What do Women Writers Want from an Editor

What do Women Writers Want from an Editor What do Women Writers Want from an Editor? Laurie Garrison, Ph.D.  is the director of Women Writers School, a blog and course provider that works mainly with female authors. She has recently self-published a manifesto for her business, Women Writers in the Twenty-First Century. Previously, she was a university lecturer, an internationally renown critic of Victorian literature and the author of the book,  Science, Sexuality and Sensation Novels: Pleasures of the Senses.The online world is bursting with free advice for writers. Everywhere I look I see articles geared toward helping the writer shape her emails, pitches, proposals, synopses and, above all, her manuscripts into something an agent, editor or publisher wants to see. When the time comes to approach our target reader (whether they're an agent, editor or publisher), we must tread very carefully indeed. We must make no approach until we have completed the necessary research on titles, authors, style and interests (not our own but those of our target reader).When we make that first contact, we must be concise and get straight to the point. Our reader has very little time to spare. We must list our achievements with confidence but not boast too much, lest we irritate our reader before the attachment is even opened. We must choose the perfect comparison titles, but only those that strongly resonate with our intended reader, and we must get this right or a door will slam in our faces. We must be keen but not so keen that we ever chase for a response because, unless successful, a response is just too much to expect.Publishing Advice and Women’s Experience: Is Change Afoot?This detail-oriented, anxiety-ridden, almost desperate determination to shape oneself into whatever it is the recipient on the other end of the email journey wants is familiar to a lot of women, not just in publishing but in other competitive professional situations as well. The question of whether a woman should mold herself to fit the world around her (what I’d cal l the 'Lean In' approach) or whether it is the outside world that needs to change (what I’d call the 'Lean Out' approach) is a subject of much debate in modern feminism. Clearly, the majority of us in publishing are taking the 'Lean In' approach, not least because sometimes we just want to get published and will have to reform the world at another time.However, we are operating at a time where things are changing quickly. I wonder if a changed world, where agents, editors, and publishers cater more to the needs of writers, might not be so far away after all. In recent years, the rise of ebooks, the social web, and self-publishing have turned traditional publishing on its head. Dedicated independent authors can now sell as many books as authors from the Big Five. In the new status quo, it matters much, much more what the audience thinks than what the agent, editor or publisher thinks. "In the new status quo, what readers think matters MUCH more than what agents or publishers do" Add to this that women are experiencing a disproportionate amount of success in self-publishing, and I would very much like to ask, will there be a time where agents, publishers, and editors must cater not just to writers, but to women writers? What would the profession look like if it was shaped to suit the needs of female writers rather than the schedules and budgets of the publishing industry? For the sake of discussion, I propose that it would look very different from the world currently represented on publishing advice websites. That is where a writer is encouraged to mold every detail of herself and her work to fit what a hypothetical agent, editor or publisher is looking for -   whether the idea of that agent, editor or publisher is realistic or not. "What would publishing look like if it was shaped to suit the needs of female writers?" A New Kind of Writer-Editor RelationshipI’m going to propose a more equal relationship between writer and editor. It's a kind of relationship that represents what I think a woman wants from an editor. I can’t speak for all women, but I do speak from experience. I’m basing my description on many years of teaching mainly female students, supervising the work of postgraduate students (again, mostly female), working as an editor, teaming up with colleagues to act as co-editors and working with commissioning editors, peer reviewers and journal editors on my personal list of publications. I’m using ‘editor’ as a catch-all to mean anyone who takes part in a developmental editing process, so I think some or all of this could apply to agents, editors, and publishers.I believe there are three qualities to writer-editor relationships that work best for women. There needs to be a sense of shared responsibility for the quality of the work (as opposed to a top-down or competitive atmosphere), lots of personal interaction in the form of frequent communication, and the development of a long-term relationship where trust and familiarity can develop. Here’s what I think this would look like in practice.1. The process of editing and revising a manuscript would be a  team effortIn my best editing relationships, the editor reads the writer’s work with the intention of making the manuscript better, not with prescriptive solutions but with questions and pointers where the writing has become loose. After all, it should be the writer’s responsibility to come up with the solution. This type of back and forth between editor and writer is especially crucial when complex ideas are involved: spelling them out enough to engage the reader engages while avoiding the pitfall of being too pedantic. In my experience, this kind of collaboration works best through conversations, not email or comments on manuscripts. If there are multip le ways of improving particular portions of a text, a conversation is often the most successful means of working this out. "Editing often works best through conversations, not emails or comments on manuscripts." 2. The editor would be able to judge the right time to empower the writer to take charge of editorial decision-makingEvery manuscript is different, and every subject is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for any editing challenge. If the editor is acting as an expert on structure and style, then the writer should be the expert on content and whether or not proposed changes work with the content. I have done developmental editing on manuscripts about subjects as disparate as eighteenth-century phrenology and the US-UK special relationship in James Bond novels. My role as editor in these situations has been to think creatively about how that unique subject would be best presented to an audience, bearing in mind that the final say has to go to the author as the person who knows more about the subject than anyone else.Very often, editorial decisions will depend on subject matter expertise. At these times, pointing out where there are decisions to be made is a better course of action than trying to work out a solution.3. There would be a balance of positive and negative criticismThe process of editing focuses so much on negative criticism (with the best of intentions) that it is easy to forget that a writer also needs to know what works well in a manuscript and which are the stand-out points that should be kept at all costs. There have been times when I have got the distinct feeling that my editor was desperately searching for corrections to make. I mean, for example, lots of unnecessary fiddling with word choice when the edit was supposed to be a big picture view of the manuscript. Sometimes a manuscript doesn’t need much work, but an editor wants to feel like they’re doing their job. Not just in these situations, but in any editing task, we should seek to fill up at least some of the space with positive criticism because it can be equally helpful for honing technique and developing confidence. "The editing process often focuses too much on negative criticism" #amediting w. @lauriebg_ 4. There would be regular, enjoyable communication between editor and writerI have had a number of editing relationships where I really looked forward to the conversations I would have with my editor or with the writer. But I have had an equal amount where there was no possibility of having any conversation at all and I had to make my best guess at exactly what the editor was asking me to do when the comments were unclear. I just don’t think an editor-writer relationship can be completely successful if there is no possibility for conversations between the editor and writer, at the very least to get clarification on some of the comments. When communication has been at its best in my relationships of this type, discussing the manuscript is more of a brainstorming activity than an exercise of passing information back and forth.5. Both editor and writer would improve their own writing as a result of the writer-editor relationshipIn my best writer-editor relationships, the process of working so closely with another writer results in a transformation in my own writing in future manuscripts as well as the one at hand, regardless of which role I’m taking. This is what happens when you spend a large amount of time working on someone else’s writing, which can be a bit of an exercise in being in another person’s head. If you find someone you can work with on this level, hang on to that relationship, but also keep looking for others. Multiple relationships like this can open up all sorts of possibilities for experimenting with new styles and approaches. There are so many different ways a writer’s work can transform over the years of a career, and I think editing relationships have everything to do with this.This is what I think women want from an editor. I would love for this piece to start some discussion. Is this the way you imagine an ideal writer-editor relationship working, either for men or women? Or is there another way that works best for you? Leave me a comment in the box below, and I'll do my best to answer.

How to Report Child Pornography

How to Report Child Pornography It is illegal to own and/or create child pornography in the United States. Child pornography is generally defined as sexualized photos or videos of children under 18 or of children under the age of 18 performing sexual acts. What to Do If You Encounter Child Porn   If you encounter child pornography either online or through the U.S. mail, here is how you can report the crime to the proper authorities. If you encounter child pornography on the Internet, you can report the site address to your Internet Service Provider and your local or state FBI or Customs office listed in your telephone directory. You can also report child pornography online by forwarding the site address to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) at cybertipline.com. NCMEC will forward your report to the appropriate investigative agency for follow-up. To collect the address (or URL) of a child-pornography website, click on the address in your browsers address bar to highlight (select) the address. Then hold down the Control key and click on the C key to copy the address. You can then paste the address into a text file or email message by holding down the Control key and hitting the V key. Porn in the Mail There is no free speech, First Amendment protection for child pornography. Pornographic pictures of children are not constitutionally protected speech. Such pictures are evidence of the sexual exploitation of children. If the pictures are sent through the U.S. Mail, it is a violation of federal law. If you have information about the use of the U.S. Postal Service to send child pornography, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service listed in the white pages of your local telephone directory. More information may be obtained at the U.S. Postal Inspection Agency web page. Why You Should Report Child Pornography If you happen upon an image of child porn online you may think theres no point in reporting it because the image could have come from anywhere in the world so how could police possibly track down anyone involved in its creation. But, youd be wrong. Investigators for the FBI are skilled at the type of forensic investigation required  to track down the people producing these horrible images. For example, there have been cases where investigators used wallpaper and bedsheets to identify the hotel being used by a ring of child pornographers. By reporting child pornography when you see it youre raising the chances that a child could be saved or of helping supply evidence needed to put someone who hurts children behind bars.

Nursing Knowledge Resources and Nursing Theory Essay

Nursing Knowledge Resources and Nursing Theory - Essay Example This makes them to collaborate with others and the conversations will be scientific when they work with the physicians. Generally it was observed that physicians are giving increased autonomy for the nurses, who follow evidence based practice. This results in willingness in increasing the accountability and professionalism. The research is capable of validating the care they provide when they use evidence based practice. The research on nurses has shown that they lack skills regarding the appraise of research literature. As a result they are not able to use the research findings. The concept of evidence based practice increased the nurses' professional skills. The aim of the research should be the awareness of the nurses about the EBN reports. If they are not, the system or organization should make them aware of them. The concept of evidence based nursing found to be more important among the nurses. Though this is the case a research by Christel Bahtsevani of Malmo University revealed that there are many nurses who do not have access to the literature regarding the access to the evidence based nursing practices.( Christel Bahtsevani RN, Azzam Khalaf MSc, Ania Willman RN, PhD 2005) The importance and benefit of the evidence based practice is that it answers the clinical questions due to the evidence it gathers. The skills of clinicians regarding the research can be developed, and this can give efficient access to the evidences. This results due to the collaboration with colleagues who can assist in getting to the evidence. Melnyk etal in 2004 and Pravikoff et al. in 2005 stated that the educators when consider the lack of searching skills in nurses, they have to adopt evidence based practice. (Sally Bennett, John W. Bennett, 2000) They need to collaborate with librarians, database creators, indexers and others to develop the basic skills needed in EBP. This results in fostering the need to find the mother lode of evidence to answers the clinical questions. This results in finding the best team, best equipment and the best techniques to get the results quickly. They can anticipate and embrace the challenges inherent in practice. (Ellen Fineout-Overholt RN, PhD, Sheila Hofstetter MLS, AHIP, Leslee Shell MLS, Linda Johnston RN, PhD 2005) 3. Nursing theories 3.1 Websites on Nursing: The http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/ceb/acts/ebcp.htm describes the evidence based nursing practice in the practical sense. It stress on the use of scientific literature to use evidence based nursing practice. It defines the clinical questions in a way the answers extraction will become easy. This enables the search for best information that enhances the evidence based practices in nursing. The clinical message should be extracted by the physician from the information. 3.1.1 In http://www.herts.ac.uk/lis/subjects/health/ebm.htm the definitions, references and conferences are available. The methodological filters and evidence based health web sources are there to explain the care of public health with health technology assessment. In this site the evidence based medicine health care is looked upon a new paradigm that is capable of replacing the traditional medicine practices. They are based on authority and EBM is based on scientific information. 3.1.2 In

Accounting Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Accounting - Coursework Example Our analysis will cover the main factors that may encourage unethical accounting practices at the managerial level. Greed for money appears to be the most convenient explanation. Personal gain is probably why malpractice is performed in the first place. With accounting being a practice revolving entirely around money, greed is likely to strike at any level, whether it be an individual accountant or at a member of the executive board. Financial information is manipulated as managers and accounting specialists search for loopholes in standards either for misrepresentation or for direct monetary benefit. Pressure to meet profitability targets is another important factor as to why management may choose to enter the grey area of accounting. In certain scenarios meeting analysts’ expectations regarding company performance becomes more important than contractual obligations, as the company is reputed to adhere to its market predicted growth trends. Therefore, capital market pressure may just be significant enough for managers to resort to unethical means to financial reporting. (Serwer, et al., 2002) have construed in a similar context: â€Å"over time so much focus has been placed on levitating companies stock prices that many executives will do almost anything--legal or otherwise--to make it happen† (Rosen, Al, 2009) regards executive compensation as the key to the dubitable practice of misrepresentation in financial reporting. Executive compensation can occur either via share-based compensatory benefits (as share prices rise) or inflated profitability by over-stating revenues. Corporate culture plays a significant role in devising managerial ethics. If in order to achieve ‘company’ gains the executive management is known to practice manipulation with financial information, subordinate staff is likely to use unethical means for personal benefits too (StrategicDirection,

In-Depth Psychoanalysis Essay Example for Free

In-Depth Psychoanalysis Essay The formation and maintenance of the psychoanalysis frame is important for the function of setting up an ideal emotional relationship with a patient. It is the ability to know how to help the patient by deducing the emotional projections and barriers that are present within the patient’s psyche (Bishop, 1989). The concept of psychic reality embraces the image of the external world, which accommodates the internal world in an individual that is composed of masculine and feminine energies. It is important for psychoanalysts to comprehend this existing relationship between the external and internal world so that the patient will not be confused in understanding his or her situation (Bishop, 1989). In psychoanalysis, both analyst and patient are expected to merge the inner and outer subjectivity of the patient. The analyst’s main role is to figure out what is the scope of that subjectivity and form a suitable analysis of it that will be able to help both of them to find a solution. The analyst should strive to become a part of the patient’s illness in order to arrive at a solution. This is called Transference which is a central element to psychoanalysis (Bishop, 1989). The door to the past is opened through transference as it seeks to make sense of the present. Objectivity has no place in psychoanalysis because the process is derived from the complexities found within the patient’s psyche. An analyst must be able to honor the patient’s projections of reality for it is there that the solution may be brought to light (Bishop, 1989). A conceptual frame exists in the process of psychoanalysis in which the mode of transference is indicative of the projections offered by both the patient and the analyst. It is imperative that an analyst maintains the frame by respecting the patient’s time as it is giving the patient an opportunity to handle his or her own problems (Bishop, 1989). While both the analyst and the patient remain independent, mental interpenetration should be experienced by both parties through the combined efforts of projective identification. It is a process that permits bonding with the patient, alluding to a psychic intercourse. In psychotherapy, the psychotherapist is expected to psychically bond with the patient as a marital partner that nurses the wounded child found within the patient (Bishop, 1989). Psychological elements within the frame emphasizes on three things: Neutrality, anonymity and avoidance of extra-analytic contact. The first element, neutrality, considers a behavior in which the analyst withholds external manifestations of judgment to keep things professional and the psychoanalytic process unaffected. The second element deals with anonymity, which exhibits separation of an analyst’s personal life from the profession. It is obscuring personal attributes and judgment from a patient, except if it is considered beneficial to the situation at hand. The last element, avoidance of extra-analytic contact, upholds the professionalism of the psychoanalyst by deciding to evade places where patients would most likely be. This will set limitations between analyst and patient by not encouraging further contact between the two parties aside from those established within the bounds of the psychoanalysis sessions (Bishop, 1989). Along with these elements, silence contributes a great deal toward intervention in psycho-analytic treatment. It promotes an attitude toward to a gestational state where the individual could combine thoughts and feelings. The space in the room should be filled with the patient’s mind and not the therapists’ knowledge. Silence allows the patient to center on what is inside rather than what is outside. An analyst should take care not to interfere with this process as language may affect its course (Bishop, 1989). Another thing an analyst should keep in mind is interpreting the silence by giving importance to the transference process, exposing the unconscious mind. The purpose of unraveling such consciousness is to project the instinctual or the here and now. Transference brings rise to object relations connected with the patient’s anxieties toward unconsciousness (Bishop, 1989). For an analyst to be more attuned toward the needs of the patient, derivatives must be presented in order to clarify what was obtained from the transference. It is keeping the exchange route open and flowing. The frame of psychoanalysis should be preserved in such a way that it allows room for both the patient and the analyst to bond together by figuring out the source of the psychological discomfort. It is establishing a stable connection between the patient and the analyst (Bishop, 1989). 2. Discuss Bion’s Model as it relates to psychological development and psychotherapeutic process. What correlates do you find in the work of Freud and Kohut? Initially, Bion’s interpretations of the subconscious mind gravitate toward the idea that thoughts precede thinking. He believes that people have existing preconceptions about the environment and their realizations. When these two factors meet, it serves as a basis for thinking (Bishop, 1989). Bion postulates that each person possesses an inclination to be psychotic (PPP), though it is very much different from being in a state of psychosis. For Bion, it involves a set of process in which sufficient trauma activates the reversion of PPP, enabling one to experience such a state. It is fueled by the death instinct that affects the instinctual drive to kill and the ability to think and feel (Bishop, 1989). Feelings and thoughts are processed by the patient as a separate entity from him or her; therefore, the psychotic part emerges as a detached state that breaks the linkages between thoughts and feelings. As a result, destructive impulses, intolerant frustrations, hatred and irritability occur within the patient, rendering narcissistic love into sadism (Bishop, 1989). The patient experiencing this kind of state lives in a state of persecution through the creation of bizarre objects or hallucinations. This part of the personality relies on removing any negative thought-process through projective identification. Most often, projective identification refers to the pathological element of execution but under normal circumstances, it is a mode of interpersonal communications that permits the patient to express his or her feelings for the analyst to make sense of them. Such frightening expressions of the patient create a digestible container in the analyst who accepts the projected reality (Bishop, 1989). The analyst then interjects such expressions or beta elements surrounding the projection. The analyst needs to acknowledge how frightening the projection is and respond to it appropriately. Â  This process is known as alpha function, which simply associates itself from the feeding ritual of birds. The parent bird feeds the baby by taking the worm and digesting it through the creation of bite-size pieces. When the digestion is achieved, the parent bird regurgitates it in the mouth of the baby bird in order to help the baby bird digest the food. The human counterpart features the analyst as the parent bird and the patient as the baby bird. The patient projects a reality to the analyst, which in turn is emotionally digested by the analyst and offered back to the patient. The analyst needs to regress in order to process projective identification so that it coincides with what the patient has given (Bishop, 1989). If the beta element returned by the therapist is unstable, the patient will assume that the therapist is of no help as he or she could not comprehend the situation. This leads the patient to feel misunderstood and alone. From this, the patient starts to project a more violent attitude toward the analyst. The outcome may lead to psychosis if the patient is unable to find another container on which to project the beta elements. The analyst must be able to reframe the beta elements in order to provide the big picture to the patient (Bishop, 1989). With regard to Kohut and Freud, both place special emphasis on narcissism. Kohut identifies narcissism as a way of rejection by discarding oneself into another’s experience through empathy. It is the primary therapeutic tool that does not connote affect or emotional attitude. The affect is only experienced once the analyst finally comprehends the patient’s circumstance (Curtis, 2008). While Freud may have discussed how an individual relates to his or her being as an object and creates conflict within if disappointments occur, separating it from the line of development, Kohut believes that the narcissistic line is a long-term process. People take what they can from their environment all throughout their lives, which is what fuels narcissism (Curtis, 2008). The transference in Kohut’s explanation takes place in the selfobject relationship which provides a mirroring positive response to the patient that is in dire need of it. It is the proliferation of affirmation, appreciativeness, and fulfillment of purpose, which supports narcissism in its most positive sense. The function of this is to supply the emotional deficit that is lacking in the environment of the patient (Curtis, 2008). One of the major changes that have occurred from traditional psychoanalysis is the introduction of selfobject as a counterpart of the projective identification of Klein/Freud. It sets up primary emotional connections that aid in psychological development. The process is not concerned with the outside notions of the self but of the inner projections that manifests itself through deficits (Curtis, 2008). Another modification concerns the predisposition of the analyst of the past to take things from an objective perspective to a subjective experience. This view intercepts the existing relationship of the analyst-patient into one unit which also encourages counter-transference on the part of the analyst (Curtis, 2008). Psychotherapy involves the examination of a patient’s long history and the fragments of mal-attunments that affects his or her sense of self. The role of the analyst is to assist the patient in re-establishing the nuclear self and assesses realistically the positive side of the patient’s psyche. This is the only way for the patient to willingly internalize the deficits through optimal failures. Failure is essential to the growth of an individual since it helps develop perseverance and maintain a healthy ego. Psychotherapy helps in the process of arriving at the selfobject needs of patient through the awareness of the existing deficits and responding empathically to it (Curtis 2008). References: Bishop, A. (1989). Classical psychoanalytic technique. In R. Langs (Ed.). New York: Guilford Press. Curtis, R.C. (2008). Desire, Self, Mind, and the Psychotherapies: Unifying Psychological Science and Psychoanalysis (The New Imago). (1st ed.). New York: Jason Aronson.

Poetry Intertextual :: English Literature Essays

Poetry Intertextual The anthology â€Å"Lines to Time† includes a wide range of poems written by a selection of poets. What makes â€Å"Line to Time† interesting and enjoyable to read is the variety of topic and treatment the poets use to make their poetry effective. The range of poets featured in â€Å"Lines to Time† use a variety of poetic devices and writer’s techniques such as symbolism, imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia, tone, metaphors and humour, to effectively construct an evocative poem. Symbolism and imagery plays a large role in Gwen Harwood’s poems â€Å"Suburban Sonnet†, â€Å" Suburban Sonnet: Boxing Day† and â€Å"Father and Child†. â€Å"Suburban Sonnet† tackles the issue of the harshness of motherhood. Harwood creates the image that the woman in the poem has sacrificed her dreams and aspirations, to become a mother figure for her children. This image is portrayed through Harwood’s contrasting ideas that the way she moves around the kitchen is similar to the complex composition of a fugue. â€Å"She practices a fugue, though it can matter to no one now if she lays well or not.† Symbolism and imagery help Harwood to achieve the poem’s purpose in creating a sympathetic tone towards the woman’s struggle. The use of rhyming couplets and irregular short sentences create a hectic and disorganised structure and rhythm to the poem, which symbolises the mother’s life. Harwood uses emotive description and olfactory imagery to allow the audience to experience exactly what the woman is feeling. â€Å"A pot boils over. As she rushes to the stove too late, a wave of nausea overpowers† Harwood creates the image of a pot of milk boiling over and a horrible odour dispersing from it. The use of olfactory imagery presents the audience with a common smell recognised as a disgusting stench, forcing the audience to feel empathy towards the poor woman. The mouse caught in the trap is symbolic of her dreams and hopes that are crushed and demolished when she made a sacrifice for the sake of her family. The mouse is symbolic of the mother, who is stuck in a trap and is unable to break free. Harwood uses this symbolism to express the major thematic concern, that she has become a slave to her family. â€Å"Suburban Sonnet† is a very bitter and melancholic poem, and is told from the author’s point of view, creating the sense that maybe the woman in the sonnet could be the poet herself. Poetry Intertextual :: English Literature Essays Poetry Intertextual The anthology â€Å"Lines to Time† includes a wide range of poems written by a selection of poets. What makes â€Å"Line to Time† interesting and enjoyable to read is the variety of topic and treatment the poets use to make their poetry effective. The range of poets featured in â€Å"Lines to Time† use a variety of poetic devices and writer’s techniques such as symbolism, imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia, tone, metaphors and humour, to effectively construct an evocative poem. Symbolism and imagery plays a large role in Gwen Harwood’s poems â€Å"Suburban Sonnet†, â€Å" Suburban Sonnet: Boxing Day† and â€Å"Father and Child†. â€Å"Suburban Sonnet† tackles the issue of the harshness of motherhood. Harwood creates the image that the woman in the poem has sacrificed her dreams and aspirations, to become a mother figure for her children. This image is portrayed through Harwood’s contrasting ideas that the way she moves around the kitchen is similar to the complex composition of a fugue. â€Å"She practices a fugue, though it can matter to no one now if she lays well or not.† Symbolism and imagery help Harwood to achieve the poem’s purpose in creating a sympathetic tone towards the woman’s struggle. The use of rhyming couplets and irregular short sentences create a hectic and disorganised structure and rhythm to the poem, which symbolises the mother’s life. Harwood uses emotive description and olfactory imagery to allow the audience to experience exactly what the woman is feeling. â€Å"A pot boils over. As she rushes to the stove too late, a wave of nausea overpowers† Harwood creates the image of a pot of milk boiling over and a horrible odour dispersing from it. The use of olfactory imagery presents the audience with a common smell recognised as a disgusting stench, forcing the audience to feel empathy towards the poor woman. The mouse caught in the trap is symbolic of her dreams and hopes that are crushed and demolished when she made a sacrifice for the sake of her family. The mouse is symbolic of the mother, who is stuck in a trap and is unable to break free. Harwood uses this symbolism to express the major thematic concern, that she has become a slave to her family. â€Å"Suburban Sonnet† is a very bitter and melancholic poem, and is told from the author’s point of view, creating the sense that maybe the woman in the sonnet could be the poet herself.

Efficient Business Communications in Companies Today Essay

â…  . Introduction Communication is one of the most important factors in any organization or relationship. It is â€Å"the process of people sharing thoughts, ideas, information and feelings with each other in commonly understandable ways† (Hamilton, 2011). When people can communicate properly in a business then it runs smoothly without communicational mistakes and misinterpretation. The main purpose of efficient business communications is to generate a positive, reliable and consistent reputation with customers, employees and other businesses. Efficient business communication promotes confidence in the company so that people are able to trust the company. Businesses are crossing national boundaries to compete on a global scale today. That’s why efficient business communication is important nowadays. To be successful, businesses need to develop efficient ways of communications around the world. In that way, social media and modern technologies is efficient business communications in compa nies today. â… ¡. Body 1. Social media in business communication Pearlson and Saunders (2010) define social networking sites as online services that allow members to create profiles with information about themselves and connect with other individuals that share common interests and expertise. While social networking sites began as methods for people to express their individuality and keep in touch with others, they have developed into communication tools that allow businesses to connect directly with the widespread audiences these sites provide and benefit from the immediacy and intimacy of these contacts. The popularity of social networking sites provides companies with the opportunity to take advantage of instant two-way dialogue with millions of users in a more cost-effective method than previous one-way marketing strategies. Social networking has also changed how working professionals share information and the methods companies use to find new employees. LinkedIn, for example, provides users the ability to create profiles that outline their pr ofessional expertise and accomplishments and Hempel (2010) outlines how both employees and employers benefit from the features of LinkedIn. Over 60 million members have LinkedIn profiles with details on their experience and the ability to reach out to peers to ask for advice or join groups of members with similar affiliations. This provides users the ability to network more effectively than they could through an exchange of business cards or resumes. Employers have also discovered benefits to using LinkedIn to identify and recruit potential employees. LinkedIn provides highly detailed information on members, allowing representatives from companies such as IBM and Accenture to easily identify promising candidates based on member profiles and professional references while saving thousands of dollars in recruiting fees. Twitter provides its users the ability to stay connected by exchanging short messages of 140 characters or less, known as â€Å"tweets†. These brief messages are designed to provide users the ability to quickly share information with a wide audience. Companies are now expected to take an active role in the use of social networking sites to identify candidates for employment, promote their products, and engage customers in the medium and time frame they prefer rather than dictating how and when communication takes place. Given that these sites provide free tools for companies to establish immediate, two-way dialogue with vast numbers of customers, it is imperative that companies develop effective social networking strategies to further establish and strengthen the critical relationship between company and customer. 2. Modern technologies in business communication Technology seems to be in a state of constant evolution. New technologies are being developed all the time, and the impact this has had on the world of business communication is immeasurable. In spite of that speaking to someone in person is the best method of business communication, technology has allowed you to communicate with people around the world through other methods to save company money. Technology plays an important role in the business. It helps to grow business into a customer-focused and sustainable business. Today, modern technology has changed the way these business conduct their communications with each other. Technology has allowed for many forms of communication to take place through the use of cell phones, email, and even holding meetings. Many large organizations have installed a complex network of computer-based telephone, facsimile, printing, voice-mail, e-mail and videoconferencing technologies. These technologies increase the potential for communication in the organization, such as speed, frequency and reach of communication and reduce its cost (Hinds, Keisler, 1995). As technology has progressed, it has increased the speed of business communications. Instead of having to wait a week for a document to be delivered by mail, information can be instantaneously transferred via email or file sharing programs. Technology has greatly increased accessibility in business communication. Because of things like smart phones, email, text messaging and instant messaging, information can be sent very quickly to anyone, anywhere. This has altered accessibility in a multitude of ways. People can work or communicate from anywhere and at any time. Technology has made the world a lot smaller, especially in the context of business. People from different cultures interact on a frequent basis. Global partnerships have become much more feasible as things like video conferencing have facilitated me etings that cost much less to conduct than flying halfway across the world. This has also forced business communication to become more dynamic, as individuals from different cultures learn to accommodate for the cultural and communicative differences in their business relationships. People from opposite ends of the world can work together, 24 hours a day. Moreover, advances in technology make it possible for more and more people to work away from the office – in cars, airports, hotels and homes. (Thill, Bovee, 2005) As it was mentioned before, managers have at their disposal a wide variety of communication technologies from which to choose. And some the most popular technologies can be discovered. They are telephone, voice mail, Internet based communication technologies such as e-mail, instant messages, videoconferences, blogs, file hosting. Mobile Phones Telephones are one of the most common, popular and simple forms of business communication today. The use of the telephone has increased exponentially since its invention because it provides an easy and convenient way to overcome the two principal barriers to communication: time and distance. The telephone is much like one-to-one face-to-face communication, but is done at a distance (Hinds, Keisler, 1995). Using telephones overcome the two principal barriers to communication: time and distance. In fact, some experts estimate that 95 percent of most companies’ daily contacts come via the telephone (Ind, 1999). When people call to an organization, they want to quickly and easy reach somebody who can help them and provide information. Most companies provide cell phones for their employees and they require them to carry them on and off the job. This allows people to be available anytime when they need to be called in. This form of communication is good to get in touch with someone but when you have an important topic to discuss, it is better not to do it over the phone. It also allows companies to save money by having corporate discounts from providers. These benefits of using telephones show that in order to run a business in an effective way, the role of telephones shouldn’t be underestimated. Telephones are one of the most efficient ways of communication. E-mail Of all the Internet activities, e-mail is used more often. Email has changed the way any business is being done. Nowadays people complain about the amount of Email they receive. But, nevertheless, using Email has impacted business in a positive way and has some advantages over other methods of communication. Hamilton (2011) mentioned that â€Å"there are some definite advantages to using e-mail and instant messages in an organization – increased access to and faster retrieval of information, to name just two.† Use of e-mails costs less then sending letters. Thus, e-mail has become one of the most common forms of business communication. Since e-mail communications eliminate the interpretation of body language, tone and gestures, there’s a set of norms and ethics that come with email communication. For example, using capital letters in a sentence can be construed as you screaming at the other person. So, to minimize the potential for problems, many companies now ha ve formal e-mail policies that specify certain rules of creating e-mails and use of company e-mail service. Instant messages Instant messaging allows people to carry on real-time, either one-to-one or small groups text conversations. It is quicker then e-mail and usually used inside the organization to allow employees to share information, exchange documents or hold virtual meetings online. Calls via Internet and Video conference Modern technology allows communicating in person via electronic meetings, such as videoconference or calling and receiving calls via Internet. Programs such as Skype offer Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services that allow individuals and businesses to call and place electronic meetings all over the world for prices much cheaper then regular landline services. Lehman, DuFrene (2005) found that â€Å"despite e-mail, fax machines, cell phones a lot of employees do not communicate as well with one another in virtual environments as they do in traditional office†. Videoconferencing is used by multiple-location companies to communicate with their employees – for training, business updates, to introduce new products or procedural changes (Hamilton, 2011). In videoconferencing people’s participation is more organized and orderly, they come well prepared, which may account for shorter meeting and saving time. It is also effective when an organization is hiring someone who is leaving in other country. If it is expensive to bring that person to the company’s country for an interview, the better way to conduct it is via Skype rather than via telephone. You can see the person, his body language which will give you more information about the person rather than just voice. â… ¢. Conclusion Today, people more connected in globalized world by modern technologies. Lifestyle are changing internet bases that quicker, easier and more cost-effectively. This is nothing different in business communication. Full use of social media and modern technologies are undoubtedly maximizing communications between businesses and their suppliers, partners, customers and their potential customers.

Task B Tpp 101

Hoffman and Elwin’s (2003) article examines ’The Relationship Between Critical Thinking and Confidence in Decision Making’ for new graduate nurses. The authors aim to prove that no correlation exists between higher order reasoning of new graduates and their ability to make sound clinical choices in relation to patient management. Critical thinking in the nursing field is defined as decision making based on the analysis of clinical problems through reflection and reasoning to ensure optimum patient outcomes.US and UK studies found no link between critical thinking and clinical decision making while Korean research identifies a positive correlation. Underlying the significance of Hoffman and Elwin’s study is the lack of evidence supporting a link between the two. The hypothesis states no relationship exists between confidence in decision making and critical thinking for graduate nurses. The sample population comprised 83 graduates from 11 universities across metropolitan and regional NSW, Australia.Using correlation design over twelve months, responses from two groups were collected using the 80 question Watson & Glaser Critical thinking assessment tool (WGCTA), a ‘Confidence in decision making scale,' 0-5 range, and demographic questionnaires. Data was collected and analysed using SPSS spreadsheet and database respectively. Results demonstrate a weak negative correlation between critical thinking and decision making for new nursing graduates. As scores for critical thinking increased a reduction in confident decision making was observed.Therefore graduates can be grouped as those who think too critically and those who think less critically. The first group of individuals may reach accurate clinical conclusions but time taken may adversely affect patient outcomes. Conversely, a graduate who thinks less critically may be overconfident taking less time to consider clinical variables, ultimately placing patients at risk. The hypothe sis is therefore rejected. Recommendations are made to encourage a future clinical environment supportive of practitioners who question decision making.Firstly, a need exists for postgraduate training opportunities which reinforce the study findings. Secondly, research addressing the shortfalls of sampling design in this particular study should be conducted. Criteria | Evaluation | Author Credentials ; Bias| Strength: Analysis of Hoffman ; Elwins paper shows the authors are well positioned to research and report on the link between critical thinking and decision making in the nursing field. Both parties’ posses their masters degree in nursing and are registered for practice with Hoffman holding an additional Bsc.In addition to academic qualifications both parties are employed as nursing educators. Weakness: Bias may exist in the authors findings. As both Hoffman and Elwin are nursing professionals and educators the papers scope ; objectivity can be questioned. Recommendations for future training and research may be seen as self-serving. The inclusion of a third party professional from outside the nursing field may provide a complimentary perspective. | Accuracy and Consistency of Data| Strength: Data has been gathered using recognised reporting tools that are based on established criterion.The use of these tools may encourage future researchers to employ the same methods to promote accuracy and consistency when comparing existing data with that collected during future research. Weakness: The accuracy and consistency of data within the research paper can be questioned. Variations in reported sample size exist in the report and will lead readers to doubt the validity of additional data. | Data Collection/Analysis| Strength: The set of instruments used in data collection can be considered sound.The combination of graduate background information and recognised tools such as the WGCTA and ‘Confidence in decision making scale’ allows for consiste ncy in comparison with previous research findings. Correlations found in the data can therefore be considered significant. Weakness: As the authors acknowledge the use of a ‘convenience sample’, the reader should conclude that study results are generalised and not representative of regional, state, or national populations.Increased sample size, equal number of rural and metropolitan graduates, and more detail on individual’s age, gender, and learning institution would increase data credibility. Graduate IQ or GPA may also play a role in critical thinking and/or decision making and be included as an additional variable. | Analysis Methods and Relevance of Data| Strength: The author’s reference list cites 16 papers from various countries around the world. This indicates that widespread and applicable investigation into the relationship between critical thinking and decision making in graduate nurses has been conducted. Methods of analysis such as he WCGTA an d ‘Confidence in Decision-making Scale’ employed in earlier research allows for comparison of findings. Weakness: Despite the relevance of resources and suitability of analysis tools, some may be considered out of date. Although studies cited in the literature review are as recent as 2000, Watson ; Glasers’ critical thinking appraisal tool dates to 1980. In addition Rhodes’ work from 1985 gave rise to the ‘Confidence in Decision-making Scale’. The use of these tools in an environment as dynamic and ever changing as nursing could suggest lack of research on behalf of the authors, or a desire to reach preferred conclusions. Sample Size| Strength: The small sample size of 83 graduates participating in the twelve month study allows for close communication between researcher and subject. This may result in improved data quality highlighting local trends and issues specific to the region. It should also be noted that participants contributed to the study over the twelve month period as there is no mention of withdrawal. Weakness: The use of a ‘convenience sample’ comprising such small numbers cannot be considered representative of target populations at regional, state, or national levels.An increase in the number of participants to represent a greater proportion of the local graduate population would improve both integrity and usability of study findings. | Criteria| Evaluative comments| 1. What difficulties did you encounter completing this task? | Initial comprehension of the paper was difficult and time consuming but central to the task. When evaluating the paper many of my selected criteria specifically sample size, data collection, and data analysis contained elements which overlapped. This made it difficult to stay on track. | 2.What did you find challenging, but interesting about this task? | Separating the content from the exercise itself. I’m really not interested in details relating to the nursing profession but skilled summarising and critical thinking/evaluation are academic fundamentals. | 3. Why would TPP 101 have set this type of a task? What are the learning outcomes of this task? (See your course outline). | To establish academic skills that can be built on. Skills developed here will assist in completing Task 2. Learning outcomes for participants are to understand, think, learn, communicate, and value. 4. How will you be able to use the skills formed in this task in your future studies? | These skills will be applied not only to Task 2, but to most if not all future assessment pieces. Active critical thinking/assessment outside of university is also of value. | 5. Define three new words that were new to you in this journal article. | 1. Meta-Cognitive – awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes. 2. Negative Correlation – as the values for one variable inrease, the values of the second variable decreases. 3.? |

The Character of Lady Macbeth Research Paper Example

The Character of Lady Macbeth Research Paper Example The Character of Lady Macbeth Paper The Character of Lady Macbeth Paper Essay Topic: Macbeth The character of Lady Macbeth is riddled with complications. Discerning her morality is a question that has no definite answer. Essentially her role in the play is as Macbeths wife and regardless of her motives for doing so she is the driving force in the murder of King Duncan. I am going to study the character of Lady Macbeth to determine different ways in which the character could be portrayed. There are two reasons why there is so much uncertainty about her character. The first is being the way the plot unfolds. The first time Lady Macbeth is introduced is in act 1 scene 5 and it is significant that her first sentence is Glamis thou art, and Cawder; and shalt be what thou art promised i. e. King of Scotland, significant because immediately it makes her sound obsessive. After this we see her character conjure evil spirits, this point will be discussed later in detail because it is an important factor in completing the task, but we begin to think that there is only one side to her character. As the play goes on we learn more about Lady Macbeth, which makes us question our pre-conceptions and consequently review previous scenes in this new light. The second reason why her character is ambivalent in nature is quite simply to do with the fact that Macbeth is a play, and therefore will be acted. Different emphasis, pauses, hand movements and changes in the speed of delivery can quite easily alter the way the audience will perceive a particular scene, providing that the text will support this. A very good and simple example for this is: When considering whose idea it is to kill the King, to make it seem like it is Lady Macbeths evil plan we would put emphasis on all uses of first-person pronouns in her lines e. . my fell purpose and Leave all the rest to me. After studying the text I believe that there are three definitive interpretation of Lady Macbeths character. The first version is that of an evil woman who can only achieve her aims through her husband and therefore uses him as a means to get what she wants. Another version of her character is as a supportive wife and therefore partially the victim during the course of Macbe ths quest for the throne, who consciously does everything to please her husband. Finally, she could be portrayed as a loving wife whose impulsive mistakes and hunger for power causes her to lose control, she perhaps feels the killing will stop with that of Duncan. As mentioned she is maybe using Macbeth. This is significant to the middle ages because women did not have any status and were considered the property of their husbands. Ambitious women like Lady Macbeth could only gain consequence through their husbands. If Lady Macbeth convinced Macbeth that he wanted to be king then she would have gained from his actions. The play is full of examples that display Lady Macbeth spurring Macbeth to kill Duncan even when he seems to be against the idea. Most noticeably in act 1 scene 7, Macbeth says, We will proceed no further in this business. Her response to this is: Such I account thy love, suggesting he cannot love her if this is his ultimatum. She also implies he is a coward, Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour as thou art in desire? After seeing his reaction, I dare do all that may become a man she feels she is motivating him and follows his reply with When you durst do it, then you were a man. She is exasperating his male pride and honour, and ends up manipulating him to do the deed. At one point Lady Macbeth mentions that Macbeth had sworn to carry out the deed when neither time nor place did then adhere. So the killing of Duncan may have been an idea that they shared amongst themselves in the past. This is a good example of newfound knowledge going in favour of Lady Macbeth. Now considering that Lady Macbeth has always been aware of Macbeths vaulting ambition and his plans to kill the King; we can now understand why she immediately concludes that Duncan must be murdered upon reading Macbeths letter. Alternatively, when she says he has sworn, she could be referring to the conversation that they had at the end of act 1 scene 5 in which case she is trying to trick him in to thinking that he had sworn to do it when in fact he said, we will speak further. This is very sly and contributes as evidence towards the argument that she pushed him to kill the king against his better judgement. When a messenger tells Lady Macbeth that the King is to make a visit that night; she makes several interesting comments. Firstly she says, He brings great news. This is a rather awkward line to analyse because it seems to be said in pure delight (with the murder in mind), it is a key line in interpreting her as an opportunistic character. An actress portraying Lady Macbeth as benevolent would very much try to mellow down this statement, by saying it slowly, thoughtfully and with almost a sarcastic undertone in her voice, making it seem as though she is dreading it. In fact this style or similar should be used to mellow down any statement such as That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my battlements. She could say it in an almost sympathetic voice, sorry for him but moreover herself. A smile whilst saying this would be effective in portraying cruelty. Now we arrive at the place in the play where Lady Macbeth conjures evil spirits, this scene adds to our uncertainty about her, but different points can be picked out to serve different purposes/portrayals. Come you spirits 40 That tend on mortal thoughts! Unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty; make thick my blood, Stop up the access and passage to remorse, Taking in to account that there are three different interpretations of Lady Macbeth this extract lends itself to all three. The Shakespearean audience would not have looked favourably on witchcraft, which is what Lady Macbeth is doing. From an evil point of view if she were to experience any remorse, it would not be from killing the King, but instead from using her husband, because there is no evidence that suggests she doesnt love him to some degree. However, as a director you may feel that Lady Macbeth is filling her mind with direst cruelty because she is not in fact evil (logically she would only need evil if she was of good nature) and so she needs to invite darkness in to her soul before she can instigate the killing. In contrast, if the actress were to make herself seem vulnerable and if on line thirty-nine (also forty-seven and forty-nine) she put emphasis on the pronoun you (when referring to the evil spirits) she would make herself seem like a victim and successfully create the impression that she is not what they are. There is a scene after the murders where Lady Macbeth faints. It has been argued over, as long as the play itself, whether she fainted to distract attention from her struggling husband or whether strangely she realises the implications of her actions. The line is Help me hence, ho! and then she faints. If one wanted to make out that she did so to distract attention from her husband who was being interrogated then the line would be said in a theatrical and pretentious manner, with perhaps her glancing at him and then fainting. Alternatively to follow the other scenario, she would have to make the fainting more realistic and this could be done by slowly building up to it. At first the supportive wifes part in the play is to spur Macbeth to do the deed, but now we are at the stage in the play where Macbeth has just killed the king and now Lady Macbeth changes her role. She now supports Macbeth and calms him; Consider it not so deeply. When he becomes numb she takes control of the situation, Give me the daggers. She could be doing this because then she will not feel as guilty about using him. Other sections of the script, in this particular scene, such as her cruel pun, For it must seem their guilt and her general calmness in the situation is quite perplexing considering Macbeths numbness. These are points to highlight when making her seem wicked, due to her indifference, highlighted by Macbeths guilt. A point of discussion is why doesnt Lady Macbeth kill Duncan herself? There are several possibilities, of which one is clearly supported by the text. Lady Macbeth said, Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had donet. Yet it is another view that this is just an excuse and she is using Macbeth to achieve something she cannot do herself, however evil she may be. In this situation I think the first possibility is the most realistic one because Lady Macbeth says the line to the audience and not to Macbeth in the form of reasoning. I think that from her determination and her inability to see the wrong in her actions I think that maybe she could have killed the King herself. Banquo is another character that is murdered in the play; this is done because Macbeth does not want Banquos prophecy to come true for him. We can only speculate whether Lady Macbeth knew about the murder of Banquo. What we do know is that she was aware that Macbeth planned to kill him, he says to her Thou knowst that Banquo and his Fleance lives. In what can be interpreted in a rather sly manner; Lady Macbeth replies with But in them natures copys not eterne. But this time Lady Macbeth doesnt tell Macbeth to leave the matter in her hands but instead it is Macbeth who ends the scene with Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck. This change is significant because it is as if Macbeth now no longer needs Lady Macbeth to spur him anymore. In the end it appears that Lady Macbeth just disappears from the play, a method Shakespeare used in Ki ng Lear. As the audience we have to try and understand why Shakespeare does this. If we see Lady Macbeth as just a functional character whose role is to motivate Macbeth to fulfil his ambitions; then we can conclude she is pulled out of the play after she serves this purpose, but only after we see the effects her actions have had on her. Lady Macbeths last scene is when she goes insane, and it is in her insanity that to some extent she realises what she has done, and the great consequences that they had, who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him? Quite different from her thoughts at the end of act two scene two, A little water clears us of the deed. She also ponders the fate of others, The Thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now? This is a murder, like that of Banquo, with which she had no direct link with, but she started Macbeth off and must face much of the blame. It is important to mention that the portrayal of Lady Macbeth is very much dependent on how Macbeths role is acted, because what is important is that a balance is struck and that they both complement each other. From the aspect of the play the final scene may have the answer to the question of Lady Macbeths morality. Malcolm having defeated the crazed Macbeth is the saviour or hero of the play and therefore his opinion is to be taken seriously. He declares an end to Macbeths tyrannical rule over Scotland, condemning him and also his fiendish wife. This label for her, coming from Malcolm, is not to be considered gospel but of significant credibility. So far the factors I have taken in to consideration are the most significant scenes in the play for Lady Macbeth, from the evidence I have chosen to play Lady Macbeth as being evil. Now with this decision I will discuss the casting and costumes. The actress who will play Lady Macbeth should be able to look evil yet have a benevolent appeal. An actress who is tall and slim would be the most appropriate, because it will show feminine power, it would be best if she were also beautiful so we could believe that this women could successfully manipulate a man. Facial features would best include visible cheekbones, which gives the notion of power. At first her face should not look plain; make-up should be used to bring colour to her lips and cheeks (building on her sexual power), but also to make her eyes dark so she appears mysterious. Though sometimes overused in the portrayal of evil the costumes should revolve around black and red. Black and red being synonymous with evil, darkness etc. i. e. the characteristics we want to bring out. I would use the costume to emphasise a change in Lady Macbeth from before she conjures the evil spirits to after. Prior to doing so she should wear all black, but then she should incorporate red, the audience will be able to identify with the colours. In between I do not believe that the colours will play a lot of significance. However, for the last scene where she goes mad I would dress her in white, not because she is innocent but because she is vulnerable and the audience will notice the change in her costume as a complement to that in her attributes. Removing the colour from her face would also help emphasise this.

The 30 Best Psychology Masters Programs and How to Pick

The 30 Best Psychology Master's Programs and How to Pick SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Regardless of whether youmajored in psychology as an undergrad or are just now realizing you havean invested interestin thefield, a psychology master’s program could be a great fit for you, especially if you're not sure about pursuing a doctorate. In this guide, we look at what kinds of psychology master’s programsare out thereand what the point of these programs is in terms of how they help you build a career. Moreover, we'll present you with a list of the best psychology master's programs forvariouskinds of psychology. What’s the Point of a Master’s in Psychology? What is the overall purpose of entering a psychology master’s program and earning an advanced degree in psychology? For one, many people choose to get a master’s degree in psychology to learn more about a specific subfield or type of psychology.Whereas a bachelor’s degree program in psych mostly provides you with a broad overview of the field, a master’sdegree programlets youconcentrate on the particular area of psychology that interests you most. The area you’re interested in will likely vary depending on what kind of job you’re hoping to getafter you earn your degree (and also whether you want tocontinueon to get a doctorate). Here are some examples of the types of psychology you could study in a graduate program: Clinical psychology Industrial-organizational psychology Child and adolescent development Counseling psychology Educational psychology Experimental psychology Developmental psychology Cognitive psychology Social psychology Health psychology Behavioral psychology General psychology Secondly, a master’s degree in psychology can be useful because many jobs in the field require or strongly prefer people with a master'sdegree.Inshort, a master's degree has the potential to advance your career. Most counseling and therapy jobs, for example, requirea master’s degree in psychology, therapy, counseling, social work, or a related field. Therefore, by getting a master’s degree, you’re not only deepening your knowledge of a particular area of psych but also expanding your job prospects. The chart below shows a variety of psychology-related jobs for master’s degree holders and what kinds of salaries and job growth rates you can expect for them. All jobs listed require at least a bachelor’s degree (typically in psychology), with somerequiring a master’s degree in psychology or a related field. For each job, we give you its 2018 median annual salary and employment growth rate for 2016-2016. Jobs are listed in order of highest salary to lowest. All data is from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS). According to the BLS, the current average employment growth rate is 7%, so any job with a percentage higher than this means that it’s growingfaster than average. Job Title Minimum Degree Required Median Salary (2018) Job Outlook (2016-2026) Social and Community Service Managers Bachelor’s or master’s degree $65,320 18% Market Research Analysts Bachelor’s or master’s degree $63,120 23% Human Resources Specialists Bachelor’s degree $60,880 7% Training and Development Specialists Bachelor’s degree $60,870 11% School and Career Counselors Master’s degree $56,310 13% Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists Bachelor’s degree $53,020 6% Marriage and Family Therapists Master’s degree $50,090 23% Social Workers Master’s degree (for clinical social work) $49,470 16% Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Varies, but usually a master’s degree $44,630 23% Rehabilitation Counselors Master’s degree $35,630 13% In general, an advanced degree will increase your earning potential. Even for jobs that only require a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree could help you stand apart from other applicants and give you a better chance of nabbing a higher salary for that position. But what if you want to become an actual psychologist? Can You Become a Psychologist With Just a Master’s Degree? You might have noticed that the chart above doesn’t include the job "psychologist" in it. This isn’t a mistake- the reality is that in order to become a practicing psychologist, you will need toearn either a PhD in Psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD).In other words, a master’s degree, though impressive, simply won’t cut it if your dream is to work full-time as a licensed psychologist. I should clarify here that a psychologist differs from a therapist.Psychologists hold a doctorate and often work with psychiatrists to diagnose and treat disorders; they can also conduct research or offer therapy. By contrast, therapists can hold either a master's degree or doctorate and solely offer therapy services to support and guide patients. The word "therapist" is a broader term that encompasses not only psychologists who offer therapy services, but also counselors, life coaches, and social workers. According to the BLS, the majority of research, clinical, and counseling psychologists are required to have a doctoral degree. That said, a master’s degree could be sufficient for jobs as a school psychologist or an industrial-organizational psychologist. In addition to a PhD or PsyD, you’ll usually need to have a psychologist license. This applies to most jobs that include the title "psychologist." (Note that although therapists must be licensed as well, their license requirements differ from those required to become a psychologist.) To get licensed as a psychologist, you’ll typically need to have done the following: Earned aPhD in Psychology or a PsyD Passed the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology Completed an internship Accumulated one to two years of supervised professional experience Exact licensure requirements vary by state, so be sure to check with your own state’s policies and procedures to see what you must do to become a licensed psychologist. Though not typically required by states, certain jobs might require psychologists to obtain board certification in a particular area of psychology, too. Here are some examples of jobs you could get with a doctorate in psychology (ordered from highest median salary to lowest): Job Title Median Salary (2018) Job Outlook (2016-2026) Psychologists, All Other $100,770 14% (all psychologists) Industrial-Organizational Psychologists $97,260 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists $76,990 Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary $76,710 15% (all postsecondary teachers) Best Psychology Master’s Programs: Notes on Rankings Before we take a look at our list of the best psychology master’s programs, it’s important that we are aware of the current state of these types of programs. Because a doctorate is required to become a psychologist- the overarchinggoal of many people studying psychology- there aren’t many terminal psychology master’s programs in the US. Indeed, most psychologists earn a master’s in psychology on the way to their doctorate (students normally get an MA/MS in Psychology along the way to the PhD or PsyD after a couple of years of study). This means that it can be somewhat difficult to find psychology master’s degree programs that are not part of doctoral programs. Therefore, we've looked mostly at master’s degree programs in fields related to psychology, such as social work, counseling, and therapy. These degrees range from a Master of Social Work (MSW), toan MA, to other specialized types of professional master’s degrees. For each category of master’s degree, we’ll be introducing to you our topfour to five choices (unranked),which we have determined based primarily on the following criteria: Prestige of both the program and overall school Ranking of the program by online lists and websites, such as US News Array of concentrations, classes, and online options offered Whether the program has an internship and/or practicum component Quality and reputation of faculty Now then, it’s time to look at our picks for the best psychology master’s programs! The Best Psychology Master’s Programs, by Category Since there aren’t that many terminal psychology master’s programs (programs that don’t require or expect you to continue on to get a doctoral degree), this list will mostly consist of programs that offer master’s degrees in fields strongly tied to psychology. Here are the seven categories we'll be looking at (feel free to click the link to jump straight to that category): Social Work Marriage and Family Therapy Mental Health Counseling School Counseling/Educational Psychology Rehabilitation Counseling Clinical Psychology Industrial-Organizational Psychology Social Work The field of social work is largely connected to psychology, especially counseling and therapy, in that it’s all about improving the lives of people and people within certain communities. Typically, social work master’s degree programs lead to a Master of Social Work (MSW). University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, MI Ranked #1 by US News and many other top social work programs lists, U-M’s MSW program offers many areas of specialization, including aging in families and society, children and youth in families, and community and social systems. Many students attend U-M’s MSW program to jump-start their careers as school social workers, juvenile justice workers, case managers, community organizers, or geriatric specialists. The school offers 550 fieldwork locations so students can gain real-life experience and training. U-M also has made available several scholarships, such as the Geriatric Scholarship Program and the Child Welfare Scholarship. Washington University in St. Louis- St. Louis, MO Another top-ranked social work program based at the Brown School, WUSTL’s MSWoffers the opportunity to performgroundbreaking research with renowned faculty to create sustainable impact. Nine concentrations are available, including mental health; American Indian and Alaska Native; children, youth, and families; health; and violence and injury prevention. WUSTL has connections with more than 500 organizations around the world for students to complete their practicum. University of Chicago- Chicago, IL If you'd prefera more flexible approach to social work, UChicago’s social work master’s degree program might be a good fit for you. Equivalent to an MSW, the MA in Social Service Administration provides students with a broaderfoundation that combines research, theory, practical experience, and policy development. Two concentrations are available: Clinical and Social Administration. In addition, students can take advantage of a handful of study abroad opportunities in India, China, and Hong Kong. Columbia University- New York, NY Home to the first social work school in the US, Columbia has ahighly ranked MSW program. This rigorous program combines theory and practice to help students become leading professionals in the field of social work. Four method concentrations are available across seven fields of practice, which are as follows: Aging/Gerontology Contemporary Social Issues Family, Youth, and Children’s Services Health, Mental Health, and Disabilities International Social Welfare and Services to Immigrants and Refugees School-Based and School-Linked Services World of Work Columbia’s MSW is also available entirely online (for specific fields of practice)- perfect for those who aren’t based in New York or who'd prefer the flexibility of an online program. University of California, Berkeley- Berkeley, CA Established in 1944, UC Berkeley’s Master of Social Welfare (MSW) program is known for producing top-quality social work professionals who are able to work in multiple practice areas and assume a variety of leadership roles. There are three specializations students canchoose from: Strengthening Children, Youth, and Families Strengthening Organizations and Communities Advancing Health and Wellbeing across the Adult Lifespan Although UC Berkeley doesn’t offer an online version of its MSW program, students have the option of earning their MSW degree concurrently with either a Master of Public Health or a Master of Public Policy. Marriage and Family Therapy These next master’s programs specialize in marriage and family therapy, and offer degrees and practical experiences so you canbecome a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in the state where you earn your degree. Note that although many of these programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), MFT programs are not required to have this accreditation. Northwestern University- Evanston, IL The MS in Marriage and Family Therapy program at Northwestern is a joint initiative between The Graduate School and the Family Institute at Northwestern- whichboasts an impressive 40-year history of researching and teaching marriage and family therapy. This COAMFTE-accredited program uses a 21st-century approach called Integrative Systemic Therapy. Students study topics such as intimate relations, treatment models, and methods of systems therapy; doan intensive clinical internship; and conduct at least 500 hours of therapy. Brigham Young University- Provo, UT Students can earn an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy in BYU's COAMFTE-accredited program, which aims to prepare students to pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards. Theaim of the program is to help students develop theoretical, research, and clinical competence, as well as the ability to understand cultural diversity. Students have the option to pursue either a research track (mainly for those intending to go on to doctoral study) or a clinical track. The program is quite competitive, with a mere 20% acceptance rate. University of San Diego- San Diego, CA USDoffers a highly regarded MA in Marital and Family Therapy program that is accredited by both COAMFTE and the Board of Behavioral Sciences in California. This two-year program hasa unique "biopsychosocial, systems approach" that focuses on how relationships influence our day-to-day lives. Class topics include human diversity, couples and sex therapy, ethical and legal issues in family therapy, and family violence. Students enroll in apracticum for three semesters wherein they accumulate 500 hours of direct supervised contact with clientsby working for a community agency. Pepperdine University- Malibu, CA At Pepperdine, a top-50 research university, students can get anMA in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. This program, which offers more than 130 clinical practicum sites, prepares students to become a licensed marriage and family therapist ora licensed professional clinical counselor in the state of California. Classes teach students abouthuman sexuality and intimacy, mental health systems, multicultural counseling, andpreparing for the practicum. Mental Health Counseling The following master’s programs in psychology focus on providing counseling services topeople with psychiatric disabilities and/or problems with substance abuse and addiction (as opposed to rehabilitation counseling or career counseling, for example). Many mental health counseling master’s programs are accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) and/or the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). New York University- New York, NY NYU, a consistently top-ranked private university, offers an MPCAC-accredited MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program. In this program, students must complete a 600-hour internship and a 100-hour practicum over a 12-week period. This program is available both on-campus and online,the latter of which letsyou choose from among three start dates (January, June, or September). The online version also gives students the chance to visit NYU for three to four days of networking and hands-on training. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill- Chapel Hill, NC UNC’s Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling master’s program is a unique, highly regarded program that combines two types of counseling and is also accredited by CACREP. This program specifically aims to prepare students to become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCs) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in North Carolina. Last year, 100% of students completed the program, and 100% passed the CRC exam on their first attempt. Students can choose to concentrate ondevelopmental disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, or both. Columbia University- New York, NY At the famed Columbia Teachers College, students can earn anMEd in Mental Health Counseling. Strengths of the program include its focus on cultural diversity and social justice, its commitment to experiential training, and its emphasis on providing students with adequate opportunities to conduct research. Many graduates of the program go on to work in educational and health settings such as schools, colleges, hospitals, and clinics. University of Wisconsin–Madison- Madison, WI UW Madison's highly rankedMS in Counseling programis available through the Department of Counseling Psychology. Mandatory core courses include Abnormal Behavior and Psychopathology, Social and Cultural Foundations,Counseling Theories, andCrisis and Trauma Counseling.Students must complete a year-long practicum and also have the option to do a master’s thesis. School Counseling/Educational Psychology These next counseling psychology master's programs are all about helping students in school settings. School counselors assist students with personal, social, and career development; they also offer guidance to students with academic problems. Most school counselors work in schools (primary and secondary), though some instead work at community centers or youth centers. Like the mental health counseling programs above, many school counseling programs have been accredited by CACREP. Vanderbilt University- Nashville, TN Ranked #3 by US News in educational psychology programs, Vanderbilt offers a fantastic school counseling master's program: theMEd in Human Development Counseling with an emphasis in School Counseling (the other emphasis available is Clinical Mental Health Counseling). Some of the program’s biggest benefits are its small classesand the option tocomplete the school counseling track entirely online. Both tracks are accredited by CACREP. What's more, 100% of school counseling students secured employment within six months of graduation in 2017. University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX One of the nation’smost renowned public universities, UT offers top-ranked MEd in Counselor Education and MA in School Psychology programs (the latter of which is geared toward those who ultimately plan to get a doctorate). Two tracks are available for the MEd program: School Counseling (counseling students in K-12), and Higher Education Counseling Student Affairs (which focuses on roles within colleges and universities). This program option emphasizes the importance of diversity training and lets students supplement their studies so they can eventually become an LPC. Meanwhile, the highlycompetitive MA program prepares you to become a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology in Texas. University of Maryland- College Park, MD UMD’s MEd in School Counseling is a high-quality psychology master’s program that is currently ranked #6 by US News on its list of the best educational psychology schools. Here, students learn how to work with diverse student populations, with special emphasis on the importance of social justice and inclusivity. Students must also complete a 100-hour practicum in addition to two 300-hour internships in urban public school systems. Courses cover research methods, school counseling, and special education, among other topics. Ohio State University- Columbus, OH Ranked #1 for school counseling programs and #11 for educational psych programs, OSU offers tworeputable psychology master’s programs: an MA in Educational Psychology and an MA in Counselor Education. In the former, students can studyalongside doctoral students and take advantage of the program’s partnership with the Learning Technologies program to learn more about the intersection between psychology and technology. The latter, which is CACREP-accredited,trains students to become professional counselors and to work at places such as public schools, community agencies, and health-care facilities. Rehabilitation Counseling Rehabilitation counseling is atype of counselingin whichyou work withpeople who have physical, emotional, mental, and/or developmental disabilities to help them achieveand maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle and career. Many of the following master’s programs in rehabilitation counseling are accredited by CACREP. Michigan State University- East Lansing, MI MSU'sMA in Rehabilitation Counseling program is currently ranked #1 by US News. In this CACREP-accredited program, students study disability management, ethical practices, and the social and psychological side of disabilities. Additionally, students must complete a practicum and internship. Evening classes are available to accommodate a range of schedules. Upon completion of this program, graduates may sit for the national CRC exam. University of Wisconsin–Madison- Madison, WI Tied for the #1 spot with MSUfor best rehabilitation counseling graduate programs, UW Madison offers a top-ranked MS in Rehabilitation Counseling program through the school’s Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education. In thisprogram, which has been accredited by CACREP,students learn how to improve the quality of life for people with psychiatric and physical disabilities, alcohol/substance abuse problems, and learning disabilities. Notably, UW Stout (another branch of the University of Wisconsin system) offers an online MS in Rehabilitation Counseling program that was ranked #4in the countryby US News. This part-time online master’s program lasts three years and is geared toward those with at least two years of related work experience. George Washington University- Washington, DC GW'sMA in Rehabilitation Counseling programisavailable both on-campus and online and is currently ranked #3 by US News on its list of best rehabilitation counseling programs. This CACREP-accredited program consists ofintensive courseworkas well as aninternship and practicum. One of the program’s unique traits is the breadth of counseling theories and practices it covers, from multicultural counseling to the medical aspects of disabilities. Furthermore, GW has a special mentorship program wherein current master's students are paired with graduates. University of Alabama- Tuscaloosa, AL UAoffers a renowned, CACREP-accreditedMA in Rehabilitation Counseling. In this whollyonline program,students get to watch live class lectures and take classes in career development, ethics, research methods, life-span development, and psychopathology. Additionally, both aninternship and practicum are required. Several scholarships are availablethrough UA's College of Continuing Studies. University of Massachusetts Boston- Boston, MA Through UMassOnline, the renowned distance-learning platformcreated by the UMass schools, including UMass Boston, students can earn an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling, which is ranked #15 by US News. This CACREP-accredited, 60-credit program begins in the summertime and uses the cohort model wherein all students take the same program of study.Although all the classes are delivered online, students are required to be on-campus for two weeks in July to complete two mandatory clinical coursesduring their first summer of study. Clinical Psychology Clinical psychology focuses on the science behind mental illness and disability. Although clinical psychology master’s programs are usually far harder to find than doctoral programs, there are some terminal ones available. Be aware that these master’s programs do not lead to licensure as a psychologist (though they could prepare you for licensure as a therapist or counselor), as you’ll generally need a doctorate to become a practicing clinical psychologist. Note: For a list of the best clinical psychology doctoral programs, check out this one by US News. Northwestern University- Evanston, IL Northwestern is known for its doctoral clinical psychology program, for which it’s currently ranked #16 by US News, but it also offers a famed terminal master’s program in clinical psychology. This program is designed mainly for those who aren’t decided about getting a doctorate in clinical psychology and who want to learn more about clinical psychology through an academic lens. As such, the program does not lead to licensurefor clinical practice as a psychologist. Classwork is mostly the same as that completed by the PhD students. Master’s students must also participate in a Research Lab Experience for at least 10 hours a week and finish a capstone project under the guidance of a research mentor. Columbia University- New York, NY Ivy League member Columbia offers an esteemedMA in Psychology in Education program, which is geared mostly toward students interested in clinical psychology and mental health occupations. Although the program doesn't prepare students to become a professionally licensed psychologist, it does serve those who wish to work in the field of mental health and psychology more broadly. Students in the program are mentored by clinical psychology PhD students and can choose from among nine concentrations: Research Methods Child and Family Spirituality and Mind/Body Practices Community Psychology and Integrated Health Services Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis Global Mental Health and Trauma Sexuality, Women, and Gender Clinical Psychology and Technology Forensic Psychology University of Maryland- College Park, MD Ranked #31 by US News for its doctoral clinical psychology program, UMD also offers aMaster of Professional Studies (MPS) in Clinical Psychological Science. This program primarilytargets those who are interested in clinical psychology but aren’t sure where tobeginor don’t know whether a doctorate is the right path. The MPS emphasizes the study of empirical scientific research in clinical psychology. Classes, which can be taken in the evenings, include Basic Foundations of Clinical Interventions,Research Methods in Clinical Psychology, and Child Psychopathology. Boston University- Boston, MA Tied for the #31 spot on US News with UMD for its doctoral program in clinical psychology, BUhas an MA in Psychology program wherein you can specialize in clinical psychology specifically. This master's program is rigorous, lasting only one year, and offers courses on a multitude of topics, such as behavioral medicine, social oppression, child therapy, and social anxiety. Students have the opportunity to work directly with a faculty member on a Directed Study project as well. Industrial-Organizational Psychology Industrial-organizational psychology- also known as I/O psychology- is an applied discipline in the field of psychology that involves using psychological principles to improve workplace settings, encourage efficiency, and foster teamwork. While most I/O programs are doctoral ones, there's still a number of master's programs available around the country, mostly at state and tech schools. Note: For a list of the best I/O psychologydoctoral programs, check out the rankings by US News. New York University- New York, NY At NYU, students can enroll in the terminal MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology program to learn about critical topics, such as work motivation, personnel selection, training in organizations, etc. Based in NYU’s eminent Department of Psychology, the I/O psych master’s program offers small class sizes and provides students witha foundation in research, practice, and theory so they can pursue jobs in client interaction and solution development for corporate environments. Students can choose from among six specializations: Management consulting Leading and managing change Executive coaching Conflict and negotiation Quality of work life Diversity and culture Middle Tennessee State University- Murfreesboro, TN Although MTSU isn’t as well known as some of the other collegeson this list, it’s home to the #1 I/O psych master’s program, as ranked in 2018 by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). This makes MTSUan excellent choice for I/O psychology students. This program emphasizes thereal-world application of skills and knowledge through a required internship. Students must also complete several applied projects with local businesses. Many graduates have gone on to work for large companies and corporations, including Walmart, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and Target. Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis- Indianapolis, IN IUPUI’s MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology program is well liked among students and a solid choice for I/O studies, especially if you’re more interested in the organizational aspect. Cohorts are small- around three students each year- ensuring that all master's students get tons of individualized attention and guidance. Students learn about the core content areas of I/O psychology and are required to write a thesis and conduct research with theassistance of faculty members. The program also offers theoption to take part in a summer internship. Several scholarshipsare available to MS students at IUPUI. Florida Institute of Technology- Melbourne, FL The MS in Industrial Organizational Psychology at Florida Tech is ranked #3 by SIOP and is famed for the strength of its faculty and mentoring. The program utilizes a team-based research approach in small-sized classes, allowing students to conduct critical research with faculty members and their peers. MS students also have the option to participate in a 300-hour practicum in order to gain real-world experience. Moreover, the program offers aconcentration in international I/O psychology for students who hope to work in international business settings. Recap: The Best Psychology Master’s Programs When it comes to psychology master’s programs, at a first glance, it might not seem that there are that many programs available to those not seeking a doctorate. But the truth is that there are a ton of quality, prestigious psychology master’s programs out there- you just have to know what type of psychology youwantto study and what kind of career you’re hoping to get out of your degree. Althoughyou can’t become a licensed, practicing psychologist with just a master’s degree, you can enter related fields and work as a licensed counselor, therapist, or social worker. To recap, here are the best psychology master’s programs for each category above: Social Work University of Michigan WUSTL UChicago Columbia UC Berkeley Marriage and Family Therapy Northwestern BYU University of San Diego Pepperdine Mental Health Counseling NYU UNC Chapel Hill Columbia UW Madison School Counseling/Educational Psychology Vanderbilt UT Austin UMD Ohio State Rehabilitation Counseling MSU UW Madison GWU University of Alabama UMass Boston Clinical Psychology Northwestern Columbia UMD Boston U Industrial-Organizational Psychology NYU Middle Tennessee State IUPUI Florida Tech We hope this list will be useful as you search for the best psychology master's program for you! What’s Next? Are you planning to take the AP Psych exam?Get tips and review what you need to knowwith our ultimate AP Psych study guide. For study materials, check out our picks for thebest AP Psych prep books and get access to free official and unofficial practice tests. Not sureifa master's degree is the right move for you?Then take a look at our in-depth guide on what grad school is and how to determine whether you should go.