Quick Facts About Psychologists
WHAT IS A PSYCHOLOGIST?
A psychologist studies how we think, feel and behave from a scientific viewpoint and applies this
knowledge to help people understand, explain and change their behavior.
WHERE DO PSYCHOLOGISTS WORK?
Some psychologists work primarily as researchers and faculty at universities and at governmental
and non-governmental organizations. Others work primarily as practitioners in hospitals, schools,
clinics, correctional facilities, employee assistance programs and private offices. Many
psychologists are active in both research and practice.
WHAT DO PSYCHOLOGISTS DO?
Psychologists engage in research, practice and teaching across a wide range of topics having to do
with how people think, feel and behave. Their work can involve individuals, groups, families and as
well as larger organizations in government and industry. Some psychologists focus their research
on animals rather than people. Here are some of the kinds of topics towards which psychologists
focus their research and practice:
• mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, phobias, etc.,
• neurological, genetic, psychological and social determinants of behavior,
• brain injury, degenerative brain diseases,
• the perception and management of pain,
• psychological factors and problems associated with physical conditions and disease such as
diabetes, heart disease, stroke),
• psychological factors and management of terminal illnesses such as cancer,
• cognitive functions such as learning, memory, problem solving, intellectual ability and
performance,
• developmental and behavioral abilities and problems across the lifespan,
• criminal behavior, crime prevention, services for victims and perpetrators of criminal activity,
• addictions and substance use and abuse (e.g. smoking, alcohol, drugs),
• stress, anger and other aspects of lifestyle management,
• court consultations addressing the impact and role of psychological and cognitive factors in
accidents and injury, parental capacity, and competence to manage one’s personal affairs,
• the application of psychological factors and issues to work such as motivation, leadership,
productivity, marketing, healthy workplaces, ergonomics,
• marital and family relationships and problems,
• psychological factors necessary to maintaining wellness and preventing disease,
• social and cultural behavior and attitudes, the relationship between the individual and the many
groups of which he or she is part (e.g. work, family, society),
• the role and impact of psychological factors on performance at work, recreation and sport.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology courses and majors are very popular among college undergraduates.
If you want some career direction or advice about what in psychology to study at the
graduate or undergraduate level, you should contact the psychology department at the
university where you are currently studying or where you are considering studying.
Not all university psychology departments offer the same courses or engage in the
same kinds of research – both are factors that might influence your choices of where
to study. Psychology departments usually have a faculty member or other staff
person who acts as an advisor to help students with course and program selection.
At the graduate level, there are several specialties and subspecialties of
psychology. Common ones are Industrial-Organizational Psychology,
Experimental Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology,
Neuropsychology, Forensic or Correctional Psychology, Developmental or Child
Psychology.
The American Psychological Association publishes Graduate Study in Psychology
which lists and describes graduate programs in psychology throughout the US.
This publication can be ordered from the APA web site at www.apa.org/gradstudy..
It typically takes 4 years to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology,
another 2 years to complete a master’s degree, and up to another 4 years to complete a
doctoral degree. Doctoral degrees in any of the professional areas of psychology
(e.g. clinical psychology, counseling psychology clinical neuropsychology) have
practicum and internship requirements in addition to coursework and research
requirements.
Competition for admission to graduate programs in psychology can be stiff.
Doctoral programs in professional areas of psychology (e.g. clinical psychology,
counseling psychology, school psychology) accept approximately 10% of applicants.
WHAT ARE TRAINING AND CREDENTIALS PSYCHOLOGISTS NEED TO
PRACTICE PSYCHOLOGY?
•To practice psychology in the US, one must be licensed by their state licensing board.
•In North Carolina, psychologists are licensed and regulated by the North Carolina Psychology
Board.
•More information about the North Carolina Board can be found at www.ncpsychologyboard.org.
The board’s web site has a range of information and can be searched to ensure that an individual
is licensed to practice psychology in the state of North Carolina.
Psychology Quick Facts adapted with permission from website of the Canadian Psychological Association
