How to Become a Psychologist - What You Need to Get Your Degree

Psychology is one of the most popular professional degrees out there today. People from all over the world are interested in learning about mental health and well-being. Becoming a certified psychologist is truly a noble profession, with lots of rewards and benefits. It does require a great deal of effort and hard work but, in the end, offers the satisfaction of assisting people in leading happier and more fulfilled lives.

In addition to the general benefits of becoming a psychologist, however, there are specific benefits to being a licensed psychologist. For example, psychologists generally need to have an advanced degree in psychology. This degree typically takes four years to obtain, although some fields such as clinical psychology take shorter to complete. Generally speaking, however, the longer the degree, the higher your pay and the more prestige you will have within the psychological field.

Different degrees require different amounts of time to pursue, and the length of your undergraduate education may have little impact on your potential earnings in the field. In addition, to acquire a master's degree in psychology, a student must also complete a year of pre-medical study, typically an accredited medical school. The majority of psychology master's programs take about five years to complete. In general, a master's degree is required for positions in clinical, counseling, school, and research settings. However, many psychology positions can be filled by taking additional courses at an individual's own discretion.

Like all other professionals, school psychologists must meet certain professional standards. They must hold a degree from an accredited school for starters, and they must be licensed through the state board of Psychology. They can only work in state-approved mental health facilities, so some states require them to get a special certification. And because school psychologists are typically students who have already completed their bachelor's degrees, the state board will usually have cleared them to take the licensing exam.

After getting their degree and becoming a practicing psychologist, school psychologists should take about two years off to pursue advanced degrees. The first step is to earn a graduate degree. Most graduate schools require students to first take a year of general studies to develop both their quantitative and qualitative skills.

After graduating from a graduate program, there will be an exam to get a state license. Several states require potential psychologists to pass this exam before becoming licensed. As with getting a master's degree, some states require proof of background study, usually a Master's degree from an accredited university or college. Some states require psychologists to pass a psychological examination in addition to getting a license.

Then, after working for several years in a laboratory or clinical setting, many psychologists get to move into a position of senior researcher or professor. At this point, a doctorate degree is most likely earned, especially if a career as a psychotherapist was not chosen. A doctoral degree takes longer to earn than a Master's degree, but the rewards in clinical and experimental psychology are tremendous. After completing a doctorate program, which takes four to six years, psychologists may find themselves lucrative jobs in government, private practice, or research.

How to become a clinical or forensic psychologist has changed quite a bit since I entered adulthood. It used to be that you either went to a four-year university or four years in the hospital as a nursing student. More people are choosing the doctorate route because it gives them more opportunities to serve their communities. But if you're thinking about getting a master's degree, think again. For one thing, becoming a clinical or forensic psychologist takes longer than getting a bachelor's degree.