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William
Student
Venango, PA
1
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What is needed to pursue being a clinical psychologist?
What is needed to pursue a degree in clinical psychology? What courses are needed and what should be done before going to graduate school? Is medical school required?
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3 answers
Nancy Hamp
Clinical Counselor
139
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Nancy’s Answer
Hi, William,
A clinical psychologist is a person with a Ph.D. or Psy. D. in clinical psychology who usually sees clients for psychological evaluation and testing and/or psychotherapy and counseling. A psychiatrist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor with a specialty in medical treatment of mental and behavioral disorders, and who usually prescribes medication. So, no, psychologists don’t go to medical school.
To be ready to apply to graduate school in clinical psychology it helps to have had a few psychology classes in your bachelor’s degree program. It helps to take statistics. You do not have to have majored in psychology, however.
William, a doctorate with original research (Ph.D.) is a long program of study and will prepare you to practice or be a professor of psychology. A Psy. D. is advanced coursework without the requirement of showing competence in research. Both degrees will allow you to take state licensure examinations to become a practicing clinical psychologist.
If you are wanting to do psychotherapy for a career there are 3 shorter paths: master’s degrees in clinical social work, clinical counseling, or marriage and family therapy. All require state licenses. The pay is generally less than what psychologists earn, with about 2-3 years shorter programs of study, depending on research.
Copy and paste the link below into your browser for more details on becoming a clinical psychologist.
For my path, I chose clinical counseling and a master’s degree for quicker entry into a career doing psychotherapy with fewer loans. My bachelor’s degree was in biology, but I took psychology and statistics electives. For top students, graduate assistantships or fellowships may help pay for doctoral-level study.
Good luck!
https://www.psychology.org/degrees/phd/
A clinical psychologist is a person with a Ph.D. or Psy. D. in clinical psychology who usually sees clients for psychological evaluation and testing and/or psychotherapy and counseling. A psychiatrist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor with a specialty in medical treatment of mental and behavioral disorders, and who usually prescribes medication. So, no, psychologists don’t go to medical school.
To be ready to apply to graduate school in clinical psychology it helps to have had a few psychology classes in your bachelor’s degree program. It helps to take statistics. You do not have to have majored in psychology, however.
William, a doctorate with original research (Ph.D.) is a long program of study and will prepare you to practice or be a professor of psychology. A Psy. D. is advanced coursework without the requirement of showing competence in research. Both degrees will allow you to take state licensure examinations to become a practicing clinical psychologist.
If you are wanting to do psychotherapy for a career there are 3 shorter paths: master’s degrees in clinical social work, clinical counseling, or marriage and family therapy. All require state licenses. The pay is generally less than what psychologists earn, with about 2-3 years shorter programs of study, depending on research.
Copy and paste the link below into your browser for more details on becoming a clinical psychologist.
For my path, I chose clinical counseling and a master’s degree for quicker entry into a career doing psychotherapy with fewer loans. My bachelor’s degree was in biology, but I took psychology and statistics electives. For top students, graduate assistantships or fellowships may help pay for doctoral-level study.
Good luck!
Nancy recommends the following next steps:
Diana Rodriguez Velasquez
Psychologist
54
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Diana’s Answer
To pursue a career as a clinical psychologist, there are several important academic and professional steps involved. While the exact requirements can vary by country and state, the general path is fairly consistent.
1. Undergraduate Education
Start with a bachelor’s degree, typically in psychology or a closely related field. During this stage, it’s helpful to take courses such as:
-Abnormal Psychology
-Research Methods and Statistics
-Developmental Psychology
-Personality or Social Psychology
2. Graduate School (Required)
To practice as a clinical psychologist, you will need a graduate degree:
-Most commonly a PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology
-Some countries also require a master’s degree as part of the process
These programs include extensive clinical training, supervised practica, and research.
3. Clinical Experience Before and During Graduate School
Before applying to graduate programs, it is strongly recommended to gain:
-Research experience (as a research assistant, for example)
-Volunteer or entry-level work in mental health settings
This helps strengthen applications and clarify whether clinical work is the right fit.
4. Licensure and Supervision
After completing graduate training, you must:
-Complete supervised clinical hours
-Pass licensing exams required by your region
5. Is Medical School Required?
No—medical school is not required to become a clinical psychologist. Medical school is only necessary to become a psychiatrist.
Becoming a clinical psychologist is a long-term commitment, but for those interested in assessment, therapy, and evidence-based clinical work, it can be a very rewarding path.
Wishing you the best as you explore this career path and plan your next academic steps.
1. Undergraduate Education
Start with a bachelor’s degree, typically in psychology or a closely related field. During this stage, it’s helpful to take courses such as:
-Abnormal Psychology
-Research Methods and Statistics
-Developmental Psychology
-Personality or Social Psychology
2. Graduate School (Required)
To practice as a clinical psychologist, you will need a graduate degree:
-Most commonly a PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology
-Some countries also require a master’s degree as part of the process
These programs include extensive clinical training, supervised practica, and research.
3. Clinical Experience Before and During Graduate School
Before applying to graduate programs, it is strongly recommended to gain:
-Research experience (as a research assistant, for example)
-Volunteer or entry-level work in mental health settings
This helps strengthen applications and clarify whether clinical work is the right fit.
4. Licensure and Supervision
After completing graduate training, you must:
-Complete supervised clinical hours
-Pass licensing exams required by your region
5. Is Medical School Required?
No—medical school is not required to become a clinical psychologist. Medical school is only necessary to become a psychiatrist.
Becoming a clinical psychologist is a long-term commitment, but for those interested in assessment, therapy, and evidence-based clinical work, it can be a very rewarding path.
Wishing you the best as you explore this career path and plan your next academic steps.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1185
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi William,
This is a great question, and it's smart that you're considering the entire route at this early stage. Clinical psychology is a demanding and fulfilling profession, but it's also very structured, so knowing the road map makes the process seem much more doable.
A bachelor's degree in psychology is typically required to pursue clinical psychology, while other majors, including neuroscience, human development, or behavioral science, may also be acceptable. Core psychology courses, including introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, statistics, research techniques, and biological foundations of behavior, should be your top priorities during your undergrad. The academic language and critical thinking abilities required by graduate programs are developed in these courses.
What you do outside of the classroom is just as important. Prior to applying to graduate school, research experience must be obtained because clinical psychology is a research-driven field. This usually includes working on an honors thesis, helping with data collection, or joining a professor's lab. Your applications will be strengthened if you have volunteer or paid experience in mental health settings, such as crisis hotlines, behavioral health clinics, schools, or community organizations.
Formal clinical training starts in graduate school. A PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology is often obtained by licensed clinical psychologists. A PsyD focuses on clinical practice, whereas a PhD is usually more competitive and research-oriented. Coursework, supervised clinical hours, internships, and a dissertation or significant clinical project are all necessary for both pathways. You will additionally require postdoctoral supervised experience and localized licensing tests after earning your doctorate.
Becoming a clinical psychologist does not require attending medical school. Psychiatrists, who are medical professionals with the ability to prescribe drugs, attend medical school. Although they sometimes collaborate with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists have a distinct training path and focus on assessment, diagnosis, therapy, and research.
To put it briefly, a strong background in psychology, early involvement in research, practical experience in mental health, and a clear awareness of whether a PhD or PsyD is more appropriate for your long-term objectives are the best preparations for clinical psychology. It's a long road, but it's also a very significant one for people who are passionate about mental health and helping others.
Best wishes!
This is a great question, and it's smart that you're considering the entire route at this early stage. Clinical psychology is a demanding and fulfilling profession, but it's also very structured, so knowing the road map makes the process seem much more doable.
A bachelor's degree in psychology is typically required to pursue clinical psychology, while other majors, including neuroscience, human development, or behavioral science, may also be acceptable. Core psychology courses, including introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, statistics, research techniques, and biological foundations of behavior, should be your top priorities during your undergrad. The academic language and critical thinking abilities required by graduate programs are developed in these courses.
What you do outside of the classroom is just as important. Prior to applying to graduate school, research experience must be obtained because clinical psychology is a research-driven field. This usually includes working on an honors thesis, helping with data collection, or joining a professor's lab. Your applications will be strengthened if you have volunteer or paid experience in mental health settings, such as crisis hotlines, behavioral health clinics, schools, or community organizations.
Formal clinical training starts in graduate school. A PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology is often obtained by licensed clinical psychologists. A PsyD focuses on clinical practice, whereas a PhD is usually more competitive and research-oriented. Coursework, supervised clinical hours, internships, and a dissertation or significant clinical project are all necessary for both pathways. You will additionally require postdoctoral supervised experience and localized licensing tests after earning your doctorate.
Becoming a clinical psychologist does not require attending medical school. Psychiatrists, who are medical professionals with the ability to prescribe drugs, attend medical school. Although they sometimes collaborate with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists have a distinct training path and focus on assessment, diagnosis, therapy, and research.
To put it briefly, a strong background in psychology, early involvement in research, practical experience in mental health, and a clear awareness of whether a PhD or PsyD is more appropriate for your long-term objectives are the best preparations for clinical psychology. It's a long road, but it's also a very significant one for people who are passionate about mental health and helping others.
Best wishes!