Other types of psychologists require a lot more preparation. If you want to work in clinical or research psychology, for example, you need a doctoral degree in the subject. Earning a doctorate in psychology typically takes at least four more years and may take up to seven years. Because of the extensive study and preparation required to become a psychologist, only a very small portion of active psychologists were under age 26 in , according to the American Psychological Association.
Of the more than , psychologists surveyed, fewer than 1, were under age 26, compared to nearly 5, in the to year-old age range and more than 17, in the to year-old age range. The typical time it takes to earn these degrees range from one to two years to as long as seven years. However, some of these degrees build on top of each other, so your years of schooling may stack on top of each other.
If you opt not to pursue any further studies, your career opportunities in the field of psychology will be very limited. Psychology degrees are popular at the undergraduate level. Most programs include coursework in physiological psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology and experimental psychology.
Because research matters in psychology, students often take classes in psychological research, experimental psychology, statistics and data analysis. This graduate degree can be enough to land a role as a psychologist in the field of industrial-organizational psychology, the BLS reported.
These degrees include at least 60 credits of graduate study. Some specialist-level degrees are the Education Specialist EdS and the Specialist in Psychology PsyS , both of which can prepare students to work as school psychologists.
Finally, there are doctoral degrees in psychology, the most common of which are the traditional research-based Doctor of Philosophy PhD and the professional practice-based Doctor of Psychology PsyD degree. A doctoral degree in psychology is an intense endeavor that includes a great deal of research or practical experience hours.
Doctoral degree programs in psychology require at least four years of study and research or fieldwork, and they can take as long as seven years to complete. Earning a PhD tends to take slightly longer than a PsyD, Psychology Today reported, typically taking five to seven years compared to four to six years. Most states require psychologists in counseling and clinical practice to complete an internship, typically as part of their doctoral degree, and a year or two of supervised experience, according to the BLS.
Licensure requirements vary, but all states require that psychologists complete doctoral-level work in order to obtain a license for practice. The PsyD is a professional degree and focuses more on practice and clinical work. The PhD places more emphasis on experimental methods and research. For both PsyD and PhD degrees, employment settings to explore include schools and colleges, health care systems, government, and social service agencies. To be granted a license to practice psychology, most prospective psychologists must have pre-or post-doctoral supervised experience typically years of professional experience.
The specific requirements, including the number of clinical hours varies by state. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. This work is the final step in a long journey that can lead to a career as a licensed psychologist working with diverse populations in a variety of work settings.
In addition, the Society of Clinical Psychology has subdivisions in the following areas:. While introductory coursework in psychology and statistical methods may be a prerequisite for admission to a psychology graduate program, an undergraduate degree in psychology is not a universal admissions requirement for graduate programs in psychology.
The PsyD is a professional practice-based degree similar in structure to a Doctor of Medicine MD degree, while PhD programs are typically more research oriented. PsyD programs may take less time to complete than PhD programs — years vs. There are PhD and PsyD programs in clinical psychology that are accredited by the APA and that prepare students to qualify for licensure in clinical psychology. Graduates from doctoral programs with sufficient training in clinical psychology must meet two additional qualifications prior to licensure.
In most states, they must complete a certain number of postdoctoral clinical hours, as mandated by the state in which they intend to apply for licensure. These requirements vary by state, and the APA has been urging states to count clinical hours completed as part of a doctoral program toward the total number of hours required for licensure. However, many states still require clinical psychologists to engage in a significant number of postdoctoral clinical hours prior to licensure, which can add an additional year or two to the time it takes to become a licensed clinical psychologist.
The final step in the licensure process for clinical psychologists involves sitting for and passing the EPPP and a jurisprudence exam in the states that require it.
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