Abnormal Psychology Degree
There is no specific degree in abnormal psychology, you would pursue a degree in clinical psychology to study abnormal psychology. Clinical psychologists diagnose and care for people who display abnormal behavior or mental disorders. You have to obtain a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. to be a clinical psychologist. You also can study abnormal psychology in masters' programs.
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Master's Degrees
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You can get advanced training in abnormal psychology at the master's level in clinical or counseling psychology programs. Students in master's counseling and clinical psychology programs take courses in abnormal psychology, personality theories and treatment of patients. Graduates of these programs can treat clients under the supervision of a doctoral level psychologist.
Doctoral Degrees
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You can get one of two doctoral degrees in clinical psychology--a Ph. D (research degree) or Psy.D. (professional degree). You get a Psy. D. from a professional school, which has fewer research requirements than a Ph.D. Students in both programs must complete a year's internship after finishing their coursework. Students in clinical doctoral programs take advanced courses in areas such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder and therapy. Professors in clinical psychology doctoral programs teach graduate students to diagnose and treat psychopathological (abnormal) disorders. Ph.D. students must pass a comprehensive exam.
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Practica and Internships
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Master's level students in counseling and clinical psychology must complete a practicum--conduct therapy with patients under the supervision of a doctoral level professional about 20 hours per week before graduating. Doctoral level students must complete a year's internship at a mental health facility where they diagnose and treat patients under the supervision of experienced clinicians prior to graduating.
Research
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Ph.D. students conduct research for a dissertation on a topic of their choice under the supervision of a faculty member. Clinical psychology students might conduct research on conduct disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, bipolar disorders or the effectiveness of different types of therapy. Once the dissertation is completed, the student defends it to a committee of faculty members. There is no time frame for these activities, each student progresses at her own pace. Psy.D. and master's level students are not required to conduct original research.
Careers
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People with a master's degree can work in human services, mental health facilities, schools, hospitals or clinics. Clinical or counseling graduates can go into private practice after they complete an internship working under the supervision of a doctoral level clinician and pass a licensing exam. Ph.D. and Psy.D. graduates can work in colleges and universities teaching future clinicians as well as the above mentioned settings for master's graduates. They also must pass a licensing exam that varies by state. The APA Salary Survey of 2007 indicates that generally doctoral level clinicians earn more money than masters level graduates.
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References
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