Please note these are only my observations. It is ultimately up to you to explore the options that will impact your future. Each state has its own criteria, and laws change all the time. Do your research!
I would also like to take a moment to thank my friend, colleague, and amazing psychologist, Stephanie. This page would not have happened without her.
Students major in psychology for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, students are unsure what they want to study, so they pick psychology because it seems easy, fun, or interesting. Or maybe it is because they do not think they will have to do any math! Mostly it is because the student is interested in understanding human behavior. Over time, they might feel an affinity for a specific type of psychology. But we can (and will) get into that later.
Perhaps one of the essential things a psychology major must know is a bachelor's degree in psychology does not make you a psychologist. There is a significant amount of schooling involved in becoming a psychologist, and in almost every circumstance, you will need a graduate degree.
Back to the bachelor's degree for a moment. A bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS) degree usually results from about four years of undergraduate work. There is not too much difference between the two; it depends on the student's institution. Many, if not most, students just go to work after completing this degree, but a significant amount continues to graduate study. This can be either a master’s degree or a doctoral degree. Lately, I am finding when someone says they are in grad school, they mean they are going for their master’s degree. If they are going for a Ph.D. or Psy.D., they say they are going to “doctor school,” but this is not always the case and is purely anecdotal.
More psychology students go for their master’s degree than for their doctorate. A master’s degree usually takes one to three years of study, depending on what you are learning and the program's requirements. If you want to engage in clinical contact, provide therapy, see patients, etc., you MIGHT be able to do so with a master’s degree in some disciplines. Some of these degrees could last three years because clinical, counseling, and school psychology requirements usually include practical experience in an applied setting. You must accumulate enough supervised hours to be considered prepared by the state you are practicing. And, of course, there will probably be a state licensing exam to study for as well.
You have options with a master’s degree. Depending on the program, you might teach psychology in high school, but that usually comes with other certifications and training. A master’s degree will make you a more attractive candidate for government jobs and private sector positions. The thought process here is that you were motivated to succeed, and you could navigate material that is more challenging than the general studies we often see on an undergraduate level.
If you pursue a master’s in counseling, marriage and family therapy, or possibly even social work, you may be eligible to sit for your state’s licensing exam that allows you to treat patients. You might be able to earn a certificate in school psychology and work in the school system. Industrial/Organizational psychologists spend a lot of their time in business settings, specifically human resources.
If you are interested in treating patients/clients with a master’s degree, you should consider the following programs and disciplines: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). As of this writing, there is only one MFT program in New Jersey, and that is at Kean University’s Union campus. Other options include licensed professional counselors (LPC) and licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). I will leave it up to you to research these options.
A doctoral degree will usually take a minimum of four years to complete and sometimes as many as seven. A doctorate offers more flexibility (and independence). You will probably need to complete a year or more of supervised internship / clinical experience for clinical and counseling doctorates. Why would you want or need a doctoral degree? Generally, to teach on a college level (although some colleges and universities will welcome those with master’s degrees), conduct research in academia or the private sector, or be a practicing clinical psychologist.
There are a few different types of doctorates in psychology. The Ph.D. refers to the Doctor of Philosophy. It peaks with a dissertation based on your original research. A Psy.D. is a Doctor of Psychology. It is usually offered only in clinical and counseling psychology, but I have also seen it with a school psychology track. The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) is a third doctoral option for psychology students. The Ed.D. is offered in departments of education rather than psychology. Some Ed.D. recipients re-specialize in clinical psychology and see patients in a clinical setting.
You can find more information about the differences between a PhD and a PsyD HERE.
