The Pros and Cons of Studying Psychology Online
The Real Story on Whether Online Psychology Education is for You
1. The Problems
The most glaring drawback of online education is that it takes the student out of the classroom. In a healthy classroom, students learn not only from lessons and lectures, but also from interactions amongst themselves and with the professor. The in-class environment naturally facilitates discussion, and students can learn from others' thoughts, ideas, and questions as much as from the teacher.
More specifically, in the study of psychology, students get to practice and watch counseling and treatment techniques in the classroom, before launching into any internship. Essentially, psychology is a people-based study, and taking the education out of the classroom limits how people-based the education can be.
2. The Advantages
That being said, any education you pursue (online or in the classroom) ultimately comes down to what you are willing to invest in learning: in acquiring knowledge, developing analytical abilities, and learning to ask good questions and listen to answers. The classroom often serves more as a disciplinary setting than anything else: a place where you go to study, learn, listen to lectures, etc. If you are independent enough to take your learning into your own hands, and don't need the structure and discipline of sitting in a classroom with other students, then online education might not be limiting, but might be freeing.
If you are excited and driven to follow a certain field of study, and benefit from a private, individual learning setting, then online learning can provide an accelerated and efficient education from which to pursue a career. Online education can alleviate many of the frustrations students have with classroom learning, and can allow you to focus on your curriculum without being distracted by students who are less motivated.
How To Make up for the Drawbacks of Learning Online
If you do choose to pursue an online education, a good way to supplement your online learning is by gaining as much in-person experience as possible. This means being an aggressive student, seeking to learn and implement psychological ideas and principles well beyond the time when you are reading a textbook or taking a test.
Since psychology is people-based and an online education isn't necessarily so, you should take advantage of all possible opportunities for real people-based experiences. For instance, you could work or volunteer at a psychology-related organization while studying. Such work experience will also strengthen your chances for job employment and competitive pay after graduation. If this is not possible, then you should follow an internship assignment, and perhaps even commit to an extended internship.
What To Consider When Choosing an Online Degree Course
When choosing an online school, you need to make sure that the institution you will attend is accredited. You can do this by checking the database maintained by the U.S. Department of Education. It's also good to research the vision and breadth of the education available from this school; what previous graduates have done with their degrees and where they're working now; and what sort of extra resources and guidance might be available. If possible, find out how local organizations and agencies regard the education provided by that school, and if any employers link with the school.
As at any other college or university, it isn't just the instructors that will be important to you while you earn a degree, but also the counselors and career advisors. Before committing to any educational pursuit, it's important to know what's available up front, and be able to make an informed decision accordingly.
Article Resources:
The U.S. Department of Education
The American Psychological Association