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Careers & Degree


HOW TO BECOME A PSYCHOLOGIST

Published on 11th Nov, 2022
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Published by The CollegEnroll Team


Introduction
 * Introduction
 * Steps to Becoming a Licensed Psychologist
 * What Are the Reasons to Become a Psychologist?
 * Which School Is the Best to Become a Psychologist?
 * Psychology Degrees
 * What Are the Requirements to Become a Clinical Psychologist?
 * What Are the Requirements to Become a Counseling Psychologist?
 * Qualifications and Eligibility Requirements to Become a Psychologist
 * Difference Between Ph.D., PsyD, EdD, and EdS Degrees
 * Benefits of Becoming a Psychologist
 * What Skills Are Required to Become a Psychologist?
 * Conclusion
 * FAQs



As mental health is gaining significant and due attention, the need for mental
health practitioners is significantly increasing. Individuals who have seen a
close one struggle with mental health issues, or have experienced them
themselves, have an immense urge to help others struggling with the same
challenges.

If you are among those who wish to study Psychology or are wondering how to
become a psychologist, then you have landed at the right place.
In this blog post, we will outline the process of becoming a psychologist and
some challenges you may face.

Without further ado, let’s dive right into it.


STEPS TO BECOMING A LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST

Imagine that you want to become a clinical psychologist. What would you have to
do? How many years of Psychology schooling will it take? Let’s answer these
questions one by one.

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1. GET A BACHELOR’S DEGREE

A Master’s Degree can help you secure a well-paying Psychology-related job. To
become a clinical psychologist, a Master’s degree in Psychology is a
prerequisite. In your two-year Master’s degree, you will learn key concepts of
Psychology and get more detailed knowledge than you did in your Bachelor’s.


2. EARN A MASTER’S DEGREE



A Master’s Degree can help you secure a well-paying Psychology-related job. To
become a clinical psychologist, a Master’s degree in Psychology is a
prerequisite. In your two-year Master’s degree, you will learn key concepts of
Psychology and get more detailed knowledge than you did in your Bachelor’s.


3. EARN A DOCTORATE DEGREE

Once you get your Master’s degree, you will have to earn either a Ph.D. or a
Psy.D to work independently as a clinical psychologist. With only a Master’s
degree in hand, psychologists can only work under the supervision of another
psychologist who is trained and has a doctorate. 


4. COMPLETE YOUR TRAINING

Even after your doctorate, there is still more you can do to ensure a successful
career. After earning your Ph.D. or PsyD, you can train under the supervision of
a psychologist at a clinic or a hospital, where you get hands-on learning.

This training is at least a year long for clinical psychologists. After your
training, you can get licensed and start practicing independently.


5. GET LICENSED

After completing your doctorate and training, you can apply to get certified.
Once you get licensed, you are no longer required to work under someone’s
supervision and can start practicing independently.


WHAT ARE THE REASONS TO BECOME A PSYCHOLOGIST?

There are many reasons to become a psychologist. Some people may choose to
become psychologists because they are interested in studying human behavior.
Others may choose to become psychologists because they want to help people
struggling with mental health issues. Whatever your reason for wanting to become
a psychologist, here are some benefits of the career.


1. ENGAGING AND FRUITFUL CAREER

If you’re looking for a career that doesn’t involve tedious, monotonous work,
then Psychology is for you. Most of the subfields in Psychology are diverse and
engaging. You can pursue forensic or applied Psychology or become a clinical,
sports, or industrial-organizational psychologist.


2. IT IS PERSONALLY REWARDING

Unless you conduct psychological research, you are likely to work closely with
people struggling with mental health or related issues. Helping them find
motivation, overcome their fears, defeat addictions, or fight depression and
anxiety can truly be gratifying.


3. THE JOB MARKET IS EXPECTED TO GROW

Clinics, Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centres, organizations, and industries are
all looking for psychologists. The national average expects a 6% growth in
employment for psychologists between 2021 and 2031, with an anticipated yearly
opening of 14,100 positions on average over the next ten years, indicating a
positive job outlook.


WHICH SCHOOL IS THE BEST TO BECOME A PSYCHOLOGIST?

While you are looking to pursue Psychology at the undergraduate level, you
should apply to a school from every tier. 

If you want to apply to only five schools, the top two should be your dream
institutes. On the top three of the list of the best schools for Psychology in
the United States are Stanford University, Yale University, and the University
of Pennsylvania, respectively. Aspire to get into one of these, but apply to
universities with a good acceptance rate and slightly lower rankings. 

Whichever school you apply to, make sure to check if the American Association of
Psychology accredits it. Accredited by the APA guarantees that the educational
institute meets and upholds the standard.


PSYCHOLOGY DEGREES

This section will discuss the degrees you can earn at the undergraduate and
graduate levels.. 


MASTERS IN PSYCHOLOGY

You can either pursue a Master of Arts in Psychology or a Master of Science in
Psychology. Pursuing an MA in Psychology is advisable if you intend to work as a
social worker or counselor. On the other hand, if your goal is to conduct
research, a Master of Science in Psychology is recommended as it emphasizes
research methods and analysis training.

After a Master’s in Psychology, individuals can pursue industrial-organizational
Psychology as there is a high demand for psychologists in educational institutes
and workplaces.


PH.D. IN PSYCHOLOGY

Ph.D. is the most advanced degree in Psychology. A psychology doctoral degree
can take 5 to 8 years to complete. It requires individuals to conduct scientific
research and write a dissertation to show that research. This doctoral degree is
called the Doctorate of Philosophy and focuses on research. 


PSYD IN PSYCHOLOGY

The PsyD degree is a doctorate in Psychology. It’s recommended to people more
interested in counseling than research. Both are doctorate degrees, but their
focus and training differ.


EDD IN PSYCHOLOGY

EdD is the Doctorate of Education and is the most advanced degree if you want to
work closely with managing schools in Psychology.

A person with EdD can work as a school counselor, curriculum manager, education
administrator, survey researcher, or academic officer.


EDS IN PSYCHOLOGY

The Educational Specialist degree usually takes three years to complete. It is
for those who want to work closely with students and parents within the school
system. It trains in intervention, assessment, and evaluation of teaching
methods and designing the most effective school curriculum.


WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST?

To become a clinical psychologist, you will have to complete 

 * A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or related social science
 * A Master’s degree in Psychology
 * A doctorate degree in Psychology or Philosophy
 * A 1-year or longer training under the supervision of a licensed clinical
   psychologist at a clinic or hospital where you get hands-on learning

You can only become a clinical psychologist who can practice independently and
privately after this learning and training of over nine years.


WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGIST?

Becoming a counseling psychologist is similar to becoming a clinical
psychologist. You will need to complete your Bachelor’s and Master’s and then
pursue a doctoral degree. After that, you will have to do an internship under
the supervision of a licensed counseling psychologist.


QUALIFICATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A PSYCHOLOGIST

You can choose to be a specialized psychologist, such as a forensic
psychologist, clinical psychologist, or counseling psychologist. As stated
earlier, these require a doctoral degree and further training for you to start
practicing independently.

If you want to be a sports psychologist, an industrial-organizational
psychologist, or work as a social worker, then you don’t specifically require a
doctoral degree.

For instance, you can complete your Bachelor’s and get a Master’s in social work
and can subsequently enter the workforce as a licensed social worker.

You can also offer services as a marriage and family therapist by completing
your graduate studies in family and marriage therapy and working for 2000 to
4000 hours under supervision at a clinic.


DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PH.D., PSYD, EDD, AND EDS DEGREES

A Ph.D. is a doctor of philosophy and is the most common advanced degree in
Psychology. It focuses on research and experimentation methods and is most
suited for someone who wants to conduct research in Psychology. 

A PsyD is a Doctor of Psychology. It focuses more on clinical practice and less
on training. This degree is best suited for someone who wants to provide
counseling. After earning this degree, the person can assess and diagnose mental
health issues and offer therapy but cannot prescribe medicine. 

An EdD is a Doctor of Education. This advanced degree is recommended for someone
who manages school outcomes, like a school administrator or survey researcher. 

The EdS is the degree of Educational Specialist is offered to individuals who
want to work closely with students as school psychologists. One does not need a
license or a doctoral degree to work in schools as a psychologist after
acquiring this degree.


BENEFITS OF BECOMING A PSYCHOLOGIST

Becoming a psychologist offers many benefits. The ability to help people through
difficult times is the most rewarding aspect of the job. Psychologists can make
a difference in people’s lives by helping them to understand and cope with their
problems.

In addition to that, psychologists get paid handsomely. In the United States, a
clinical psychologist makes an average yearly salary of $118,188.

Other benefits include the following:

 * Flexible working schedules.
 * Ability to work independently. 
 * Opportunity to work with new patients every day.
 * You have a choice of environments in which to work.
 * Opportunities for employment worldwide.
 * Be able to understand yourself and others bette


WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED TO BECOME A PSYCHOLOGIST?

Many Psychology jobs require you to be in close interaction with other people.
In most cases, these people face mental health challenges and require your help.
In this situation, you will have to be equipped to offer them help.

Here is a list of some of the skills you require:


LISTENING SKILLS

This is one of the most important skills required to practice Psychology. When a
patient comes to you, you need to give them space to talk freely.

After you build rapport and your patient opens up to you, you cannot interrupt
them mid-sentence. You have to listen intently and genuinely. At any point, you
feel you don’t understand, rephrase what they say and ask them if this is what
they meant to understand them correctly.


ETHICS

You cannot disclose your patient’s information unless their life is at risk. Any
form of pressurizing or harassment is against the code of ethics and is dealt
with strictly.


VALUE LEARNING

You must guide your learning and keep exploring your field. There is a lot of
research going on in the field of Psychology, and you must remain up to date.


EMPATHY

If you are a clinical psychologist, there will be times when you might not
relate with your patient. Still, any judgment is the last thing you would want
to pass. Try being in their shoes and always remain empathic.


CONCLUSION

If you want to become a psychologist, the steps are actually pretty
straightforward. First, get a degree in psychology. Then, either pursue a
doctorate or work towards licensure as a psychological associate. After that,
find a job and start working! 

It’s important to keep up with your education and stay abreast of new
developments in the field of psychology so that you can provide the best
possible care for your patients.

We hope this article on how to become a Psychologist helped you find the answers
you were searching for!

Feel free to reach out to us if you have any more questions or visit our site to
learn more about college-related topics.


FAQS


Q: IS PSYCHOLOGY A GOOD CAREER CHOICE?

Psychology is in demand and has more and more job openings. Whether it is a good
career choice or not is a subjective question and depends on factors such as
your interest and if you’re ready to invest at least 6 years in education.


Q: WHERE DO PSYCHOLOGISTS WORK?

Psychologists can work in hospitals as counselors, in schools to help students
and teachers, in rehabilitation centers, and in offices so that they can help
employees avoid burnout and remain motivated, or provide therapy independently
by establishing their own practice.


Q: HOW MUCH DOES A LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST EARN IN A YEAR?

The salary depends upon the individual’s years of experience, location, areas of
specialization, and other factors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that a
clinical psychologist’s average annual income is $82,510 in the United States.


Q: WHAT DOES A PSYCHOLOGIST DO?

A psychologist can work in schools, workplaces, and hospitals to evaluate and
assess mental health conditions in people. They help deal with mental health
issues such as depression, anxiety, fears, addictions, grief and trauma, and
other life changes that may be causing emotional and mental distress to a
person.


Q:WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE AFTER LEARNING PSYCHOLOGY?

If you have just completed your Bachelor’s in Psychology or a related field then
you can start looking for a job or think about earning a Master’s degree. You
can begin teaching or assisting a psychologist. So, it is recommended that
aspire to earn a Master’s degree. Both, a Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology and
a Master of Science (MS) will prepare you for a doctorate in Psychology.

However, if you are done with your Master’s and looking to pursue a doctorate in
Psychology then you can either go for a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or a PsyD
(Doctor of Psychology) depending on your interest.

If you want to become a counselor, then you should opt for PsyD and if you are
interested in conducting research, then a Ph.D. is recommended for you. You can
also enter the workforce as an industrial-organizational psychologist in offices
or educational institutes.


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