The importance of mental health had been ignored by the mass for long, therefore, we are going to talk about 6 most preferred specializations in Psychology. Recently, the increase in suicide rates and mental disorders like depression is changing the way at which we look at the importance of maintaining good mental health. There’s more scope for psychologists and psychiatrists.
While psychologists perform psychotherapies to cause change a person’s behaviour, psychiatrists (medical doctors) prescribe medication to the patients suffering from mental illnesses.Here is article on 6 Most Preferred Specializations In Psychology
Psychology is the study of mind and behaviour according to APA (American Psychological Association). Psychologists focus on the working of our minds and the way through which it affects our behaviour. Most of the graduate programs in India offers a bachelor’s degree in general psychology. You can specialize in any of the branches of psychology for your post-graduation. In this article, we are looking at the most preferred branches of psychology in India. Also, note that all the branches under APA are not available for post-graduation studies in India.
Clinical Psychology
According to APA, ‘’Clinical Psychology is continuing and comprehensive mental and behavioural health care individuals and families, consultation to agencies and communities, training and education and supervision and research based practice’’.
Clinical psychologists assess the person’s psychological condition and provide psychotherapies to cause behavioural change. Clinical psychologists are trained to deal with individuals or families belonging to different ethnic, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Knowledge from several other disciplines is also required in practice. Clinical psychologists play a major role in alleviating mental health issues and promoting personal well-being. This is one of the most preferred specializations in Psychology.
There are 46 colleges which offer clinical psychology in India. The top 5 among these are:-
- TISS, Mumbai (Tata Institute of Social Sciences)
- LPU, Delhi (Lovely Professional University)
- CU, Chandigarh (Chandigarh University)
- Calicut University, Kerala
- AUD, Kashmere Gate Campus (Ambedkar University Delhi)
Counselling Psychology
According to APA, ‘’Counselling psychology is a general practice and health care service provider speciality in professional psychology’’.
Students who are having career concerns or people who become addicted to drugs and substance abuse may approach counselling psychologists. There are different kinds if counselling psychologists like school counsellor, rehabilitation counsellor, mental health counsellor and career counsellor. This is one of the most preferred specializations in Psychology.
We all deal with various issues at all ages of life. It ranges from having to take decision regarding future, difficulties in relationships, identity crisis and personal and individual struggles we face as a part of the family, group or organization we belong to. Counselling psychologists help us to alleviate feelings of distress and promote physical and mental health.
Some of the top colleges to pursue Masters in counselling psychology are:-
- Kanya Mahavidyalaya (KMV), Jalandhar, Punjab
- Devanga Arts College, Aruppukottai, Tamil Nadu
- Chandigarh University (CU)
- NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Occupational Psychology
Organizational Psychology is also known as Occupational Psychology or Industrial Psychology. According to APA, ‘’Organizational Psychology is characterized by scientific study of human behaviour in organizations and the workplace.’’
Occupational psychologists address the problems of work place and give recommendations regarding the performance and also helps in recruitment. They have to identify the training and development needs of the employees design the job and ensure the work quality. Their aim is to increase the efficiency of the work and cause job-satisfaction to the employees. They analyse the structure and make recommendations to solve the problems at work. This is one of the most preferred specializations in Psychology.
Some of the top colleges which offer this course at master’s level are as follows:-
- Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
- MS University, Baroda
- Fergusson College, Pune
- The Amity University of Psychology and Allied Sciences, Noida
- Utkal University, Bhubaneswar
- Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology
- Awadhesh Pratap Singh University, Rewari
Developmental Psychology
According to APA, ‘’Developmental psychologists focus on the human growth and changes across life span, including physical, social, cognitive, intellectual, perceptual, personality and emotional growth’’.
Their focus is to understand how people mature, develop and adapt at various stages of life. For example, the learning process in of children and adults are different. By understanding this, they help people to overcome challenges related to development and reach one’s full potential. This is one of the most preferred specializations in Psychology.
Master’s in Developmental Psychology is only offered by the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Faridabad. It is the only institution which offers this course in India. Many other colleges offer masters in child development psychology or in child psychology.
Sports Psychology
According to APA, ‘’Sports psychology is a proficiency that uses psychological knowledge and skills to address optimal performance and wellbeing of athletes, developmental and social aspects of sports participation and systemic issues associated with sports setting and organizations’’.
Sports psychologists focus on behavioural aspects of sports and exercise and assist athletes and other sports-related participants including the coach and athlete’s parents. This is one of the most preferred specializations in Psychology.
Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University (TNPESU) offers MSc. in Sports psychology and sociology.
Guru Nanak Dev University offers both MSc and MA in Sports Psychology. National Sports University, Jain University, Bangalore, Amity School of Physical Studies and Sports Sciences, Uttar Pradesh and the Central University of Rajasthan also offers courses in Sports Psychology.
Forensic Psychology
According to APA, Forensic psychology is the application of clinical specialities to the legal arena.
Forensic psychologists have to find out the mental state of the individuals while committing the crime and if the person was insane during the act or not. They must possess skills including clinical assessment, interviewing the persons related to the crime, writing reports on the crime and presenting the case. They also require a strong understanding of the law.
The institutes which offer forensic psychology in India are:-
- Institute of Forensic Science, Mumbai
- IFS Education Department, Pune, Maharashtra
- Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar
- BU- Bundelkhand University, Jhansi
- Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar
