How To Become A Psychologist: Understanding the Degree and Career Path

Medically reviewed by Dr. April Brewer, DBH, LPC and Nikki Ciletti, M.Ed, LPC

Updated October 22, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

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Would you like to have a career in helping others? Are you fascinated with the ways people think and behave? Are you ready for a challenge? If so, a career in psychology may be a valuable choice.

Psychologists can perform a variety of duties in a wide range of settings. They can treat mental illness through talk therapy, help develop new treatments for emotional disorders, or provide guidance through school systems. There are many career options in psychology, including titles like clinical psychologist, counseling psychologist or research assistant, that allow you to use your passion for helping others and your curiosity about human behavior to make a difference in the world. However, a few significant steps must be taken to arrive at this point. Understanding these steps can help you get started on the path to your dream career. If you’re wondering how to become a psychologist, below we’re discussing the process of earning a degree in psychology, choosing between career paths, and getting started in the mental health field.

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What do clinical psychologists do?

Clinical psychologists—sometimes called counseling psychologists—are educated mental health professionals who have completed the required schooling, training, and licensing to fulfill the required duties. Clinical psychology is one of the largest psychology specialties, and it has many subspecialties. However, unlike other types of psychology, such as organizational psychology, clinical psychology focuses on the assessment and treatment of mental disorders in a clinical setting. As a clinical psychologist, you may work with people of all ages and backgrounds in various mental health systems.

Working with clients to support their mental health

Clinical psychologists have three main jobs in working directly with patients. First, they assess possible mental health disorders by observing and interviewing clients. Second, they can diagnose mental, emotional, and behavioral conditions based on their assessment and psychological testing. Finally, they treat mental illnesses and mental health concerns that their clients have using various psychological approaches and techniques.

Psychotherapy is an essential part of a therapist's work. Clinical psychologists can conduct individual, family, or group sessions, help people develop plans for changing their behavior, and support them as they make those adjustments. A clinical psychologist can work with people with short-term mental health problems or chronic, severe mental illnesses.

As a clinical psychologist, there are several ways you can impact your clients positively. You can work with people with depression, anxiety disorders, substance use or anger challenges to help them relieve their symptoms or work with those experiencing stress. You may work with couples or families to help them improve their relationships or work with a group of clients.

In addition to common mental health conditions, you may treat mental illnesses that are chronic, like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are several different modalities psychologists use to address mental health challenges, including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and applied behavior analysis.

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Consult with clients

As a psychologist, you might act as a consultant, either for a specific client or about the psychological needs of the community. For this duty, you may work with people in your profession, such as a psychiatrist, or those who aren’t, such as a medical doctor or community/government leader.

Research

You may need to conduct research as part of your job, even if your primary job is working directly with patients. You may gather information for studies, write reviews of studies that have already been completed or engage in other types of research. In these cases, you may need to keep up with the latest research by reading psychological journals, attending meetings and conferences, and taking continuing education classes throughout your career.

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Considerations on how to become a psychologist

Various considerations go into a career as a psychologist, including the following.

Types of clinical psychologists in counseling and therapy

As a clinical psychologist, you can choose from various subspecialties. For example, you can focus your practice on a specific population, such as children or older adults. Or you can specialize in a particular aspect of psychology, such as neuropsychology or clinical forensic psychology. The type you choose can affect the salary you'll receive, and the qualifications needed to become a psychologist.

For example, industrial-organizational is a specialty that involves the application of psychological principles to the workplace. Per the American Psychological Association, industrial-organizational psychologists focus on varied organizational concerns, such as training, hiring, employee evaluation, work-life balance, and interpersonal communication. Industrial-organizational psychologists make an average salary of approximately $144,000. Professionals in industrial-organizational psychology may also have to obtain board certification.

School psychologists, on the other hand, use their knowledge and expertise to help young people navigate the education system. A school psychologist may make closer to $90,000 per year, given the BLS’s estimate of approximately $87,000. Usually, a school psychologist will have to be licensed by their state’s licensing board and certified by their state’s education department.

Industrial-organizational and school psychology are just two of the numerous specialties available to psychologists. Other fields include forensic psychology, child and adolescent psychology, sports psychology, health psychology, neuropsychology, rehabilitation psychology, and geropsychology.

Working conditions in a career in psychology

Your working conditions as a clinical psychologist can depend on where you practice. If you work in a hospital, you may be asked to work longer hours and on weekends. However, psychologists in non-public practice sometimes also work evenings or weekends to accommodate their clients' schedules, although their primary practice is during regular working hours. You may work alone, as is often the case with school psychologists, or as a part of a team.

Clinical psychologist salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for clinical psychologists in 2021 was $81,040, slightly below the median yearly wages for general psychologists, which was $102,900.

However, psychologists in government had a median annual salary of $103,850. In hospitals, the median wage was $99,330. If you're wondering about a specialty like child psychology, the hospital, government, school psychology, or non-public practice setting may determine how much this individual makes. A therapist's salary is slightly lower than a psychologist's, depending on their education level and location.

How to become a psychologist

There are a few tips to keep in mind as you work toward becoming a psychologist, including the following.

Know yourself

Besides understanding the field of clinical psychology, you may benefit from knowing yourself well. Psychology often involves examining and analyzing information. You may be required to have expert communication skills, working well with clients and colleagues. Being observant and a problem-solver can also be helpful, and personal qualities like patience and integrity are essential.

If you're unsure about your suitability to be a clinical psychologist, it may help you to talk to a counselor. College counseling centers may be able to offer professional psychology counseling, and your teachers in higher education can also support you as you work through your coursework and understand the duties of a psychologist more in-depth.

Receive the proper clinical psychology education and degree

The main requirement to become a clinical psychologist is relevant education. The education to become a psychologist can involve significant commitment. Since you'll need to spend several years studying and preparing for your career, you may be asked to have a plan before you begin. Talking to a counselor can help you develop educational and career goals.

Educational requirements to become a clinical psychologist

Aspiring professionals must receive a doctoral degree prior to becoming licensed psychologists. This process involves completing an undergraduate program, master’s degree program, and doctoral study program. While the costs associated with these programs can be high, financial aid is often available to students. Additionally, you may find that an online psychology program—which may be more affordable than an in-person one—fits your needs.

Undergraduate degree in psychology

The earlier you start studying psychology, the better prepared you may be prepared to practice psychology clinically. Aspiring psychologists typically begin their journey by earning a degree in psychology or a related field (e.g. social work). After you go to college, you can gain more in-depth knowledge about psychology and explore the branches of psychology in your undergraduate degree coursework. You may also choose to gain some work experience before applying to graduate programs. According to the American Psychological Association, a bachelor’s degree in psychology can be used in many fields, including social work, law enforcement, human resources, and teaching.

Graduate degree

When you complete your undergraduate degree, you can apply to graduate programs to continue your studies. You may be able to go directly into some doctoral programs. However, in many cases, a master's degree in psychology comes first. For a student planning on applying to doctorate-level psychology programs, a master’s degree may improve their acceptance odds. To get into a psychology master's or doctoral program, you'll need a GPA of 3.5 or higher and a high score on the GRE. Experience in the field is also helpful for entrance into a program.

Once in graduate school, you'll study subjects like:

General psychology
History of psychology
Statistics
Biology
Developmental psychology
Theories of personality
Abnormal psychology
Psychological testing
Clinical psychology concepts and practices

Doctoral degree

Individuals interested in practicing clinical or counseling psychology will typically need to earn a doctoral degree yo become a psychologist. The doctorate degree graduate students choose determines the work needed to complete a degree. Suppose you decide to get a Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) or a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.). In that case, you'll be required to take a comprehensive exam and write a dissertation based on scientific research.

For a PsyD, you'll have to do practical degree work and exams instead of a dissertation. Some clinical psychologists, especially those working in schools, choose an Ed.D. degree, an education specialist degree, rather than a Ph.D. or PsyD degree. Most doctoral programs take five to seven years to complete.

Clinical training on how to become a psychologist to support mental health of patients

Clinical training is required for clinical and counseling psychologists. Before and after you complete your doctoral level degree, you'll get supervised experience in the field. A supervised internship allows you to put all the knowledge you gained during your studies into practical use.

Many internships last at least one year, though the number of hours required to complete an internship depends on the state licensure laws where you plan to practice.

License to practice

The final step in becoming a clinical psychologist is to become licensed. The rules vary by state, so it helps to know where you want to practice. For example, many states require aspiring psychologists to pass a jurisprudence examination, which tests healthcare professionals on their knowledge of the laws that apply to their field.

You'll also be asked to achieve a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. There are eight subject areas—including research methods, biological bases of behavior, and human development—that comprise the examination. For professional psychologists, these foundational topics were all likely covered in their doctoral programs, to some extent. According to the American Psychological Association, it costs $450 to sit for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, plus a $65 test center fee. Afterward, if you want to enter a specialty, you may need to become certified, which may also involve another exam.

Launching your career in psychology

With your education, training, and licensure exam behind you, you're ready to start your career as a clinical psychologist. Many new psychologists start working in a hospital or clinic where they can build their skills and reputation. However, where you work can depend on your preferences and goals for your career. Some psychologists work primarily in research or academia instead of as therapists.

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Professional support

If you're considering a career as a clinical psychologist, talk to a counselor with knowledge and experience relating to the requirements involved. They can help you explore your suitability for the field and suggest ways to improve your skills early on as you work toward your goals. If you don't have time in your schedule to meet with a therapist in your area, you can also talk to one of the many licensed therapists who’ve decided to offer their counseling services online through platforms like BetterHelp.

With an online platform, you can attend counseling sessions from the comfort of your home via video, phone, or chat, and you don't have to worry about commuting to an office or being on a waiting list to get an appointment. In addition, you can specify that you want to speak to a career counselor when you sign up to get matched with someone who fits your profile.

Research shows that online therapy can effectively treat various mental health issues and decrease the impact of chronic fatigue and stress. Deciding whether to pursue psychology as a career and completing the required education and training can be stressful. Talking to a counselor throughout the process can support you through each step.

Takeaway

Becoming a clinical psychologist can take time and effort, but having a career in helping others may make it worth it. If you want support in deciding if you have the right qualities for the job or are experiencing stress and anxiety about exams or internships, consider talking to a therapist online or in your area for further support.

Frequently asked questions

Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.

Which field of clinical psychology makes the most money?

There are various careers in the realm of psychology. A licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, a neuropsychologist, and a professional in the area of organizational psychology are examples of job titles within this broader field that often have higher earning potential.

How to become a psychologist?

The process includes years of specialized education and training requirements. The detailed requirements for getting a license vary from state to state. In general, doctoral degrees such as Doctor of Philosophy or a Doctor of Psychology degree is required. After completing your education, you often must fulfill certain licensing requirements according to your state, regional, or provincial psychology boards. If you aspire to be a psychiatrist, medical school is required for psychiatry.

What is the difference between a mental health therapist and a mental health psychologist?

Therapists and psychologists are both mental health professionals who can offer counseling, therapy, and related support for mental illness and other challenges. However, psychologists usually have additional education beyond the bachelor’s degree and graduate degree that most therapists are required to hold, and they may also have a specialization in a specific area—such as with particular types of behavioral disorders or with a certain population, like children.

Either may work in mental health centers, inpatient facilities, hospitals, their own practice, educational facilities (such as with school psychologists), and other places that address mental and behavioral disorders or concerns in their clients. Note that in some states, psychologists can also prescribe medication, unlike other therapists. However, typically the only mental health professionals who can prescribe medications are psychiatrists (medical doctors).

How to make 6 figures with a degree in psychology?

The most lucrative psychology careers within the broader field of psychology depend on your education, experience, location, and organization (professional practice versus hospital versus nonprofit organization, etc.) but often include clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, industrial and organizational psychologists, and psychiatrists (who are medical doctors).

Is it good to major in psychology for a career in counseling and therapy?

If you’re interested in psychology, a bachelor's degree in this field can be beneficial. It can be a rewarding and interesting field with a variety of practical applications and career options. If you’re interested in this field of study, it may be worth exploring further.

How long does it take to get psychology degree?

A bachelor’s degree in psychology typically takes four years, with a master’s degree potentially taking two or three more years. Any additional advanced degrees or specializations would take more time beyond that as well.

What is the easiest degree to get?

Liberal arts and general studies are two degrees that may be easier to get than others, since the classes are varied and not typically highly technical. That said, the degree that’s easiest for you to get typically depends on your personal interests, skills, and experience.

How do I know if a degree in psychology is for me?

Psychology could be a potential career path for you if you’re interested in the subject matter and have researched jobs in the field that seem like they would match your personality as well as your career and lifestyle goals. You might consider asking professionals who already work in your field of interest about what their daily routines are like, what they enjoy and do not enjoy about their field, and any advice they may have for you.

Does psychology education require math?

Psychology isn’t typically a field that requires a high proficiency in advanced mathematics, unless you plan on working in research. However, most degree programs for psychology will still require some math classes, often in statistics or other topics that relate to quantitative analysis.

Is nursing or psychology harder?

There’s generally not an objective answer to the question of whether nursing or psychology is a harder field, since it depends on your personal skills and interests. Some people find nursing more difficult since it’s so heavily based in concrete science and requires training in subjects like chemistry and physiology. Others find psychology more difficult since, although it’s also heavily based in science, there’s often more room for interpretation or multiple explanations.

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