3 answers
Keymari
Student
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What majors do i have to take to become a psychologits
#college-major #undecided #major #college
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3 answers
Alfonso E. Martinez
Chief Human Resources Officer
2
Answers
Darnestown, Maryland
Updated
Alfonso E.’s Answer
Keymari, i admire your future focus and desire to help others. The first (practical) issue to consider is if you are ready and able to go to both undergraduate and graduate school (masters degree plus doctorate). It takes time and money however i highly encourage you to “play the long game” and figure those logistics out because they will bring you a lifetime of accomplishments and satisfaction.
My personal goal was the same as yours. I entered undergraduate school to be a psychologist and majored in Psychology. I loved each and every course i took and was so pleased that learning was so much fun. As a junior , the reality hit that i did not have the money to get a masters degree and much less a doctorate. I changed majors, took a 5th year of college to get a bachelors degree in business and launched my career. Years later, i went back to graduate school and a achieved a 2-yr masters degree in behavioral psychology (although it took me 3 yrs to complete as a working father). Again, i found the classroom learning to be super motivational and fun. I loved all things psychology and though to a degree I regret my circumstances requiring me to go to work and not pursue A doctorate, i stayed very close to the field of mental health throughout my career.
To that end, consider a psychology undergraduate degree. There are also “justice studies” degrees that juggle psychology and sociology classes that can equally allow you entrance to advanced degrees in psychology. You can also consider undergraduate studies in sociology. Finally, if you wish to begin working sooner than later, a masters degree in mental health counseling or a masters degree as a clinical social worker puts you right where you want to be if delivering mental health services is your goal. I know of several people, friends and family, that have taken this route and discovered a balance between their personal/professional interests and earning a good living as well. Naturally, if you have the resources to remain in school for the pursuit of a doctorate-i highly encourage you to do so.
You can do do it! Choose the undergraduate major that comes natural to you and as you progress through college, you will determine if a masters or doctorate is the right next step. Of course, if you choose a masters degree program, you can still always pursue the doctorate as well.
Best of luck
My personal goal was the same as yours. I entered undergraduate school to be a psychologist and majored in Psychology. I loved each and every course i took and was so pleased that learning was so much fun. As a junior , the reality hit that i did not have the money to get a masters degree and much less a doctorate. I changed majors, took a 5th year of college to get a bachelors degree in business and launched my career. Years later, i went back to graduate school and a achieved a 2-yr masters degree in behavioral psychology (although it took me 3 yrs to complete as a working father). Again, i found the classroom learning to be super motivational and fun. I loved all things psychology and though to a degree I regret my circumstances requiring me to go to work and not pursue A doctorate, i stayed very close to the field of mental health throughout my career.
To that end, consider a psychology undergraduate degree. There are also “justice studies” degrees that juggle psychology and sociology classes that can equally allow you entrance to advanced degrees in psychology. You can also consider undergraduate studies in sociology. Finally, if you wish to begin working sooner than later, a masters degree in mental health counseling or a masters degree as a clinical social worker puts you right where you want to be if delivering mental health services is your goal. I know of several people, friends and family, that have taken this route and discovered a balance between their personal/professional interests and earning a good living as well. Naturally, if you have the resources to remain in school for the pursuit of a doctorate-i highly encourage you to do so.
You can do do it! Choose the undergraduate major that comes natural to you and as you progress through college, you will determine if a masters or doctorate is the right next step. Of course, if you choose a masters degree program, you can still always pursue the doctorate as well.
Best of luck
Priya Mathew
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Art Student
172
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Priya’s Answer
Hi Keymari,
If you know for sure you want to be a Psychologist, then it would be wise to major in something like Psychology, Social Work, or Counseling and make sure you get all the prerequisite classes for the program you want to apply to after your Bachelor degree. If you have another interest, you can also major in it, and minor in Psychology. Think about your interests and then perhaps consulting with your college advisor can help. They can help you get a clear picture of what you need to do, and what classes you need for your next steps. Good luck!
If you know for sure you want to be a Psychologist, then it would be wise to major in something like Psychology, Social Work, or Counseling and make sure you get all the prerequisite classes for the program you want to apply to after your Bachelor degree. If you have another interest, you can also major in it, and minor in Psychology. Think about your interests and then perhaps consulting with your college advisor can help. They can help you get a clear picture of what you need to do, and what classes you need for your next steps. Good luck!
Mark Zito
Risk Specialist
1
Answer
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Mark’s Answer
You should certainly take a major in Psychology, either a B.S. or a B.A.
Start thinking early on what your focus will be as a Psychologist. You can become a clinical Psychologist, Therapist, or Counsellor with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, followed by 2 or so years of post-graduate study to obtain a Master's degree or Certificate. Psychologists, therapists, and counsellors work in a wide variety of settings. Do you see yourself in private practice, helping individuals with mental health issues? What about working with young people as a school counsellor? You can also become an Organizational Psychologist, helping solve problems for people in the workplace.
If you're interested in doing psychological research and teaching about psychology, you can pursue a more academic path. Cognitive psychology, Linguistics, and even Neuropsychology are options on this path. You'll need to start with your Bachelor's degree in Psychology and pursue a PhD once you graduate. Try to find a specific focus that you are curious and passionate about. It seems like getting a PhD will take a long time, but in the process you'll start doing your own research and even teaching classes as a Teacher's Assistant.
Finally, you can pursue options on the medical side of Psychology. If you'd like to become a Psychiatrist, prescribing medicine to treat mental health issues, you'll have to earn a medical school degree instead of a Bachelors in Psychology.
Whichever path you choose, make sure to take classes that reflect your interest. Take Developmental Psych if you want to work with children or the elderly. Take Abnormal Psych and Personality Psych if you want to become a Clinical Psychologist, Therapist, or Counsellor. Do not miss Statistics, especially if you want to become a research psychologist.
Definitely work with an academic advisor. Make friends with the Prof that teaches your favorite class. Ask them lots of questions about what classes to take, and what the next steps are to pursue your future career.
Read about potential careers in the field of Psychology to get an idea of your interests.
Talk to an academic advisor.
Choose classes that will help you become the type of Psychologist you want to be.
Look into post-graduate programs.
Start thinking early on what your focus will be as a Psychologist. You can become a clinical Psychologist, Therapist, or Counsellor with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, followed by 2 or so years of post-graduate study to obtain a Master's degree or Certificate. Psychologists, therapists, and counsellors work in a wide variety of settings. Do you see yourself in private practice, helping individuals with mental health issues? What about working with young people as a school counsellor? You can also become an Organizational Psychologist, helping solve problems for people in the workplace.
If you're interested in doing psychological research and teaching about psychology, you can pursue a more academic path. Cognitive psychology, Linguistics, and even Neuropsychology are options on this path. You'll need to start with your Bachelor's degree in Psychology and pursue a PhD once you graduate. Try to find a specific focus that you are curious and passionate about. It seems like getting a PhD will take a long time, but in the process you'll start doing your own research and even teaching classes as a Teacher's Assistant.
Finally, you can pursue options on the medical side of Psychology. If you'd like to become a Psychiatrist, prescribing medicine to treat mental health issues, you'll have to earn a medical school degree instead of a Bachelors in Psychology.
Whichever path you choose, make sure to take classes that reflect your interest. Take Developmental Psych if you want to work with children or the elderly. Take Abnormal Psych and Personality Psych if you want to become a Clinical Psychologist, Therapist, or Counsellor. Do not miss Statistics, especially if you want to become a research psychologist.
Definitely work with an academic advisor. Make friends with the Prof that teaches your favorite class. Ask them lots of questions about what classes to take, and what the next steps are to pursue your future career.
Mark recommends the following next steps: