3 answers
Ray
Student
Manalapan Township, NJ
19
Questions
Asked
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What degree should I get in order to become a research psychologist?
One college I'm looking at has a research psych track that is simply a bachelor's degree, which doesn't sound right to me. Another college I'm looking at recomends a master's and then possibly continuing education at a grad school. Another college, which is a research college, has a research psych track that requires a PhD. Which degree is most likely to land me a job? I am most interested in the developmental and abnormal fields, if it matters. #psychology #research #research-psychology #developmental-psychology #abnormal-psychology
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3 answers
Stephanie Coleman, MBA, MLS, LPC-Intern
Career Counselor
4
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
In order to narrow down the degree programs most appropriate for you, it helps to identify some distinctions. Generally* a psychologist refers to someone with a doctorate (PhD) in psychology who has been LICENSED by the state in which that person works. Licensure* typically requires meeting requirements from the state's governing body of the profession as well as the requirements of the national association for that occupation (in this case, the American Psychological Association or APA).
This means a person can have a doctorate (PhD) in psychology and not have the title psychologist. Typically, people seek licensure as a psychologist if they want to work in a clinical setting; that means working directly with patients as a practitioner or working directly with individuals who have agreed to participate in some type of clinical study/research.
A person with a doctorate in psychology can also work in research psychology designing, implementing, and publishing research. This person, however, would not be able to provide treatment to patients diagnosed with some form of mental illness.
If what you seek is to be involved in psychological research and ONLY research, you will likely need at least a master's degree in psychology. This level of training is necessary because it will make you proficient in the statistical analysis which is at the heart of all scientific inquiry. You are BEST positioned to work in the field of research psychology if you have a doctorate in psychology because it will qualify you to perform all aspects of research and publishing.
If you want to work directly with patients and/or the individuals involved with particular kinds of psychological research, you are best served by getting a doctorate in psychology and licensure to work as a psychologist.
There are a number of people who work "behind the scenes" of psychological research; their names don't get published in academic journals, but their work is crucial nonetheless.
When you imagine working as a research psychologist, think of the role you want to play. If you are fascinated with abnormal psychology and justice the idea of being involved in the process of psychological research, a masters degree can get you there. If you want your name published in academic/scholarly journals because of the research you designed and supervised from start to finish, you will need a doctorate. If you want to test experimental treatments on patients with specific mental illness, then you will likely need to be a licensed psychologist.
*Licensure requirements for psychologists will vary from state to state.
This means a person can have a doctorate (PhD) in psychology and not have the title psychologist. Typically, people seek licensure as a psychologist if they want to work in a clinical setting; that means working directly with patients as a practitioner or working directly with individuals who have agreed to participate in some type of clinical study/research.
A person with a doctorate in psychology can also work in research psychology designing, implementing, and publishing research. This person, however, would not be able to provide treatment to patients diagnosed with some form of mental illness.
If what you seek is to be involved in psychological research and ONLY research, you will likely need at least a master's degree in psychology. This level of training is necessary because it will make you proficient in the statistical analysis which is at the heart of all scientific inquiry. You are BEST positioned to work in the field of research psychology if you have a doctorate in psychology because it will qualify you to perform all aspects of research and publishing.
If you want to work directly with patients and/or the individuals involved with particular kinds of psychological research, you are best served by getting a doctorate in psychology and licensure to work as a psychologist.
There are a number of people who work "behind the scenes" of psychological research; their names don't get published in academic journals, but their work is crucial nonetheless.
When you imagine working as a research psychologist, think of the role you want to play. If you are fascinated with abnormal psychology and justice the idea of being involved in the process of psychological research, a masters degree can get you there. If you want your name published in academic/scholarly journals because of the research you designed and supervised from start to finish, you will need a doctorate. If you want to test experimental treatments on patients with specific mental illness, then you will likely need to be a licensed psychologist.
*Licensure requirements for psychologists will vary from state to state.
Erika Orozco
Academic Advisor
2
Answers
Irvine, California
Updated
Erika’s Answer
Hi, I have a masters degree in experimental psychology, which is synonymous with “research psychology.” It will be in your best interest to find either a BA or BS in psychology at a university that has a psychology department that values and prioritizes psychological research. This means publications within their department, which means student research assistants like you will help with. This is how you get started on your research career — becoming a research assistant as an undergraduate. It does not matter if their is a research track in the program or not. Mine certainly didn’t. Find a good psychology department, and a list of faculty who openly take research assistants. And I advise that you immerse yourself into the world of statistical analysis and programming. It’s is essential to become a solid statistician if you plan on being an experimental psychologist. “R” is an open source programming language that you can easily start learning now or find a class on. Half of your work will be developing research designs and analyzing data, and the other half is drawing upon the psychological theory that you develop an expertise in. It’s great that you have a specific interest already. Please begin your undergraduate psychology degree soon and get your foot in the door with research assistantship. The faculty member that will take you as a research assistant should hopefully provide all of the mentorship that you need. If you have any questions feel free to reach out!
Bachelors degree in Psychology
Masters degree in Experimental Psychology (this can be skipped if you are an impressive undergraduate)
PhD in Psychology (developmental, biological, social, clinical etc)
Erika recommends the following next steps:
Denise Reynolds
Psychologist
10
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Denise’s Answer
Ph.D focuses on research.