4 answers
Shelby
Student
Roseville, Michigan
1
Question
Asked
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How many years of college do I have to take to pursue psychology as a career?
I want to pursue psychology as my career and I especially want to work with special needs children. I would also like to know what to look for when picking the right college.
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4 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
613
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Shelby,
Good question! It’s wonderful that you want to pursue psychology and work with special needs children! Psychology is a meaningful and rewarding career, and I’m happy to break down the steps for you.
1. How Many Years of College?
The time it takes to pursue psychology depends on how far you want to go in your education. Here's a general roadmap:
- Bachelor’s Degree (4 years):
Start with a bachelor’s in psychology or a related field. This gives you foundational knowledge about human behavior, mental health, and research methods.
- Master’s Degree (2–3 years):
A master’s is often required if you want to specialize in working with special needs children. A degree in child psychology, applied behavior analysis (ABA), or school psychology could be a great fit.
- Doctorate (Optional, 4–7 years):
If you want to be a licensed psychologist (e.g., a clinical or school psychologist), you’ll likely need a PhD or PsyD. However, if you’re interested in more hands-on work like counseling or ABA therapy, a master’s degree might be enough.
In total, you’re looking at anywhere from 6 to 10+ years of education, depending on the career path you choose.
2. Choosing the Right College
When picking a college, keep the following in mind:
- Strong Psychology Program: Look for colleges with robust psychology departments that offer courses or tracks in child development, special education, or behavioral analysis.
- Internships and Hands-On Opportunities:
Find programs that provide opportunities to intern or work with special needs children. Real-world experience is invaluable.
- Graduate Program Options:
Check if the school has master’s or doctorate programs, especially in areas you’re interested in, like child psychology or ABA.
- Support and Resources:
Consider colleges with good student support services, accessible professors, and a strong academic advising program.
- Cost and Scholarships:
Research financial aid and scholarship opportunities to make college more affordable. Many schools offer scholarships for students in psychology and education fields.
3. Careers in Psychology with Special Needs Children
There are several ways to make a difference in the lives of special needs children with a psychology background:
- Behavioral Therapist (e.g., ABA therapist): Help children with developmental challenges like autism through specialized therapy.
- School Psychologist: Work in schools to assess and support students with special needs.
- Clinical Psychologist: Provide therapy and create treatment plans for children and their families.
- Child Life Specialist: Work in hospitals to support children and families dealing with medical or developmental challenges.
You already have a clear vision of your career and want to make a difference in children’s lives. Take one step at a time—focus on excelling in your studies now, research colleges that align with your goals, and don’t hesitate to ask for help or guidance along the way.
You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
Good question! It’s wonderful that you want to pursue psychology and work with special needs children! Psychology is a meaningful and rewarding career, and I’m happy to break down the steps for you.
1. How Many Years of College?
The time it takes to pursue psychology depends on how far you want to go in your education. Here's a general roadmap:
- Bachelor’s Degree (4 years):
Start with a bachelor’s in psychology or a related field. This gives you foundational knowledge about human behavior, mental health, and research methods.
- Master’s Degree (2–3 years):
A master’s is often required if you want to specialize in working with special needs children. A degree in child psychology, applied behavior analysis (ABA), or school psychology could be a great fit.
- Doctorate (Optional, 4–7 years):
If you want to be a licensed psychologist (e.g., a clinical or school psychologist), you’ll likely need a PhD or PsyD. However, if you’re interested in more hands-on work like counseling or ABA therapy, a master’s degree might be enough.
In total, you’re looking at anywhere from 6 to 10+ years of education, depending on the career path you choose.
2. Choosing the Right College
When picking a college, keep the following in mind:
- Strong Psychology Program: Look for colleges with robust psychology departments that offer courses or tracks in child development, special education, or behavioral analysis.
- Internships and Hands-On Opportunities:
Find programs that provide opportunities to intern or work with special needs children. Real-world experience is invaluable.
- Graduate Program Options:
Check if the school has master’s or doctorate programs, especially in areas you’re interested in, like child psychology or ABA.
- Support and Resources:
Consider colleges with good student support services, accessible professors, and a strong academic advising program.
- Cost and Scholarships:
Research financial aid and scholarship opportunities to make college more affordable. Many schools offer scholarships for students in psychology and education fields.
3. Careers in Psychology with Special Needs Children
There are several ways to make a difference in the lives of special needs children with a psychology background:
- Behavioral Therapist (e.g., ABA therapist): Help children with developmental challenges like autism through specialized therapy.
- School Psychologist: Work in schools to assess and support students with special needs.
- Clinical Psychologist: Provide therapy and create treatment plans for children and their families.
- Child Life Specialist: Work in hospitals to support children and families dealing with medical or developmental challenges.
You already have a clear vision of your career and want to make a difference in children’s lives. Take one step at a time—focus on excelling in your studies now, research colleges that align with your goals, and don’t hesitate to ask for help or guidance along the way.
You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
Kevin Corkran
Mergers and Acquisitions Tax Associate
26
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Hi Shelby,
You are looking at 5-7 years of school. You will need to study psychology for your bachelors, earn a masters in a specialized field, and then likely do apprenticeship or clinical work to be certified to practice. Alternatively, if you want to become an in-school paraprofessional, you can likely do that in 4-5 years if you pursue that path.
Look for a college with a strong education department!
Sincerely,
Kevin
You are looking at 5-7 years of school. You will need to study psychology for your bachelors, earn a masters in a specialized field, and then likely do apprenticeship or clinical work to be certified to practice. Alternatively, if you want to become an in-school paraprofessional, you can likely do that in 4-5 years if you pursue that path.
Look for a college with a strong education department!
Sincerely,
Kevin
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
120
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Shelby, there are multiple ways to do this but here is a suggestion- as an undergraduate study psychology, child development, gender studies, special education or a combination. I suggest you look at an MA in occupational therapy if you want to work specifically with kids who have special needs. It may involve helping with sensory issues, neurological conditions (such as autism and cerebral palsy), and congenital conditions (affecting cognitive or physical functioning). An alternative could be getting an MA in child and family therapy prior to a doctorate (PhD or PsyD). As a psychologist you can diagnose developmental disorders, such as ADHD and perform more complex testing (than someone with a masters). The internships you choose as a student and post-graduate work can be tailored to the population you hope to treat. If you know you want to work in a school setting, get the masters in school counseling; you can then choose to also get the Eds in school psychology. Just to give you ALL the options, going for a social work license and choosing the youth/family path is yet another way to work in many social service settings supporting kids and their caregivers. I would take a look at the curriculum for graduate programs in particular to see what looks most interesting. You can also reach out to people who are working in those careers and ask for an informational interview to learn more about their own experience. In terms of time, it can vary. This will depend on whether you go straight into a doctorate program vs getting a master's first and then returning for a doctorate. A master's program might take up to three years; this is something you get after you graduate with an undergraduate degree. A doctorate program could take anywhere from 2-6 years; this largely depends on you- if you are working simultaneously, taking a break from studies, and the length of time it takes to complete your final dissertation. Not everyone at this level is able to dedicate all their time and focus to getting through the program; the content will be demanding. However, you can fast track it by knowing exactly what you want ahead of time. No matter how you do it, you gain experience as you go that will impact your future career path. A psychology program will focus more on mental health and wellbeing. Occupational therapy will focus more on how the individual functions in their environment. School counseling is niche and will combine mental health with academic performance issues. Social work can be a broader field than psychology and encompass connecting people with needed resources. I hope this helps you decide! I wish I had known all of this years ago. Cheers and best luck!
Felicia Barrs
Lead Property Management - Network Engineering
8
Answers
Little Elm, Texas
Updated
Felicia’s Answer
To embark on a profession in psychology, it's generally necessary to first obtain a bachelor's degree in psychology.
This is usually followed by a higher degree such as a master's or doctorate, depending on your chosen area of concentration.
Additionally, completing an internship or supervised practice is crucial, as is securing a license to practice in your specific field.
This typically entails passing a licensing examination and satisfying certain criteria based on your selected psychology discipline.
Outlined below are crucial steps to embark on a psychology career:
1. Acquire a bachelor's degree in psychology:
This lays the groundwork for understanding psychological concepts and theories, giving you the opportunity to delve into various areas of interest within the discipline.
2. Select a specialization:
Choose a specific branch of psychology that you're passionate about, such as clinical psychology, developmental psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, forensic psychology, or school psychology.
3. Pursue a higher degree:
Depending on your chosen specialization, you might need to earn a master's degree or a doctorate (PhD or PsyD).
4. Undertake an internship:
Acquire hands-on experience by undertaking a supervised internship where you interact with clients under the supervision of licensed professionals.
5. Secure a license:
Successfully pass the required licensing exams to practice psychology in your state or jurisdiction.
Key points to consider:
- Explore various psychology career paths:
Investigate different career options like clinical psychologist, counselor, school psychologist, industrial-organizational psychologist, or research psychologist to identify what aligns best with your interests.
- Cultivate strong interpersonal skills:
Skills such as empathy, active listening, and effective communication are vital for a successful interaction with clients.
- Engage in research opportunities:
Involvement in research projects during your undergraduate or graduate studies can deepen your comprehension of the field and bolster your resume.
- Network with professionals:
Forge connections with psychologists in your chosen field to gain insights about career paths and potential job openings.
This is usually followed by a higher degree such as a master's or doctorate, depending on your chosen area of concentration.
Additionally, completing an internship or supervised practice is crucial, as is securing a license to practice in your specific field.
This typically entails passing a licensing examination and satisfying certain criteria based on your selected psychology discipline.
Outlined below are crucial steps to embark on a psychology career:
1. Acquire a bachelor's degree in psychology:
This lays the groundwork for understanding psychological concepts and theories, giving you the opportunity to delve into various areas of interest within the discipline.
2. Select a specialization:
Choose a specific branch of psychology that you're passionate about, such as clinical psychology, developmental psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, forensic psychology, or school psychology.
3. Pursue a higher degree:
Depending on your chosen specialization, you might need to earn a master's degree or a doctorate (PhD or PsyD).
4. Undertake an internship:
Acquire hands-on experience by undertaking a supervised internship where you interact with clients under the supervision of licensed professionals.
5. Secure a license:
Successfully pass the required licensing exams to practice psychology in your state or jurisdiction.
Key points to consider:
- Explore various psychology career paths:
Investigate different career options like clinical psychologist, counselor, school psychologist, industrial-organizational psychologist, or research psychologist to identify what aligns best with your interests.
- Cultivate strong interpersonal skills:
Skills such as empathy, active listening, and effective communication are vital for a successful interaction with clients.
- Engage in research opportunities:
Involvement in research projects during your undergraduate or graduate studies can deepen your comprehension of the field and bolster your resume.
- Network with professionals:
Forge connections with psychologists in your chosen field to gain insights about career paths and potential job openings.