What are the steps I will have to take to become a Clinical Psychologist?

Question

I'm currently a junior in high school, and want to go into Psychology, preferably clinical.  I'm taking two AP classes this year (US History and Environmental Science), and will be taking two more next year (Calculus and Literature & Composition).  Right now I'm getting straight A's, and the lowest grade I've gotten in HS is a B+.  I have plans to enroll in a two-year Community College, then transfer to a four-year university.  I basically want to know what kind of classes I'll have to take and how long the entire process will take.  I believe I will also have to enroll in a graduate school, and would like to know the nature of that as well, and how difficult it is to get accepted.

monique · Accepted Answer

To become a licensed Clinical Psychologist in the U.S., all states require Psychologists to have a PhD in Clinical/or Counseling Psychology or a PsyD in Clinical/or Counseling Psychology.

If you get your Masters in Psychology, you could become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).  Some states call them Licensed Mental Health Counselors.

Article on Choosing between the PhD or PsyD
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2011/choosing-between-psyd-phd-psychology-graduate-degrees/
http://gradschool.about.com/od/psycholog1/a/phdpsyd.htm

Length of time to get the PhD or PsyD:
"•For a Ph.D. in Psychology: Most Ph.D. programs require at least 5 to 7 years to complete. In addition to regular coursework, you may also be expected to complete an internship or supervised residency. The program usually culminates in the completion of an original research project or dissertation.
•For a Psy.D. Degree: Most Psy.D. programs require between 4 to 6 years to complete. According to an article by John C. Norcross and Patricia H. Castle in Eye on Psi Chi, it takes approximately 1 to 1.5 years longer to complete a Ph.D. than it does to complete a Psy.D. "

http://psychology.about.com/od/education/a/phd-psychology-time.htm

Hereford · Answer

typically a masters or ph.d in psychology, thus your history, calc, and literature classes won't be helping you at all

be careful of the psychology field. i always tell people that want to major in a humanities to 1st, wait until you've done a year or 1.5 years of college. i say that b/c it's around your second year you start to feel if grad school is something that you REALLY want to do. the danger of being a psych major is that a lot of them change their mind about either being a psychologist or going to grad school around their junior/senior year. and their forced to change their major b/c there is nothing you can do with psychology with a 4 year degree. the reason why i say you have to REALLY want to go to grad school and be a psychologist is because after all of that schooling and those loans, psychologist don't get paid that much. Psychiatrists are the ones that make bank and for that you need to go to med school.

best of luck with everything. with your grades and the classes you're taking, i would seriously consider going to psychiatrist route, you seem bright, not saying psych majors aren't but....

Casey · Answer

major in psychology
and then u need to go get your master in clincal psycology

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What are the steps I will have to take to become a Clinical Psychologist?

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