I am not sure what I want to do after college, but sociology and psychology both interest me. Does anyone have any advice? I am looking for opinions, pros and cons, future career paths, etc. Also, is one more difficult than the other? Thanks :)
2007-02-17 15:27:42 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
No, one is not more difficult than the other. Simply two different, yet related, fields.
Sociology - study of society and its institutions (family, work, government, etc)
Psychology - study of individuals and the human mind (biological, personality, psychoanalytic, cognitive, abnormal behaviors, etc)
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY - little bit of both
As my sociology professor put it, she didn't want to be a psychologist because they deal with a lot of mentally ill people (especially clinical psychologists, not as much with counseling psychologists), and she didn't want to be an anthropologist, because they only "record" society instead of taking part in it, so she became a sociologist.
Many of my psychology professors were counselors/therapists in the one aspect and diagnosed people with mental illness in the other aspect.
Here in West Virginia, you could work as a probation/parole officer, criminal justice related person, etc as a sociologist and you could work the same as a psychologist. The difference is, being a psychologist, you could also work as a state psychologist (duh!).
At the bachelor's level in psychology for a WV state job, you would be an assistant to a psychologist and could never get licensed, but at a Master's level, you could work as the psychologist, have the assistant under you, and even open up a private practice. At a Doctoral level, you could open up a private practice even SOONER! Some states require a Doctorate, so do a little research in your own state.
Bachelor's level psychologists may assist in private practices as well, not doing any real work besides administering boring psychological tests or analyzing the results, whereas Master's level psychologists are eligible to counsel, do therapy, diagnose, and work with a client to solve his or her issues.
Sociologists, on the other hand, don't have as many options. If you're looking to work as a social worker type person than get a BSW (bachelor's in social work) or MSW.
Also, any Master's level degree will allow you to teach the subject in at least a community/junior college and possible a 4-year college, but a Doctoral-level degree (eg, Ph.D., PsyD, Ed.D., etc) is required to teach in college at a Master's or Doctoral level.
Hope this helps!
2007-02-17 15:48:32 · answer #1 · answered by Brandon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RE: Trying to decide between a major in Sociology, Communication Studies or Psychology? Which would make the most money?? What types of jobs would I get in each? Do people respect Sociology as a major? I know I want to help people but I also want to make money.
2016-05-24 00:35:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Psychology examines more of the workings of the human mind, why persons think and behave as they do. Sociology tends to examine groups of persons (societies), communities, and nations. They might examine and discuss such things as folkways, mores, changes in populations, effects of events on entire communities, etc... So one way to look at it is that psychology is more about the individual or small group, and sociology is more about communities and larger groups of persons.
Only use either degree as a stepping stone for anther advanced degree. With both you have many options. I got a BA in sociology and now in MEd College Student Affairs program. I have friends that did sociology that are going to law school and other that work in the business world.
2007-02-17 15:41:09 · answer #3 · answered by MISS KNIGHT 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are getting a bachelor's degree sociology has more employment options than psychology. If you're getting a masters sociology is still your best employment option. If you're going for your doctorate psychology is best career wise.
2007-02-17 15:35:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately it probably would not make much difference. Psychology is better if you are considering it as a path to pre-med. There is very limited employment in either fields after you graduate. You would have to seek advaced degree in the masters or doctorate level to find suitable employment.
2007-02-17 15:34:44 · answer #5 · answered by nicewknd 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my brothers girlfriend went into sociology because it was quick easy and said that jobs where available.
2007-02-17 15:39:49 · answer #6 · answered by Jaime 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they're both BS...but go with psychology more money in it
2007-02-17 15:30:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋