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Psychology?
Hi!
I saw you as the featured columnist (congrats) and I read that you were a psychology student. I'm graduating HS this June, and I want to study psychology as a major. My question is, how long will it take to finally be able to finish school? Is it true you have to write a book? With what degree can you finally apply for a job as a psychologist? Any other type of advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you SOOO much!!!
-Uniq
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Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category?
Maybe give some free advice about: School?
This is not exactly an easy group of questions to answer! Actually, they aren't so much hard as they bring up more questions.
I am in my third year (perpetually). I have three kids so school is very difficult for me these days. I am hoping to get back this fall and finish my final year.
Anyway, your first question is how long it will take you to finish. If you start college the fall after you graduate and go full time, you should be able to finish in 4 to 5 years. I don't know ANYONE who has ever finished in four. there are usually one or two classes you cannot fit in here and there either because of your own schedule or a class isn't offered during a certain quarter or semester, etc. You end up having to go another semester or two to finish and therefore it takes you 5 years. That being said, I changed my major three times before finally deciding I was supposed to study psychology. I began taking psych classes in high school and no matter what my college major was, I was taking every psych class offered to fill in my electives. I LOVED psychology. For some reason, I didn't realize until 1 1/2 years ago that Psych is what I am called to do. The difference between you and me is that I am not going to be a psychologist but rather I am going to get a master's degree in marriage and family therapy. I keep going back and forth between therapy and pastoral counseling but either way, I am getting my bachelor's in psych because this is one of the two best degrees to go on to one of these two professions. I could get a bachelor's in psych or theology. I have enough credits in psych to finish in one more year where I would have two or three to finish theology. The only thing that keeps me going right now is knowing that my pastor's wife is old enough to be my mother and only just finished with her PhD in clinical psychology 2 years ago. I am trying to beat her haha.
Whew... Moving on... If you only get a bachelor's in psychology you will be limited. Most of the really successful, higher paying jobs in psychology require a masters at minimum. They are usually research jobs where you gather information, possibly do experiments, etc. to learn more about the human mind. As complex as our brains are, it usually takes more than a bachelors degree to prepare you for this kind of work. I am giving you a link here to a good description of the jobs available as a psychologist but I am going to copy and paste one paragraph to give you an idea of what to expect with JUST a bachelor's degree:
"Having a bachelor's degree in psychology will enable an applicant to work as an assistant to other psychologists or other personnel at community medical centers, behavior modification programs, or programs for vocational rehabilitation. Some are employed in other fields, like market research, as consultants or specialists. Others might work as administrative assistants, help with research, or train for managerial positions in corporations."
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
If you are wanting to be a therapist like me, you definitely want to get at minimum a masters. You will have many more opportunities open to you with a PhD. This is my ultimate goal but I am trying to go one degree at a time given my age. I will be ecstatic to get a bachelors at this point in my life! Most people who need serious mental help want their therapist to be REALLY qualified.
Writing a book? I have never heard about this. This could be required at the PhD level but I dont think even at the masters level this is required. It may depend on where you go? I am certain it is not for the bachelor's level. To get your master's, depending on what type of psychologist you want to be, you may be looking at a SERIOUS research paper- one that COULD potentially be published in a medical or mental health magazine... but I don't think a book. I already have an idea in mind for my "thesus" for my master's degree. I need to keep that to myself as I want it to be as original as possible... but when it is time to write this paper it may feel like it is a book!
This is about all I have to offer you at this point. As only a third year undergraduate student I am not experienced enough in the upper levels to to discuss them with much knowledge. I do very little actual work in the field currently without a degree. I lead a support group at church for children from separated or divorced families. Otherwise, I have a very part time job with my church that I can do from home. I can't really do much for a few years until my kids are a little older. I cannt leave the home until my oldest is able to babysit for a few hours so I still have a few years to finish my degree before I will be in a position to work.
Oh, one more little tidbit... this is not something you will be able to find vast amounts of work in... but I have also always been somewhat interested in paranormal psychology. Not a career choice I have personally made but I enjoy reading about and watching television programs concerning ghost chases and our ability to see the world outside the normal realm. I caution you about this choice however as it is not the most popular and should probably be left just to entertainment.
The world always needs a few more good psychologists. We are quite a depressed group of people and our brains are still extremely baffling!! This is a good thing for a psych.
Best of luck.
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