributed to several students on a yearly basis with an overall value (between all scholarship awards) of $24,000.

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23. Psi Chi Diversity Article Awards

Students must submit an article, based on psychological research, concerning diverse populations and not sponsored by a faculty member, in order to qualify for this program.

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24. The Carol Williams-Nickelson Award for Women’s Leadership and Scholarship in Women’s Issues

Women who have shown exceptional leadership and academic excellence in professional, post-graduate, or undergraduate capacities, are eligible for this award of up to $1,500 in cash.

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25. The Nancy B. Forest and L. Michael Honaker Master’s Grant for Research in Psychology

This national scholarship is intended to fund graduate-level research into any area within the field of psychology.

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How To Choose A Psychology Program


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The field of psychology studies human behavior and mental function in order to understand and solve problems within various areas of human activity. Psychology combines science, philosophy, and statistics and, because of the complexities of the human brain and the ever-changing human dynamic, psychology continues to be a growing field of study. Some general and common fields of psychology include behavioral health and medicine, cognitive psychology, and psychotherapy. More specific fields include social, abnormal, experimental, and cultural psychology. There are many various sub-fields within these disciplines, such as developmental, social, child, emotional, and perceptive psychology. Choosing the right path for your psychology education depends upon your interests and you may choose to begin schooling in an undergraduate program to gain more knowledge before deciding where your particular interests lie. Obtaining your bachelor’s degree in psychology may then lead to graduate school for you, where your education will hone in on your more specific field of study, such as educational psychology or psycholinguistics.

What To Look For In A Psychology Program

Choosing an undergraduate psychology program in which to earn your bachelor’s degree can seem like an overwhelming task, but if you know what to look for you will find it is easier than you may think. You will want to think about if you would like to attend a community college, which may have smaller class sizes but no student housing, or a traditional college or university. When possible, visit the schools you are interested in, and talk to faculty members and advisors. The reputation, accreditation, size, admission criteria, cost, location, co-op opportunities, job placement and career services programs, and financial aid options of the school are also very important things to consider when making your decision.

Accreditation

Make sure, first and foremost, that the college or university is accredited and has a good reputation within the psychological community. Accreditation by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a must because this ensures that the school meets certain requirements and will provide a good quality education to its students. Also, many reports, accessible by doing a simple online search, rank schools according to a certain subject area, in this case psychology. Pick a high-ranking college or university as degrees from these are more valued by graduate schools and potential employers.

Size And Location

The size and location of the schools that you are looking at for your undergraduate studies in psychology are something to consider. While many people prefer a larger, more popular university, others may benefit more from a smaller college which may offer smaller class sizes. State colleges and universities are subsidized by their state, so tuition tends to be lower for in-state students and higher for out-of-state students. Again, this is something to think about since many people may wish to go far away to study, maybe because the school has an excellent psychology department, but affordability is a concern for all of us as well. Look at all of your financial aid options as well, should you need help affording the program you desire.

Admissions

Admission criteria will vary among colleges and should be researched and considered. Community colleges are easier to get accepted into because their criteria for GPA and test scores is more broad than that of traditional colleges and universities. Also research the schools’ co-op programs to see if they would provide quality experiences for you to sharpen your skills. These vary quite a bit from school to school, so be sure to compare them and decide what would be a good fit for you. Job placement and career services at the school of your choice should provide top-notch advice and direction, assisting you in identifying your career path, helping you direct your education toward your final goals, and putting you on the right path to that exciting career you’ve set out to achieve.

Online Psychology Programs

Many students prefer an online education as opposed to going to classes on-site. An online education is accessible and convenient, allowing you to set your own schedule and study full-time or part-time. Online education is increasingly popular as the range of options in it continues to grow. If you would like to earn your psychology degree online, consider your time-management skills as you will need to set time aside to accomplish your educational goals. Also, as with on-campus colleges and universities, make sure the program is accredited. You should also be comfortable with using computers.