2 answers
Leena
Student
Frederick, Maryland
1
Question
Asked
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What would I have to accomplish in order to be a psychologist ?
What would I have to accomplish in order to be a psychologist? I’ve been wanting to be one for a while and go into social Sciences. I’m still in high school but im planning my future.
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2 answers
Marino Mugayar-Baldocchi
Applied Organizational Scientist
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Marino’s Answer
Hello, Leena! Great question!
To complement Michael's comprehensive answer, I would say that you need to think about a few additional things.
1) What kind of psychologist do you want to become? I would say the major categories at: Clinical Psychologist, Social Psychologist, Cognitive Psychologist, Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, Conditioning and Learning Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Developmental Psychologist.
I've always wanted to become a psychologist too but I realized that clinical psychology wasn't for me. I fell in love with I-O Psychology as a result of my Positive Psychology class and the applications it had for the workplace and people's wellbeing. In other words, I found out what I wanted to do by thinking about what I liked but also what I didn't like. I would encourage you to do the same :)
Switching gears a little bit, and talking about the process, here's what it would look like to become a clinical psychologist:
To become a clinical psychologist, you also need to complete your Bachelor's degree, gain some clinical experience to be able to apply for graduate school and complete your graduate program (either a Master's or a Ph.D.)
More practically, and in a simplified way, see the steps below:
1) You would need to see which 4 year college you could go to once you complete your Associate's degree.
2) Once there, declare a psychology major and speak with your advisors about how to get internships/fellowships in clinical psychology to gain practical experience
3) Get the required number of hours and experiences as well as the GPA and GRE score, where it's still a requirement, to be able to apply for graduate school; if it's a PhD you'd like to apply for, you will also need research experience as a Research Assistant
4) Complete the graduate school degree and then pass the licensing exam in your state to practice as a clinical psychologist
Lastly, I would also encourage you to think about the variations of each area. For example, for I-O Psychology, your career options are many- you can become an academic/professor, someone who works in a think-tank like Gallup, a consultant who does applied research, someone who works with psychometric testing in assessments for a consulting Firm or for a company in a given industry.
With clinical psychology, for example, you could think adjacent professions, such as about becoming a mental health counselor or a social worker and help people tremendously.
To complement Michael's comprehensive answer, I would say that you need to think about a few additional things.
1) What kind of psychologist do you want to become? I would say the major categories at: Clinical Psychologist, Social Psychologist, Cognitive Psychologist, Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, Conditioning and Learning Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Developmental Psychologist.
I've always wanted to become a psychologist too but I realized that clinical psychology wasn't for me. I fell in love with I-O Psychology as a result of my Positive Psychology class and the applications it had for the workplace and people's wellbeing. In other words, I found out what I wanted to do by thinking about what I liked but also what I didn't like. I would encourage you to do the same :)
Switching gears a little bit, and talking about the process, here's what it would look like to become a clinical psychologist:
To become a clinical psychologist, you also need to complete your Bachelor's degree, gain some clinical experience to be able to apply for graduate school and complete your graduate program (either a Master's or a Ph.D.)
More practically, and in a simplified way, see the steps below:
1) You would need to see which 4 year college you could go to once you complete your Associate's degree.
2) Once there, declare a psychology major and speak with your advisors about how to get internships/fellowships in clinical psychology to gain practical experience
3) Get the required number of hours and experiences as well as the GPA and GRE score, where it's still a requirement, to be able to apply for graduate school; if it's a PhD you'd like to apply for, you will also need research experience as a Research Assistant
4) Complete the graduate school degree and then pass the licensing exam in your state to practice as a clinical psychologist
Lastly, I would also encourage you to think about the variations of each area. For example, for I-O Psychology, your career options are many- you can become an academic/professor, someone who works in a think-tank like Gallup, a consultant who does applied research, someone who works with psychometric testing in assessments for a consulting Firm or for a company in a given industry.
With clinical psychology, for example, you could think adjacent professions, such as about becoming a mental health counselor or a social worker and help people tremendously.
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
342
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Leena:
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a psychology career. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be language arts, social sciences, foreign language and AP psychology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Psychologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information.
According to VeryWellMind.com, the educational pathway to become a Clinical Psychologist will be between 8-12 years. 4 Years will be to earn a Bachelor Degree. A Masters Degree will be 2-3 years. The Doctorate Degree will be another 4-7 years. Then, there are internships, certifications and licensing that have to be earned and achieved along the way.
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-psychologist-2794935
There are careers in Psychology that one can pursue. According to Indeed.com, here are some of the top careers for a Psychology major:
- Therapist
- Psychology Program Director
- Behavioral Analyst
- Researcher
- Psychology Professor
- Industrial Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Correctional Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Neuropsychiatrist
- Child or School Psychiatrist
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/top-psychology-degree-jobs
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Colleges and Universities for a Psychology major:
- Stanford University
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Harvard University
- University of California (Los Angeles)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Princeton University
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
- Yale University
- Cornell University
- Northwestern University
- University of Wisconsin (Madison)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
Scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. Scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Psychology!
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a psychology career. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be language arts, social sciences, foreign language and AP psychology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Psychologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information.
According to VeryWellMind.com, the educational pathway to become a Clinical Psychologist will be between 8-12 years. 4 Years will be to earn a Bachelor Degree. A Masters Degree will be 2-3 years. The Doctorate Degree will be another 4-7 years. Then, there are internships, certifications and licensing that have to be earned and achieved along the way.
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-psychologist-2794935
There are careers in Psychology that one can pursue. According to Indeed.com, here are some of the top careers for a Psychology major:
- Therapist
- Psychology Program Director
- Behavioral Analyst
- Researcher
- Psychology Professor
- Industrial Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Correctional Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Neuropsychiatrist
- Child or School Psychiatrist
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/top-psychology-degree-jobs
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Colleges and Universities for a Psychology major:
- Stanford University
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Harvard University
- University of California (Los Angeles)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Princeton University
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
- Yale University
- Cornell University
- Northwestern University
- University of Wisconsin (Madison)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
Scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. Scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Psychology!