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emma
Student
Orofino, Idaho
1
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How long does it take to become a psychologist past high school?
What kind of accomplishments do you need to be able to become a psychologist? how long does it take? Did certain colleges interest you more because of their specialties?
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5 answers
Yisel Andujar
Pharmacy Healthcare Professional
65
Answers
Vineland, New Jersey
Updated
Yisel’s Answer
Hello Emma,
Embracing the role of a psychologist is truly a remarkable journey. The first thing to ponder upon is what kind of psychologist you aspire to become. The field is vast, with numerous psychologists specializing in unique areas such as family, child psychology, working with federal agencies, aviation psychology, biopsychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, forensic psychology, and many more.
The educational path you'll follow will depend on the specific sector you choose. For instance, if you're drawn towards forensic psychology, be prepared for an educational journey spanning 10-15 years. This includes acquiring a bachelor's degree, typically followed by a master's degree, and finally a doctorate. You'll also need to gain experience working under the supervision of a licensed psychologist before you can earn your own license.
However, remember that time is inconsequential when you're pursuing a career you're passionate about. The joy and fulfillment that comes from doing what you love make every moment worth it. So, go ahead and embrace this exciting journey towards becoming a psychologist.
Embracing the role of a psychologist is truly a remarkable journey. The first thing to ponder upon is what kind of psychologist you aspire to become. The field is vast, with numerous psychologists specializing in unique areas such as family, child psychology, working with federal agencies, aviation psychology, biopsychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, forensic psychology, and many more.
The educational path you'll follow will depend on the specific sector you choose. For instance, if you're drawn towards forensic psychology, be prepared for an educational journey spanning 10-15 years. This includes acquiring a bachelor's degree, typically followed by a master's degree, and finally a doctorate. You'll also need to gain experience working under the supervision of a licensed psychologist before you can earn your own license.
However, remember that time is inconsequential when you're pursuing a career you're passionate about. The joy and fulfillment that comes from doing what you love make every moment worth it. So, go ahead and embrace this exciting journey towards becoming a psychologist.
Prativa Gautam
Nutrition
23
Answers
Sterling, Virginia
Updated
Prativa’s Answer
To become a psychologist, you'll need to follow a multi-step educational and training process that goes beyond high school. The exact duration varies based on your chosen psychology field and your personal career objectives. Here's a simplified roadmap to guide you through the journey:
Start with a Bachelor's Degree (4 years): This is your first step. Enroll in a four-year undergraduate program in psychology or a related field. During this time, you'll take fundamental psychology courses to gain a wide-ranging understanding of the discipline.
Proceed to Graduate Education (2-7 years): Once you have your bachelor's degree, it's time to move on to graduate studies in psychology. The time spent here depends on the graduate program you select:
Master's Degree (2-3 years): Some psychologists kickstart their careers with a master's degree. This level of education can qualify you for specific roles in areas like school psychology or industrial-organizational psychology. However, many licensed psychologists possess doctoral degrees.
Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D., 4-7 years): The majority of licensed psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology. This stage can take an additional 4 to 7 years, focusing on research (Ph.D.) or clinical training and practical skills (Psy.D.).
Internship and Supervised Experience (1-2 years): As part of your doctoral studies, you'll complete a supervised internship in a clinical environment, lasting one to two years. This will give you practical, hands-on experience.
Licensing (varies by location): To legally practice as a psychologist, you'll need to secure a license in your jurisdiction. The requirements for this vary by location, but generally, you'll need to pass a licensing exam and complete a specific number of supervised practice hours.
Postdoctoral Fellowship (optional, 1-2 years): Some psychologists opt for a postdoctoral fellowship after their doctoral program. This extra training can offer specialized experience and might be necessary for certain career trajectories.
In summary, the journey to becoming a licensed psychologist can take between 6 to 12 years or more after high school, factoring in your internship, licensing, and optional postdoctoral training. Be sure to thoroughly research the requirements in your specific area and field of interest to tailor a timeline that aligns with your career aspirations.
Start with a Bachelor's Degree (4 years): This is your first step. Enroll in a four-year undergraduate program in psychology or a related field. During this time, you'll take fundamental psychology courses to gain a wide-ranging understanding of the discipline.
Proceed to Graduate Education (2-7 years): Once you have your bachelor's degree, it's time to move on to graduate studies in psychology. The time spent here depends on the graduate program you select:
Master's Degree (2-3 years): Some psychologists kickstart their careers with a master's degree. This level of education can qualify you for specific roles in areas like school psychology or industrial-organizational psychology. However, many licensed psychologists possess doctoral degrees.
Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D., 4-7 years): The majority of licensed psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology. This stage can take an additional 4 to 7 years, focusing on research (Ph.D.) or clinical training and practical skills (Psy.D.).
Internship and Supervised Experience (1-2 years): As part of your doctoral studies, you'll complete a supervised internship in a clinical environment, lasting one to two years. This will give you practical, hands-on experience.
Licensing (varies by location): To legally practice as a psychologist, you'll need to secure a license in your jurisdiction. The requirements for this vary by location, but generally, you'll need to pass a licensing exam and complete a specific number of supervised practice hours.
Postdoctoral Fellowship (optional, 1-2 years): Some psychologists opt for a postdoctoral fellowship after their doctoral program. This extra training can offer specialized experience and might be necessary for certain career trajectories.
In summary, the journey to becoming a licensed psychologist can take between 6 to 12 years or more after high school, factoring in your internship, licensing, and optional postdoctoral training. Be sure to thoroughly research the requirements in your specific area and field of interest to tailor a timeline that aligns with your career aspirations.
Katherine Avery
Run a music studio and teach private music lessons; teach college-level religion classes
350
Answers
Spanish Fork, Utah
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
I think one of the best programs for a graduate degree related to psychology is the Townsend Institute (https://www.cui.edu/townsend). You can get any undergrad degree and then plan on a graduate degree after that.
Mya Landers
Military
5
Answers
Norfolk, Virginia
Updated
Mya’s Answer
Emma,
Becoming a psychologist is rewarding, but it requires dedication and a strong commitment to your goal. If you're considering this path, it's important to understand that the effort you're willing to put in will greatly impact your journey. For instance, I'm currently in my final term of pursuing a B.A. in Psychology, and it's worth noting that I began this degree just last year. This means that I'll be obtaining my bachelor's degree in Psychology within a year, thanks to my determination and hard work. When it comes to pursuing a master's degree, the duration typically ranges from 1 to 2 years, depending on your level of dedication and effort. However, it's essential to remember that the effort you invest can directly affect your success. Upon completing your master's degree, numerous career opportunities will become available in the field, some of which may require licensing. My advice to you is to approach this journey with unwavering passion and dedication. Your commitment to your studies and your future career in psychology will ultimately determine your success.
I wish you the best.
Becoming a psychologist is rewarding, but it requires dedication and a strong commitment to your goal. If you're considering this path, it's important to understand that the effort you're willing to put in will greatly impact your journey. For instance, I'm currently in my final term of pursuing a B.A. in Psychology, and it's worth noting that I began this degree just last year. This means that I'll be obtaining my bachelor's degree in Psychology within a year, thanks to my determination and hard work. When it comes to pursuing a master's degree, the duration typically ranges from 1 to 2 years, depending on your level of dedication and effort. However, it's essential to remember that the effort you invest can directly affect your success. Upon completing your master's degree, numerous career opportunities will become available in the field, some of which may require licensing. My advice to you is to approach this journey with unwavering passion and dedication. Your commitment to your studies and your future career in psychology will ultimately determine your success.
I wish you the best.
Mandi Conger
Title Clerk
46
Answers
Nashville, Georgia
Updated
Mandi’s Answer
Hey Emma! It takes about 8-10 years past high school to become a psychologist. You must obtain your bachelor's, master's and gain a PhD. Your bachelor's takes about 4 years to complete, master's is normally 1-2 years, and a PhD can take 2-4 additional years. I think many schools can interest you depending on if you want to sub-specialize because not all schools offer the same programs, this would be a personal choice to you if you have a specialty in mind. Hope this helps!