How old will I be when I finish my PhD?

Question

I'd like to become a psychologist. I'm currently 18 and in my first year of college. I plan to finish my bachelor's in four years. With this in mind, how old will I be after finally getting my PhD?

Answer 1

Unlike your undergraduate education, the Ph.D. involves a lot of work (the dissertation) that is very time-flexible, so while most Ph.D. programs will tell you it takes 4 years to get a Ph.D., that is really an ideal. Many people, even those who are working hard at their dissertations, take longer, because you are relying on other people to provide you with data which may not arrive on your own schedule. So, if you are lucky, you will finish at 26 or 27, but you could be several years older than that (it took me 8 years - and I already had a master's degree - and it took my brother-in-law at least that long).

Answer 2

Most PhDs in psychology can be done in 4 years (full time). Therefore, you'd be about 26 when you're done. But wait! Many psychologists, especially who want to work in a university setting instead of a private clinical office, do a post-doc fellowship (paid) for anywhere from 1-4 years. A clinical psychologist (seeing patients) with a PhD makes around $80k. This can GREATLY vary depending on location, experience, reputation (how many clients know about you / recommend you), what type of psychology you do, etc. With a degree in philosophy, you could teach. The teaching jobs for that are very hard to find. Not worth the time AT ALL, even though it is undoubtedly a very interesting field.

Answer 3

Can't answer this question. It depends on how long you really take to finish your BS degree, whether you choose to do your Master's full or part time...and what you shoose to do your PhD dissertation on, and whether you plan to study for that full or part time.

In "ideal" years:
BS - 22 years old
MS - 24-25 years old
PhD - 28-40 years old

Do keep in mind that PhD program will want some work experience before you will be accepted. Not sure how much, as it depends on the school.

Just take school one year at a time...do your best at each course. The degrees will come, don't put a timeline on them.

Answer 4

10 years

Answer 5

That's a trickly question. It's usually 4 years for your bachelor, 2 years for masters and 2 more years to finish PhD. That'd be 26. However, many PhD candidates write their disseratation really slowly.

Answer 6

Depends what you mean by 'psychologist'. If you're talking of an APA approved clinical psychology program, they will be at least 5 years in length as you need to fulfill an internship in between. If you just want a regular ph.d in psych, then 4 years is the norm. This is of course all in addition to undergrad coursework.

Answer 7

I would say around 27 to 30 years young