Employment of psychologists and counselors is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014, according to the Department of Labor. Sub-fields predicted to experience job growth include substance abuse treatment, vocational development, and marriage and family counseling.

Behavioral Science Programs

Graduates of behavioral science degree programs can take advantage of a broad range of career options. While almost half of today’s grads are self-employed therapists, many others work as counselors, researchers, and educators with corporations, health-care organizations, government agencies, and school districts.

Choose a Specialization

You can decide whether you want to learn observation and research skills, cognitive therapy, career or learning skills assessments, clinical treatment and interventions, or smoking cessation and weight-loss advising for behavioral settings. Behavioral science coursework also may cover the compilation and use of statistics, record-keeping and patient tracking software, and state and local laws concerning patient ethics and confidentiality.

Develop Professional Technique

Depending on the state and community where you study and hope to practice, your degree or certification program may arrange professional internships and observation opportunities where you gain critical hands-on experience that not only enhances your education, but counts toward clinical hours required for licensing. You’ll gain essential life skills as well as develop professional technique.

Mental Health Counseling

Mental health counseling professionals can help change people’s lives. If you gain personal satisfaction from helping others and are seeking a stable, financially rewarding career, there are online college and university programs to prepare you for this rewarding area of psychology. Counseling professionals enjoy a wide range of job options and the abundance of mental health workshops and advanced college courses that bolster their careers.

Broad Options for Mental Health Counselors

Mental health counselors also find a broad choice in working conditions. Many take governmental jobs with state, regional, or local clinics and health care organizations. There are also ample positions with school districts, in private mental health practice, and with drug and alcohol treatment facilities.

Because of the wide array of career options, you can enter the mental health field following completion of certification, associate, and bachelor degree programs. As you gain invaluable on-the-job experience, you may choose to pursue a master’s or PhD degree in counseling to advance your career and refine your specialty.

Online Education Opportunities

For those entering the field od psychology or for those who want to advance a career in behavioral science or mental health counseling, there are self-paced, flexible online college and university degree programs at the associate, bachelor, and master’s levels that fit comfortably within your current family and work obligations.

You can also find accredited college certification programs that can qualify you for wide choice of professions from drug and alcohol counseling, school counseling, family and relationship psychology, to group work and positions at community clinics.

Whether you want to earn certification, your first degree, or advance your current degree, accredited online colleges and universities offer programs online to help you reach your mental health counseling or behavioral science career goals. Programs are specifically designed for individuals ready to improve their opportunities or change careers completely – all with the convenience of online learning.

Public health professionals are trained to fill a number of employment positions in the field of health care. Students can receive training by enrolling in one of a number of accredited schools and colleges. With an education in public health students can gain the knowledge needed to start the career they desire. Students can choose to earn an associates, bachelors, masters, and doctorates degree.

Students can receive the skill training and knowledge that is necessary to pursue a degree in public health by enrolling in an accredited educational program. Professions work with a variety of individuals and situation to provide assistance for foster children, addicts, the homeless, and other people who need various types of services. By following a few steps students can obtain the needed skills to earn their degree and find employment working with these types of situations.

Research and enroll in the degree program that meets individual career goals. Associates degrees can be earned with as little as two years of study from an accredited educational program. Earning a bachelors degree in the field of public health can take students around four years of study. Student can pursue a masters or doctorates degree which can range from an additional two to four years of study. Decide on a career path that meets your desired goals and career profession. With an accredited school or college students can pursue a number of careers in this field. Professions in public health include health inspectors, public educators, environmental monitors, administrators, and much more. Students can choose the career path that best meets their individual needs and desired skills. Complete all required coursework and studies for desired level of degree. Coursework will vary depending on the level of degree and desired career. Students may have the chance to study in environmental health, epidemiology, and health management. Other areas of study may include courses in behavioral sciences, policy, biostatistics, and many other related subjects. Obtain your desired degree. If needed enroll in higher degree training programs to further your education and obtain the degree desired. Gain additional skills and knowledge by completing accredited continuing education courses for certificates. Search for employment that meets your individual career goals in the field of public health. Students who are looking to pursue a degree or certificate in this field can do so by enrolling in an accredited school or college. Accrediting agencies like the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training ( http://www.accet.org/ ) is approved to provide full accreditation to a variety of public health degree programs. With accreditation schools can provide proof that students will receive the best quality educational training possible. Students can learn more about a career by researching available programs. Requesting more information will help students to decide which program is right for them. Start the road to your dream career by enrolling today.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.

Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved by PETAP.org.

The best careers for the future are those that will continue to have strong demand for workers as well as pay well. Stability in one’s employment is a significant factor for most folks when considering careers. Most people would prefer to avoid having to look for new employment every few years or having to move or relocate to find job opportunities. Positioning yourself as a valued employee in an expanding field is a good way to minimize this risk.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has listed occupations for which growth is expected to exceed other occupations. These include: Biomedical engineers, Network systems and data communications analysts, Home health aides, Financial examiners, Physician assistants, Biochemists and biophysicists, Athletic trainers, Dental hygienists, Computer software engineers, and Physical therapist assistants. Many of these careers pay salaries over $45,000 per year.

The current economic downturn is creating high unemployment rates in many cities in the United States. Many industries have seen huge layoffs. Industries such as construction, finance, real estate, mortgage finance, automotive suppliers and others have been hit hard by the difficult economy.

In considering the best career for your future, you should make sure you choose a field that is the middle of a growing trend or market. Because many of the baby boomers are entering their “later years”, healthcare and careers related to helping the elderly, is in the middle of an expanding market and should have strong demand for workers for many years. You may also want to consider the current “outsourcing” trend and stay away from careers in which jobs are being outsourced overseas. Jobs that require a personal presence and relationship are not suitable for outsourcing and should maintain greater demand here in the U.S.

Pharmacy technicians meet both criteria, they are serving the large baby boomer market and require a personal presence and can not be outsourced. They are expected to be in large demand for the next 5-10 years and offer pay in the $17,000 – $27,000 range. Additionally, one can use this field as a stepping stone towards becoming a Pharmacist. Pharmacist salaries can exceed $100,000.