Mature student wanting to become a psychologist?

Question

I am 44, is this to old to start studying Psychology?

Answer 1

NO!!! You're definitely not too old! If you want to become a psychologist of some sort as opposed to just getting a psychology degree, it can take over 6 years to get a qualification in a specific area (full time) but don't let that put you off.

If you already have a degree in another subject you could possibly do a conversion course which would give you a psychology honours degree (MA or BSc) in 3 years. If you do not already have a degree in another subject then a psychology honours degree takes 4 years full time.

If you want to eventually practice as a psychologist, you must do a psychology honours degree that is accredited by the British Psychological Society (this can be done through many UK Universities, including the Open University!). If you want to work whilst you study, then it may be best to study with the Open University as you can choose full or part time study with them. You need to be accredited by the BPS to go onto specialised study in a specific area of Psychology once you have the psychology degree. This could be anything from Clinical, Educational, Counselling, Forensic..the list goes on! Depending on the area you choose to specialise in you would be looking at around 1-3 years postgraduate study, after gaining your undergraduate degree.

This may seem like a long time, but believe me when I say that MANY of the psychologists (and students!) that I've come across in both academic and specialised settings didn't actually 'become' psychologists until they were well into adulthood-many are even older than yourself. It is also true that many younger students can struggle to get jobs in psychology and places on post graduate psychology courses because they are considered too young. It is quite likely that your age and life experiences would really be a benefit to you!

Here are a couple of websites that might help get you started:
www.bps.org.uk (British Psychological Society)
www.open.ac.uk (Open University)

Good luck!!!

Answer 2

the only time it is too late is when you are dead. I went back to school when I was 45 to become a psychologist. It took me under three years to get a bachelor's. College professors like older students, because they are more sincere in their studies. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

i'm a college psychologist who has labored in 3 states, and that i've got a instructor's license, yet under the component of student amenities. An in the previous positioned up made it seem such as you had to have college room experience, and an training degree, and that isn't real. To be a college counselor, although, maximum states require which you have been a college instructor. faculties from time to time additionally hire approved Social workers who have not been college instructors- that could artwork for you besides. examine around on your state to work out what employment fees are! i could advise traveling faculties that furnish levels in this methodology you opt for and beginning with the guy over admissions. seek for them out and enable them to be responsive to your case so as that they could propose you. examine around till now you're making an particularly final determination. fairly staring on the journals of the occupation so which you will get an concept of what each and each degree includes. Psychs do various psychoeducational sorting out, counselors do various occupation monitoring, etc. The names are misnomers, fairly. There are occassions the place you will easily do counseling, yet that isn't the place the vast majority of time is spent for many human beings- returned, examine your section- faucet into the interior of sight institutions to work out what's happening- there is various variability around the rustic. additionally examine income levels- that may assist you settle on how plenty college you are able to cope with to pay for! There are courses that take 2-3 years of coursework to get an academic expert degree (some courses extra advantageous than a grasp's), plus a twelve months of internship (you frequently gets a commission for this, so this is not any longer so undesirable). i could advise no longer unavoidably getting an entire BA in psych., yet taking some training to coach graduate faculties you're extreme approximately preparing your self. lots of the 1st twelve months training have been evaluation in my case (I easily have a BA in psych), and that i guess loads of faculties are like that. i individually think of it is going to be the 12 years out of faculty ingredient that would be the biggest hurdle to those in admissions, so taking some training could get you returned into the swing of issues and exhibit your interest. i could take twin point training (six hundred point) so as that those training you're taking could be utilized to a grasp's degree. this could assist you get to be responsive to college and meet graduate scholars presently in this methodology of interest.

Answer 4

Your never too old to do anything chick! you go on ahead and do what you want to do and be who you want to be. 44 isnt old, dont let it stop you fulfilling your dream and i wish you all the luck in the world xx

Answer 5

Age is wisdom and knowledge, so my dad keeps telling me!

Answer 6

Go for it, have confidence, don't be put off by youngsters who think they know it all and think your ancient.

Answer 7

Nah, there was plenty of old farts there when I was taking Psych. ;)