What is involved in training a psychologist?
Psychologists typically complete five to seven years of graduate education and professional training in addition to the 4-year college bachelor’s degree. Psychology practice is legally regulated in all fifty states. The minimal acceptable standard of training for a psychologist today is a doctoral degree in psychology or a closely related field. Psychologists are “Doctors” but they are not physicians, and they do not prescribe medication. The degree may be a Ph.D., a Psy.D. or an Ed.D., depending upon the graduate training program. The coursework typically includes training in psychology, with courses covering the social, developmental, learning and biological bases for behavior. Other courses may include personality theory, normal growth and development, and psychopathology. Additional training may include psychodiagnostic evaluation techniques, psychological testing, and psychotherapy. Stress, anger, traumatic events, aging, and cultural issues are often part of the training. Practic
