How to Become a Psychologist

Psychology is a fascinating field that is dedicated to the study of the brain and human behavior. A psychologist studies people’s emotions, behaviors, and social processes. They do this by observing, interpreting, and corresponding with people and how they relate to other people. Psychologists work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and private practice.

“Psychologists pursue different careers,” said Dr. Juli Fraga, Psy.D., a psychologist in San Francisco who specializes in women’s health and parenting.

“Many go into private practice or work as clinicians in hospitals, VAs, or community clinics,” Fraga said. “Some do assessments to diagnose mental health conditions or examine cognitive abilities after a traumatic brain injury or illness. Others pursue careers as researchers, conducting experiments on social behavior, and teach at the university or college level.”

To become a psychologist, you typically need at least a master’s degree or a doctoral degree in psychology. Some states won’t let you call yourself a psychologist without a doctoral degree. You will likely also need a license from the state in which you practice.

Read our guide to discover how you can become a psychologist, how long it takes to become one, how much they can make, and if this career is the right fit for you.

To become a psychologist, you will likely need to earn your bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. You may also need to obtain a state license.

As a psychologist, you’ll need analytical, communication, research, and problem-solving skills. You’ll also need to be compassionate, patient, and observant.

Before you begin your journey to become a psychologist, you should do some research into the career path and what you’ll need to make this dream come true. (This guide is a good place to start.) Psychologist jobs require at least a master’s degree, and most master’s programs require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree first.

You’ll want to make sure the school you are interested in has a psychology major. Then you’ll gather the appropriate application materials and apply. Be sure to also apply for any financial aid to make it more affordable for you.

While it isn’t necessary for you to have a bachelor’s degree in psychology specifically before you apply for your master’s in psychology, it can be helpful to develop expertise in this field early on.

Fraga said getting your bachelor’s degree is “the first step in a longer educational journey.”

Earning a bachelor’s degree typically takes around 120 credits and four years to complete. However, you can complete your program faster by taking an accelerated program or course, transferring in credits, taking credits over summer breaks, or earning credit for prior work.

It may be helpful for you to gain work experience while earning your bachelor’s degree or between completing your bachelor’s and starting your master’s degree.

Entry-level work experience and internships can help you stand out when applying to graduate school, and they can also help you determine if there is an area of psychology in which you want to specialize. You can also get the chance to earn a bit of money before going back to school.

Most psychology jobs require at least a master’s degree. In your program, you will likely learn about statistics, research design, and psychological theories.

When you are trying to figure out which master’s program to apply to, you’ll want to consider the cost, length of the program, and what career support services will be available to you. You should also be sure to look for one that has programmatic accreditation to ensure it meets certain academic standards and will be accepted as valid by doctoral programs and employers.

Once you begin your work as a psychologist, you may find you want to specialize in a certain area of psychology or gain more credentials. Some specializations include clinical, counseling, forensic, neuropsychology, school, and social psychology.

More advanced jobs in psychology, such as in research or clinical and counseling psychology, may require you to earn your doctorate in psychology.

But take it from an expert, Fraga said: “Remember that in many cases, you will need to pursue a doctoral degree if you want to become a ‘licensed psychologist.’ That said, you don’t need a doctoral degree to do some of the same work that psychologists do, such as psychotherapy.”

“You need an advanced degree to become a psychologist because you need specific training in courses such as ethics in psychology, research methods, basic counseling skills, abnormal psychology, and specific therapy modalities,” Fraga said.

Most states require that psychologists be licensed, but licensing laws vary by state. Check with your state’s licensing board to learn what licensing requirements apply to you.

Licensing requirements typically include a master’s degree and completing supervised training. You may also be required to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). There are specific licenses for certain fields of psychology, such as clinical, counseling, and school psychology.

It generally takes around 6-12 years to become a psychologist. This includes about four years to earn a bachelor’s degree and roughly 2-3 years to earn a master’s degree, as well as time to get licensed. More advanced psychology jobs may require additional training, which can delay the start of your career. In many states, you can’t call yourself a psychologist if you don’t have a doctoral degree.

“To become a psychologist, you generally need a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. in clinical or counseling psychology,” Fraga said. “Sometimes, a master’s degree in counseling or clinical psychology may suffice.”

However, you can pursue accelerated or dual psychology master’s and doctoral degrees, which can speed up the process.

Fraga said that to become a psychologist, you’ll need to possess “empathy, analytical skills, curiosity about other people’s behavior, a desire to help people, research skills, and the ability to receive feedback without becoming defensive or judgmental.”

You’ll need these skills and capabilities to do the following job tasks as a psychologist:

Psychologists earn a median annual salary of $94,310 as of May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is almost double the median annual salary of $49,500 for all occupations, making psychologist a comparatively well-paying job.

Psychologists who work for the government, hospitals, or ambulatory services tend to make among the most, while those who work at schools tend to make among the least within the profession. The lowest 10% of psychologists earned under $54,860, and the highest 10% of psychologists earned more than $157,330 in 2024, per the BLS.

Employment for psychologists is projected to grow by 7% from 2023 to 2033, which is higher than the projected national average rate of 4% across all occupations, according to the BLS.

Psychologists can be well compensated and find ample opportunity for career growth. As a psychologist, you may find your job helping people to be rewarding. Some find the unique challenges and opportunities to be engaging.

However, some psychologists find their job to be stressful and emotional.