Sunday, 24 April 2011

Your Guide to Becoming a Psychologist


Would you like to delve into the study of human behavior and the mind? Then, psychology may be exactly what you are looking for. If you don't know how to get started, this guide can help you out. Here you can find some great tips on how to become a psychologist.
Psychologists' Job Description
The main duty of psychologists is to help people cure their emotional and mental disorders. Talking therapy is widely used by psychologists to relieve stress. In order to become a psychologist you must have great written and speaking skills. When it comes to serious mental diseases, psychologists are responsible for analyzing lab tests, conducting individual sessions with patients in order to get a complete picture of person's mental health. The ability to establish an effective interaction with patients is an essential ability for becoming a psychologist.
Get a Bachelors Degree in Psychology
The next step to become a psychologist is getting a Bachelor's degree which is considered to be the first step to the profession. A good knowledge and training are extremely important to become a psychologist. As a rule, students start with a Bachelor's degree, and once it's completed they choose either to continue towards a Master's degree or get a job. With a Bachelor's in psychology one can get an assisting job only. Those who want to become a psychologist in an independent practice will have to advance their degree.
Get a Master's Degree in Psychology
If you complete a Master's degree program in psychology be sure to discover a variety of careers available to you. Careers with a Master's degree in psychology pay great salaries and benefits. As you may know so far, salary rates for psychologists largely depend on degree level and work experience a person have. Given that fact, a Master's in psychology have a wider range of job choices as compared to Bachelor's degree holders. Graduates with Master's qualification find jobs in the area of school and industrial-organizational psychology.
Go Ahead in Your Psychology Career
Individuals who want to set up an independent practice must complete a Doctoral Degree program which is 5 to 7 years in duration. This degree program also requires one year of internship. Doctoral degree holders can apply for a license in their state which allows them to practice independently. Keep this information in mind if you want to become a psychologist. Psychologists have also great possibilities to improve their knowledge and enrich their experience by attending seminars and other educational events given by various organizations, like the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).
Get a License
As mentioned above, an individual who is planning to become a psychologist and work independently in a private sector must obtain a license. The main requirements for application are as follows: 
  • Ph.D. or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
  • internship completion
  • minimum of 2 years of practice
  • successful exam passing
You can find all of the details for license application at the official site of the American Psychology Association at http://www.apa.org
Virginia is writing about education and career choices for high-school students. She is interested in psychology, medicine and literature. More information about psychology schools can be found here: Psychology Schools


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