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Andrea
Student
Lynwood, California
1
Question
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Do I have to be pre-MED in order to be a psychologist?
#healthcare #psychology #psychologist #counseling-psychology
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6 answers
Yasemin G.
Aspiring physician
635
Answers
Updated
Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Andrea! To be a psychologist you have to go to graduate school and obtain a master's or doctorate (PhD), premed is a concentration for students who want to go to medical school and take certain prerequisites. During your undergrad. be sure to stay in touch with your adviser and make sure you research the graduate programs and what they require so after graduating college you can apply. There are some certain programs where you obtain your Bachelor's and Master's in 5 years, a 3+2 program, where you do your Master's alongside your Bachelor's; you typically apply around junior year to be considered for the program. Obtaining a Master vs obtaining a Doctorate offers different paths and I believe as a Doctorate you have more benefits in the career you choose such as with leadership in doing research. I believe if you have a Master's you work alongside an individual with a PhD.; however there are a variety of careers in psychology, as you also noted my friend is in clinical counseling and is going for her internship soon! I was a psychology major however my concentration was premed since I want to go to medical school. If you want to be a doctor in medicine like MD or DO then you go to medical school and are a premed as an undergrad.
*The link below offers a little more advice about Master's and Doctorate!
I hope this helps!
Best of luck!
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/careers-in-psych/201606/masters-vs-doctorate-in-clinical-psychology
*The link below offers a little more advice about Master's and Doctorate!
I hope this helps!
Best of luck!
Yasemin recommends the following next steps:
Latoya Chambers
Legal Analyst
4
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Latoya’s Answer
Hi Andrea,
If you want to be a psychologist you do not need pre-med courses for your bachelor’s degree. However, if you want to be a psychiatrist, and prescribe medication that would be different. A psychologist does not prescribe medication, but a psychiatrist does. You should look into both career options, and what education requirements are needed in order to make the best decision.
Best wishes!
If you want to be a psychologist you do not need pre-med courses for your bachelor’s degree. However, if you want to be a psychiatrist, and prescribe medication that would be different. A psychologist does not prescribe medication, but a psychiatrist does. You should look into both career options, and what education requirements are needed in order to make the best decision.
Best wishes!
Zazai Owens
Teacher
4
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Zazai’s Answer
I'm premed, and I will be applying to medical school this Spring, as a nontraditional applicant. You do not need to be premed to become a psychologist. Premed students take 2 semesters of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Premeds also have to take biochemistry, several biology courses, as well as some upper division science courses such as genetics and cell molecular biology. Unless you want to become a doctor, you don't need it. I do caution you, as I once considered a degree in psychology, you should at least get a master's degree, and preferably a doctorate to make decent money. A bachelor's degree in Psychology is honestly a stepping stone for an advanced degree.
Ashley T.
13
Answers
Marysville, Washington
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
Hi, Andrea!
In order to become a licensed clinical psychologist in the united states you do not need to take premed courses. You do, however, need to get a PhD or Psy.D in clinical or counseling psychology, as well as complete a certain amount of clinical hours, to become licensed. Some things you can do to prepare for a PhD program include volunteering in a research lab related to the topic you are most interested in doing your own research in someday, as well as gaining clinical experience (such as volunteering with individuals with mental health needs). A Psy.D is much more practice-based and focusing more on clinical experiences will likely help you be admitted to a Psy.D program (whereas a PhD is generally very research-intensive).
In order to become a licensed clinical psychologist in the united states you do not need to take premed courses. You do, however, need to get a PhD or Psy.D in clinical or counseling psychology, as well as complete a certain amount of clinical hours, to become licensed. Some things you can do to prepare for a PhD program include volunteering in a research lab related to the topic you are most interested in doing your own research in someday, as well as gaining clinical experience (such as volunteering with individuals with mental health needs). A Psy.D is much more practice-based and focusing more on clinical experiences will likely help you be admitted to a Psy.D program (whereas a PhD is generally very research-intensive).
Dino Ubalde
Educator/Psychologist/Life Coach
204
Answers
Tracy, California
Updated
Dino’s Answer
Hello Andrea, thank you for reaching out to us. We're delighted to assist you with your inquiries, aiming to provide you with the information you need for informed decision-making. If your ultimate goal is to become a psychologist, it's important to take the right steps from the start.
Focus on excelling in your studies. Seek out reputable schools in your area that offer a BS Psychology Program, as this will set a solid foundation for your future career as a psychologist. One of the great aspects of a BS Psychology degree is the opportunity for progression. After completing your undergraduate degree, consider advancing to graduate school.
Gaining practical experience in the field is beneficial before enrolling in an MA Program. However, your educational journey doesn't end with an MA in Psychology. If you feel a strong pull towards further studies, consider pursuing a PhD program after your MA.
Remember, before practicing psychology, you need to pass licensure examinations. These are essential for ensuring ethical practice when dealing with clients. Once you've completed your MA and taken some time to rest, you can begin your PhD application. After finishing your academic courses, you'll undertake an internship for a certain number of hours before receiving your degree and taking the Board Examination for Psychologists.
The journey may be long, but rest assured, it's worth it. To make your career exploration even more insightful, we recommend interviewing psychologists in the field. Ask about their journey to becoming a psychologist - they'll likely be more than happy to share their experiences.
Best of luck on your journey, Andrea. We're rooting for you!
Focus on excelling in your studies. Seek out reputable schools in your area that offer a BS Psychology Program, as this will set a solid foundation for your future career as a psychologist. One of the great aspects of a BS Psychology degree is the opportunity for progression. After completing your undergraduate degree, consider advancing to graduate school.
Gaining practical experience in the field is beneficial before enrolling in an MA Program. However, your educational journey doesn't end with an MA in Psychology. If you feel a strong pull towards further studies, consider pursuing a PhD program after your MA.
Remember, before practicing psychology, you need to pass licensure examinations. These are essential for ensuring ethical practice when dealing with clients. Once you've completed your MA and taken some time to rest, you can begin your PhD application. After finishing your academic courses, you'll undertake an internship for a certain number of hours before receiving your degree and taking the Board Examination for Psychologists.
The journey may be long, but rest assured, it's worth it. To make your career exploration even more insightful, we recommend interviewing psychologists in the field. Ask about their journey to becoming a psychologist - they'll likely be more than happy to share their experiences.
Best of luck on your journey, Andrea. We're rooting for you!
Candice Robinson, BS, NCPT-4
Psych Assistant/Practice Administrator
39
Answers
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Candice’s Answer
No. You do not have to go into a pre-medical program to be a Psychologist. Though Pre-Med is required for Psychiatrist programs.
This is because a Psychiatrist is a medical doctor. A Psychologist may hold a doctorate degree, but is not a doctor in the medical sense. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication, where usually a psychologist cannot. There are only a very few number of states that let psychologists prescribe medication. Starting with obtaining your bachelor degree, it takes about 8-10 years of education to become a fully licensed psychologist. It takes about 12 years including medical school to become a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists earn roughly around $200,000+ per year, where as psychologists earn closer to $80,000+.
Both a psychiatrist and a psychologist can diagnose mental illness and most commonly provide therapy. Psychologists are also qualified to conduct psychological testing and evaluations to determine mental status. Most psychologists focus in the areas of school psychology, counseling psychology, or clinical psychology.
School psychologists typically work for a school setting or educational system to assist staff with behavior management and modification of students. Counseling psychologists usually work independently or within a group practice providing outpatient therapy services. Clinical psychologists may be both school and/or counseling psychologists, but their work is usually geared toward those with more severe mental health issues beyond simple behaviors.
The basic steps listed to obtain a license to practice psychology are below:
1. Bachelor, then Master degree in Psychology.
2. PhD or PsyD in Psychology. PhD is a doctor of Philosophy. PsyD is doctor of psychology.
3. Apply for a provisional license from the state psychology board of where you live or want to practice.
4. Apply for & pass the state licensing exam for psychology for your level of practice.
5. Complete 2 years or 3,000 hours of supervision. Supervision is where you will you will get your experience treating patients/clients. You will be supervised by a psychologist that is already licensed and has been designated the title and authority to be supervise others within the state or multiple states.
This is because a Psychiatrist is a medical doctor. A Psychologist may hold a doctorate degree, but is not a doctor in the medical sense. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication, where usually a psychologist cannot. There are only a very few number of states that let psychologists prescribe medication. Starting with obtaining your bachelor degree, it takes about 8-10 years of education to become a fully licensed psychologist. It takes about 12 years including medical school to become a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists earn roughly around $200,000+ per year, where as psychologists earn closer to $80,000+.
Both a psychiatrist and a psychologist can diagnose mental illness and most commonly provide therapy. Psychologists are also qualified to conduct psychological testing and evaluations to determine mental status. Most psychologists focus in the areas of school psychology, counseling psychology, or clinical psychology.
School psychologists typically work for a school setting or educational system to assist staff with behavior management and modification of students. Counseling psychologists usually work independently or within a group practice providing outpatient therapy services. Clinical psychologists may be both school and/or counseling psychologists, but their work is usually geared toward those with more severe mental health issues beyond simple behaviors.
The basic steps listed to obtain a license to practice psychology are below:
1. Bachelor, then Master degree in Psychology.
2. PhD or PsyD in Psychology. PhD is a doctor of Philosophy. PsyD is doctor of psychology.
3. Apply for a provisional license from the state psychology board of where you live or want to practice.
4. Apply for & pass the state licensing exam for psychology for your level of practice.
5. Complete 2 years or 3,000 hours of supervision. Supervision is where you will you will get your experience treating patients/clients. You will be supervised by a psychologist that is already licensed and has been designated the title and authority to be supervise others within the state or multiple states.