How to become a psychologist

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind, mental processes, and behaviors. This discipline consistently ranks among the most popular majors for undergraduate students. Becoming a psychologist requires additional education and training beyond a bachelor’s degree, including graduate school and supervised work experience.

Many people assume all psychologists are therapists. While counseling psychology is one potential career path, there are many others. Psychologists can also work as researchers or professors, as well as in government and consulting roles, among other settings.

What is a psychologist?

A psychologist is an expert or specialist in psychology. They use experimentation, assessment, and observation to understand how individuals relate to themselves, each other, and their environment. The title of ‘psychologist’ is legally protected and awarded only after one completes all relevant training and examinations.

How long does it take to become a psychologist?

It takes 8-12 years of higher education to become a psychologist. The first step is a 4-year undergraduate degree. Doctoral programs average 5-8 years. Obtaining licensure may take an additional year. Becoming a school or industrial-organizational psychologist may require only a master’s degree, which takes 2-3 years to complete.

What is the average psychologist salary?

The average salary for a psychologist is $81,040 per year, with the highest 10% of earners averaging $133,890. Industrial-organizational psychologists earn around $30,000 more per year than clinical, counseling, and school psychologists.

Psychologist job outlook

The global pandemic has brought increased attention to the importance of mental health along with an increased demand for services. Psychologists can expect this demand to continue.

What education is needed to become a psychologist?

Becoming a psychologist requires a PhD, PsyD, or EdD depending on your career goals. Psychology doctoral programs generally comprise independent research projects such as dissertations, as well as clinical internships and qualifying exams.

How much does it cost to become a psychologist?

Undergraduate psychology students typically leave school with a debt of $22,656. However, most doctoral programs in psychology offer funding, including a stipend and tuition waiver, as well as additional pay for research or assistantship positions. Funding arrangements are often not explicitly advertised until you are accepted into a program.

4 steps to become a psychologist

The steps below outline how to start a career in psychology, beginning with your bachelor’s degree.

Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field

Majoring in psychology is not mandatory for getting into a doctoral program. However, most doctoral programs in psychology require the completion of the following prerequisites at the undergraduate or master’s level:

• abnormal psychology
• cognitive psychology
• experimental psychology
• research methods in psychology
• statistics

Note that master’s degrees are not required for entry into a doctoral program. They are usually embedded into the first 2 years of your PhD of PsyD.

Step 2: Complete a doctoral program in psychology

A doctorate degree is required for licensure as a psychologist in all 50 states. The 2 main types of doctorate degrees in psychology are the Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) and the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Choose a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) to ensure no difficulties with licensing once you graduate.

PsyD programs are best for those interested in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in clinical settings. PhD programs are usually non-clinical and focused on scientific research. They tend to accept fewer students, making them more competitive, but also more likely to provide full funding.

Step 3: Earn 1,500-4,000 hours of supervised experience

Depending on your program, some of these hours may be earned as part of a predoctoral internship, and the rest as part of post-graduation supervised work experience (SWE).

Step 4: Get licensed

Earning your license to practice psychology requires passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Some states also require passing professional standards or ethics examinations.

Types of psychologists

Clinical or counseling psychologists work as mental health professionals treat patients using psychotherapy. They may work with individuals, groups, or families in a variety of settings. They can diagnose and treat mental health disorders. Psychologists do not commonly prescribe medications, but they are granted limited prescribing abilities in New Mexico, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and Idaho.

Research psychologists often work in academic settings, government agencies, or the private sector. They undertake studies and experiments to test hypotheses and analyze data. Depending on their area of expertise, research psychologists may also work as consultants in advertising or technology.

Educational psychologists focus on how people learn and use psychological research theories to analyze instructional methods, processes, and learning outcomes. They often work within the education system to assess curriculum design, analyze data, and guide teaching methods.

School psychologists work directly with students, teachers, and families to support academic goals. They conduct psychological assessments, provide counseling, and develop behavior plans. They may also help teachers and administrators address issues that impact the classroom, such as bullying or violence.

Other types include industrial and organizational (I-O) psychologists, who apply their expertise to formal organizations and other workplaces, forensic psychologists, who use their knowledge of human behavior in the criminal justice system, and sports psychologists, who help athletes optimize their performance and wellbeing.

What is the difference between a counselor vs psychologist?

Counselors and psychologists differ in their scope of training and how they apply that to their work. Both fields stem from early research into the human mind by psychoanalysts. While counselors have retained the focus on talk therapy and client-guided sessions, psychology has become a ‘soft science’, focused on evidence-based practices. As a result, becoming a psychologist requires more qualifications and years of schooling than becoming a counselor.