Deck 11: How Do You Apply and Get Into Graduate Programs in Psychology

Question 1

In what context do MOST doctoral level psychologists find employment?

A) independent practice
B) government
C) medical schools
D) higher education

Answer 1

higher education

Question 2

How rosy is the immediate job outlook for doctoral-level psychologists?

A) Not rosy. There is a glut of psychologists on the market looking for work.
B) Slightly rosy. The growth rate is expected to be a bit better than the 11% rate estimated for all occupations.
C) Moderately rosy. The growth rate is expected to be near 15% for doctoral-level psychologists.
D) Very rosy. Anticipated baby boomer retirements should open up significant hiring opportunities at the doctoral level.

Answer 2

Slightly rosy. The growth rate is expected to be a bit better than the 11% rate estimated for all occupations.

Question 3

Which statement is TRUE about how many psychology graduates go on to achieve some kind of graduate degree?

A) Nearly half of psychology majors earn a graduate degree.
B) Psychology majors seek graduate degrees at a lower proportion than other liberal arts degrees.
C) Only 10% of psychology graduates go on to complete graduate degrees.
D) Nearly 80% of psychology graduates achieve a graduate degree.

Answer 3

Nearly half of psychology majors earn a graduate degree.

Question 4

As baby-boomer psychologists retire, what impact is expected on the growth of the job market for psychologists?

A) 50% growth expected
B) 40% growth expected
C) 30% growth expected
D) 20% growth expected

Question 5

To become a licensed clinician requires passing a comprehensive content and ethics examination and work for _____ months under clinical supervision.

A) 6
B) 12
C) 18
D) 24

Question 6

Which statement is TRUE about debt-load projections?

A) Most debts can be forgiven through public service.
B) Lifetime income calculations need to take into account for income that is lost while completing graduate school.
C) Debt loads need to incorporate predictable economic downturns.
D) Being conservative in estimates is likely to reduce your risk-taking.

Question 7

What region of the country offers the LEAST employment opportunity for psychologists?

A) the Rocky Mountain area
B) California
C) The Northeast
D) Florida

Question 8

Which statement is TRUE about the EdD degree?

A) It takes much longer to complete than a PhD.
B) EdD programs tend to accept students who already have a master's.
C) Psychology programs tend to host the EdD degree.
D) EdD-trained psychologists tend to work predominantly in the general workforce, rather than in educational settings.

Question 9

What subfield in psychology tends to work on prevention programs?

A) community psychology
B) educational psychology
C) engineering psychology
D) cognitive psychology

Question 10

_____ psychologists focus specialize in work that contributes to legal processes.

A) Quantitative
B) Military
C) Forensic
D) Experimental

Question 11

What strategy is MOST sensible in trying to track down a position in psychology?

A) Look for listings that say "Psychologist Wanted."
B) Identify opportunities in contexts where psychologists are most frequently employed.
C) Become a client for a psychologist-only employment service.
D) Ignore Internet postings because a high proportion of the listings are bogus.

Question 12

What characteristic suggests that the pursuit of a degree in social work would be a better avenue to professional helping than through pathways in psychology?

A) enthusiasm for addiction studies
B) lack of affinity for science and math classes
C) preference for working with group rather than individual clients
D) discomfort with a humanistic orientation

Question 13

What concept BEST communicates the psychologist's need for independence?

A) influence
B) power
C) autonomy
D) civility

Question 14

Where did psychology place in Money magazine's annual listing of the top 50 jobs in America?

A) as #1
B) as #45
C) as #25
D) as #10

Question 15

How do MA and MS degrees in psychology differ from one another? Is there a reason to favor a master's degree over pursuing a doctorate?

Question 16

Which occupation that can be filled by psychologists trained at the master's level is likely to be the MOST lucrative?

A) advertising manager
B) educational administrator
C) claims adjuster
D) substance abuse counselor

Question 17

How does graduate training differ in PhD versus PsyD programs?

A) PsyD programs are more selective than PhD programs.
B) Debt levels are substantially greater in PsyD than in PhD programs.
C) PsyD programs admit 9 out of 10 applicants; PhD programs admit 5 out of 10.
D) PsyD practitioners tend to come from cognitive behavioral backgrounds; PhD faculty come from more diverse orientations.

Question 18

Which kind of doctoral-level psychologist tends to produce the HIGHEST average annual income?

A) college faculty
B) clinical psychologists
C) neuropsychologists
D) industrial-organizational psychologists

Question 19

What does it mean to have a terminal degree?

A) It is a clinical degree that qualifies you to work with grief processes.
B) It is a degree that carries an enormous debt load.
C) It is a graduate degree that represents the highest level of training available.
D) It is synonymous with a bachelor's-level degree.

Question 20

Which statement is TRUE about work-life balance?

A) Recent research suggests employees are placing greater value on not working long hours to get ahead.
B) Psychologists can expect to work 60 hours a week regardless of the type of job they accept.
C) Clinical psychologists tend to work about 20 hours a week, leaving substantial time for family and personal interests.
D) Psychologists typically can't work from home or mediate their work through the Internet.

Question 21

Describe the nature of the PhD degree in psychology.

Question 22

Where do people with master's degrees in psychology find employment?

Question 23

What are some issues to consider when students are getting themselves ready for the job market?

Question 24

Describe the nature of the PsyD degree.

Question 25

Describe the EdD degree.