Psychology graduate degree candidates can gain real-world experience
Posted on 8/27/2010
Professionals whose work entails curing mental disorders may worry that they will not have the experience to effectively treat their patients after they have completed a degree program. Fortunately, many graduate schools are beginning to integrate hands-on programs in an effort to prepare students for successful psychology careers.
For example, master's degree candidates at the University of Nevada, Reno have the opportunity to work with children as part of their curriculum through the school's Early Child Autism Program. Under faculty supervision, these students are able to gain two years of real-world experience through one-on-one sessions with young patients.
Participants call upon the techniques they are learning in their classes - including applied behavior analysis and positive reinforcement techniques - to encourage these children to act appropriately around others and handle social situations.
School officials say that this method has proven quite effective, as most patients show and improvement and nearly 50 percent completely recover from the disorder after they have completed treatment.
Programs that give degree seekers similar opportunities could give budding psychologists the confidence and skills they will need to work with patients in a professional setting.
For example, master's degree candidates at the University of Nevada, Reno have the opportunity to work with children as part of their curriculum through the school's Early Child Autism Program. Under faculty supervision, these students are able to gain two years of real-world experience through one-on-one sessions with young patients.
Participants call upon the techniques they are learning in their classes - including applied behavior analysis and positive reinforcement techniques - to encourage these children to act appropriately around others and handle social situations.
School officials say that this method has proven quite effective, as most patients show and improvement and nearly 50 percent completely recover from the disorder after they have completed treatment.
Programs that give degree seekers similar opportunities could give budding psychologists the confidence and skills they will need to work with patients in a professional setting.
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