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A bachelor’s degree in psychology is the minimum education requirement to become a psychologist.
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Educational requirements
To become a psychologist you will need at minimum an undergraduate degree in psychology, but most psychologists have a graduate degree. Educational requirements to become a psychologist can vary by state. Some states require licensure, while others do not.
4-year undergraduate degree
In order to become a psychologist, you will need to complete a 4-year undergraduate degree in psychology. This will give you the basic foundation that you need in order to move on to graduate-level training. Once you have completed your undergraduate degree, you will then need to complete a 2-year master’s degree in psychology.
Graduate school
Most psychologists need a doctorate in psychology, an internship, and at least 1 to 2 years of professional experience to be licensed.
A doctorate degree in psychology is the highest degree you can earn in this field and requires about 5 to 7 years of graduate school. During this time you take advanced courses in psychological theory and research methods as well as complete a 1-year internship.
The next step is to get licensed as a psychologist which requires completing an exam and submitting transcripts and other professional credentials for review.
Areas of specialty
There are many types of psychologists, and each type requires a different type and amount of education. Some psychologists require a master’s degree while others may need a doctorate. Some psychologists may specialize in a certain area, such as counseling, developmental, forensic, industrial-organizational, sports, or school psychology.
Child psychology
A child psychologist studies the behavior, emotions, and thoughts of children from infancy through adolescence. They work with children who have developmental disabilities, autism, eating disorders, ADHD, and other psychological disorders. Child psychologists often work in schools, hospitals, private practices, or government agencies.
Most child psychologists need a doctorate in psychology and a license to practice. Child psychologists who work in schools typically need a state certification in addition to their license. Some states allow psychologists with a master’s degree to work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
School psychology
School psychology is a field that applies psychological theories and principles to education. School psychologists work with children in preschool, elementary, middle, and high school to help them overcome academic, social, and emotional difficulties.
Some school psychologists work directly with students to help them overcome learning disabilities, emotional problems, and behavioral issues. Other school psychologists work with teachers and administrators to create programs that will improve the learning environment for all students.
Many school psychologists have a master’s degree in psychology or a related field such as education or counseling. Some school psychologists also have a doctorate in psychology. In order to become a licensed psychologist, you will need to complete an internship and pass a state licensing exam.
Counseling psychology
Counseling psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on providing therapeutic treatment to individuals who are experiencing psychological distress. This type of psychologist typically works with clients who are dealing with issues such as relationship problems, grief, or substance abuse. Counseling psychologists often work in private practice, but they may also work in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings.
Industrial-organizational psychology
Industrial-organizational psychology, also known as I/O psychology, is the scientific study of the workplace. Rigorous research on organizational behavior and human resources has resulted in evidence-based practices that organizations can use to improve employee productivity and well-being.
I/O psychologists work in a variety of settings, including corporations, consulting firms, government agencies, and educational institutions. They may serve as organizational consultants, human resources managers, training and development specialists, or researchers.
I/O psychologists typically have a master’s or doctoral degree in industrial-organizational psychology or a closely related field such as organizational behavior, human resource management, or business administration.
Required licensure
To become a psychologist you need at minimum a master’s degree in psychology, which takes about two to four years to complete after you finish your undergraduate degree. You must also complete an internship and an extensive amount of supervised professional experience before you can be licensed.
State licensure
All states require psychologists to be licensed to practice. The following sections provide an overview of the licensure process in each state, including educational requirements, exams, andwork experience.
Most states require a doctorate in psychology, an internship, and a professional exam. However, the specific licensure requirements vary from state to state.
A few states have moved towards what is called “portable credentials” or “license by reciprocity.” This means that if a psychologist is licensed in one state, he or she can more easily get licensed in another state. Some states also offer “provisional licenses” for psychologists who are still completing their postdoctoral work experience requirements.
To find out the specific licensure requirements in your state, contact your state licensing board. The American Psychological Association (APA) also offers an online database of licensure requirements by state.
National licensure
A psychologist practicing in the United States must have a license in order to do so. The type of license that a psychologist needs is determined by the state in which he or she intends to practice. In order to become licensed, a psychologist must have a doctorate in psychology, complete an internship, and pass a licensing exam.
