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Michaela
Student
Laurinburg, North Carolina
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how long to you have to attend college to become a psychologist
Interested in knowing how long you have to go to college to become a psychologist #psychology
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2 answers
Aleksandr Pevzner
Skillful Neuroscientist - Enterprising Researcher
4
Answers
Davis, California
Updated
Aleksandr’s Answer
Hi Michaela, you will need to get a bachelor's degree, which is usually 4 years. You will then need a graduate degree, 4-7 years. There is also a licensing exam that you have take and complete certain number of practice hours. Check out the website below for a more in-depth explanation.
Hope this helps.
http://www.allpsychologyschools.com/clinical-psychology/how-to-become-a-psychologist/
http://www.learnhowtobecome.org/psychologist/
Melanie Morales, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Director at Woodbridge Therapy Group
4
Answers
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Michaela,
After you complete a bachelor's degree (which takes 4 years) you will have to attend graduate school. If you want to have the title of Psychologist, then you will need to obtain a doctorate degree. If you want to be a general therapist, you can work with just a master's degree. There are two types of doctoral graduate programs in psychology: Ph.D. and Psy.D. A Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology) program's focus is primarily on research, takes between 5-7 years to complete, and requires the completion of a dissertation (independent research project). A Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) program's focus is primarily on working with patients/clients, takes between 5-6 years to complete, and may or may not require the completion of a dissertation depending on the specific program. Consequently, one of the things you need to decide is if you want to a be a psychologist who treats patients/clients or a psychologist who conducts research. You will have also have to complete a pre-doctoral internship, which is a year long job placement as the final requirement for your doctoral degree.
Lastly, psychologists who treat patients/clients must obtain a state issued license to do so. In order to obtain a license, the psychologist must complete a 1 to 2 year(s) long post-doctoral fellowship or residency and take a 4-hour long national licensing exam called the EPPP. Research psychologists do not need a license to work.
Good Luck! psychology
After you complete a bachelor's degree (which takes 4 years) you will have to attend graduate school. If you want to have the title of Psychologist, then you will need to obtain a doctorate degree. If you want to be a general therapist, you can work with just a master's degree. There are two types of doctoral graduate programs in psychology: Ph.D. and Psy.D. A Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology) program's focus is primarily on research, takes between 5-7 years to complete, and requires the completion of a dissertation (independent research project). A Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) program's focus is primarily on working with patients/clients, takes between 5-6 years to complete, and may or may not require the completion of a dissertation depending on the specific program. Consequently, one of the things you need to decide is if you want to a be a psychologist who treats patients/clients or a psychologist who conducts research. You will have also have to complete a pre-doctoral internship, which is a year long job placement as the final requirement for your doctoral degree.
Lastly, psychologists who treat patients/clients must obtain a state issued license to do so. In order to obtain a license, the psychologist must complete a 1 to 2 year(s) long post-doctoral fellowship or residency and take a 4-hour long national licensing exam called the EPPP. Research psychologists do not need a license to work.
Good Luck! psychology