6 answers
Emma
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
5
Questions
Asked
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Is it possible to get into a career in psychology without getting a PhD?
I am considering going into a psychology career but I don't want to go to extra schooling if it is not necessary.
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6 answers
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
120
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Emma, I believe this question was answered already but YES! It just means you will not be a psychologist which requires a doctorate (PsyD or PhD). I get it! Doctorate programs in psychology can take as long as 6-8 years depending on the student. If you want to perform complex diagnostic tests, enter into academia or research, you will want to eventually get a doctorate. But you do not need to decide right away. You can study the subject of psychology in college (undergraduate level) or go on to get a graduate degree in clinical counseling, marriage and family therapy, child family therapy, addictions, and even expressive arts therapies. A master's degree can take up to four years if attending part time. However, studying psychology is a great foundation for most any graduate path and also in understanding yourself and others. At an associate level, you can train to be a substance abuse counselor or peer counselor. Peer counseling is for those who have 'lived experience' with emotional/mental hardship, diagnoses, disability, addiction, homelessness and more. As a peer, you can work for a nonprofit organization or hospital doing individual and group counseling. With an AA or bachelor's degree, you may work an entry level position as a case manager, in administration, or programming with a social services org. There are also some therapeutic modalities with children you can learn, such as behavioral activation (with an undergraduate degree); you will be trained and work under a licensed/board certified practitioner. To diagnose mental health disorders and provide psychotherapy you will need the addition of a graduate degree, supervision hours, and direct-contact hours with patients, along with a passing score on a state licensing exam. Knowing psychology will be an asset if wanting to enter the field of marketing, design, or law as well; it will give you an edge in understanding people's intentions and underlying needs. I hope this helps- perhaps gives you a broader picture of what might be available to you! Psychology pairs well as a major or minor with subjects like education, biology, fine arts, religious studies, and social work. I consider psychology a super-power, so may the force be with you! Good luck!
Thank you for the advice.
Emma
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
620
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Emma.
Good question!
Yes, it is possible to pursue a career in psychology without a PhD. While a PhD is required for certain roles, like becoming a licensed clinical psychologist, other paths in psychology don't require such an advanced degree. Here are some options:
1. Master’s in Psychology: With a master’s degree, you can work as a counselor, therapist, or in applied psychology fields such as industrial-organizational psychology. Many positions in counseling (like school counselors or marriage and family therapists) only require a master’s degree.
2. Psychiatric Technician or Aide: This role typically requires an associate degree or bachelor’s in psychology and involves working directly with patients in hospitals or psychiatric facilities.
3. Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology: Even with just a bachelor’s degree, you can find roles like human resources specialist, case manager, or psychiatric assistant, though these positions may not involve clinical work.
4. Psychiatric Physician Assistant (PA): With a master’s degree as a PA and further certification in psychiatry, you can practice in mental health settings without needing a PhD.
You could consider these alternatives if you want to avoid the lengthy process of earning a Ph.D. but still pursue a meaningful career in psychology.
Best wishes!
Good question!
Yes, it is possible to pursue a career in psychology without a PhD. While a PhD is required for certain roles, like becoming a licensed clinical psychologist, other paths in psychology don't require such an advanced degree. Here are some options:
1. Master’s in Psychology: With a master’s degree, you can work as a counselor, therapist, or in applied psychology fields such as industrial-organizational psychology. Many positions in counseling (like school counselors or marriage and family therapists) only require a master’s degree.
2. Psychiatric Technician or Aide: This role typically requires an associate degree or bachelor’s in psychology and involves working directly with patients in hospitals or psychiatric facilities.
3. Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology: Even with just a bachelor’s degree, you can find roles like human resources specialist, case manager, or psychiatric assistant, though these positions may not involve clinical work.
4. Psychiatric Physician Assistant (PA): With a master’s degree as a PA and further certification in psychiatry, you can practice in mental health settings without needing a PhD.
You could consider these alternatives if you want to avoid the lengthy process of earning a Ph.D. but still pursue a meaningful career in psychology.
Best wishes!
Camille Tyree
15
Answers
Temecula, California
Updated
Camille’s Answer
Absolutely! You do not need a PhD to enter the field of psychology. A decent amount of positions only require a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree. For academia, you would need a PhD though.
With a Bachelor's degree, you could get a position as a...
1) Case Manager: where you would work with clients to coordinate care in social services or healthcare settings.
2) Human Resource Specialist: where you could apply knowledge of human behavior to manage employee relations
3) Psychiatric Technician: where you could provide care and support to individuals with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities under the supervision of psychologists or medical professionals
With a Master's degree, you can take it a step further. Some positions you can get with a Master's degree include:
1) Licensed Professional Counselor: where you could provide counseling services for mental health issues in a variety of settings (schools, hospitals, private practices, etc.)
2) Marriage and Family Therapist
In addition...
1) Social Worker: A master of social work is generally required for clinical roles and also opens up opportunities to become a Licensed Clinical Social worker with allows for therapy and mental health services
2) Substance Abuse Counselor: Some entry-level positions such as a drug and alcohol counselor may work with only a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree is typically required for more advanced roles
3) Applied Behavior Analyst: where you could help individuals with behavioral challenges, often dealing with autism and developmental disabilities. ABA therapy roles may be available however these tend to be restricted to entry-level roles. To become Board Certified Behavior Analyst you will need a master's degree.
Hope this helps!
With a Bachelor's degree, you could get a position as a...
1) Case Manager: where you would work with clients to coordinate care in social services or healthcare settings.
2) Human Resource Specialist: where you could apply knowledge of human behavior to manage employee relations
3) Psychiatric Technician: where you could provide care and support to individuals with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities under the supervision of psychologists or medical professionals
With a Master's degree, you can take it a step further. Some positions you can get with a Master's degree include:
1) Licensed Professional Counselor: where you could provide counseling services for mental health issues in a variety of settings (schools, hospitals, private practices, etc.)
2) Marriage and Family Therapist
In addition...
1) Social Worker: A master of social work is generally required for clinical roles and also opens up opportunities to become a Licensed Clinical Social worker with allows for therapy and mental health services
2) Substance Abuse Counselor: Some entry-level positions such as a drug and alcohol counselor may work with only a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree is typically required for more advanced roles
3) Applied Behavior Analyst: where you could help individuals with behavioral challenges, often dealing with autism and developmental disabilities. ABA therapy roles may be available however these tend to be restricted to entry-level roles. To become Board Certified Behavior Analyst you will need a master's degree.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the advice.
Emma
Sha Anyanga
Psychologist
21
Answers
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Sha’s Answer
Yes of course, with just a bachelor's degree in psychology or Masters degree, there are many occupations available for you. Actually PhD level is really necessary when you want to become a consultant or a professor in a particular field.
Thank you for the advice.
Emma
Mary Marrs
Social Work
8
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Mary’s Answer
Hey Emma
It's great to see that you are looking ahead for your career path.
Okay, let's see if I can help you.
Yes, you can get into a psychology career without a PhD, but it depends on what career "job title" you are seeking. If you want to be a psychologist or a psychiatrist, then you probably do need a PhD; however, if you want to work in counseling, therapy, mentorship, social work, etc, then you do not need a PhD. I would suggest you spend some time in a career counseling office or on the internet and seek the education requirements for various jobs in the realm of psychology. This will give you a very wide variety of options in both scope, audience, and work environment that play a part in decision making.
I hope this helps and that you find the path that makes you happy and gratified in your choices to help others.
Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.
It's great to see that you are looking ahead for your career path.
Okay, let's see if I can help you.
Yes, you can get into a psychology career without a PhD, but it depends on what career "job title" you are seeking. If you want to be a psychologist or a psychiatrist, then you probably do need a PhD; however, if you want to work in counseling, therapy, mentorship, social work, etc, then you do not need a PhD. I would suggest you spend some time in a career counseling office or on the internet and seek the education requirements for various jobs in the realm of psychology. This will give you a very wide variety of options in both scope, audience, and work environment that play a part in decision making.
I hope this helps and that you find the path that makes you happy and gratified in your choices to help others.
Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.
Thank you so much!
Emma
Ava O’Hara
School psychologist
9
Answers
Buffalo, New York
Updated
Ava’s Answer
100%!!! School psychology is a GROWING field. It requires a 3 year masters degree. I highly recommend you look into this further. It’s truly an amazing career path with substantial benefits.
Ava, thank you!
Emma