How Long Does It Take to Get a Psychology Degree?
By Joy Miller
Updated on September 4, 2024
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How long does it take to get a Psychology degree? That depends on what level of degree you want to earn and whether you go part-time or full-time.
If you have a passion for helping others and a desire to understand how the mind works and what causes certain behaviors, then Psychology may be the field for you.
Deciding to go to college for a traditional or online bachelor’s degree in Psychology is the first step in a great career. The time it takes you to get your degree will depend on you and the path you take. You have options of going full time, part-time, or in accelerated programs to work quicker.
Assuming you decide to attend full-time, not accelerated, typical accredited online bachelor’s degrees take four years to complete. The exact timeframe could slightly vary based on the courses offered each semester or prerequisites that you need.
An accelerated psychology degree online is an online program that allows you to save time by working at a faster pace. Many of the classes are short periods classes of five, seven, or ten-week per course.
These fast bachelors degree programs usually allow you to finish your degree in half the time as you would take in a traditional program.
Accelerated degrees are not right for everyone because the classes move at a faster pace and can be challenging to keep up with. You must be a dedicated learner to be successful in this type of program.
Obtaining your master’s degree can give you access to more career options. Earning a master’s degree in Psychology typically takes about two more years after finishing a bachelor’s degree.
The degree from start to finish usually takes a total of about six years if you go full in a tradition type program.
Getting a master’s degree in Psychology, can help qualify you for many clinical jobs. Some of these jobs can include but are not limited to:
You may also want to investigate continuing your career by applying to a school to get your doctorate in Psychology. This degree can help you to gain the skills and qualifications needed to practice clinical psychology on your own.
A Doctor of Psychology is a degree program for those looking to provide services in a clinical setting to assist people with mental and emotional needs. How long it takes to get a doctorate in psychology is roughly four to six years and does not require a dissertation.
There may be an internship or externship required for your program. You should talk with your school to see exactly what will be needed to complete the program.
A Doctor of Philosophy is a degree that focuses on innovative research and teaching strategies. A PhD involves completing a final exam to prove you understand the material of the program and have acquired the skills needed to work in this discipline.
The academic coursework for the program usually lasts about three years.
A PhD in Psychology can take five to seven years to complete. This timeframe includes academic studies, clinical examination, and completing your dissertation. Your dissertation will have to be presented to the College Board for approval before you graduate from the program.
There are an internship requirement and other work-study requirements that are needed before you will get the final degree.
Taking classes part-time is vital for those who need the flexibility to work around jobs and family schedules. Going to school part-time will take more time to complete a program.
A PhD in Psychology can take five to seven years to complete if you go full time; part-time enrollment could take you seven to nine years to finish.
The PhD requires you to complete a well-researched dissertation and complete a comprehensive exam. The dissertation has a timeframe to compete for most schools.
The school may have its own requirements for this, so part-time students should check the expectations of each school.
Applying for college can be a complicated process for new students who have never completed the process. Every college has its application requirements, but the process for applying is similar. Here are some steps that can help you get the process started:
If you need help with these items, the admission counselor can lead you in the right direction.
The last thing you should do is wait for your acceptance letter to come in the mail and then continue the process for a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Psychologists work closely with individuals with mental health issues and other related problems. They work with patients to teach them daily life and coping skills.
They also evaluate individuals and comprehensive assessments to better diagnose the problems that need to be addressed.
Some of the assessments include:
Becoming a psychologist takes lots of studying and can be time-consuming.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests you pursue a doctorate education in psychology if you are interested in becoming a psychologist. A PhD in this field requires a comprehensive exam and internship work.
Some believe this is a challenging field to begin. The research and exams can take time and effort. If you are not confident in research, writing, and giving specific evidence to back up claims, then becoming a Psychologist may be difficult for you.
If you enjoy a challenge and love to learn new things by way of research, and you are confident in your writing ability, then you may find becoming a Psychologist an easy pathway for your learning style.
Whether or not you find the course path hard, it has the potential to be a satisfying career.
There are a variety of high-paying careers that you can explore as a psychologist. Some of these careers are listed in the table below. You can also see what the jobs are and what the median salary expectation is.
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $96,270 |
| Sociologist | $86,110 |
| Psychologist | $80,370 |
| Psychology Professor | $78,180 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,490 |
This information comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here, you can find more about these careers and what you can do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
There are regional accreditation programs based on the areas where the colleges are located. Each college and university can apply to be accredited by the accreditation agency that supports their region.
There are six regional accreditation programs in the United States, including:
Accredited psychology schools are sure to provide coursework and skills needed for students to gain research-based instruction that will help them succeed in their fields.
The cost of a major in psychology will depend on several factors, such as:
Community colleges and vocational schools local to your area will usually offer the best price per credit hour and will often have the best scholarship opportunities. Many of these schools have online programs and will help you enroll in these programs.
Some people prefer to gain their associate’s degree from a community college and then transfer into a university to help keep the cost of a BA or BS in Psychology lower.
Many universities accept courses from a community college as long as the college is accredited. This is a great way to get your first two years of general education credits completed.
If you decide to go to graduate school, there is more money available through the American Psychological Association. Check them out for grant and scholarship opportunities.
No matter which level of degree you want to earn, however, the best place to start is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), where you’ll see what grants and government loans you qualify for.
Yes, getting a degree in Psychology is worth it for many students. Outlook for life, physical, and social science jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is projected to grow 5% over the next ten years. Common careers in this field include human resources specialist, psychology professor, psychologist, and sociologist.
A Psych degree can open doors and help you better work with people and organizations to bring positive change. Start looking at schools that offer accredited Psychology programs and determine if this path is right for you.
Complete your application and get started. The end result should be worth the time, money, and hard work. The career you have been looking for is waiting for you. Let’s find the perfect program for your goals—just click “Find My Program.
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