The post is developed in partnership with Better Help.
If you’re considering a career as a psychologist, you might be interested to know just what kind of training and education you should expect to reach that goal. Psychology is a fascinating field because it can be applied to various industries, and not necessarily in ways where you have to be a practicing psychologist who sees patients.
However, if you do envision yourself participating in a more clinical or academic setting, keep reading to see what degrees, certification, and other training you’ll require to start your rewarding career as a psychologist.
Undergraduate Education
If it’s your goal to become a psychologist, your first step is to get a Bachelor’s degree in either psychology or a related field, which can differ based on what you want to specialize in. For instance, you could major in early childhood education if you see yourself practicing as a school psychologist. However, the beauty of psychology Bachelor’s is that it is widely available as a course of study in most universities or colleges.
If you’re interested in learning what fields you can specialize in as a psychologist, visit this page to learn more.
Graduate Education — Master’s & EdS
Once you complete your undergraduate degree, you may want to consider a Master’s degree as a stepping stone toward a Doctoral degree, or you can obtain an Education Specialist degree if you wish to work in education. Not every doctorate program will require you to get a Master’s, but it’s worth looking into if you want to go that extra mile. It’s also valuable if you decide a more extended Ph.D. program is not for you, as you can pause counseling or other forms of talk therapy with just your Master’s.
With an EdS, it’s a similar situation, as you may or may not need a Master’s degree to qualify for enrollment.
Graduate Education — Ph.D. & PsyD
Both PhDs and PsyDs are doctoral programs that can lead to a future as a practicing psychologist. However, PhDs focus heavily on research and data acquisition, whereas PsyDs concentrate on the practical skills required for more clinical roles. PhDs take upwards of five to seven years to complete, while PsyDs take between four and sex, plus a one-year internship.
Graduate Internships & Practicum
Internships and practicums teach you practical, hands-on skills that you’ll require once you finish your program. Of course, the kind of practicum you’ll need will vary based on your specialty of choice. However, most of them will require you to work under and report to a licensed psychologist on various assignments. The way they’re structured is also measured in hours, and according to the Association of Psychology, interns seeking doctoral candidacy need to complete a minimum of 1,500 hours.
State Licensing
If you live in the United States, every state has its own requirements for state licensing. If you wish to become either an industrial-organizational psychologist, or a school psychologist, you’re going to want to refer to the Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology, and the National Association of School Psychologists, respectively. If you’re looking for more general information on licensing requirements, look into the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. If you’re not in the US, research similar terminology relative to your desired location to learn more.
Post-Doctoral Fieldwork
While your practicum may have been completed during your doctoral program after you finish, you’re likely going to need to do a post-doctoral internship to develop your practical skills further when dealing with real-life patients. Just make sure it is accredited by either the American Psychological Association or the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers.
Professional Certification
Getting professionally certified is not one-hundred percent necessary. However, obtaining a certification is an excellent way to stand out from your competitors when applying for jobs or building a client base. Certifications are like the cherry on top for the sundae that is your entire educational and professional repertoire by demonstrating that you have advanced knowledge and skills that your non-certified peers may lack.
