As a professional advocate for teens who had been abused, abandoned or neglected, Paula Kerr observed the effects of the digital world on the behaviors and attitudes of minors, which fueled her
interest in Norfolk State University’s Master of Science in CyberPsychology online program. NSU’s unique program is widely regarded as the first cyberpsychology master’s degree offered in the U.S.
“Norfolk State is really cutting edge and leading the field with this degree because there’s not a lot of schools in the U.S. … that offer cyberpsychology. It was a natural fit for me,” said Paula. “It has such broad application; [that] is another appealing thing about the degree. Because it’s so new you can sort of shape it to any field.”
The program explores the ways in which the digital world influences human behavior, from cybercrime and cyberbullying to online activism and gaming. Paula said the program gives students multi-perspective insights into this emerging field.
Program Structure Tailored to Needs of Working Adults
The M.S. in CyberPsychology was Paula’s second master’s degree and fourth college degree, so she was keenly aware of the type of program that would work best for her. She chose NSU because of the online modality, affordable tuition and the university’s reputation as a top HBCU. She especially liked the seven-week format of the courses.
“Every seven weeks, I’d take another two classes,” Paula explained. “It’s structured really brilliantly for working adults.”
The flexibility of online learning was a key benefit to Paula. She would set aside a block of time for coursework, but appreciated knowing that she could always modify her schedule. “I tell people on a regular basis: I work a full-time job and I have a family and I’ve still made Golden Key honors in this program,” she said.
She also valued the expertise and support of her professors, and one encouraged her to apply for a grant in cyberpsychology, which she was awarded. Her capstone advisor supervised her on the grant and other professors gave students information about networking opportunities and upcoming cyberpsychology conferences.
“They have a really interesting field with professors who know their stuff. You can pivot them, you throw something and they’ve got it, they’ve got an answer for you.”
Paula is applying her cyberpsychology knowledge to her new role as a talent acquisition specialist recruiter in Florida. She also hopes to start a consulting and coaching company, where an understanding of cyberpsychology will help her grow her business and serve clients more effectively.
What Can You Do With a CyberPsychology Degree?
Exploring the intersection of psychology and technology, cyberpsychology is a type of applied psychology that is relevant to a broad spectrum of fields. Both the internet and social media have been widely used since the early 2000s, and the majority of adults have been connected to the digital world for most of their working lives. Internet access is considered a critical infrastructure.
Already two-thirds of the world’s population has internet access, and that figure is projected to increase 47% by 2029, according to Statista. Connecting online has become commonplace, from virtual doctor appointments and medical portals to work meetings and dating apps, yet the consequences of online interactions have not been thoroughly studied.
What Types of Roles Benefit From a Background in CyberPsychology?
Many cyberpsychology graduates help individuals resolve addictions to digital behaviors such as an excessive amount of time spent on social media or gaming. Or, conversely, they could serve as consultants to help social media platforms and gaming companies increase user engagement. Within the field of education, cyberpsychology graduates can help teach students how to maintain healthy boundaries in terms of digital behavior.
As a graduate of the cyberpsychology degree online program, you will have in-depth, specialized knowledge to contribute to a variety of roles such as:
• Clinical Research Manager
• Social Science Researcher
• Cyberpsychology Consultant
• Social Media Manager
Learn more about the Norfolk State University Online M.S. CyberPsychology.
Norfolk also offers a Certificate in CyberPsychology – Behavioral Emphasis online program that can be completed in as few as six months, with credit hours transferrable to the master’s program. Learn more about the Online Certificate in CyberPsychology – Behavioral Emphasis.