One of the most interesting things about becoming a psychologist is the opportunity to learn about human behavior and mental processes. Psychologists study a wide range of topics, including personality, emotions, motivation, and cognition.
Although it is a rewarding career path, it takes many years of education and training. Hence, What Degree Do You Need to Be a Psychologist may be a valid question you are asking right now. Read this piece to the end and learn all you need to know.
Table of contents
What Degree Do You Need to Be a Psychologist?
To become a psychologist, you need to earn a doctoral degree in psychology. There are two types of doctoral degrees in psychology: the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Both degrees require five to seven years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree.
PhD programs typically place a greater emphasis on research, while PsyD programs focus more on clinical practice. However, both types of programs provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to become licensed psychologists.
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How much do psychologists make?
The median annual salary for psychologists in the United States is $80,370. However, salaries can vary depending on a number of factors, such as experience, education, and location.
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What are the steps to becoming a psychologist?
To become a psychologist, you need to follow these steps:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. Some common majors for aspiring psychologists include psychology, sociology, and neuroscience.
- Earn a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited university. There are two types of doctoral degrees in psychology: the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Both degrees require five to seven years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete an internship or postdoctoral fellowship. An internship is a supervised training experience that typically lasts one year. A postdoctoral fellowship is an optional additional year of training that provides specialized experience in a particular area of psychology.
- Pass a state licensing exam. All states require psychologists to be licensed in order to practice. The licensing exam typically covers a range of topics, including psychology theory, ethics, and clinical skills.
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What are the types of Psychologists?
There are many different types of psychologists, each with a unique area of specialization. Some of the most common types of psychologists include:
- Clinical psychologists: Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental disorders. They work with clients of all ages, from children to adults.
- Counseling psychologists: Counseling psychologists help people cope with a variety of challenges, such as stress, anxiety, and relationship problems. They also provide career counseling and educational counseling.
- School psychologists: School psychologists work in schools to help students succeed academically and socially. They assess students’ learning needs and develop interventions to help them reach their full potential.
- Industrial-organizational psychologists: Industrial-organizational psychologists study the relationship between people and work. They work in businesses and organizations to improve workplace productivity, employee satisfaction, and safety.
What do you call a psychology graduate?
A psychology graduate can be called a psychologist if they have completed a doctoral degree in psychology and passed the required licensing exam. However, if they have only completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology, they can be called a psychology graduate or a psychology major.
Here are some other terms that can be used to describe a psychology graduate, depending on their level of education and experience:
- Psych student
- Psychology intern
- Psychology resident
- Postdoctoral fellow
- Licensed psychologist
- Clinical psychologist
- Counseling psychologist
- School psychologist
- Industrial-organizational psychologist
- Research psychologist
- Academic psychologist
Frequently Asked Questions
You need to earn a doctoral degree in psychology to become a psychologist. There are two types of doctoral degrees in psychology: the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD).
Some of the most common types of psychologists include clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, school psychologists, and industrial-organizational psychologists.
The median annual salary for psychologists in the United States is $80,370.
The job outlook for psychologists is projected to grow faster than average over the next decade
Conclusion
Psychologists play an important role in helping people improve their mental health and well-being. If you are interested in becoming a psychologist, you should start by researching different psychology programs and finding one that is a good fit for your interests and goals. Read up this article on what degree you need to become a Psychologist.
Reference
- Verywellmind.com – How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?
- Online Counselling Programs: How to Become a Psychologist: Education, Licensure & Careers
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