How To Become A Psychologist: Understanding the Degree and Career Path
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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.
What do clinical psychologists do?
Working with clients to support their mental health
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.
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.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
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.
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
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.
How to become a psychologist
There are a few tips to keep in mind as you work toward becoming a psychologist, including the following.
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
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.
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
Clinical training on how to become a psychologist to support mental health of patients
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.
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.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.
Which field of clinical psychology makes the most money?
Licensed clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, 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 do you become a psychologist?
The process includes years of specialized training and education requirements. The detailed requirements for getting a license vary from state to state. In general, a position as a psychologist requires doctoral degrees such as Doctor of Philosophy or a Doctor of Psychology degree. 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 psychologist?
Therapists and psychologists are both mental health professionals who can offer counseling, individualized or family 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 personal practices, educational facilities (such as with school psychologists), and other places that address mental and behavioral health disorders or concerns in their clients. Note that in most states, psychologists can not prescribe medication, unlike other therapists. Typically, the only mental health professionals who can prescribe medications are psychiatrists, which requires a degree in medicine.
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.
How long does it take to get a psychology degree?
Typically, becoming a psychologist takes a graduate degree, which can take four or more years of education in addition to a four-year undergraduate degree.
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 educational or hands-on 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, career goals, and lifestyle preferences. 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 additional 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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