Psychology
Psychology investigates the nuance of the human mind and experience. With psychology courses on GetSmarter, you can explore how mental health, behavioral tendencies, and more influence our individuals lives and society at large.
Browse psychology courses
Register for psychology courses online
Psychology is often associated with therapy or mental health, but its scope is much broader than individual client care. From child development and health outcomes, to the economic market and how we interact online, psychology is actively shaping the world around us.
In the workplace, for instance, psychological research shapes how we manage stress, foster productivity, and build healthier team environments. In education, insights into how people learn guide curriculum development and teaching strategies.
Psychology also plays a pivotal role in public health, offering solutions for mental illness, addiction, and societal issues like violence and inequality. As society faces challenges like digital addiction and social media’s impact on well-being, psychology also provides the tools to navigate these complex issues.1
GetSmarter offers psychology courses online with certificate options for those interested in learning more about the intricacies of human behavior.
What is psychology?
Psychology is a scientific discipline focused on the study of mental states, behavior, and processes. In this field, professionals aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms that drive human actions. This can include the study of cognitive processes such as memory, perception, and decision-making, as well as emotions, personality, and social interactions.2 Psychologists use a variety of research methods, including experiments, surveys, and observational studies, to test theories.
Examples of some of the different types of psychology include:
- Clinical psychology provides mental and behavioral health care for individuals, couples, families, and groups using research-based practice3
- Counseling psychology is a specialty that helps people improve their well-being, respond to crises, and improve their functionality using culturally-informed practices4
- Experimental psychology explores theoretical questions related to behavior among humans and animals using scientific methods5
- Forensic psychology is a speciality that applies clinical psychology to the legal system, through psychological assessments of people involved and expert witness testimony6
- Industrial-organizational psychology focuses on the study and improvement of behavior among teams, organizations, and in the workplace7
- Sport psychology is a subfield that applies psychological knowledge to help optimize the performance and well-being of athletes as well as study systemic issues in the industry8
Jobs in psychology
Careers in psychology vary widely, but they often have a shared goal: psychologists are constantly contributing to our understanding of human behavior — whether through individual clients or contributions to research. For example, psychological research is responsible for our knowledge of how rewards and punishments work, how people respond to authority, and more.
Some examples of careers related to the field of psychology include:
- Clinical psychologist: Assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental and behavioral disorders. These professionals help their clients manage challenges ranging from everyday problems to severe, chronic conditions9
- Psychiatrist: Physicians who diagnose and treat mental illnesses through a combination of counseling, psychoanalysis, hospitalization, and medication10
- Social worker: Helps people prevent and cope with problems in their daily lives. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) diagnose and treat mental and behavioral problems11
- Counselor: Treats clients with a range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, grief, and stress. These professionals may work with specific populations, such as children or those experience substance use disorder12
- School psychologist: Address educational, behavioral, and developmental problems that affect students. These professionals could design and implement performance plans and counsel students and families13
Why enroll in psychology short courses?
If you’re interested in learning more about psychology, online courses on GetSmarter could be a great fit for you. Participants could study the psychology of addiction and how to enhance recovery with psychotherapy, or examine the science of happiness.
Whatever your learning goals, GetSmarter’s flexible, online learning platform helps students learn at their own pace and on their own terms. Earn a certificate of completion from one of the world’s leading universities to make your knowledge known. With dedicated support and personalized feedback throughout the learning journey, GetSmarter offers the opportunity to earn the skills and competencies you need to propel your career to the next level.
Sources
1Murthy, Vivek H. (June, 2024). ‘Surgeon general: Why I’m calling for a warning label on social media platforms’. Retrieved from The New York Times.
2Cherry, Kendra. (Nov, 2022). ‘What is psychology?’ Retrieved from VeryWellMind.
3(Sep, 2022). ‘Clinical psychology’. Retrieved from American Psychological Association.
4(May, 2022). ‘Counseling psychology’. Retrieved from American Psychological Association.
5(2014). ‘Experimental psychology studies humans and animals’. Retrieved from American Psychological Association.
6Kovacs, Kasia. (Aug, 2024). ‘What is forensic psychology?’ Retrieved from Psychology.org.
7(Nov, 2024). ‘Building a career in industrial-organizational psychology’. Retrieved from Harvard Extension School.
8(2008). ‘Sport psychology’. Retrieved from American Psychological Association.
9(Aug, 2024). ‘What psychologists do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
10(Aug, 2024). ‘What physicians and surgeons do.’ Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
11(Aug, 2024). ‘What social workers do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
12(Aug, 2024). ‘What substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
13(Aug, 2024). ‘What psychologists do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Register for psychology courses online
Psychology is often associated with therapy or mental health, but its scope is much broader than individual client care. From child development and health outcomes, to the economic market and how we interact online, psychology is actively shaping the world around us.
In the workplace, for instance, psychological research shapes how we manage stress, foster productivity, and build healthier team environments. In education, insights into how people learn guide curriculum development and teaching strategies.
Psychology also plays a pivotal role in public health, offering solutions for mental illness, addiction, and societal issues like violence and inequality. As society faces challenges like digital addiction and social media’s impact on well-being, psychology also provides the tools to navigate these complex issues.1
GetSmarter offers psychology courses online with certificate options for those interested in learning more about the intricacies of human behavior.
What is psychology?
Psychology is a scientific discipline focused on the study of mental states, behavior, and processes. In this field, professionals aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms that drive human actions. This can include the study of cognitive processes such as memory, perception, and decision-making, as well as emotions, personality, and social interactions.2 Psychologists use a variety of research methods, including experiments, surveys, and observational studies, to test theories.
Examples of some of the different types of psychology include:
- Clinical psychology provides mental and behavioral health care for individuals, couples, families, and groups using research-based practice3
- Counseling psychology is a specialty that helps people improve their well-being, respond to crises, and improve their functionality using culturally-informed practices4
- Experimental psychology explores theoretical questions related to behavior among humans and animals using scientific methods5
- Forensic psychology is a speciality that applies clinical psychology to the legal system, through psychological assessments of people involved and expert witness testimony6
- Industrial-organizational psychology focuses on the study and improvement of behavior among teams, organizations, and in the workplace7
- Sport psychology is a subfield that applies psychological knowledge to help optimize the performance and well-being of athletes as well as study systemic issues in the industry8
Jobs in psychology
Careers in psychology vary widely, but they often have a shared goal: psychologists are constantly contributing to our understanding of human behavior — whether through individual clients or contributions to research. For example, psychological research is responsible for our knowledge of how rewards and punishments work, how people respond to authority, and more.
Some examples of careers related to the field of psychology include:
- Clinical psychologist: Assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental and behavioral disorders. These professionals help their clients manage challenges ranging from everyday problems to severe, chronic conditions9
- Psychiatrist: Physicians who diagnose and treat mental illnesses through a combination of counseling, psychoanalysis, hospitalization, and medication10
- Social worker: Helps people prevent and cope with problems in their daily lives. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) diagnose and treat mental and behavioral problems11
- Counselor: Treats clients with a range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, grief, and stress. These professionals may work with specific populations, such as children or those experience substance use disorder12
- School psychologist: Address educational, behavioral, and developmental problems that affect students. These professionals could design and implement performance plans and counsel students and families13
Why enroll in psychology short courses?
If you’re interested in learning more about psychology, online courses on GetSmarter could be a great fit for you. Participants could study the psychology of addiction and how to enhance recovery with psychotherapy, or examine the science of happiness.
Whatever your learning goals, GetSmarter’s flexible, online learning platform helps students learn at their own pace and on their own terms. Earn a certificate of completion from one of the world’s leading universities to make your knowledge known. With dedicated support and personalized feedback throughout the learning journey, GetSmarter offers the opportunity to earn the skills and competencies you need to propel your career to the next level.
Sources
1Murthy, Vivek H. (June, 2024). ‘Surgeon general: Why I’m calling for a warning label on social media platforms’. Retrieved from The New York Times.
2Cherry, Kendra. (Nov, 2022). ‘What is psychology?’ Retrieved from VeryWellMind.
3(Sep, 2022). ‘Clinical psychology’. Retrieved from American Psychological Association.
4(May, 2022). ‘Counseling psychology’. Retrieved from American Psychological Association.
5(2014). ‘Experimental psychology studies humans and animals’. Retrieved from American Psychological Association.
6Kovacs, Kasia. (Aug, 2024). ‘What is forensic psychology?’ Retrieved from Psychology.org.
7(Nov, 2024). ‘Building a career in industrial-organizational psychology’. Retrieved from Harvard Extension School.
8(2008). ‘Sport psychology’. Retrieved from American Psychological Association.
9(Aug, 2024). ‘What psychologists do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
10(Aug, 2024). ‘What physicians and surgeons do.’ Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
11(Aug, 2024). ‘What social workers do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
12(Aug, 2024). ‘What substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
13(Aug, 2024). ‘What psychologists do’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
