Reshma Raj

Want to be a psychologist.what should I do after 12th?

Hope you will understand my problem and will give me right solution


by Reshma Raj
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RE: Want to be a psychologist.what should I do after 12th?

Prathamesh Kapote
Prathamesh Kapote
Verified Career Expert
Founder And Director At Canvas Career
  • Nasik

Hello Dear Friend,

Welcome To Careerguide.com!!!
Thanks for writing to ussmiley

Psychology is one of the most popular subjects to study because it has a big impact on all areas of life, from education and health, to the economy and crime.

Psychologists apply scientific methodology to explain human behaviour. They formulate theories, test hypotheses through observation and experiment, and analyse their reports with statistical techniques that help them identify important findings.

Table Contents

1.  Want to be a psychologist after 12th?

2.  Pursue a Bachelor's degree in Psychology

3.  Gain practical experience

4.  Pursue a master's degree in psychology

5.  Obtain a Ph.D. in psychology

6.  Obtain a license to practice as a psychologist

It is a developed branch of Philosophy that studies the human and animal behaviour.
Psychology field has a great scope nowadays. Due to the Fast and stressful life there has been a huge requirement of Psychologists in many spheres of life.

How to Become a Psychologist After 12th in India, In order to get into field of Psychology one has to complete its HSC i.e 12th from any stream (Commerce,Arts or Science). On the successful completion of your 12th you have to take an admission for Bachelor of Arts course in Psychology. A BA- Psychology course is of 3 years while you are in last year of your Psychology course you have to select one of the subject that you wish to study. There are many subjects in which you can do your specialisation subjects like- Industrial Psychology,Clinical Psychology, Organisational Psychology,Child Psychology etc. You can select any subject as per your area of interest. While after completing your BA you can apply for Masters in Psychology i,e MA in your favourite subject in which you wish to gain your MA.

A Psychologist can work in many settings depending on the specialisation one has done.

How to Become a Psychologist After 12th in India, I would suggest you to for the CareerGuide.com career assessment that will help you to know in which area your interest lies. so according to that you can decide which subject you take for your specialisation.

Want to be a psychologist after 12th?

If you want to become a psychologist, here are the steps you can take after completing your 12th grade:

Pursue a Bachelor's degree in Psychology: The first step towards becoming a psychologist is to obtain a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field. You can choose to enroll in a university or college that offers a psychology program.

Gain practical experience: You can gain practical experience by volunteering or interning at mental health clinics, hospitals, or private practices. This will help you gain a better understanding of the field and also add value to your resume.

Pursue a master's degree in psychology: Once you have completed your bachelor's degree , you can pursue a master's degree in psychology. This will help you gain advanced knowledge and skills in the field of psychology.

Obtain a Ph.D. in psychology: A Ph.D. in psychology is necessary for those who want to practice as a licensed psychologist or conduct research in the field. This involves completing a doctoral program and obtaining a license to practice as a psychologist.

Obtain a license to practice as a psychologist: To practice as a licensed psychologist , you must obtain a license from the state you wish to practice in. This involves passing a state exam and completing supervised clinical hours.

Continue learning and gaining experience: Psychology is a field that is constantly evolving, and it is important to continue learning and gaining experience throughout your career. You can attend workshops, conferences, and continuing education courses to stay up-to-date with the latest research and techniques in the field.

Pursue a Bachelor's degree in Psychology

If you are interested in pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, here are the steps you can take:

Research universities/colleges: Look for universities or colleges that offer a Bachelor's degree in Psychology . Consider factors such as location, reputation, tuition fees, and course offerings when selecting a school.

Meet the admission requirements: Check the admission requirements for the program, which may include academic transcripts, standardized test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation. Make sure you meet all the requirements before applying.

Apply to the program: Fill out the application form and submit it along with any required documents by the deadline. Some schools may also require an interview or entrance exam as part of the admission process.

Complete the coursework: Once you are accepted into the program, complete the required coursework. A Bachelor's degree in Psychology typically takes four years to complete and includes courses in areas such as abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology.

Gain practical experience: As mentioned earlier, gaining practical experience is important. You can volunteer or intern at mental health clinics, hospitals, or private practices to gain hands-on experience in the field.

Consider graduate studies: After completing your Bachelor's degree , you may want to consider pursuing graduate studies in Psychology, such as a Master's or Ph.D. degree. Graduate studies will give you a more in-depth understanding of the field and prepare you for advanced roles in the field. How to Become a Psychologist After 12th in India .

Gain practical experience

How to Become a Psychologist After 12th in India. Gaining practical experience is an important part of becoming a successful psychologist. Here are some ways to gain practical experience:

Volunteer: You can look for volunteer opportunities at mental health clinics, hospitals, or non-profit organizations. Volunteering is a great way to gain experience, develop skills, and make valuable connections in the field.

Internship: An internship provides you with an opportunity to work in a professional setting under the supervision of licensed professionals. Internships can be paid or unpaid and are a great way to gain hands-on experience and learn from experienced professionals.

Part-time job: You can look for part-time jobs at mental health clinics, hospitals, or other organizations that deal with mental health. Part-time jobs provide you with an opportunity to work in a professional setting and learn from experienced professionals.

Research assistant: You can work as a research assistant in a psychology research lab at your university or college. This will provide you with hands-on experience in conducting research and analyzing data .

Shadowing: You can shadow a licensed psychologist to gain an understanding of their day-to-day activities and responsibilities. This will give you a better idea of what it's like to work in the field and help you decide if it's the right career path for you .

Attend workshops and conferences: Attend workshops and conferences related to psychology to gain knowledge and network with professionals in the field. This will help you stay up-to-date with the latest research and techniques in the field , How to Become a Psychologist After 12th in India.

Pursue a master's degree in psychology

How to Become a Psychologist After 12th in India, If you're interested in pursuing a Master's degree in Psychology, here are some steps you can take:

Choose a specialization: Psychology is a vast field, and there are many specializations to choose from. Some popular specializations include Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology , Forensic Psychology, and Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Choose a specialization based on your interests and career goals.

Research universities/colleges: Look for universities or colleges that offer a Master's degree in Psychology with a specialization of your choice. Consider factors such as location, reputation, faculty expertise, tuition fees, and course offerings when selecting a school.

Meet the admission requirements: Check the admission requirements for the program, which may include academic transcripts, standardized test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation. Make sure you meet all the requirements before applying.

Apply to the program: Fill out the application form and submit it along with any required documents by the deadline. Some schools may also require an interview or entrance exam as part of the admission process .

Complete the coursework: Once you are accepted into the program, complete the required coursework. A Master's degree in Psychology typically takes two to three years to complete and includes courses in areas such as advanced research methods, ethics, and theories in your chosen specialization.

Gain practical experience: Gain practical experience by volunteering or interning at mental health clinics, hospitals, or private practices in your chosen specialization.

How to Become a Psychologist After 12th in India, Consider pursuing a Ph.D. degree: A Ph.D. degree in Psychology is necessary for those who want to practice as a licensed psychologist or conduct research in the field. Consider pursuing a Ph.D. degree if you want to advance your career in Psychology.

Obtain a Ph.D. in psychology

How to Become a Psychologist After 12th in India, If you're interested in obtaining a Ph.D. in Psychology, here are some steps you can take:

Choose a specialization: Psychology is a broad field, and there are many specializations to choose from. Some popular specializations include Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Forensic Psychology, and Developmental Psychology. Choose a specialization based on your interests and career goals .

Research universities/colleges: Look for universities or colleges that offer a Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization of your choice. Consider factors such as location, reputation, faculty expertise, tuition fees, and research opportunities when selecting a school.

Meet the admission requirements: Check the admission requirements for the program, which may include academic transcripts, standardized test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation. Make sure you meet all the requirements before applying.

Apply to the program: Fill out the application form and submit it along with any required documents by the deadline. Some schools may also require an interview or entrance exam as part of the admission process.

Complete the coursework: Once you are accepted into the program, complete the required coursework. A Ph.D. in Psychology typically takes four to six years to complete and includes courses in areas such as advanced research methods, statistics, and theories in your chosen specialization.

Conduct research: As a Ph.D. student in Psychology , you will be expected to conduct original research in your chosen specialization. This will involve developing research questions, designing studies, collecting data, and analyzing data.

Complete a dissertation: The dissertation is a major requirement for a Ph.D. degree in Psychology. This involves conducting original research, analyzing data, and presenting your findings in a written document.

Gain practical experience: Gain practical experience by volunteering or interning at mental health clinics, hospitals, or private practices in your chosen specialization. This will give you hands-on experience working with clients and patients.

Obtain licensure: If you want to practice as a licensed psychologist, you will need to obtain licensure in your state. This typically involves passing an exam and completing a certain number of supervised hours of clinical practice.

Overall, obtaining a Ph.D. in Psychology is a challenging but rewarding process that can open up many career opportunities in the field.

Obtain a license to practice as a psychologist

To obtain a license to practice as a psychologist, here are some general steps you can follow , How to Become a Psychologist After 12th in India:

Meet the educational requirements: In most states, you will need to have earned a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited institution.

Complete supervised experience: After earning your degree, you will need to complete a certain number of supervised hours of clinical experience. The exact number of hours required varies by state.

Pass the licensing exam: Once you have completed your supervised experience, you will need to pass a licensing exam. The most commonly used exam is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

Apply for licensure: You will need to submit an application to your state's licensing board, along with any required documentation such as transcripts and proof of supervised experience.

Meet any additional requirements: Some states may have additional requirements for licensure, such as completing continuing education courses or passing an additional state-specific exam.

Maintain your license: Once you have obtained your license, you will need to maintain it by completing continuing education courses and renewing your license on a regular basis.

How to Become a Psychologist After 12th in India, It's important to note that the specific requirements for licensure may vary by state, so it's important to research the requirements in your state carefully. Additionally, some specializations within psychology may have additional requirements for licensure, such as completing an internship or residency in a specific area of practice.

RE: Want to be a psychologist.what should I do after 12th?

Meghna Mukherjee
Meghna Mukherjee
Verified Career Expert
Counselor at Adaptive Minds
  • Mumbai

Hi There,

The first thing you need to do to pursue Psychology as a profession, is to reason out why you wish to do this course and what exactly are your plans.

As you might be aware Psychology, is related to "Mental well-being" and guiding others to rediscover their own potentials with out being sympathetic but being compassionate towards them.

After 12th, preferably ARTS styream, since the basic of Psychology is learnt in the 11th & 12th.
Here you could opt for a BA or B.Sc in Psychology.

Though both are 3 years Undergradaute programs, A BA will cover most of the humanities subjkects like Sociology, History, Political Science, Economics ( Depends on the college you prefer to study in), wheras a B.Sc would ionvolve, mostly linking Psychology to the Scientific area, so not only are you studying Psychology from just Mind perspective but stydying the mind too in terms of Physiology and Biology.
Here you can choose choose, Psychology as your main subject, which is these days divided into 2 years, the 2nd and 3rd year, covering 3 subjects of psychology in each year, making you eligible to apply for an MA degree.
Since MA requires a specilaiztion in psychology, at the gradaute level, meaning one must have studied 6 areas of Psychology namely, Child, Health and environment, Social, Abnormal, Statistics and OB.

A knowledge on the areas helps you select a Mastrs degree.

After your Gradaution, for practicing as a Psychologists, you need to pursue a Masters degree, a 2 years course. Here you have ample choices to choose from.
Some of the specializations offered at the Masters ( MA) level includes:

  1. Clinical Psychology: Mainly the Psychologists works hand -in-hand with a Psychiatrists. Mainly dealing with the rehabilitation centres, clinics etc.
  2. Counseling Psychologists: They are also eligible to work with a Psychiatrists, but generally Clinical Psychologists are preferred. Counseling Psychologists generally are found in schools and counseling centres. Dealing with all age groups and administering Psychometric tests
  3. Industrial Psychologists: These are Psychologists who work in sync with the HR department of any organization. They are the ones who conduct Training, assess employees during the interview, administer selection tests and handles employee grievances and implements strategies
  4. Child Psychology: These are Psychologists who specialize in child related issues. They deal with issues right from birth to the developmental years of the child
  5. Guidance & Counseling: A new course introduced, which was earlier and still few University provides under Pg. Diploma programs. These are Psychologists who are into Career guidance. Helping students choose a career based on their potentials and interest.

If you pursue a B.Sc in Psychology. Apart from the above mentioned specialization, you can also opt for:

  1. Forensic Psychology: Thes e are Psychologists who generally work with the investigating team. Mainly the ones who work and try to find the link of genetics to crime.
  2. Criminology / Criminal Psychology: These are Psychologists who work in the rehabilitation centers dealing with criminals. You might have heard of counselors for jail inmates. They are the criminal psychologists.

Though degree is important to practice as a Psychologists, but part from that one needs other supporting certificates to be functioning as a complete health professional
Some of the courses you can opt for includes:

- Hypnosis
- EMDR
- NLP
- Graphology

Hope this solves your issue.

Wish you good luck...

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RE: Want to be a psychologist.what should I do after 12th?

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Caching Date: 4/18/2024 11:14:39 PM