Employment levels for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists continue to grow because of the greater demand for psychological services within hospitals, schools, mental health centers, and social service agencies. Learn how to become a psychologist and explore degree programs with a psych major. It is unclear, however, whether this need functions as a state or trait variable. A Ph.D. in psychology is a research degree that is obtained after taking a comprehensive exam and writing a dissertation based on original research. Most clinical, counseling, and research psychologists need a doctoral degree. Data were collected from 85 pregnant subjects at 4 months, 9 months, and 6 weeks postpartum. But your practice of psychology really starts during your supervised internship. We need psychology as a tool to help us better ourselves personally, professionally and in practice. To get licensed to practice psychology, you’ll need to earn the required degree, pass a state and/or national exam, and fulfill other licensing requirements. Clinical Psychology By the Numbers. Similarly, psychology can be applied to help others, whether in adult mental health services, in academia, the classroom and beyond. What You Need to Know About Becoming a Psychology Major A psychology major studies human behavior and mental processes, including the mind, brain and social interactions. Tenure-track psychology professors at 4-year colleges or universities must hold a Ph.D. How They’re Alike Psychiatrists and psychologists are different types of doctors trained to help you deal with mental health issues. The need to be held has been observed to be related to various moods and personality dimensions. Students can complete a Ph.D. in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. Here’s what you need to know to decide which is right for you. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an above-average job growth rate of 14% for psychologists between 2018 and 2028. Psychologists need a significant amount of formal education.