Do you find yourself sitting down with friends and picking their brains, analyzing their behaviors, and helping them sort through their not-so-conscious problems?Your intellectual engines may be revved by the brains of children, the elderly, couples, or entire corporations.You may want to become a psychologist.
Step 1: Good grades can be obtained in high school.
It has more to do with how to become successful in life than it does with becoming a psychologist.If you want to be good at your job, you need to work hard and attend a good university.You need good grades in high school to get into a good university.Is it possible to see the logic?Take psychology courses from your school.AP Psych is also included.It's better to feel out this topic earlier.Sociology and other courses will not hurt.
Step 2: Start volunteering or working.
Chances are your interests will change as you get older.The best time to start is now if you have a good idea of where you want to go.Wherever you see yourself working, try to gain experience working with them.You can volunteer at your local hospital, women's shelter, or business that has a large team.The more people you know, the easier it will be to apply to colleges.
Step 3: You can talk to your guidance counsellor.
He can tell you about the different routes you can take to get there.The counsellor can help you figure out what you want the job to look like.They will be able to give you information on prospective study programs.They can tell you which schools have the best psychology programs.When the time comes, they'll start you on scholarships and financial aid.
Step 4: You should learn as much as you can about psychology.
There are many sub-specialties to consider.When people say "I want to be a psychologist", they're thinking of clinical psychology, where you sit down with one or two people and hack away at the subconscious.Organizational and industrial psychology is the study of human psychology in industrial work environments and large organizations.Human psychology is studied in hospitals and mental health facilities.The study of internal thought processes is called cognitive psychology.The study of the brain and larger nervous system is called neuroscience.
Step 5: There are different degree programs to research.
The easiest way to get a bachelor's degree in psychology is to attend a decent college.Check to see that they offer the branch you're interested in and what kind of work they require toward the end -- some may offer programs that are more akin to grad programs, while others may be a little less intensive.It is possible to get into a Master's program at your school.Being certain of what you're getting into is required.A master's degree in psychology will allow you to tackle education for 4 years at a time, with a couple more years tacked on.
Step 6: You should attend a four-year university.
You need a bachelor's degree to work as a psychologist.You don't have to major in psychology in order to get a degree related to the field.Human development is one of the relevant alternatives.The path from infancy to adulthood is studied.Sociology.The human subject behaves in social groups.There is an aliment/physiology.If you're interested in cognitive psychology and how the brain functions, this is the degree for you.There is chemistry.This kind of study focuses on the science behind human behavior, which is more appropriate for cognitive psychology than clinical psychology.
Step 7: You can get involved in research.
College psychology departments do their own psychological research.As assistant researchers, students participate as research subjects.Being accepted into a graduate program requires research experience.For your junior or senior year in college, this step is more important.In your courses, it will be common for your teacher to announce that they are looking for a research assistant.You can apply with Professor Zimbardo during her office hours if you have a 3.5 or higher.When the time changes, jump on it.You will need it later.
Step 8: Find a focus, minor, or double major.
If you started out your freshman year with a major in psychology, you may be able to dedicate more time to your studies.It makes sense.You can start thinking about the rest of your career with a focus or minor.A minor in gender studies can lead to a research project on women and make the application process for graduate school much easier.A double major is a great idea if it's more practical than psychology.The cruelties of the liberal arts world are many and you may find that having a second major in business or marketing will better serve your wallet in the future.
Step 9: Work on a project.
You can get a degree in psychology without doing any research.Do so if you can avoid it.You don't have to spit out tomes of experimental glory, but do try to impress a professor or two that will let you punch some numbers.That's what summers are for.Stay on campus when there is nothing to do.Show your professors how eager you are and see what they come up with.They'll love seeing a new kid excited about psychology.
Step 10: This isn't the end.
The school you're paying $30,000 a year to attend won't tell you that a BA in psychology is code for skimming the foam off picky latte drinkers' orders.Starbucks has a pretty good package, but it's probably not what you wanted.You go to graduate school!To be a legit psychologist like the one in your head, you need a PhD.A PhD will open the doors down the entire hallway, even if a master's opens a few doors.A master's may allow you to use the word "psychological assistant", while a PhD will let you use "group psychologist".
Step 11: Consider medical school.
A lot of people don't know the differences between psychiatrists and psychologists.A psychologist cannot give medication because they don't attend medical school.If you want to be a doctor, you'll need to train.You will need to take the MCAT if you want to go this route.Going to med school is not the same as going to graduate school.Which one speaks to you?
Step 12: Take the test.
To attend graduate school, you need to take the GRE.The best time to take it is in the fall.The better you do, the better schools you'll be accepted into.You should start studying months before the test.You may be able to determine between an MA and a PhD with your GRE scores.Try again if you don't get stellar GRE scores.A good score is what most PhD programs are looking for.For up to 5 years, your GRE scores are good.If you don't know what life will bring you next year, you can still apply to schools in the future.
Step 13: Determine what kind of work you want to do.
There are four types of programs at the graduate level: I/O, Clinical, Counselling, and Experimental.Knowing which type you want to focus on and pursue will determine what college you go to and the path you take.I/O stands for industrial.In the end, you'll work for a business and focus on HR-like activities, as this involves working with corporations or organizations.Clinical is what most people think of when they hear a Psychiatrist.Your therapist studied clinical psychology.You will most likely end up working in a school or government setting if you choose to study counseling.If you want a private practice, this is not the way to go.Experimental psychology focuses on experiments.It concentrates on applying theories and methods, working out kinks and discovering new ideas.
Step 14: Determine what you want to do.
Even after you've chosen a branch, you need to zero in on a focus within that branch.After graduation, where and how you will work as a psychologist will be determined by one sub-category.There are many options for psychology, including rehabilitation, educational, environmental, psychology and the law, trauma, forensic, criminal, and cross-cultural psychology.You would be here all day if we listed them all.If your undergrad program exposed you to a lot of them, which one fascinated you the most?
Step 15: Do you want a Master's, a PhD, or a PsyD?
A Master's may result in a smaller paycheck and fewer job possibilities because it takes less time and money.If you decide to pursue further education in the future, it will be difficult to jump schools from a Master's to a PhD.Master's programs take two to three years to complete, with the last year being an internship where you accumulate hours in the field.A Master's program will prepare you to work as a marriage and family counsellor, an industrial psychologist, or a school psychologist.Depending on how you do it, a PhD program can take six to seven years.You can get a PhD if you want to work as a psychologist in a hospital, clinic, or some other kind of institutional setting.The PsyD program is less common and takes 5 years to complete.Many PhD programs provide financial support to students who do work for the university as teaching assistants and research assistants.Master's programs don't usually provide this kind of financial support.Let your interests decide.The PhD route is the best way to start a private practice.You should get your Master's if you want to be a school psychologist.
Step 16: Find a good school.
There are a lot of options when it comes to your future as a psychologist.Every school has its strengths and weaknesses.If you want to work as an Industrial psychologist with an emphasis on cross-cultural work environments and diversity, make sure your school has a good program on that.A good clinical school and a good experimental school will be the focus of most schools.It's important to make sure this matches with your ambitions.It's important that your school matches your philosophy.If you're a big fan of Psychoanalysis, you may not want to attend a school that's Humanistic.What is the school of thought that you fall into?
Step 17: There are grants and scholarships for research.
When all is said and done, going to graduate school will cost you a lot.Grants and scholarships can be found before you start looking at loans.The more money you make, the less you have to pay.If your school gives you some type of reduced tuition assistance, you might be able to work at an associated hospital or other organization.This will make it difficult to keep up with another job while studying.It's a good idea to have your financial ducks in a row.
Step 18: Become a member of your school's psychology club.
It'll be helpful to have someone to talk to while you're studying.You will get a lot of resources from the Psi Chi club.After graduating, this may help you land a job.The more people you know, the better.The Psi Chi club is in good standing with a few professors and right now is your bread and butter.
Step 19: Get an internship.
It is likely that your school will help you out with this, as it may be required for graduation.Before you go on the job yourself, full-time, supervised training is the best experience you can get.This will be the last year of your studies.You will be doing it full-time and getting paid, as well as getting tuition free.You're close to it!This is the end of the line for PsyD candidates.
Step 20: You have to complete your thesis.
If your program requires it, completing your PhD is the last step to becoming a full-fledged Psychiatrist.Depending on your program, this can be done before, during, or after your internship.If you have yet to do your thesis, you are called ABD -- "all but thesis."It's a common thing if there is an acronym for it.
Step 21: Think about more education.
After graduating with a PhD, there is still more to learn.A one-year post-doctoral appointment at a university can help you land a prestigious job.Many grads don't go this route.If you want to become world-famous, it's there.Some graduates don't need a post-doc.It can count as credit for your licensure if you do one.If you know your state requirements, you can structure it around them.
Step 22: Start under supervision.
You need a year or two of supervised practice to get a license in many states.Under the guidance of a seasoned pro, you'll be doing work at a hospital or university.Many states require a lot of work to be licensed.The past few years have set you up for this moment.If you're familiar with an organization that has a role you can fill, use one of the many professors you have worked with to get your foot in the door somewhere!
Step 23: Get a license.
You thought the paperwork was done after graduate school.Nope!You will need to take the EPPP, create a dossier of your work, and nail down all your supervised work hours.You have to research the requirements in your state.California only requires 3,000 hours while Michigan requires 6,000.When it comes to getting a license, you're probably looking at a fee of $1,000 or more.You will be covering exam fees and buying study books.Some states have an oral test and others only have a jurisprudence exam.The American Psychological Association has more information on how to get a license.
Step 24: You can work on your own.
It's time to work on your own now that you have all the credentials.Thank you.You can work wherever you please.There is only one limit to where you're willing to commute.Once they've established a niche in their chosen community, psychologists open their own private practice.You will become self-employed.Start networking if this is a dream of yours.
Step 25: Become a member of the American Psychological Association.
You can attend national and regional conferences and have access to online resources.It's better than being a gold member at Starbucks.The APA has over 15,000 psychologists.They're all learning from each other.You know who to ask if you need a job.
Step 26: You should be willing to relocate.
The best way to get a job once you have a degree is to move to the area where the jobs are.In today's economy, the best job may not be where you are.If you're willing to move, it will be beneficial.Make sure your license is valid in the state you're moving to.You don't want to take the EPPP again.The amount psychologists are paid varies a lot.If you live in a small town full of blue collar workers, you won't be able to charge as much as you would if you lived in an upper-class suburb.A large factor in your income may be where you set yourself up.
Step 27: Stay up to date.
Once you're a verified psychologist, you need to keep practicing and attend seminars to satisfy the powers that be and keep your license.Make sure you understand the laws in your state.Staying on the cutting edge of the field is important.You don't want to tell everyone that the hypotheses have changed recently.You should keep reading, attend lectures, and educate yourself.