When studying the field of psychology, the concentration you pursue in an online psychology degree program can help you develop a breadth and depth of knowledge in your chosen subject area.

Popular Concentrations in Online Psychology Degree Programs

Some of the best online psychology degree programs in the country offer students a wide variety of concentration options. Which concentration is the right choice for you depends on what you want to do with your education. Do you want to work in the field of psychology, or are you looking to develop a background in human behavior so you can use it in another field, like business management or sales? If you do become a psychologist, would you rather work in a research lab, a clinical facility or a private counseling practice? Do you see yourself going to graduate school or jumping right into the workforce?

Some popular concentrations you can pursue in an online psychology degree program include:

  • Addiction
  • Applied psychology
  • Child and adolescent development
  • Consumer behavior
  • Criminal justice
  • General psychology
  • Human services
  • Infant and toddler development
  • Organizational behavior
  • Preparation for graduate studies
  • Preschool child development
  • Workplace psychology

Flexible Options for Choosing a Psychology Concentration

In addition to choosing from established academic concentrations, some psychology degree programs allow students to design their own concentrations, according to Appalachian State University. They can pick a niche in the field of psychology on which to focus and work toward attaining a breadth and depth of knowledge in that specialization by combining interdisciplinary coursework in subjects related to their self-designed concentration. The concentration you pursue in an online psychology degree program can impact your future opportunities, so some students are intrigued by the opportunity to customize a concentration that fits their goals.

While this option can be a great choice for students who know what they want to do with their education, it isn’t easy. Students must put in extra work to develop their program and getting it approved. They still need to take the same number of credit hours required for an established concentration, and they may need to complete additional requirements, like taking extra coursework in science and mathematics.

The Purpose of Choosing a Psychology Concentration

Students choose to pursue a concentration in an online psychology degree program for various reasons: to prepare for graduate school, to develop expertise in a niche in which they’re passionate about working or even merely so they can graduate. Some psychology degree programs offer specialized concentrations as an option students can choose to take advantage of, while others mandate that students choose one or more concentrations.

However, even if you’re not required to study any sort of specialization or academic track to earn your degree, it’s still a smart idea to do so. The concentration you pursue in an online psychology degree program can open new doors in your professional or future academic life.

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