Health Careers
Psychologist/Psychological Associate
Professional Activities
Psychologists and Psychological Associates study the behavior, emotions, and thinking processes of humans to better understand their behavior. They are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental disorders by using individual, child, family, and group therapies. A Psychologist must have a PhD while a Psychological Associate is licensed at a Master’s Level. Psychologists may teach, conduct research, or serve as consultants or therapists. They may also serve as administrators of behavioral health programs.
Psychologists may specialize in a particular area. For example, clinical psychologists may work with emotionally disturbed individuals, medical and surgical patients, and chronically ill patients. Counseling psychologists advise patients on how to cope with everyday issues and help to resolve personal problems. Examples of other areas of specialization include community psychology, developmental psychology and social psychology.
Psychologists may also work with students in schools to evaluate academic skills, learning aptitudes, social skills, self-help skills, personality and emotional development. School psychologists determine eligibility for special service programs and work directly with students or families to help solve conflicts and problems related to learning and adjustment. They provide counseling, social skills training, behavior management, and other interventions to help families deal with difficult crises such as separation or loss.
In Alaska, psychologists work in hospitals, correctional institutions, mental health clinics, private practices, public schools and universities, and with government agencies and tribal health organizations.
Educational Requirements
Educational requirements vary depending upon the psychology subspeciality. School psychologists and psychological associates hold at least a master’s degree in psychology. A doctoral degree is required for clinical or counseling psychology, and for research and teaching positions. Passing both national and state exams, as well as two years of clinical supervision are necessary to be licensed by the State of Alaska as a Psychological Associate or a Psychologist. (School psychologist licensing requires an institutional endorsement set up through the College of Education.) Educational steps include:
- Graduation from high school with a college preparatory background.
- Completion of a four year bachelor’s degree with a psychology major or other behavioral health major.
- Completion of a master’s degree in psychology to qualify for State of Alaska licensure as a Psychological Associate or School Psychologist.
- Completion of a doctoral degree in psychology to qualify for State of Alaska licensure as a Psychologist.
Academic Programs
The University of Alaska Anchorage offers bachelor’s degrees in Psychology (BA or BS), a master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology (MS), and a joint PhD program with UAF in Clinical/Community Psychology with a rural indigenous focus.
University of Alaska Anchorage
Psychology Department, SSB 214
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Phone: (907) 786-1711
Fax: (907) 786-4898
Email:
Web site: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/psych/
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) and a joint PhD program with UAA in Clinical/Community Psychology with a rural indigenous focus.
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Psychology Department
706 D Gruening Building
PO Box 756480
Fairbanks, AK 99775-6480
Phone: (907) 474-7007
Fax: (907) 474-5781
E-mail:
Web site: http://www.uaf.edu/psych/
Note: A joint UAA-UAF Ph.D. program in Clinical-Community Psychology with a Rural Indigenous Emphasis was approved in June of 2005. The program accepted its first cohort of students in Fall of 2006. Application deadline is February 1st. For more information visit http://psyphd.alaska.edu/ or contact the individuals below.
For more information, contact either:
James Allen, PhD
UAF Director of Clinical Training
Department of Psychology, UAF
Phone: (907) 474-6132
Email:
Christiane Brems, PhD, ABPP
UAA Director of Clinical Training
Department of Psychology and BHRS, UAA
Phone: (907) 786-1730
Email:
Alaska Pacific University offers a bachelor’s (BA) degree with a psychology major and a master of science degree (MS) in Counseling Psychology. For more information contact:
Alaska Pacific University
Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Services
4101 University Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Phone: (907) 561-1266
Web site: http://www.alaskapacific.edu/depts/py/
Contacts
State Contact:
Alaska Psychological Association AK-PA
P.O. Box 241292
Anchorage, AK 99524-1292
Phone/Fax: (907) 344-8878
Email:
Web site: http://www.ak-pa.org/
For State of Alaska licensing information, contact:
Department of Commerce and Economic Development
Division of Occupational Licensing
Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners
Phone: (907) 465-5470
Fax: (907) 465-2974
Email:
Web site: http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/ppsy.htm
National Contact:
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: (202) 336-5500
Toll free: (800) 374-2721
Web site: http://www.apa.org/
This page was last updated by Janice Troyer on June 09, 2008
