How hard is it to get a psychology degree in America?

13 comments

1. They most likely just did their undergrad, and it’s extremely common, and fairly easy to do your undergrad. Now if you go all the way to getting your post grad and doctoral degree, that’s where it gets very intense and difficult. Much like any other degree program.

2. There was a huge number of millennials and later who got super into going into psychology as a field. It is a relatively marketable degree if you take it to fruition (which most don’t).

   Most of them were super annoying and usually self-absorbed. I would go way out of my way to avoid talking to a psych major in college. Holy crap.

3. Getting a BA is not too difficult. It’s a common choice for people who aren’t sure what they want to study and are going for something generic. It is a useful degree for any job involving organizing personnel. Only a few people end up actually working in the psychology field.

   A BS is a bit more difficult because it tends to involve a bit of data analysis but overall is pretty similar to a BA.

   It is the Master’s degree that is difficult to get. That’s where it starts getting prestigious. Pretty much everyone who gets a Master’s is either a star student or has been working as a therapist/counselor for a bit and is now increasing their certifications so they can have an independent practice. Few people with a Master’s in Psychology work in another field and pretty much everyone with the degree makes a pretty solid salary.

   A PhD is much like a Master’s, but more prestigious and more money.

4. We have thousands of colleges. Literally anyone can be admitted and there is usually no qualification to be a psychology major, you just fill out a form and take the classes.

   This is why Americans are so fixated on going to a “good” college. Since it’s not a government service, we have many more colleges than most places and anyone who wants to can go to college, so we have more interest in school rankings and such because we have such a wide range.

5. No harder than any other. A bachelor’s in psychology on its own doesn’t qualify you to practice as a psychologist is psychiatrist, which is I’m guessing what you’re thinking of?

6. In America, while psychology and pyschiatrist are prestigious jobs. One requires a PHD and other requires going to medical school. The average psychologist probably has like 9 to 11 years of post-secondary education. While it normally takes 10 to 12 years to become a doctor, which is what psychiatrist are.

   So just getting a bachelor’s is psychology isn’t really anything.

7. Exceedingly easy

8. A psychology “degree” does not make one a medical doctor.

   Universities in Europe are different than those in the US. Most of the universities here follow the traditional liberal arts program of a broad and diverse education, not a direct specialization. A student does not enter university from high school straight into law or medicine. They need a 4 year degree FIRST, then an advanced degree.

   A “psychology degree” in the US is a 4 year bachelor’s of science program. Nearly every 4 year university in the US offers a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Here’s the program at a state university in Michigan: [Psychology at Ferris State](https://www.ferris.edu/arts-sciences/departments/social-sciences/psychology-bachelor.htm)

   It’s a broad degree that is intended to prepare the student for the next phase of their education or career. This could be a Master’s of Social Work, applying to medical school to become a Doctoral student, or simply a position in sales at a company using basic techniques to understand and manipulate buyers.

   > To become a Psychologist one would obtain a 4 year degree, *then* earn a master’s and/or doctorate in psychology.
   >
   > [How to Become a Psychologist](https://onlinecounselingprograms.com/mental-health-careers/how-to-become-psychologist/)
   >
   > Depending on where you intend to practice and the specific concentration you are interested in (e.g., child psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy), you may be able to pursue a psychology license after earning a master’s degree, either a Master of Arts or a Master of Science. If you must pursue a doctoral degree, you will choose between a PsyD, a practical degree for would-be counselors; a PhD, which is more research-oriented; an EdD, or Doctor of Education; and an EdS, or education specialist. Check your state requirements and consider your career goals to determine which degree is right for you.
   >
   > **Complete an internship or postdoctoral program.**
   > After you complete a psychology master’s or doctoral program, you must complete an internship or postdoctoral program. This required psychology internship gives you an opportunity to work alongside licensed psychologists to gain hands-on training in your field of interest. Most states require 1,500 to 2,000 hoursExternal link:open_in_new of training and at least one to two years of supervised professional experienceExternal link:open_in_new, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
   >
   > **Obtain a psychology license.**
   > The licensing requirements for psychologists vary per state. Contact your state board to understand your state’s requirements. Various state board information can be found at the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB. Once you’ve met the necessary education and professional requirements, you’ll need to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, which is administered by the ASPPB.

   The education/licensing path is 6+ years MINIMUM, more typically 8-10.

9. It’s one of the easiest undergrad degrees to get. A lot of people get it and never end up working in the psychology field. It’s considered a somewhat more “generic” degree that people who aren’t sure what to do take. A graduate psychology degree can actually be quite challenging

10. it’s not super in-demand like medical school for example

11. It’s easier to get into the program, but harder to come out with a job

12. I think part of the reason those people are YouTubers is because it IS a hard field to get into. My friends who went the psychology route all had to get their masters degree to do the type of work they wanted – or else they transitioned into a different career like social work or education.

    It’s not hard to get into an undergraduate psychology program. But masters programs can be more competitive, and the job market is demanding of credentials and experience. Plus, entry level positions don’t pay extremely well. My one friend basically works two jobs – behavioral health in a clinic, and a dozen per-diem counseling clients on nights and weekends.

    It can definitely pay well in the long run though. And it’s not for passing interest – it helps to be passionate about the field.

13. I have a BA in psych, not bc I didn’t know what I wanted to do but because I wanted to work with and help others. I chose to not move forward with my masters bc I honestly can’t afford it. I work supervising multiple group homes for intellectual disabilities with behavioral support. My degree wasn’t hard to obtain.