To work as a psychologist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree;
• have at least a master's degree in psychology;
• complete an internship if you do counseling; and
• pass a licensing exam if you do counseling.

Education after high school

Most psychologists earn a doctoral degree (PhD). You need this degree if you are going to do counseling. As a doctoral student, you can focus in areas such as school counseling or clinical psychology. If you want to teach at a college or university, you almost always need a PhD.

Some psychologists have just a master's degree. If you are an industrial-organizational psychologist this is the required degree in the field. For most other types of psychologists, a master's degree prepares you to be an assistant, but not the lead research or counselor.

A bachelor's degree in psychology is a good foundation for many occupations outside of psychology. However, within psychology your options are limited if you have only a bachelor's degree. You can be an assistant to a researcher or counselor.

On-the-job training

Clinical and counseling psychology students complete an internship while in school. As an intern, you work with clients and an experienced psychologist supervises your work. Internships last from one to two years depending on the degree you are earning. An internship is usually required to become a licensed psychologist.

Military training

The military does not provide initial training to become a psychologist. However, it can provide work experience to those who have at least a master's degree in this field.