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Learn How to Become a PsychologistHave you got what it takes to become a psychologist? Find out here. In This Guide Intro Americans suffer from many different kinds of depression, substance abuse, and other anxieties, phobias and mental health issues. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 25 percent of all U.S. adults have a mental illness in any given year, and 50 percent of us will develop one during our lifetime. Psychologists play a big role in helping people deal with these widespread problems. Psychologists are non-medical doctors (as in PhD) who specialize in the study of the mind and human behavior. They help people overcome fears and anxiety, relate better to friends, family and colleagues, and generally lead better lives. The field of psychology is vast, and once you finish your education and become a psychologist, your actual job duties will depend on your chosen specialty, theoretical orientation and the populations you choose to serve. Psychologists practice in different ways. They do counseling or research, offer psychotherapy, conduct personality tests, and teach in colleges and universities. Clinical psychologists help people overcome problems that keep them from leading happy, more fulfilling lives, and improve the mental well being of their clients. They may also practice forensic psychology and testify in court, help choose jurors, or determine competency to stand trial. The focus you choose is up to you. Back to top What Are the Steps to Becoming a Psychologist?To protect the public and make sure psychologists are highly trained professionals, all states require that you get a license to practice. Below are the steps for becoming a psychologist:
Back to top There are accredited psychology schools at the bachelor’s, masters and doctoral level in every state, and the one you choose depends on a lot of factors. You may also choose a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program because of its faculty (psychology professors you want to study with and who can help you when you decide to do your master’s work or doctoral dissertation), or because of other considerations such as tuition and location. There are also online psychology schools that can help you get the education you need. The school you choose is up to you, and it’ll depend on your needs, career goals, and many other factors. Back to top Differences Between PhD, PsyD, EdS, and EdD Degrees
Back to top Psychologist vs. PsychiatristPsychologists and psychiatrists are doctoral-level clinicians, but psychiatrists are medical doctors and only they can prescribe medications. These medications help their clients deal with depression and PTSD, overcome substance abuse, and more. Commonly, patients will see psychiatrists to
discuss how their medications are affecting them (and adjust dosage or change medications, if needed), while also attending therapy sessions with a counselor, therapist or psychologist. If you choose to become a psychologist, you’ll spend your entire graduate education learning about mental health (typically 5-to-7 years), followed by a
supervised internship. By point of comparison, most licensed therapists and counselors have a master’s degree, which requires 2-to-3 years of postgraduate work. Back to top The Benefits of a Psychology DegreeThere are many good reasons to get a psychology degree. First of all, it’s required to practice psychology. It’s also one of the most popular undergraduate degrees in the country. Not everyone who studies psychology ends up working as a psychologist, but a psychology degree can open up many doors and pave the way for any number of careers in companies and organizations across the U.S. However, the main benefit of a psychology degree is that it will allow you to either do the kind of research you’re interested in or directly help people lead happier, more satisfying lives. In your practice, you’ll learn new things every day, challenge your beliefs, and get to exercise your problem-solving skills to help others. What could be more rewarding than that? Back to top How to Start Your Career in PsychologyTo start a psychology career, you’ll need to get at least a master’s degree (for school psychology) or a doctorate to practice in other specialties. To get licensed to practice psychology, you’ll need to earn the required degree, pass a state and/or national exam, and fulfill other licensing requirements. But your practice of psychology really starts during your supervised internship. Internship requirements vary, but it generally takes two years to complete your supervised practice (about 3,500 hours), at least one year of which is done after receiving your doctorate. Working under a mentor takes some of the pressure off, and he or she can advise you when you have questions or work with hard-to-treat clients. Once you’ve successfully finished your internship, you can apply for a license, and begin practicing on your own. Back to top Different Types of Therapists and Counselors
Back to top Where Do Psychologists Work?Once you’ve finished your psychology degree and done your internship, you’ll need to think about where you want to work. Psychologists work in many different environments, including the following:
Approximately two-thirds of all psychologists are self-employed and maintain a private practice. Back to top Psychologist SalariesPsychologists make a good salary for the work they do. But just how much can you make as a psychologist? This really depends on where you work (including in which city and industry) and the kind of psychology work you do. Below are median salaries for three top psychology specialties. Back to top Psychology: The Future Is Up to YouSo if you already know that you want to become a psychologist, take the next step. Research schools, find out which one is best for you, and apply for financial aid to make your education more affordable. Then, learn about human behavior and help people act in ways that make them happier and more productive members of society. We sure need more qualified people doing valuable work like this, don’t you think? Back to top Sources: www.cdc.gov/mentalhealthsurveillance/fact_sheet.html, Can I become a psychologist without bachelors?You might wonder, if you could become a psychologist right after graduation from your bachelor's course, the simple answer is no. You have to do your post-graduation in the field of psychology to become a psychologist.
What is the easiest degree to get in psychology?Two-year degrees in psychology offered by community colleges and junior colleges are the easiest psychology programs you will find. Available on campus and online, associate's degrees in psychology typically require around 60 credits of college coursework.
What is the lowest psychology degree?Most entry-level psychology professions require a bachelor's degree at the very minimum. An associate degree is commonly used as a stepping stone toward earning a bachelor's and is a great way to gain a solid background in psychology before moving on to more advanced studies.
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