A psychology degree is something moms should consider pursuing if they haven’t already. Why? I believe moms would make excellent psychologists because if you think about it that’s one of a mom’s job descriptions at home. How so? Well, who do your children come to when they need advice or help in life situations? That’s right, mom. So, if you already have a psychology degree you are very fortunate because now you can even exercise your mom-pertise and expertise and really make a difference in your family’s life.
How can you apply psychology at home? Say you possess a Child Psychology Degree or are currently taking classes towards this particular degree you know that you will be able to handle your child’s social and mental development on a deeper level. Though a Child Psychologist commonly holds a PhD, don’t let this discourage you from working toward your goals if you desire a Child Psychology degree.
Though Psychology concentrations are very broad, they are still beneficial not only with your career but in every walks of life. Let’s take a look at the different fields of psychology that you may be able to apply inside the home rather than just outside the home.
Fields of Psychology
Because Psychology is indeed very broad I will just list a few of them.
Abnormal Psychology- This is the study of abnormal behavior. It is the study of abnormal behavior patterns and their causes. (Buzzle)
Animal Psychology- According to Buzzle articles, “It is believed animals react to stimuli in a trial and error manner and their responses define their behavior.” “It is believed that animal behaviors are not intentional.” This is great knowledge to possess if you have any pets residing in your home. (Buzzle)
Clinical Psychology- “This is the analysis and treatment of health disorders related to psychology.” “It deals with the clinical management of individuals with respect to their neural and psychological funcitioning.” (Buzzle)
School Psychology- This is the combination of clinical and educational psychology. This field of study allows individuals identify and cure students with learning disabilities. If you are a mom of a child with a learning disability this degree is very beneficial to helping your own child in the home.
Counseling Psychology- This field of study is ideal for helping individuals in their personal life and professional life. Say your family has just experienced a tragic loss. Your children will need comfort and security through the loss. This field of study and degree can help you help your children.
For a complete list of Psychology fields go to Buzzle Articles.
If you are currently a mother contemplating and weighing your options of how to pursue a degree in psychology, here are some questions you need to ask yourself before getting started. (I asked these questions myself as I completed a semester towards a degree in psychology).
Self-Examination Questions
What field of psychology do I want to pursue?
Do I want to take my courses online or on campus?
Am I willing to stay committed to my goals working towards a psychology degree?
Am I afraid of hard work, discipline, and family time management?
If you were able to answer these questions honestly and openly to yourself with a ”yes” then you are on your way to bettering yourself as a person combined with helping others including your own family.
What are the best schools for pursuing a degree in psychology so that you may also apply one in the home? Here is a brief list of schools you may want to consider:
For a complete listing go to getdegrees.com
As you can see, most likely after obtaining your psychology degree, it can play a very important role inside the home. Sure you won’t get paid for using your degree at home but the rewards and responses of your family are far greater than any amount of money. Basically, it’s a priceless experience for everyone involved.
Do you currently possess a degree in psychology? If so, what field? Have you found it beneficial to your family with the knowledge you possess depending on your field of study?
Maybe you don’t have a psychology degree as of yet but are considering it or are currently enrolled in a program. Whatever category fits you we would love to hear from you.
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If you are a mom and have never been to college but want to, there are so many opportunities available to you. It is so easy to get intimidated but in all reality you can achieve your goals and dreams if you really strive for them.
You may be thinking to yourself; “Yes, I want to return to school to better myself and my career but I don’t know what area of study to pursue.” Might I suggest considering some sort of Associate Degree in Specialized Business, Specialized Technology or even Specialized Teacher-Education.
Here are some examples of Associate’s degrees in Specialized Business, Specialized Technology, and Specialized Teacher-Education.
Specialized Business Degrees
Associate in Specialized Business: Medical Office Administration Degree- This particular degree gives you the education you need to work in a medical office, usually entry-level positions. For more information on this particular degree go to Education-Portal.
Associate in Specialized Business: Administration Degree- This degree gives you the training and education necessary to thrive in the business world. An example of a career in this field would be something like an Accounts Manager. To view a complete list of careers in this specialized area of study go to Katharine Gibbs School.
Specialized Technology Degrees
Associate in Specialized Technology (e-Commerce)- Electronic Commerce is the popular way for companies to sell their goods along with online advertising. You can earn a degree in this field mainly focusing on visual communication. For more of a detailed description of this type of program go to Dynasty Education.
Associate in Specialized Technology Degree-Medical Assistant Technician- If you desire to pursue a career in the medical field this specialized area of study may be the way to go. As a Medical Assistant Technician you can establish the skills necessary to work in various health care facilities. For more information on this program go to Fortis Learning.
Specialized Teacher-Education Degree
Associate in Specialized Teacher-Education- If you desire to work with children in the areas of academics, maybe pursuing an Associate in Specialized Teacher-Education is in the cards for you. Keep in mind to become a certified teacher in schools; you will need to move beyond an “Associate Degree” such as a “Bachelors Degree” to work effectively in a school environment. For more information go to High Beam.
Hopefully, these brief descriptions have helped you weigh your options a little bit more helping you shift your focus in the direction that is right for you. For more information on Specialized Education vs. General Education go to eHow for a terrific article by Chris Blank. Here you will read that Chris breaks down the differences of both types of education in a very informative manner.
Online Schools
Now that you may be considering taking the leap onto the college bandwagon you may be wondering which online schools are the best for you. To help get you started on your search I have compiled a brief list of schools for obtaining an Online Associate”s Degree to give you an idea of what is out there.
Florida Tech University Online
For a complete list of schools offering Associate Degree programs go to our Online Associate Degree page here on the website.
Are you a mom going to college for the first time but do not know what area of study to pursue? Has this brief list and overview of options helped you to at least research further what you would like to do as a potential career? Please feel free to share with us your experiences as a mom going to college for the first time or considering going for the first time. We would love to hear from you.
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Frequently college students overlook a basic way they can increase their success in a college course – classroom etiquette. Interactions in the college classroom influence the instructor, impact group dynamics, and due to normal human psychology, quickly label and categorize students. Thinking back on basic middle school rules like, “plan ahead, be polite, and participate appropriately” will benefit college students in their aim to succeed in higher education.
1. PLAN Ahead
Manage your time well. Arrive to class events on time! Plan to arrive fifteen minutes early so you can settle in, go the bathroom, or have extra time in case of an unforeseen event, like traffic. When given a break be sure to return on time. Do not leave early unless you have spoken with the instructor ahead of time. If you know there is a conflict between a scheduled class session or course assignment and a personal event then speak with the instructor before the course begins or on the first day of class to see if accommodations are possible.
Complete assignments early and have a plan “b.” Have assignments printed, stapled, labeled and complete in every way before you walk into the classroom. Do you have enough printer paper or ink at home? What about a presentation cover for your paper? Complete assignments early so if something goes wrong along the way you have time to troubleshoot. If using electronic communication to submit assignments, do so in plenty of time prior to the due date/time to cover glitches. When giving a presentation come with all necessary props, notes, and technology. Your presentation should be well rehearsed. Come with a non-tech version of your presentation in case your technology does not perform as expected.
Take control of your own learning. Read assigned chapters and other materials. It is obvious to the instructor which students have done so. Come to class with questions and comments already written out. Seek out the resources you need to complete your learning. If you need an audio version of the text – get it. If you need extra help – find it.
2. Be POLITE
Turn your cell phone off. If you have it on vibrate, do not have it out or check it during class. If you are expecting an unusual contact, like a call from someone expecting a baby, let the instructor know this so there is no miscommunication as to why you keep looking at your phone.
Respect the speaker or presenter. Do not have side conversations when someone is addressing the class, whether the speaker is the instructor or another classmate. Whispering to a neighbor is the same as talking to a neighbor – just rude.
Eat meals before or after class, or during a break. Do not eat or drink in the classroom at all unless your instructor tells the class it is okay to do so. Even then, it is smart to keep your eating to simple snacks. At all times refrain from making your eating or drinking a distraction (think smell and sound), more important than the classroom learning, or a mess or inconvenience for others.
Dedicate classroom time to learning. Stay in the classroom, keep alert, and demonstrate you are engaged. Power naps, making shopping lists or the like, rearranging your papers, or being on your computer or PDA for non-related classroom tasks all are inappropriate and send a negative message to your instructor and classmates.
3. PARTICIPATE Appropriately
Know the preferred way your instructor wants students to speak in class. Usually instructors want students to raise their hand or be acknowledged in some way before speaking. Even during free flow conversations, do not speak over others or raise your volume to be heard.
Keep your comments and questions balanced and relevant to the topic. If you know you are a very vocal person then monitor yourself in class carefully. Keep tally marks of how many times you speak compared to others. If you are a very quiet person then you need to push yourself to share in class regularly. Set a goal to share “x” times in class each session. Whenever you make a comment or ask a question be sure it supports the topic being discussed and enhances the learning process.
Be an asset during group work and team assignments. Do not be dominant or passive. Think of group work as an entire circle that is divided into equal pieces representing each person in the group. Your comments and work produced should be equal to the others in your group. Check with your team often to clarify your role and make sure your part aligns with the whole assignment. If you feel things are not equal, respectfully communicate your concern and be prepared with a solution.
Be an active listener. Speaking is only half of the communication cycle. Listening is the other half. Demonstrate with your body language that you are listening. Turn your body towards the speaker. Make eye contact often. When appropriate, ask clear questions or make positive comments to clarify what the speaker said or to show you understood the message.
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