Posts Tagged educational
Pursuing A Masters In Psychology
The importance of psychology in life cannot be taken for granted. Psychology is the science that deals with human behavior as well as that of the non human. Though the course is only 125 years old, it is needed in almost in all spheres of life. Its study has its roots in biology to sociology, trying to seek a relationship between the brain functions and the behavior or the relationship between the environment and the behavior. Since the subject is so vast, there is therefore a need for specialization. As mentioned earlier, psychology touches many aspects of life and so there are various fields of study. These fields are studied in detail at the masters level.
Since 1960, there has been an increase in the students who pursue a masters in psychology. There is competition for jobs which are psychology related and so more and more students are joining the courses. In fact, it has been observed that more than two thirds of the students graduating with a masters in psychology get jobs on field, which are outside psychology and only about one third are employed in jobs which are directly related to psychology. A large number of those employed after graduating with a masters in psychology work on data collection and analysis in various firms and institutions, both in the government circles and the private sector.
There are various subfields of psychology where one can specialize. For example, one can study masters to be a Clinical Psychologist. Here one can deal with emotional and behavioral disorders. There is also Cognitive and perceptual psychologists who study human perception, thinking, and memory and often work closely with behavioral neuroscientists to explain clearly the bases of perception or cognition from the biological perspective. One can also study to be Developmental psychologists to be able to solve issues dealing with the psychological development in people throughout their lives. Educational psychology is another field which is quite popular today. Here you learn how to enhance teaching and learning.
Other areas one can do a master include Engineering psychology, Evolutionary Psychology, Experimental psychology, Forensic psychology, which tries to solve legal issues by applying psychological principles and Health psychology which is a study of how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness. There is also industrial & organizational psychology where one can learn how to improve productivity in areas of work by employing psychological principles and research methods. There are many other areas too.
There are many universities in the USA which offer masters in psychology and one can opt for the course within the preferred specialization. The course normally takes two years. One should be a graduate holding a bachelors degree with a related subject. Some universities may enroll any student from any faculty but it’s always advisable to take a masters in psychology if you have a related bachelor’s degree.
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Distance Learning Doctorate Psychology
Long distance learning doctorate psychology courses provide the students with opportunities for clinical experience and a heightened level of awareness of integrating conceptual and theoretical scholarship with applied psychology. While clinical psychology PhD courses are specializations that enable psychologists to practice in health care settings and community mental health centers, counseling psychology prepares psychologists to deal with functional relationships, healthy lifestyles and work on their clients’ strengths. The General Education Psychology PhD degree courses have tracks in Educational Psychology and research evaluation. The long distance learning doctorate psychology courses in Health Psychology is a specialization for practice in medical centers, research settings, business and industry, government and military as well as in sports and fitness centers.
The Curriculum
Long distance learning doctorate psychology courses explore every modality that guides assessment and intervention practices. Some universities provide hands on experience with practical training and internships on campus. Hence program availability depends on location. Other universities examine the total matrix of factors that influence psychological and physical health and offers PhDs that emphasize research, preparation of scholarship and systematic enquiry culminating in a dissertation. The application of theory for problem solving and conflict resolution expands the definition of health across individuals and cultures. The flexible programs are well suited to persons engaged in careers in health, teaching, clinical work, community development, consultation, mediation and so on.
The Universities
The North Central University Online has a long distance learning doctorate psychology program in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine. It uses a biopsychosocial approach to psychology. The Industrial/Organizational doctorate degree prepares learners to work in a variety of settings in different kinds of organizations. The skills imparted include the conduct of basic and applied research, problem solving for organizational and human health. The Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center has a program that is designed for practitioners who operate in non-traditional environments and their practice embraces expanded definitions of health.
Walden University has several PhD programs that address social issues that impact on societies and communities and equips the practitioner with the necessary skills for operating in their area of specialization. The Fielding Graduate University offers a PhD degree in Clinical Psychology with elective concentrations in Neuropsychology, Health Psychology and the Psychology of Violence. Apart from the above there are a number of “contract learning” courses conducted by the Long Island University Southampton, where seminars are conducted on campus for part of the course and the rest of the course is off campus. Argosy University conducts a number of courses in Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, School psychology, Sport Exercise Psychology and General Psychology.
It other words, the choice of course depends on the student’s need for the tools and practices of psychology as they relate to their business, education and professional practice.
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Special Education Law – Overview
Many of us, who went to school not that long ago, remember that being a special needs student meant riding to school in a separate bus and attending one class with other children of varying disabilities. These classes resembled more of a day care than school, and even the most advanced students had little hope of receiving a high school diploma, let alone attend college. Since that time, the term disability, and special needs student, has expanded to encompass much more than a person with an IQ below a certain arbitrary standard. What I have attempted to do in my first article is to give a little history of the evolution of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
In 1954 the United States Supreme Court decided Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954) which found that segregated schools were a violation of equal protection rights. It would be another twenty years before this concept was applied to children with handicaps, especially learning disabilities, trying to receive an education. In fact, shortly after Brown was decided the Illinois Supreme Court found that compulsory education did not apply to mentally impaired students, and as late as 1969, it was a crime to try to enroll a handicapped child in a public school if that child had ever been excluded.
Due to court challenges in Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia in the early 1970’s things started to change. In 1975 Congress enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. This was the first law that mandated that all handicapped students had a right to an education. Not only did it mandate that all handicapped students had a right to an education, it also mandated that local educational agencies could be held accountable for not doing so. Shortly thereafter, the term handicapped was replaced with “child with a disability”. Although revised in 1990 as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the most comprehensive changes came in 1997. This law required schools to identify children with disabilities to make sure that all children have available a “free appropriate public education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for employment and independent living” 20 U.S.C. § 1401 (d). Unfortunately, the most recent changes in 2004 made the law slightly more difficult to receive the benefits they deserve, which, depending upon the next administration and the make up of Congress may or may not be a trend that will be followed in the future.
Exactly what is a “free appropriate public education”? Under the law, it is defined as “special education and related services that (A) have been provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge: (B) meet the standards of the State educational agency; (C) include an appropriate preschool, elementary or secondary school education in the State involved; and (D) are provided in conformity with the individualized education program required under [the law].” In other words, the school must provide services that meet the needs of a child with a disability that may affect their ability to learn. These “related services” can be services that are provided in the classroom, such as giving the child extra time to finish taking tests. They can also encompass services that can be provided outside of the classroom, such as tutoring, or having the child attend either a day or residential program outside of the school, along with transportation.
For the historical data, I relied on Wrightslaw: Special Education Law by Peter W. D. Wright and Pamela Darr Wright and Special Education Law in Massachusetts by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education.
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Get a Government Grant For School – Don’t Let the Chance For a Free Education Pass You By
In today’s tough economic times, jobs are harder to find. Numerous companies are laying off employees. To get ahead of the competition you need more then just jobs skills to land the job of your dreams. It takes more then minimum wage now days to make ends meet. You need an education. So how do you pay to get the education you need? If you qualify there are government grants for school tuition.
Qualifying for these grants is typically based on need. To begin the process you will need to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information listed on this form is then sent to the college(s) you designate to determine your eligibility for financial aid.
Your government grant for school will assist you in covering your tuition and typically your books. The best part about a grant is that you won’t have to pay the money back. This has saved many recipients in the long run from having to take out student loans.
The most common type of grant is the Pell Grant. This grant is generally awarded to an undergraduate student who has not obtained their bachelors degree or professional degree. The amount awarded varies depending on your need. However, for the 2009-2010 school year the maximum award is $5,350. The funds are typically sent directly to your school to apply towards your bill and any excess funds are usually given to the student after a set date.
Another grant is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). This grant is only for those who have an exceptional need for the funds. This also does not have to be paid back and typically ranges from $100 to $4000.
The newest grant is the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program. This grants awards up to $4,000 per year to a student who plans on teaching in a public, private elementary or secondary school that is traditionally located in low income neighborhood.
For many, a government grant for school has been the difference in living paycheck to paycheck and being able to take provide a stable and financially secure life for their family. Government grant programs were design to assist those in need.
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