I'm a junior in high school and I'm thinking about a career in psychology. I'm interested in helping people with psychosis and neurosis (generally mental disorders). What do I need to take in high school and what colleges and universities offer good courses. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
2007-01-19 12:06:15 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
to have a career in psychology, you'll have to have at least a masters degree (2 years after college). most jobs strongly prefer a doctoral degree, however, and if you want to practice as a psychologist you must have a doctoral degree (either a PhD or a PsyD). Both of these degrees take about 4-6 years after college. Clinical psychology programs are harder to get into than medical schools (the average schools accepts about 2-4% of the applicants), so the best advice I can give you is to do as well as possible in college and to get involved with in a research lab as soon as possible. Research is the #1 most important factor which clinical programs look for in their applicants, so it's essential that you develop this skill.
If you're only interested in being a therapist, you could also pursue a masters degree in social work. This takes about 2 years after you finish college and with this type of degree you can be licensed to provide psychotherapy.
With only a bachelors degree in psychology, it's really not possible to do very much work with patients, particularly not if you want to be in any type of private practice or have substantial psychotherapeutic responsibilities.
A helpful site that you might want to check out regarding admission into these programs is -- http://www.psywww.com/tipsheet/applyphd.htm
2007-01-19 13:12:44 · answer #1 · answered by jdphd 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will need a Master's to actually work in the Psyc field. I would suggest becoming a School Psychologist... they work the same time that teachers do and get paid way more because they are Psychologist. I am pursuing my career in School Psychologist and you can work with many fascinating people. You will work with students with learning disorders (mental disorders) and it is a very rewarding career. Just type in School Psychology or School Psychologist into any search engine and you will get a lot of information. Hope I helped!
2007-01-19 13:32:05 · answer #2 · answered by jlee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what state you are in but most offer undergrad degrees in psych. Start with intro and work your way up in collage you will most likely want to stay with gen psych because your elective base is broader. At the school I go to a gen psych major can take any psych classes to count toward their degree. Go to you local college pick up a catalog and see what they offer. Your under grad schools are most likely the same. Just keep in mind you can NOT do much without at least a masters degree in that field. You can also think about volunteering at the hospital on the psych ward and check with your h.s. councilor. Good luck
2007-01-19 12:15:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you considered volunteering?
You may be able to visit elderly homes or children's hospitals.
Possibly reading or sharing a special talent, 'just listening', while visiting will do wonders.
Also while you are visiting you will be able to get to know a lot of great nurses in the field you're interested in and the ideas will come. Best of luck.
2007-01-19 12:21:19 · answer #4 · answered by Joy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its mostly undergrad where u will take ur course... u will def need to go to grad school... im a psych major and one thing which i wish i had known is that RESEARCH IS HUGE... when in undergrad make sure u can do as much as possible... Rutgers University in Jersey has a great undergrad psych program. its a big school tho...
2007-01-19 12:10:11 · answer #5 · answered by Dee Dee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to major is Psy. and I recommend working in a hospital.
2007-01-19 12:09:48 · answer #6 · answered by Dairy Fairy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋