How hard is it to become a psychologist?

Answer 1

Psychology has a lot of fronts, including Clinical psychiatry, sociology, etc.
Depending on the specialization, it will take many years of college.

Answer (for UK)

You will need a psychology degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) leading to the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR). To get on to a degree you will usually need five GCSEs (A-C), plus three A levels (check with course providers for exact entry requirements).

If you already have a degree in a subject other than psychology, you can achieve GBR by completing a BPS-approved conversion course, or by sitting the BPS Qualifying Exam.

To become a Chartered Psychologist you must follow your BPS accredited course/exam with:

• (clinical psychology) a three-year, full-time, NHS funded Doctorate in Clinical Psychology; also see the Clinical Psychologist profile

• (educational psychology) a three-year Doctorate in Educational Psychology plus one year of supervised practice - in England, Northern Ireland and Wales

• (occupational psychology) the BPS Qualification in Occupational Psychology, which usually consists of an accredited MSc in Occupational Psychology plus two years' supervised practice and logbook

• (forensic psychology) a BPS Diploma in Forensic Psychology, which usually combines an MSc in Forensic Psychology plus two years' supervised practical experience

• (health psychology) an MSc in Health Psychology and two years' supervised experience

• (counselling psychology) the BPS Qualification in Counselling Psychology or a BPS accredited doctorate in counselling psychology

• (sport and exercise psychology) an accredited MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology plus two years' supervised work experience, or a minimum of five years' supervised experience; see separate profile

• (neuropsychology) training in either clinical or educational psychology, plus two years' supervised practice and an accredited course in neuropsychology.

Competition for postgraduate training is strong. Entry requirements will often include a first or upper second class honours degree, evidence of your research skills, plus relevant work experience.

Check with the BPS for full details about the routes to qualifying in the different branches of psychology.

Once you are qualified you may have the opportunity to specialise further within your branch of psychology, or pursue a research project leading to a PhD qualification (this would be helpful if you wanted to go into teaching or research as a career).

Throughout your career you will be expected to take part in continuing professional development (CPD) activities in order to keep your knowledge and skills up to date.

Answer 2

The following is written by and according to the U.S. Department of Labor and particular to the education and training required for a psychologist.

A master's or doctoral degree, and a license, are required for most psychologists. Education and training. A doctoral degree usually is required for independent practice as a psychologist. Psychologists with a Ph.D. or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) qualify for a wide range of teaching, research, clinical, and counseling positions in universities, health care services, elementary and secondary schools, private industry, and government. Psychologists with a doctoral degree often work in clinical positions or in private practices, but they also sometimes teach, conduct research, or carry out administrative responsibilities. A doctoral degree generally requires 5 to 7 years of graduate study, culminating in a dissertation based on original research. Courses in quantitative research methods, which include the use of computer-based analysis, are an integral part of graduate study and are necessary to complete the dissertation. The Psy.D. degree may be based on practical work and examinations rather than a dissertation. In clinical, counseling, and school psychology, the requirements for the doctoral degree include at least a 1-year internship. A specialist degree or its equivalent is required in most States for an individual to work as a school psychologist, although a few States still credential school psychologists with master's degrees. A specialist (Ed.S.) degree in school psychology requires a minimum of 3 years of full-time graduate study (at least 60 graduate semester hours) and a 1-year full-time internship. Because their professional practice addresses educational and mental health components of students' development, school psychologists' training includes coursework in both education and psychology. People with a master's degree in psychology may work as industrial-organizational psychologists. They also may work as psychological assistants under the supervision of doctoral-level psychologists and may conduct research or psychological evaluations. A master's degree in psychology requires at least 2 years of full-time graduate study. Requirements usually include practical experience in an applied setting and a master's thesis based on an original research project. Competition for admission to graduate psychology programs is keen. Some universities require applicants to have an undergraduate major in psychology. Others prefer only coursework in basic psychology with additional courses in the biological, physical, and Social Sciences and in statistics and mathematics. A bachelor's degree in psychology qualifies a person to assist psychologists and other professionals in community mental health centers, vocational rehabilitation offices, and correctional programs. Bachelor's degree holders may also work as research or administrative assistants for psychologists. Some work as technicians in related fields, such as marketing research. Many find employment in other areas, such as sales, service, or business management. In the Federal Government, candidates having at least 24 semester hours in psychology and one course in statistics qualify for entry-level positions. However, competition for these jobs is keen because this is one of the few ways in which one can work as a psychologist without an advanced degree. The American Psychological Association (APA) presently accredits doctoral training programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, as well as institutions that provide internships for doctoral students in school, clinical, and counseling psychology. The National Association of School Psychologists, with the assistance of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, helps to approve advanced degree programs in school psychology. Licensure. Psychologists in independent practice or those who offer any type of patient care-including clinical, counseling, and school psychologists-must meet certification or licensing requirements in all States and the District of Columbia. Licensing laws vary by State and by type of position and require licensed or certified psychologists to limit their practice to areas in which they have developed professional competence through training and experience. Clinical and counseling psychologists usually need a doctorate in psychology, an approved internship, and 1 to 2 years of professional experience. In addition, all States require that applicants pass an examination. Most State licensing boards administer a standardized test, and many supplement that with additional oral or essay questions. Some States require continuing education for renewal of the license. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) awards the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) designation, which recognizes professional competency in school psychology at a national, rather than State, level. Currently, 29 States recognize the NCSP and allow those with the certification to transfer credentials from one State to another without taking a new certification exam. In States that recognize the NCSP, the requirements for certification or licensure and those for the NCSP often are the same or similar. Requirements for the NCSP include the completion of 60 graduate semester hours in school psychology; a 1,200-hour internship, 600 hours of which must be completed in a school setting; and a passing score on the National School Psychology Examination. Other qualifications. Aspiring psychologists who are interested in direct patient care must be emotionally stable, mature, and able to deal effectively with people. Sensitivity, compassion, good communication skills, and the ability to lead and inspire others are particularly important qualities for people wishing to do clinical work and counseling. Research psychologists should be able to do detailed work both independently and as part of a team. Patience and perseverance are vital qualities, because achieving results in the psychological treatment of patients or in research may take a long time. Certification and advancement.The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) recognizes professional achievement by awarding specialty certification in 13 different areas. Candidates for ABPP certification need a doctorate in psychology, postdoctoral training in their specialty, several years of experience, professional endorsements, and are required to pass the specialty board examination. Psychologists can improve their advancement opportunities by earning an advanced degree and by participation in continuing education. Many psychologists opt to start their own practice after gaining experience working in the field. For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated directly below this answer section.