Psychology is a field of study that fascinates millions. With a focus on the human mind and behaviour, psychology is a popular major for university and college students around the world.
The field of psychology intersects with a wide range of disciplines, such as education, childcare, mental wellness, and business. There are many that choose to stay within the discipline and pursue the career of a psychologist.
According to the Canadian Psychological Association, "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 behaviour".
If you are interested pursuing a psychology career in Canada, you are probably aware that you have many career options to choose from. First, however, you must know the steps it takes to become a psychologist and how to specialize in the field.
This article is all about how to become a psychologist in Canada, starting from university to starting your practice. You'll learn all about how to make the most of your chosen career.
The Steps to Becoming a Psychologist in Canada
On average, it could take as much as 12 years and as little as 8 years to become a licensed psychologist in Canada. Therefore, knowing all the educational and training requirements you need to become an expert psychologist is essential. This is important to maintain stamina and stay motivated during your study.
Research has shown that many students give up halfway into their study of psychology. This may be due to unrealistic expectations or an inability to cope with the study duration. Indeed, patience is necessary in Canada's psychology careers to succeed, and motivation is needed to make it to achieving licensure.
Let's take a look at the steps to becoming a psychologist in Canada.
Step 1: Earn an Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Getting an undergraduate degree is the first step towards becoming a psychologist. You will learn the foundations of the subject and acquire a broad understanding of the different theories and frameworks.
A psychology degree takes approximately four years of full time study to complete, and you can combine your coursework with other topics you are interested in, such as the arts or sociology.
2. Pursue a Graduate Degree
Many students that want to specialize in psychology opt for a master’s degree and possibly even a PhD. Graduate degrees are necessary for working in the field as a psychologist. With an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree, you can still work in related areas but will not be able to gain licensure from a provincial regulatory body.
In a graduate program, students can focus on areas like clinical psychology, counselling, child psychology, or behavioural science. You will build your foundation of knowledge and have opportunities to observe work in the field.
Graduate programs will take a minimum of 2 years to complete, and longer for a doctorate degree.
3. Gain Experience with Supervision from a Licensed Practitioner
Before you apply for a licence, you will need to have accrued over 1,500-2,000 hours of supervised professional experience. This is a requirement for licensure, and a safe way to get experience in the professional world.
Experience in the field is key when you are working with people to provide care. Having an extensive amount of experience will also help you to feel more confident on the job. During this time, you will receive feedback and be observed by licensed psychologists.
See the skills you need to excel in your psychology career in Canada.
4. Apply for Registration with your Provincial or Territorial Regulatory Body
As with most other professions, Canadian psychologists are regulated by provincial and territorial regulatory bodies. Main regulatory bodies include:
To obtain licensure, you will also have to pass exams such as the Exam for Professional Practice in Psychology and any other exams required by your provincial body.
See the average salary psychologists earn in Canada.
5. Continue Building Your Career through Professional Development
Practicing psychologists continue learning long after gaining licensure through earning additional degrees and courses that will enable them to specialize in a particular area. Some areas of specialization include:
- Health psychologist
- Clinical psychologist
- School psychologist
- Social psychologist
- Developmental psychologist
- Counseling psychologist
- Educational psychologist
- Forensic psychologist
What Are some of the Main Branches of Psychology Study?
Neuropsychology
This study examines the function and structure of the brain concerning human behaviors and patterns. Experts in this field usually work alongside surgeons during brain surgeries involving legions or any activity recording electrical activity in the brain.
Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology studies the way people think. It explores memory, problem-solving, learning, and language mastery techniques. It also explores how the brain receives and stores information. Professionals in this branch of psychology work with patients to improve memory, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychologists focus on human behavior's emotional, behavioral, psychological, intellectual, and social aspects of living across different cultures. Experts in this field use their knowledge to diagnose, prevent and alleviate distress or dysfunction caused by various psychological factors.
Developmental Psychology
It is the scientific study of the various stages of human development using a psychological approach. Its analysis doesn't just apply to infants and teenagers but also adults and even the elderly. If you want to specialize in this aspect of psychology, you may study courses that overlap with related fields like linguistics.
Occupational Psychology
Experts in this field are also called organizational psychologists. Generally, they access and make recommendations about an individual's performance in training or work. This helps companies to make informed decisions in the talent acquisition and employee retention processes.
Is a Career in Psychology Right for Me?
After learning the steps to become a psychologist, it is natural to wonder if it is indeed the right career for you. These tips could help you decide.
- You love helping people
Are you a "people" person? A psychology career might suit your passion if you want to help people overcome specific mental health challenges. The first step is to apply for a bachelor's degree program in psychology.
- You enjoy writing and research
Few undergraduate programs involve research and writing, like psychology degrees. Due to its scientific nature, it requires research and a thesis. These skills could help you after you graduate and begin job hunting. Many professionals utilize their writing skills by earning a side income as a technical or health writer.
You want to explore human thought and behavior
One of the popular destinations of psychological careers is consulting. Whether you want to specialize in neuropsychology or forensic psychology, you will most likely take courses that teach the science of human behavior, brain development, and how it influences different mental conditions.
Where Can I Get a Job as a Psychologist?
Psychologists are hired in many different contexts: mental health facilities, schools, correctional facilities, universities, colleges, clinics, and rehabilitation clinics, just to name a handful.
As you can see, there are are a variety of pathways you can take when considering where to work with a psychology degree in Canada. To have the best options, keep in mind that you may need more than just an undergraduate degree.
To climb the career ladder, expert knowledge of psychology is necessary, which may only be achievable with a master's or doctorate.
When planning your career, find the job description of your dream job and what qualifications are required. Then, set your goals accordingly.
What Careers Can I pursue with an Undergraduate Psychology Degree Worth?
A career in psychology is worth it for many students. However, if you don't want to pursue graduate studies, there are many entry-level opportunities for first-degree holders in psychology.
Many graduates find employment in clinical facilities and primary health care centers to work alongside licensed psychologists. Undoubtedly, this is a unique opportunity to gain experience on the job, which might become useful many years after kickstarting your career.
Aside from that, many graduates of psychology go on to explore a career in mental health and correctional treatment. For example, your psychology degree can provide a good start to becoming a correctional treatment specialist or probation officer.
What Salary can I expect to Earn as a Psychologist?
According to 2024 Figures
However, depending on your specialty within the industry, you may earn above or far below the median salary.
For many decades, these careers in psychology have achieved the highest salaries:
- Forensic
- Rehabilitation
- Developmental
- Industrial/organization
- Counseling
- Clinical
With industrial/organizational psychologists earning the highest, psychology's career path is seen as the most lucrative.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a licensed psychologist in Canada is not a short journey. It would help if you had some patience, time, and motivation to succeed. Before deciding if the career path is the right choice, you must consider your goals and resources.
Also, evaluate your interests and alternative career paths that may suit you. Many professional psychologists find career fulfillment and pursue life ling goals in the field of psychology. It begins with setting goals and making the right decisions.
No matter the career path you choose in psychology, you can get academic and moral support from tutors on Superprof. Many of them are trained psychologists and will be more than happy to help you succeed.
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