I want to major in psychology. What are the possibilities in my future?

Question

I want to major in psychology in the University, and I may want to be a doctor.

What I really want to do is;

1. Just like a therapy counselor, hear individual problems and advice, counsel them. But I do not want to be a mere therapy counselor, because it is a low-paying job.

2. I want to be able to prescribe drugs or health food, or at least be able to recommend to people.

What kind of job will I get with majoring the psychology?

Here is the list of what I want from the future job;

1. High-paying salary.

2. Growth possibility. It means, whatever I do, I wish there is a possible way to get promoted or get bigger scale, like moving into much larger space office, dealing with more high-class patients, spreading my reputation, etc.



Is it possible to become both a counselor and physical doctor, that I can prescribe a medicine?

Other than the above, by getting degree on psychology, what else can I become?

Thanks!

I want to become a very professional in the psychology field.

I want to be famous and popular, and want people to come to me after hearing my reputation.

Answer 1

Sounds like you have some issues to work out, first. Wanting to be famous and popular and work with "high class" patients aren't good reasons to go into psychology. It also isn't a "high paying" field - psychiatrists are among the lowest-paid physicians. You won't get rich by being a psychiatrist or psychologist.

You're talking about Clinical Psychology, for which you would need at Ph.D., if you want to be a "doctor". That takes four years of college and four years of graduate school. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication, in most states.

To become a psychiatrist, you need four years of college, then four years of medical school, then a residency [usually three years]. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication and also does therapy of different orientations, according to his/her interests/talents.

Both clinical psychology programs and medical school are very competitive to get into.

Social workers also can do counseling. Such training involves four years of college in a social work program or four years of college and then two years of study in a school of social work, for a Masters Degree. Social workers often work in hospital or clinic settings and often with disadvantaged populations.

A Bachelors Degree in psychology probably won't equip you for much beyond a usual liberal arts degree - it's just what you'd be majoring in. These days, you wouldn't get a job doing therapy or counseling with only a Bachelors in psychology.

Answer 2

Eh, homelessness.

No, it's possible to get a career in the field; but I'd seriously consider some other major. Psychology is one of the most popular majors, and their just isn't proportionate demand. You *won't* find a psychology job unless you get at LEAST a Master's degree. There's a good chance you'll need a PhD. If you obtain that, you could go into research or teach it at the collegiate level. As far as I know, those are the two "top-level" psych jobs.

Seriously though, I'd consider something else.

Answer 3

Clinical Psychologist. i know your american so cant give a good website cos i dont know one but i do know a great british website on this, http://www.bps.org.uk/careers/careers_home.cfm

i dunno if it would be of any help.
im along the same lines as you, tho i want to be a psychotherapist.