Did you know that you can pursue psychology continuing education online? This article is a quick guide to why so many people are doing this, how it's done, and how to choose the right school.
If you want to go back to school to broaden your career opportunities,
but you're a practicing psychologist already with your hands full, psychology continuing education online is an option for you. Many people choose to go this route instead of studying in a traditional classroom setting. There are several reasons for this:
- It allows you to keep your own hours. You can study whenever it's convenient for you, as long as you meet all of your deadlines.
- It's great for busy people because there's no commute involved. This also cuts down on expenses.
- Online psychology continuing education courses offer the same complete curriculum that you would get in the classroom.
- You can weed out the things you've already learned and focus on the coursework that is more difficult, which means that you can learn at your own pace.
Although it's a great option for some people, it's not for everyone. Some people thrive in the social environment of a classroom. Others have difficulty with time management and self-discipline, and there are still deadlines to meet. Still, if you're thinking about psychology continuing education, it's an option you should consider.
How Psychology Continuing Education Online Works
All courses are slightly different but the basics are similar. After registering, you receive a password that allows you access to all course materials. There may be software you have to install, such as programs that allow you to do video-teleconferencing. You will be required to complete assignments, submit reports, take tests and even participate in discussions online. When the coursework is completed, you receive your certification instantly.
Although many prestigious universities and institutions offer psychology continuing education degrees online, they may also require you to be physically present at some times. For example, they may ask that you meet once initially with the instructor. This is something you should be sure of before you sign up, in case it's impossible for you to do this.
You can find recognized schools offering psychology continuing education online courses, but there are also virtual schools that only operate online. Many of these are legitimate and their degrees are valid, but some aren't. These are called "diploma mills," and they churn out certificates that don't necessarily get you jobs. There are several ways to make sure that the school you're thinking about is legitimate.
- Contact employers and see if they accept degrees from the school.
- Make sure the school is fully accredited, and thus allowed to offer valid degrees.
- Talk to peers and see if they've ever heard of the school.
- Enter the school's name in search engines like Google and see what people are saying about it on forums and other websites.
- Check their online verification with the US Department of Education. The US D of E has a list of all fully accredited online universities; if it's not on this list, it's not legit.
Your psychology continuing education is essential to helping you get the skills you need in the ever-changing world of mental health. Because this is the key to your future career, make sure that pursuing it online is right for you, and that the school you're looking at is the real thing.
