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Curtis
Student
New Orleans, Louisiana
3
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how do you become a psychologist?
#Helpme #justtryingtomakeit #psych #psychology
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2 answers
Melanie Morales, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Director at Woodbridge Therapy Group
4
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Melanie’s Answer
Curtis,
After you complete a bachelor's degree you will have to attend graduate school. If you want to have the title of Psychologist, then you will need to obtain a doctorate degree. If you want to be a therapist, you can work with just a master's degree. There are two types of doctoral graduate programs in psychology: Ph.D. and Psy.D.
A Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology) program's focus is primarily on research, takes between 5-7 years to complete, and requires the completion of a dissertation (independent research project). A Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) program's focus is primarily on working with patients/clients, takes between 5-6 years to complete, and may or may not require the completion of a dissertation depending on the specific program. Consequently, one of the things you need to decide is if you want to a be a psychologist who treats patients/clients or a psychologist who conducts research. Furthermore, there are a plethora of subdivisions within psychology (e.g., clinical, developmental, social, forensic, neuro, industrial/organizational, school, etc.) and each have their own specialized programs. You will have also have to complete a pre-doctoral internship, which is a year long job placement as the final requirement for your doctoral degree.
Lastly, psychologists who treat patients/clients must obtain a state issued license to do so. In order to obtain a license, the psychologist must complete a 1 to 2 year(s) long post-doctoral fellowship or residency and take a 4-hour long national licensing exam called the EPPP. Research psychologists do not need a license to work.
Good Luck! psychology graduate-school
After you complete a bachelor's degree you will have to attend graduate school. If you want to have the title of Psychologist, then you will need to obtain a doctorate degree. If you want to be a therapist, you can work with just a master's degree. There are two types of doctoral graduate programs in psychology: Ph.D. and Psy.D.
A Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology) program's focus is primarily on research, takes between 5-7 years to complete, and requires the completion of a dissertation (independent research project). A Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) program's focus is primarily on working with patients/clients, takes between 5-6 years to complete, and may or may not require the completion of a dissertation depending on the specific program. Consequently, one of the things you need to decide is if you want to a be a psychologist who treats patients/clients or a psychologist who conducts research. Furthermore, there are a plethora of subdivisions within psychology (e.g., clinical, developmental, social, forensic, neuro, industrial/organizational, school, etc.) and each have their own specialized programs. You will have also have to complete a pre-doctoral internship, which is a year long job placement as the final requirement for your doctoral degree.
Lastly, psychologists who treat patients/clients must obtain a state issued license to do so. In order to obtain a license, the psychologist must complete a 1 to 2 year(s) long post-doctoral fellowship or residency and take a 4-hour long national licensing exam called the EPPP. Research psychologists do not need a license to work.
Good Luck! psychology graduate-school
Bobbi Tatum
Substitute Teacher at Charter School Services, LLC
11
Answers
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Bobbi’s Answer
Hello Curtis,
After you complete your bachelor's degree you will apply to graduate programs to earn your Psy.D ( doctor's in psychology). Schools look for students with experience in research so during undergraduate it is important to find research opportunities.
Good luck.
After you complete your bachelor's degree you will apply to graduate programs to earn your Psy.D ( doctor's in psychology). Schools look for students with experience in research so during undergraduate it is important to find research opportunities.
Good luck.