How to Become a Psychologist: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Top Colleges, Jobs, Scope, Salary 2023

Steps to Become a Psychologist

For being a Psychologist, candidates need to follow certain steps including studies, requisite experience, etc. The table below will discuss in detail the steps that are necessary to become a successful Psychologists, 

1. Complete Graduation: Candidates must earn a bachelor’s degree in Psychology offered by top colleges in India such as BA in Psychology, and B.Sc in psychology. This will create a strong foundation for the career to begin with. 
2. Gain relevant work experience: After completing an undergraduate degree, candidates are qualified to work as a psychologist. They can gain work experience through different internships or by assisting someone in college. This will provide candidates with hands-on- learning experience and will help them understand the work culture. 
3. Get Specialization with a Master’s degree: Candidates can opt to pursue a Master’s degree in order to develop a deeper understanding of the subject. One can choose their specialization in the relevant areas such as clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, development psychology, educational quantity etc. 
4. Consider a Doctorate degree: If candidates are aiming for a career as a clinical psychologist, then they need to pursue a doctorate degree in Psychology. This will establish you as an expert within your domain. Doctorate degrees usually take around 4 to 8 years to complete. 
5. Earn relevant certifications: Candidates for being a practitioner need to get themselves registered. The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) provides accreditation to candidates of colleges/ universities affiliated with it. In case, the college is not affiliated, then the candidate must apply separately after the completion of the course. 

How to Become a Psychologist in India

To become a Psychologist in India candidates must start preparing right from the school level. After completion of class 12th, candidates can opt to pursue undergraduate courses such as BA in Psychology or B.Sc in Psychology from top colleges across the country. Candidates also have the option to pursue other courses such as certification or diploma courses for additional knowledge and to brush up on their skills. Candidates can also pursue Post graduation courses in psychology followed by a Doctorate degree in order to practice as Clinical Psychologist.

The sections below provide the detailed information required to become a Psychologists is provided below for your reference,

School Level Preparation: In order to be a Psychologists the steps that are to be followed are mentioned below,

• Candidate must complete class 12th with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above from a recognized university 
• Candidate must choose to pursue specialization such as sociology, philosophy, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Philosophy, Social Care or Criminology, Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation, etc 
• Candidates must start preparing for entrance exams in order to get admission to top colleges across the country. The candidates can appear in the following entrance exams such as DUET, IPU CET, and CUET etc.

How to Become a Psychologists after 12th

Undergraduate Preparations: Some of the crucial steps that are to be followed to become a Psychologists after completing Class 12th board exams are mentioned below for your reference,

• The aspiring candidate must focus on clearing the entrance exams in order to get enrolled on undergraduate programs in top colleges.
• The candidates can pursue undergraduate programs in B. A or B.Sc. course. The candidates can also enrol in alternative courses such as Certification or diploma courses in order to develop a deep understanding of the subject and get a specialization in that area.
• Candidates during their undergraduate courses should focus on developing a deep understanding of different subjects such as Psychology, behavioural patterns, etc.
• The candidates must maintain a minimum aggregate of 50% or above to appear for postgraduate courses.

Post-Graduation Preparation: The key steps to be followed to become a Psychologists after completing Undergraduate courses are,

• .The candidates after completing their bachelor’s degree; can start preparing for entrance exams to get enrolled on a postgraduate program.
• The candidates must choose their specialization according to preference or the area they want to practice as a psychologist such as an industrial psychologist, clinical psychologist, counsellor, Child Psychologist and many more.
• The candidates can choose to pursue internships, paid or unpaid to gain some field knowledge while pursuing college. 
• After completion of the Postgraduate program, the candidate can pursue doctorate courses if they want to practice as a clinical psychologist.

Psychologists Courses

Some of the top courses that can be pursued to become a Psychologists are tabulated below for your reference, 

Entrance Exams

Some of the top Entrance Exams along with their important dates, that are conducted in order to enrol students for courses to become a Psychologist are tabulated below for your reference, 

How to become a Psychologist Abroad

Mental Health is a growing concern globally. This has created considerable growth in the demand for Psychologists across the world. There are many countries that offer various courses related to Psychology such as the UK, USA, Canada & Australia. The approaches and methodologies adopted by foreign universities are different from India. This is one of the reasons that candidates opt for pursuing courses abroad.

Some of the essential qualifications that must be fulfilled in order to study and become a Psychologists abroad are provided below for your reference,

• Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in Psychology or any other relevant field with a minimum aggregate of 70% or equivalent CGPA 
• Candidates must take the English Language proficiency exam such as IELTS or TOEFL.
• Candidates must secure a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS or a score of 100 or above in TOEFL.
• Aspiring candidates must present two valid Letters of Recommendation from the academic professors from the last institute attended.
• Candidate must submit all the documents when applying for courses abroad
• Candidates must submit proof of Finance.