The Science of the Mind: Exploring Careers in Psychology
By Joe PringleJoe.pringle@medicalhealthcarecareerschools.com
Medical Health Care Career Schools Columnist
The Study of Psychology
When most people think of psychologists, they think of a man sitting in a cushy chair, smoking a cigar, and writing down the thoughts a patient who is lying on a couch with a box of Kleenex. Hollywood and the media have popularized this view of psychology. The fact is, psychology is much more than patients rambling on couches.There are a vast number of career options in psychology, including research, teaching, and clinical psychology. Within each of these fields are hundreds of subfields. If you are interested in the mind and how it works, or in helping people through their mental issues, or teaching others how the mind works, becoming a psychologist may be just the career for you.
What Type of psychologist Do You Want To Be?
The many different types of psychology can be quite staggering. Usually, the "types" are divided by the psychologist's preferred method of research or therapy. Some of the types are behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and neuroscience. This list barely touches the surface of the options available in the study of psychology.So How Do You Become a Licensed psychologist?
You can obtain your bachelor's degree in psychology in as little as two years for intensive programs, and four years for most other programs. It is highly recommended if you want to become a professional psychologist to obtain a PhD in some form of psychology. You can expect an additional 2-6 years of school to obtain your master's and/or PhD.All the psychological specialties are taught at the graduate level. You become a licensed psychologist or professional counselor by passing a state licensure exam. If you are doing research or teaching, you may not be required to get licensed.
