What Degree Do You Need to Be a Psychologist? [2024 Guide]

If you dream of becoming a professional psychologist, you may be asking, “What degree do you need to be a psychologist?”

A psychologist is a professional who specializes in thought processes, human behavior, and mental health. Whether you want to provide therapy to patients, conduct research, or advise organizations on best practices, psychology studies may be a good fit for you.

Once you learn about the psychologist degree requirements, you can make a plan to complete them and enter into the workforce of this interesting field.

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Psychologist?

In most states and for most specialties, working as a psychologist requires holding a doctoral degree. You’ll start by earning your undergraduate degree. You have options for what to study, but a bachelor’s in psychology is often fitting. Other possibilities include sociology or counseling.

After that, it’s useful to earn a master’s degree in psychology. There are doctoral programs that accept students straight out of bachelor’s degree programs, but a master’s can help prepare you for doctoral rigor. Plus, you may get to take fewer doctoral classes. At the doctoral level, you have a choice to make.

You can pursue a PhD in Psychology, which is best for research and teaching roles. The alternative is a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), which is recommended for those who plan to become in-the-field practitioners, such as a clinical psychologist. After your doctorate, you’re required to earn supervised experience and take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) to qualify for licensure.

The American Psychological Association (APA) advises that the requirements for school psychologists are often different than for other psychology specialties. For instance, some states license professionals with a master’s degree or an Educational Specialist (EdS) in School Psychology degree.

How to Become a Psychologist

There are multiple steps to becoming a psychologist. It’s necessary to complete the required schooling and also fulfill your state’s licensure requirements. Here are common steps in the process:

1. Graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
2. Complete a master’s degree.
3. Earn a doctoral degree.
4. Fulfill your state’s requirements for supervised work experience.
5. Pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

If you want to become certified in a particular area of psychology, then you may have additional steps to complete.

Psychologist Education Requirements

Many aspiring psychologists wonder, “What degrees do you need to be a psychologist?” You’ll need both undergraduate and graduate degrees for this profession.

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in psychology or a related field. Advanced psychology programs accept students with a variety of different educational backgrounds, but choosing a psych major could especially help prepare you for grad studies in the field. Other popular options include social work and education.
• Master’s degree in psychology (optional). Many who earn a bachelor degree in psychology online or on-campus choose to earn a master’s in counseling, psychology, or a similar field. It’s generally considered optional to get a master’s degree along the path to becoming a psychologist, but it can be beneficial. You can learn advanced research, writing, and critical thinking skills, and you may be able to fast-track your doctoral studies.
• PhD in Psychology or PsyD. For your doctoral degree program, you can choose between a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Within a PhD or PsyD program, you may be able to select a specialty, such as Health Psychology or Educational Psychology.

The PhD is typically thought of as an academic and research degree. For it, you’ll take courses like Methods of Survey Research and Qualitative Analysis.

You may complete a teaching or research practicum, and you will probably write a dissertation as well. A PsyD is a professional doctorate that’s suitable for those who intend to be practitioners. People who earn this degree most often go on to become clinical psychologists who work with patients.

Common PsyD courses include Advanced Psychological Assessment and Psychopharmacology. There may be a dissertation or a different type of final project. Also, you may complete a clinical practicum.

Psychologist Licensing Requirements

Before you can start practicing as an independent psychologist, it’s necessary to fulfill your state’s licensing requirements. Education is only one piece of that puzzle. Here are common criteria:

• Doctoral degree
• Supervised work experience
• Passing score on the EPPP

The number of supervised work hours you must accumulate varies among states, but the American Psychological Association says that it’s common for states to require thousands of hours. You may gain some of those through an internship during your schooling, and you could get others through a postdoctoral placement.

It’s necessary to sit for—and pass—the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Some states require additional testing as well.

Specializations and Advanced Training

During your psychologist schooling, you will have opportunities to choose a specialty area for your education and practice. Here are a few examples:

• Counseling Psychology. Counseling psychologists offer assessments, treatment plans, and support for patients. For this job, you might consider a degree in clinical or counseling psychology.
• Forensic Psychology. Specialists in forensic psychology often work in the legal and criminal justice systems. Board certification is available from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) after written and oral exams.
• Health Psychology. The focus of health psychology is on using psychological principles to study and improve health. The American Board of Clinical Health Psychology (ABCHP) offers a certification that can be earned after a specialized field experience.
• Rehabilitation Psychology. Professionals who specialize in rehabilitation psychology help people recover from injuries or overcome limitations. An internship in a healthcare setting is important for obtaining certification in this area.

There are many other psychology specializations that you could consider as well.

Psychology Careers & Salaries

Psychologists work in many different areas. Often, their job title has the word “psychologist” in it. For example, there are clinical psychologists who assess patients and develop treatment plans, often in private practice settings.

There are also school psychologists who work in K-12 schools to help students achieve social and academic success. Other types include industrial-organizational, health, forensic, and sports psychologists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologists make a median annual salary of $85,330, and jobs in the field are projected to grow at a 6% rate over the next ten years.

Your suitability for various roles will depend on your area of expertise. Also, additional roles may be available to professionals with psychology degrees in various specialties. Some psychologists work for a specific organization, such as a hospital, a rehab facility, a private company, or a counseling practice. Others are consultants who advise organizations.

Psychologists may be academic researchers, survey researchers, or professors. They can also write for psychology journals or lead organizations that help people.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

It often takes between 8 and 12 years to get the necessary education for working as a psychologist. After that, you will likely spend another one to two years working in a supervised setting before you can become licensed.

The specifics of how long this process can take will vary depending on what state you live in, what psychology specialties you choose, and what degree types you select. Some branches of psychology don’t require as much education. For example, you may finish all the schooling for working as a school psychologist or an industrial-organizational psychologist within 6 years.

Is a Psychologist a Doctor?

You may notice that psychologists use the title “Doctor.” After you earn your doctoral degree in this field, you can add that title to your name too. Keep in mind, though, that this title is a sign of educational achievement. It doesn’t denote that a psychologist is a medical practitioner.

What does a psychologist do? Psychologists often diagnose and treat mental health conditions, but they don’t deal with physical ailments or perform surgeries. In most cases, they can’t prescribe medication either. A medical doctor who specializes in mental health is a psychiatrist.

Following this understanding, one might wonder if psychology is a good major for med school. Indeed, a psychology pre med track offers a solid foundation in understanding mental processes, complementing the medical training needed to become a psychiatrist or other medical professional focused on holistic patient care.

What’s the Difference Between a Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist?

Some medical doctors focus their training and career on the area of mental health. They are psychiatrists, which is different from being a psychologist.

Psychiatrists typically earn more money than psychologists.

Becoming a Psychologist

If you want to work as a psychologist, an undergraduate degree in psychology is only the beginning. After that, you’ll earn at least one degree at a more advanced level.

Most psychologists hold doctoral degrees, and they are licensed by their states as well. It can take many years to become a psychologist, but if you’re intrigued by people’s thoughts and actions, then you may thoroughly enjoy your time in school.

Online schooling can be a strategic way for you to complete the educational requirements for becoming a psychologist. Online psychology degree programs from accredited schools are respected, rigorous, and flexible.

You can get started today by exploring available psychology programs.