Some programs offer allow you to complete your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in a combine program that is shorter than if you did them separately. [2] X Research source
Often, you can get positions that will help you pay for your school. If not, you may want to volunteer anyway. In your junior year, talk to your professors to see if any of them is willing to take you on as a teaching or research assistant in your senior year. It can be helpful to ask a professor who you’ve gotten to know over the years. You might say, “I’d like to become more familiar with the actual teaching side of psychology. Would it be possible for me to volunteer as your assistant next year?” You can also work as an assistant if you continue on to a master’s degree.
For instance, NYU recommends that your scores be in the top 50th percentile. Some tougher psychology programs may put more emphasis on the quantitative reasoning sections than other programs, depending on how research-focused the program is. Some programs won’t even require the GRE, so you may be able to avoid it altogether. For instance, Stanford’s PhD program doesn’t require it. [5] X Research source
Keep in mind that testing slots are on a first come, first served basis. Make sure you allow 3-4 weeks to get your scores back before you need to submit them. You can find test centers near you at https://ereg. ets. org/ereg/public/workflowmanager/workflow?workflowItemId=tcAvailability. The fee to take the test in 2018 is $205 USD. [7] X Trustworthy Source Educational Testing Service Educational and testing assessment organization responsible for administering various standardized exams, such as the GRE and the TOEFL Go to source
GRE prep classes or even a tutor can also help you review Make sure to focus on the sections you need to do best on to enter your preferred psychology programs! The GRE website offers free overviews, as well as a few low-cost options to help you prepare at https://www. ets. org/gre/revised_general/prepare/. It’s a good idea to at least take a practice test ahead of time so you know what you’re in for.
The verbal reasoning section is composed of reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. These are multiple choice for the most part, but some reading comprehension questions may ask you to select an answer from the paragraph provided. [10] X Trustworthy Source Educational Testing Service Educational and testing assessment organization responsible for administering various standardized exams, such as the GRE and the TOEFL Go to source The quantitative reasoning section covers algebra, basic math, geometry, and data analysis. These are mainly multiple choice, but some require that you enter your answer. You will be provided with a calculator. [11] X Trustworthy Source Educational Testing Service Educational and testing assessment organization responsible for administering various standardized exams, such as the GRE and the TOEFL Go to source The analytical writing section is divided into an issue task and an argument task. In the issue task, you evaluate the issue and take a side. In the argument task, you must decide if a presented argument is logical and sound. At the exam, you can elect to send your scores to 4 schools. You get 4 free score reports.
The scores will be given in the range of 130 to 170 for the verbal and quantitative reasoning sections in 1-point increments. For the analytical writing, your score will be from 1 to 6 in half-point increments. [13] X Trustworthy Source Educational Testing Service Educational and testing assessment organization responsible for administering various standardized exams, such as the GRE and the TOEFL Go to source If you don’t get as high as you would like, you can take the test again once every 21 days. You can only take it up to 5 times in a 1-year period. [14] X Trustworthy Source Educational Testing Service Educational and testing assessment organization responsible for administering various standardized exams, such as the GRE and the TOEFL Go to source
To decide on schools, find programs through your school or online. Look at programs with specialties that you’re interested in to help you narrow down your choices. You can also use a master’s degree to improve your chances of getting into a doctorate program. If your undergraduate grades aren’t as good as you like, you can prove you’re ready for graduate work at the doctoral level by doing a master’s degree first and doing well. You do not necessarily need a master’s degree to get into a doctoral program.
Finish the degree with a thesis or capstone project. With a master’s degree, you may be required to write a thesis, which is a lengthy essay on a topic you develop. You may also be asked to do either a capstone project or a capstone test. [16] X Research source
Having a teaching certificate can also help give you an edge when it comes to applying for a job.
Visit the website at https://accreditation. apa. org/accredited-programs.
A PhD takes 5-7 years, depending on where you do it and whether or not you’re going full time.
Some programs also require that you perform a clinical rotation, where you work under a psychologist to provide services, much like a medical student does before becoming a doctor.
In addition, you’ll also likely need to defend your dissertation at the end of the program. A defense is where you go in front of a group of professors, and they ask you questions about your dissertation. You must get through the defense to pass the program.
Check your state’s laws to see if you need a license for the position you’re applying for. Use your state’s application process to apply for licensing. Your state board will review your credentials to determine if you can be licensed according to your state’s laws. Typically, a license requires a set number of clinical hours with clients, which you usually complete during your PhD. You will also need to complete your PhD from an accredited program, sometimes an APA-accredited program.
Read the Candidate Acknowledgement Statement sent to you by the ASPPB after verification, which tells you important information you need to know about taking the exam. After you read it, you must submit the form saying you’ve read it. Then you gain access to practice tests.
As of 2018, the exam costs $687. 50 USD. There are testing centers in most cities where you can schedule and take the exam. Once you pay your fees, you must take the exam within 90 days. [24] X Research source Use practice tests to prepare for your exam. Taking a practice test will give you an idea of what you need to know to pass the test.
The 8 areas the exam covers are: Biological bases of behavior. Cognitive affective bases of behavior. Social and cultural bases of behavior. Growth and lifespan development. Assessment and diagnosis. Treatment, intervention, prevention, and supervision. Research methods and statistics. Ethical, legal, and professional issues.
Typically, you must make 450-500 to be considered “passing. " A score of 450 is often for supervised clinical practice only. The score ranges are from 200 to 800. The licensing board will notify you if you are accepted for licensing. If you didn’t pass, you can retake the exam, though when and how often is determined by your local licensing board.
One commonly used academic job search engine you can try is https://www. higheredjobs. com/.
Keep your cover letter under 2 pages for academic positions. Begin by introducing yourself and name the position you’re applying for and how you heard about it. In the middle section, connect your experience and academic job with the requirements of the position by going point by point. Show why you’re a good candidate for the job. Discuss what you can bring to the position and how it aligns with your career goals. End with a short summary of why you’re a good candidate. Make sure to say you would like an interview for the position.
Research the institution online, but also don’t be afraid to reach out to your academic mentors to find out what they know about the school.
Academic interviews tend to be grueling. You may meet with department professors, the department head, a hiring committee, and/or a dean or other administrators. You may have to give several interviews in addition to the class you teach.
