What Classes Do I Need to Become a Psychologist?

If you want to become a psychologist, then you need to start planning early. You'll need to take certain classes, earn a graduate degree, gain experience, and pass state licensing exams.

The reality is that there is no single path to becoming a psychologist. Your specialty area will determine the type of degree you need and the classes you'll need to take. If you plan to become a licensed clinical psychologist, then you will need to earn a doctorate in psychology, complete a supervised internship, and become licensed to practice in your state.

At a Glance

Becoming a psychologist can be an exciting choice that comes with many opportunities for growth. What classes do you need to take to become a psychologist? How long will you need to study? Planning your educational journey today can help ensure that you meet your goals. Understanding what type of psychologist you want to become, take the classes you need in graduate school, and select a graduate program in your chosen specialty area.

1

What Exactly Is a Psychologist, Anyway?

Thinking about becoming a psychologist

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First, it is important to realize that there are many different types of psychologists, and the educational, and licensing requirements can vary considerably depending on the specialty area you are interested in. Some of the different job paths include:

For the sake of this article, let's assume that when you say "I want to become a psychologist," you are referring to the profession that utilizes the science of the mind and behavior to assess, diagnose, treat, and help people who are experiencing psychological disturbances.

Of course, there are a number of different professionals that offer psychotherapy services, including counselors and social workers. In this case, we will discuss the specific career path of psychologists with a doctorate in psychology.

State Regulations

Note that almost all states have laws about exactly who can call themselves psychologists. In the state of California, for example, the designation of a psychologist is a protected term. In order to use this title, you need to have a doctorate degree in either psychology or education and also have passed the state licensing exams.

As you begin planning your path toward becoming a psychologist, be sure to contact your state for specific laws regulating the use of the title of psychologist.

2

Take AP Psychology Classes in High School

Writing down plans

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Psychology is not necessarily a common course offered at most high schools, but increasing numbers are beginning to offer AP Psychology classes. If your high school does offer some sort of psychology course, it would definitely be a good idea to add this class to your schedule. Having some background knowledge about general psychology can really be helpful during your first year of college.

Add Science and Math Classes to Your Schedule

Of course, you can take many other classes in high school to help prepare you for your future career as a psychologist. A strong science background is a must, so sign up for as many courses as you can in topics such as:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Human anatomy/physiology
  • Other life sciences

Statistics is a core component of any university psychology program, so having a solid background in mathematics is certainly helpful.​

Humanities Courses Are Also Vital

Beyond science and math classes, taking courses in history, philosophy, writing, religion, and language can also be beneficial. By learning more about human history and behavior, you can put yourself on the road to future success as you continue your psychology education.

Finally, remember to maintain good grades in all of your courses. University admissions can be competitive, so having a strong GPA and great teacher references is important.

Tips for High School Students

  • Take an AP Psychology course.
  • Check if local community colleges offer college-level psychology courses for high school students.
  • Enroll in science, math, and humanities courses.
  • Consider starting a psychology club at your school.
  • Look for volunteer opportunities in your community.
  • Start looking at universities during your junior year.
  • Get to know your teachers so that they will be able to offer good letters of recommendation.
  • Get good grades and perform well on the ACT or SAT exam.
3

Get a Bachelor's in Psychology

Earning undergraduate degree

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Once you have been accepted to the university of your choice, it is time to begin studying psychology in earnest. Before you begin your freshmen year, sit down with your academic advisor and develop a four-year course plan covering all of the general education, psychology, and elective courses you will need to graduate.

Psychology Classes You'll Need

Every school has its own requirements for graduation, but some of the psychology classes you will likely (or should) take include:

While you may find yourself deviating from this plan due to various reasons, it can serve as an important road map as you work toward your ultimate goal of becoming a psychologist.

As you begin to learn more about psychology, you may find that your interests shift towards a particular specialty area (such as developmental, cognitive, or biological psychology). If you find that a particular area appeals to you, consider adjusting your course plan to include more elective classes in this subject area. Remember to keep your GPA high to prepare for graduate school.

Tips for Undergraduate Students

  • Seek out research opportunities and participate in experiments whenever possible.
  • Consider being a teaching or research assistant to gain experience and receive mentoring from your supervising professor.
  • Maintain a high GPA. Psychology graduate schools can be very competitive.
  • Take the Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE), including the Psychology Subject Matter test. Many graduate programs recommend taking this test, and some explicitly require this test for admission.
  • Start looking at graduate programs as early as your freshman year so you can be sure to fulfill requirements.
  • Develop good relationships with your instructors so they will be prepared to write letters of recommendation for your grad school applications.
4

Earn Your Graduate Degree

Studying in library

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The next big question you need to ask yourself is what type of graduate degree you plan to earn?

  • PhD in Psychology: The Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) is what most people think of when they talk about a doctorate in psychology, but it is not your only option.
  • Doctor of Psychology: You could also choose to earn a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree.

How do these degree options differ? Typically, the PhD degree tends to focus more on a scientific model and places a lot of emphasis on experimental methods and research. The PsyD degree is a newer option focusing more on a practitioner model and emphasizing clinical work.

How to Decide

The type of degree you choose will depend largely on your career goals. Do you imagine doing research in addition to treating patients? Then the PhD option might be a good fit for your needs. Would you prefer to focus purely on working with clients in a clinical setting? Then the PsyD degree might be well suited to your goals.

Complete an Internship

As part of your graduate training, you will also be required to complete an internship in a clinical setting. This is a great opportunity to gain practical experience in your field, receive mentoring from experienced psychologists, and learn more about where you would like to work after completing all of your educational and training requirements.

Tips for Graduate Students

  • Volunteer to work with graduate faculty to find professional mentors and gain valuable experience.
  • Keep your grades high. Many graduate programs have minimum GPA requirements.
  • Consider choosing an area of specialization, such as childhood disorders or substance abuse.
  • Start planning your thesis or dissertation early.
5

Complete the Licensing Requirements in Your State

Taking an exam

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The specific requirements for licensing depend on the state where you live, so be sure to check state laws in the area where you plan to practice. You will often be required to complete a specific period of supervised residency work (often one to two years) after earning your graduate degree.

You will then need to pass the required exams, which may include both oral and written components.

What This Means For You

Becoming a psychologist can be a long, challenging and sometimes frustrating process, but the rewards can be well worth the effort. After putting in long hours studying, training, and working towards earning your degree and becoming a licensed psychologist, you can finally begin putting the skills and knowledge you have acquired to good use.

5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. California Board of Psychology. A consumer guide to psychological services.

  2. Norcross JC, Hailstorks R, Aiken LS, Pfund RA, Stamm KE, Christidis P. Undergraduate study in psychology: Curriculum and assessmentAm Psychol. 2016;71(2):89-101. doi:10.1037/a0040095

  3. American Psychological Association. Guidelines for the undergraduate psychology major: Version 2.0Am Psychol. 2016;71(2):102-111. doi:10.1037/a0037562

  4. Jamieson D. The GRE. gradPSYCH Magazine. 2011;1:36.

  5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. PsychologistsOccupational Outlook Handbook.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd
Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."