Life as a Psychologist

Life as a Psychologist

Life as a Psychologist
Many people claim to know what psychology is or what a psychologist does and many only have an idea of psychology, but most have an incorrect view on it. According to Super and Super (2001) “Psychology is a scientific profession devoted to the study of human behavior and the improvement of human adjustment” (p.66). A psychologist is an individual that is licensed or authorized to practice psychology. A psychologist’s work is arduous and one must go into this profession for the intangible rather than the tangible. Psychologists have extended amounts of education and several stigmas to overcome. However, with the outlook of psychology they have much to prosper. Where ever there are people, there is a place for psychology; therefore holding a very important place in society.
To be called a psychologist requires overcoming a number of hurdles. The major hurdle and one which will be encountered several times throughout college years is that of being accepted into a program; be it on the master’s level or the doctoral level. On each level, masters and doctorate, the acceptance into a college is keen. It has been estimated that the ratios of applicants to openings is as high as 40 to 1; this of course being the most difficult hurdle to overcome. Being a psychologist requires a doctoral degree-either a Ph.D or a Psy.D. A Ph.D gives the psychologist the ability to teach, do research or have clinical and counseling positions. The Psy.D provides the ability to work in a clinical or counseling setting. Five to seven years of study and completing a dissertation is required for a Ph.D. It is not necessary to complete a master’s degree before going into a doctoral program, but some universities use that to weed out the intellectual. Before going into a master’s program it is important to decide what the end goal is. Once in a master’s program it can be difficult to go into a doctoral program if specialties are changed. If a doctoral is the end goal, it...

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