If you’re looking to pursue a career in psychology, you’re likely wondering how long it will take to become a psychologist. Becoming a psychologist is a long and involved process, but the amount of time it takes to become a psychologist is entirely dependent on the type of psychology you pursue.
For example, those who are looking to become clinical psychologists will need to earn a doctoral degree in psychology, which typically takes around seven years to complete.
This includes earning a Bachelor’s degree, which can take up to four years, followed by a Master’s degree, which can take up to two years. Then, you will need to complete up to three years of doctoral training, along with a one-year internship.
In addition to completing a doctoral degree, those who are looking to become clinical psychologists need to obtain a license from their state’s board of psychology after completing their education. This may require additional coursework and supervised experience, so it is important to check with your state’s requirements before beginning your educational journey.
For those looking to pursue a career in a different type of psychology, such as industrial-organizational psychology, you may only need to earn a master’s degree, which may take up to two years to complete. After completing your master’s degree, you may need to complete supervised experience and additional coursework to become licensed.
In terms of salary, the annual salary of a psychologist is dependent on the type of psychology they specialize in. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists was $80,370 in May 2020.
Overall, becoming a psychologist is a long and involved process. It is important to check with your state’s requirements before beginning your educational journey, and to consider the type of psychology you are interested in specializing in. While the process of becoming a psychologist may be lengthy, the rewards of pursuing a psychology career can be well worth the effort.
