High School

Because you will need to continue your education beyond high school in order to become a psychologist, you should enroll in college preparatory courses. Your class schedule should concentrate on English courses, computer science, mathematics, and sciences. Algebra, geometry, and calculus are important to take, as are biology, chemistry, and physics. You should take social science courses, such as psychology and sociology. You should also take a modern foreign language, such as French or German, because reading comprehension of these languages is one of the usual requirements for obtaining the doctorate degree.

Postsecondary Training

A doctorate in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) is recommended. While most new doctorates in the psychology field received a Ph.D., the number of Psy.D. recipients has increased over the past decade. Some positions are available to people with a master's degree, but they are jobs of lesser responsibility and lower salaries than those open to people with a doctorate.

Psychology is an obvious choice for your college major, but not all graduate programs require entering students to have a psychology bachelor's degree. Nevertheless, your college studies should include a number of psychology courses, such as experimental psychology, developmental psychology, and abnormal psychology. You should also take classes in statistics as well as such classes as English, foreign language, and history to complete a strong liberal arts education.

Course work at the master's degree level usually involves statistics, ethics, and industrial and organizational content. If you want to work as a school psychologist, you will need to complete a supervised, year-long internship at a school after receiving your degree.

Some doctoral programs accept students with master's degrees; in other cases, students enter a doctoral program with only a bachelor's degree. Because entrance requirements vary, you will need to research the programs you are interested in to find out their specific requirements. The doctorate degree typically takes between four and seven years to complete for those who begin their studies with only the bachelor's degree. Course work will include studies in various areas of psychology and research (including work in quantitative research methods). Those who focus on research often complete a yearlong postdoctoral fellowship. Those who want to work as clinical, counseling, or school psychologists must complete a one-year supervised internship. Frequently those who are interested in clinical, counseling, or school psychology will get the Psy.D., because this degree emphasizes clinical rather than research work. Most states, however, require school psychologists to have the specialist degree Ed.S. in school psychology, which requires completion of two years of full-time graduate study and one year in a full-time internship. Those interested in clinical, counseling, or school psychology should attend a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists do not need to attend medical school.

Other Education or Training

In order to maintain their licensing, psychologists must complete continuing education (CE) seminars, webinars, and other learning opportunities that are provided by professional associations at the national, state, and local levels. The American Psychological Association, for example, offers online courses, classes, and workshops on topics ranging from ethics and legal issues to practice specialties and mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. The National Association of School Psychologists, Society for Industrial & Organizational Psychology, and the American College of Forensic Psychology also provide CE opportunities. Contact these organizations for more information. 

Certification or Licensing

The American Board of Professional Psychology offers voluntary specialty certification in a number of areas, including clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and counseling, forensic, industrial-organizational, and school psychology. Requirements for certification include having a doctorate in psychology, professional experience, appropriate postdoctoral training, and the passing of an examination. Those who fulfill these requirements receive the designation of diplomate.

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) awards the nationally certified school psychologist designation to applicants who complete educational requirements, an internship, and pass an examination. More than 33 states recognize the designation.

Psychologists in independent practice or those providing any type of patient care, such as clinical, counseling, and school psychologists, must be licensed or certified by the state in which they practice. Psychologists must complete one or more of the following to become licensed: a pre-doctoral or post-doctoral supervised experience, an internship, a residency program, or one to two years of professional experience. They must also pass an examination. Check with your state's licensing board for specific information.

Because psychology is such a broad field, various personal attributes apply to different psychology positions. Those involved in research, for example, should be analytical, detail oriented, and have strong math and writing skills. Those working with patients should be "people persons," able to relate to others, and have excellent listening skills. They must have a desire to help people understand themselves and others. No matter what their area of focus, however, all psychologists should be committed to lifelong learning since our understanding of humans is constantly evolving. A basic curiosity is required as well as a fascination with the way the human mind works.