Do I Need a Master's or a Doctorate in Psychology to Practice?
It's true that a doctorate opens the most doors for careers in psychology, but that doesn't mean you have to commit to an advanced degree to work in the field. The type of degree you hold will likely determine the nature and pay of your work, but not so much the work environment itself. In addition, experience is very highly regarded in psychology, so it is possible to progress slowly towards more in-depth work by supplementing an undergraduate degree with years of experience, instead of undertaking an advanced degree.
Options if You Hold a Bachelor's Degree:
With a bachelor's degree in psychology, you can work in any of the major specialty areas within psychology, in an entry-level position. For instance, if you hold a bachelor's degree, you can work in a group home, a public health facility, a counseling center, or even a mental health hospital. You can coordinate care, do case work with clients (children and adults), facilitate and complement the work of counselors, or work as a one-on-one social worker under the supervision of a counselor or psychologist. With this level of education you will not get paid very highly, but with time and experience your pay and responsibilities will increase.
Options if You Hold a Master's Degree:
A master's degree in psychology is often (although not always) a stepping stone towards a doctorate. It allows you to choose a specialty area of study, which may correspond with the work you want to engage in, or with the subject you plan to pursue at the doctorate level.
A master's degree in counseling allows you to work as a counselor in a counseling center (private or public), a hospital, or a government agency. It generally includes an internship to give a real-life insight into the profession, and to set up a beginning platform of basic field experience. You can then begin counseling while earning your certification and licensure. These usually require you to complete a certain number of supervised hours; the precise number varies by state. Once you have completed your licensure or certification, you are likely to receive an increase in pay.
A number of master's degrees in psychology are aimed at students who wish to work in non-psychology fields such as business, human relations, or advertising. A master's degree of this sort prepares you to excel in an environment where skill in understanding people is critical to success.
There are also master's degrees and doctorate degrees that combine law and psychology for those interested in working in forensic psychology. These programs vary according to their particular emphasis and curriculum, but often include a J.D. law degree combined with a doctorate in psychology. In general, these programs require you to complete an internship at the end of the period of study, in order to graduate.
Options if You Hold a Doctorate Degree:
Psychology is a field in which doctorate degrees are often pursued, as they open up the widest range of career opportunities. In almost all areas of research, a doctorate is not just a prerequisite to the work, but the beginning of the work itself. Research entails the thorough and detailed study of a particular area of psychology, so earning a doctorate degree and completing a thesis not only teaches you how to work as a researcher, but immerses you in the research world even while you are still studying. The doctorate degree builds your practical experience in the field, as well as your theoretical knowledge.
In the counseling arena, a doctorate degree distinguishes you as a psychologist rather than a counselor, and enables you to work in any type of counseling facility, including opening your own private practice. A doctorate degree increases your overall knowledge and expertise, and provides an opportunity to specialize in an area that interests you.
A doctorate degree also opens the door to academia, allowing for a career teaching psychology. You can choose to work just as a teacher of psychology, as a teacher and researcher, as a teacher and practicing counselor, or any combination of these.
Regardless of your level of education, experience in the field is greatly valued, with regard to both being hired and being paid. Furthermore, continuing education once you have started to practice is highly valued – and indeed is often mandatory, because of the continual evolution in the understanding and practice of psychology.
Licensure/Certification:
Usually once you have completed your master's degree, you must become certified or licensed within a given time period of time. There are a number of different licenses available to psychologists, applicable to different areas of practice. In addition to the license for general counseling, there are many more specific certifications that focus on areas such as drug and alcohol abuse.
Article Resources:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The American Psychological Association
West Chester University
The University of Southern California Department of Psychology
New York University Psychology Department