Become A Psychologist

Where do you want to work?

To get started, tell us where you'd like to work.

Sorry, we can't find that. Please try a different city or state.

Working As A Psychologist

Assisting and Caring for Others
Getting Information
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Deal with People
Mostly Sitting
Make Decisions
$79,500
Average Salary

What Does A Psychologist Do

Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and their environments.

Duties

Psychologists typically do the following:

Conduct scientific studies of behavior and brain function
Collect information through observations, interviews, surveys, and other methods
Identify psychological, emotional, behavioral, or organizational issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from their research
Research and identify behavioral or emotional patterns
Test for patterns that will help them better understand and predict behavior
Discuss the treatment of problems with their clients
Write articles, research papers, and reports to share findings and educate others

Psychologists seek to understand and explain thoughts, emotions, feelings, and behavior. Psychologists use techniques such as observation, assessment, and experimentation to develop theories about the beliefs and feelings that influence a person.

Psychologists often gather information and evaluate behavior through controlled laboratory experiments, psychoanalysis, or psychotherapy. They also may administer personality, performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests. They look for patterns of behavior or relationships between events, and use this information when testing theories in their research or treating patients.

The following are examples of types of psychologists:

Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Clinical psychologists help people deal with problems ranging from short-term personal issues to severe, chronic conditions.

Clinical psychologists are trained to use a variety of approaches to help individuals. Although strategies generally differ by specialty, clinical psychologists often interview patients, give diagnostic tests, and provide individual, family, or group psychotherapy. They also design behavior modification programs and help patients implement their particular program.

Some clinical psychologists focus on certain populations, such as children or the elderly, or certain specialties, such as the following:

Health psychologists study how psychological and behavioral factors interact with health and illness. They educate both patients and medical staff on psychological issues and promote healthy-living strategies. They also investigate and develop programs to address common health-related behaviors, such as smoking, poor diet, and sedentary behavior.
Neuropsychologists study the effects of brain injuries, brain disease, developmental disorders, or mental health conditions on behavior and thinking. They test patients affected by known or suspected brain conditions to determine impacts on thinking and to direct patients’ treatment.

Clinical psychologists often consult with other health professionals regarding the best treatment for patients, especially treatment that includes medication. Currently, Illinois, Louisiana, and New Mexico allow clinical psychologists to prescribe medication to patients. Most states, however, do not allow psychologists to prescribe medication for treatment.

Counseling psychologists help patients deal with and understand problems, including issues at home, at the workplace, or in their community. Through counseling, they work with patients to identify their strengths or resources they can use to manage problems. For information on other counseling occupations, see the profiles on mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, and social workers.

Developmental psychologists study the psychological progress and development that take place throughout life. Many developmental psychologists focus on children and adolescents, but they also may study aging and problems facing older adults.

Forensic psychologists use psychological principles in the legal and criminal justice system to help judges, attorneys, and other legal specialists understand the psychological aspects of a particular case. They often testify in court as expert witnesses. They typically specialize in family, civil, or criminal case work.

Industrial-organizational psychologists apply psychology to the workplace by using psychological principles and research methods to solve problems and improve the quality of work life. They study issues such as workplace productivity, management or employee working styles, and employee morale. They also work with management on matters such as policy planning, employee screening or training, and organizational development.

School psychologists apply psychological principles and techniques to education and developmental disorders. They may address student learning and behavioral problems; design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performances; and counsel students and families. They also may consult with other school-based professionals to suggest improvements to teaching, learning, and administrative strategies.

Social psychologists study how people’s mindsets and behavior are shaped by social interactions. They examine both individual and group interactions and may investigate ways to improve interactions.

Some psychologists become postsecondary teachers or high school teachers.

Show Less

How To Become A Psychologist

Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology, a master’s degree is sufficient for some positions. Psychologists in independent practice also need a license.

Education

Most clinical, counseling, and research psychologists need a doctoral degree. Students can complete a Ph.D. in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. A Ph.D. in psychology is a research degree that is obtained after taking a comprehensive exam and writing a dissertation based on original research. Ph.D programs typically include courses on statistics and experimental procedures. The Psy.D. is a clinical degree and is often based on practical work and examinations rather than a dissertation. In clinical, counseling, school, or health service settings, students usually complete a 1-year internship as part of the doctoral program.

School psychologists need an advanced degree and certification or licensure to work. The advanced degree is most commonly the education specialist degree (Ed.S.), which typically requires a minimum of 60 graduate semester credit hours and a 1,200-hour supervised internship. Some school psychologists may have a doctoral degree in school psychology or a master’s degree. School psychologists’ programs include coursework in both education and psychology because their work addresses education and mental health components of students’ development.

Graduates with a master’s degree in psychology can work as industrial-organizational psychologists. When working under the supervision of a doctoral psychologist, master’s graduates can also work as psychological assistants in clinical, counseling, or research settings. Master’s degree programs typically include courses in industrial-organizational psychology, statistics, and research design.

Most master’s degree programs do not require an undergraduate major in psychology, but do require coursework in introductory psychology, experimental psychology, and statistics. Some doctoral degree programs require applicants to have a master’s degree in psychology; others will accept applicants with a bachelor’s degree and a major in psychology.

Most graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology find work in other fields such as business administration, sales, or education.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

In most states, practicing psychology or using the title of “psychologist” requires licensure. In all states and the District of Columbia, psychologists who practice independently must be licensed where they work.

Licensing laws vary by state and type of position. Most clinical and counseling psychologists need a doctorate in psychology, an internship, at least 1 to 2 years of supervised professional experience, and to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Information on specific state requirements can be obtained from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. In many states, licensed psychologists must complete continuing education courses to keep their licenses.

The American Board of Professional Psychology awards specialty certification in 15 areas of psychology, such as clinical health, couple and family, or rehabilitation. The American Board of Professional Neuropsychology offers certification in neuropsychology. Board certification can demonstrate professional expertise in a specialty area. Certification is not required for most psychologists, but some hospitals and clinics do require certification. In those cases, candidates must have a doctoral degree in psychology, state license or certification, and any additional criteria of the specialty field.

Training

Prospective practicing psychologists must have pre- or post-doctoral supervised experience, including an internship. Internships allow students to gain experience in an applied setting. Candidates must complete an internship before they can qualify for state licensure. The required number of hours of the internship varies by state.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Psychologists must be able to examine the information they collect and draw logical conclusions from them.

Communication skills. Psychologists must have strong communication skills because they spend much of their time listening to and speaking with patients.

Observational skills. Psychologists study attitude and behavior. They must be able to watch people and understand the possible meanings of facial expressions, body positions, actions, and interactions.

Patience. Psychologists must be able to demonstrate patience, because conducting research or treating patients may take a long time.

People skills. Psychologists study and help people. They must be able to work well with clients, patients, and other professionals.

Problem-solving skills. Psychologists need problem-solving skills to design research, evaluate programs, and find treatments or solutions for mental and behavioral problems.

Trustworthiness. Psychologists must keep patients’ problems in confidence, and patients must be able to trust psychologists’ expertise in treating sensitive problems.

Show Less

Psychologist jobs

Add To My Jobs

Psychologist Demographic

Gender

Female
62.9%
Male
33.7%
Unknown
3.4%

Ethnicity

White
75.7%
Hispanic or Latino
14.3%
Asian
7.3%
Unknown
1.9%
Black or African American
0.7%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
60.1%
French
11.1%
Portuguese
5.1%
Italian
3.5%
German
3.5%
Mandarin
2.0%
Chinese
2.0%
Arabic
2.0%
Russian
1.5%
Cantonese
1.5%
Turkish
1.0%
Romanian
1.0%
Hindi
1.0%
Malayalam
1.0%
Polish
1.0%
Swedish
0.5%
Samoan
0.5%
Korean
0.5%
Hokkien
0.5%
Norwegian
0.5%

Psychologist

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Psychologist Typical Career Paths

Average Length of Employment

School Psychologist 6.3 years
Psychologist, Private Practice 6.0 years
Clinical Psychologist 5.8 years
Licensed Psychologist 5.8 years
Consulting Psychologist 5.6 years
Chief Psychologist 5.1 years
Psychologist 5.0 years
Counseling Psychologist 4.5 years
Senior Staff Psychologist 4.1 years
Staff Psychologist 4.1 years
Psychotherapist 4.1 years
Forensic Psychologist 3.5 years
Health Psychologist 3.2 years
Psychology Associate 2.9 years
Child Psychologist 2.9 years
Associate School Psychologist 2.6 years
Psychological Assistant 2.6 years
Clinical Psychology Teacher 2.0 years
Clinical Psychology Internship 1.1 years
Practicum Student 0.8 years

Psychologist Education

Schools

Alliant International University
10.6%
Carlos Albizu University
9.5%
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
9.5%
Nova Southeastern University
6.6%
Capella University
6.1%
Western Michigan University
5.8%
Walden University
5.5%
New York University
5.0%
Marshall University
4.7%
Forest Institute of Professional Psychology
4.5%
Temple University
4.0%
University of Georgia
3.7%
University of Florida
3.4%
Hofstra University
3.4%
Michigan State University
3.2%
Wayne State University
2.9%
Fairleigh Dickinson University
2.9%
University of Southern Mississippi
2.9%
Florida Institute of Technology-Melbourne
2.9%
University of Missouri - Columbia
2.9%

Majors

Degrees

Doctorate
44.2%
Masters
25.6%
Other
18.2%
Bachelors
7.5%
Certificate
3.4%
Associate
0.9%
License
0.2%
Diploma
0.2%

Psychologist

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Job type you want

Full Time

Part Time

Internship

Temporary

Real Psychologist Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Psychologist	Jorva Entertainment Productions, LLC	Beverly Hills, CA	Sep 18, 2015	$110,715
Psychologist	St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center	New York, NY	Nov 18, 2015	$110,060
Psychologist (Health Facility-Clinical Safety)	Atascadero State Hospital	Atascadero, CA	Sep 27, 2013	$107,160
Psychologist	Functional Life Achievement, Inc.	New York, NY	Jun 01, 2015	$100,176
Psychologist	Help/Psi	New York, NY	Aug 08, 2016	$100,000
Psychologist	Help/Psi Inc.	New York, NY	Feb 23, 2015	$100,000
Psychologist (Health Facility-Clinical-Safety)	Department of State Hospitals-Atascadero	Atascadero, CA	Sep 27, 2016	$98,904 - $110,400
Psychologist	EAC, Inc.	New York, NY	Jan 14, 2013	$90,000
Psychologist	MHM Services, Inc.	Jessup, MD	Sep 17, 2015	$87,752
Psychologist	Che Senior Psychological Services, PC	NY	Aug 10, 2015	$85,567
Psychologist	Long Island FQHC, Inc.	Roosevelt, NY	Sep 15, 2014	$74,527
Psychologist	Long Island FQHC, Inc.	Westbury, NY	Sep 15, 2014	$74,527
Psychologist	Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic	Lebanon, NH	May 12, 2016	$73,445 - $117,895
Psychologist, Practitioner	Barnes-Jewish Hospital	Saint Louis, MO	Mar 02, 2015	$73,000
Psychologist	Che Senior Psychological Services, PC	New York, NY	Jul 25, 2013	$72,000
Psychologist	The Meadows of Wickenburg, Inc.	Wickenburg, AZ	Jun 23, 2016	$64,688 - $75,000
Psychologist	University of Maryland Baltimore County	Baltimore, MD	Aug 30, 2016	$64,000
Psychologist	Michigan State University	East Lansing, MI	Jan 08, 2016	$63,600
Psychologist	Michigan State University	East Lansing, MI	Aug 01, 2016	$63,600
Psychologist	Michigan State University	East Lansing, MI	Oct 24, 2016	$63,600
Psychologist	Arizona Psychology Consultants, Inc.	Mesa, AZ	Oct 01, 2014	$62,610
Psychologist	The University of Akron	Akron, OH	Dec 01, 2013	$62,500
Psychologist	Oregon State University	Corvallis, OR	Feb 01, 2015	$62,213

No Results

To get more results, try adjusting your search by changing your filters.

Top Skills for A Psychologist

Top Psychologist Skills

Individual Therapy
Mental Health Services
Psychological Services

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Developed counseling groups, and peer counseling network, and did individual therapy and counseling.
Referred students and families to the appropriate mental health services throughout the community as needed.
Provided psychological services including psychological evaluations, as well as therapeutic counseling to mentally retarded children and adults.
Provide individual and group psychotherapy and crisis intervention in day treatment programs.
Offered group therapy for students assessed as having issues with drugs and/or alcohol.