Elder Care and Research Careers that Require a Graduate or Professional Degree
Elder Care and Research Careers--Psychiatrist
Can I use my Psychology degree to become a Psychiatrist?You can definitely use your Psychology degree to become a Psychiatrist. This is because a Psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) that treats individuals with mental health problems, and as a Psychology major you are free to pursue an MD. Keep in mind, however, that getting accepting to medical school is very difficult and will require extremely high grades and high scores on the medical school admissions terst (MCAT). Also, medical schools will require that you take certain science courses as an undergraduate (e.g., Biology and Chemistry).
As a Psychiatrist, you will treat mental health problems in a variety of ways. These include testing, therapy, medications, and medical techniques such as electroconvulsive therapy. What is critical in this regard is that in almost all states only a Psychiatrist (by virtue of being an MD) and not a Psychologist, can prescribe and administer drugs and use certain medical techniques. Check out this website about Psychiatry.
The career path for a Psychiatrist includes 4 years of medical school--you pay full tuition. Then you must complete a 4-year residency in Psychiatry after medical school. After completion of these steps, you can gain employment in ahospital, university medical center, or be in private practice.
Salary InformationThe Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the yearly average income for a Psychiatrist at $195,000.
You can read more about becoming a Psychiatrist here. Click here to read some important steps to a career as a Psychiatrist.If you are interested in psychiatry, you may also want to check out our page on medical and health care careers.
To learn more about applying to medical school check out the Association of American Medical Colleges.
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Click on the links below to read about another Elder Care and Research career that only requires a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology:
Elder Care and Research Careers--Elder Adovcate/Fundraising
Elder Care and Research Careers--Aide to Elderly
Click on the links below to read about other Elder Care and Research careers that require a graduate degree:
Elder Care and Research Careers--Master's Degree in Psychology
Elder Care and Research Careers- Master of Social Work
Elder Care and Research Careers--Doctoral Degree in Psychology
Elder Care and Research--Master's Degree in Psychology
Can I use my Psychology degree to pursue a Master's degree involving a career in Elder Care and Research?You can definitely go from your Psychology degree to a Master's Degree. Since you are interested in working with elders, your Master's degree might be in Clinical or Counseling Psychology. The former is ideal for those with an interest in psychopathological populations and who want to do therapy. For those who want a career in Counseling Psychology, the focus of your training will be on vocational and career processes, human diversity, and professional training--you can still do therapy. Having a Master's Degree can lead to a job in various locations--at a school, at a private clinic, with a non-profit organization, or in government.
If you want to conduct research with elders, you can also earn a Master's degree (e.g., in Developmental Psychology or Gerontology) and then move forward to earn a PhD degree in Developmental Psychology or Gerontology. If you career plans include working in a university setting, you will need to earn a PhD. Remember that if earn a Master's degree iyou will be in a better position for certain types of careers that involve children (e.g., Senior Center Director).
To earn a Master's Degree will typically require 2 years of graduate school; you will typically pay tuition, and not receive a stipend as a Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant. It is always important to remember that a Master's degree tends to offer greater job opportunities and greater salary than a Bachelor’s degree. In addition, a Master's degree can lead to being licensed to do certain tasks (e.g., testing, therapy) in your degree is in Clinical or Counseling Psychology or as a Master of Social Work. Click here to read more about what a Master's degree in psychology offers.
Salary Information
With a Master's degree you will earn less than the amounts listed below for a PhD:apa.org lists the median yearly income for a PhD in Clinical Psychology at $80,000.
apa.org lists the median yearly income for a PhD in Counseling Psychology at $85,000.
zipcruiter.com lists the average yearly income for a PhD in Developmental Psychology at $71,000.
Click here to read important steps to becoming an MA/MS or PhD in Elder Care and Research. Other links on explorecareersinpsychology.orgClick here to return to homepage of explorecareersinpsychology.org
Click here to return to the Careers by Category page.
Click here to return to the Elder Care and Research Careers page.
Click on the links below to read about another Elder Care and Research career that only requires a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology:
Elder Care and Research Careers--Elder Adovcate/Fundraising
Elder Care and Research Careers--Aide to Elderly
Click on the links below to read about other Elder Care and Research careers that require a graduate degree:
Elder Care and Research Careers--Master of Social Work
Elder Care and Research Careers- Doctoral Degree in Psychology
Elder Care and Research Careers--Doctoral Degree in Psychology
After receiving my Psychology degree, what are my career options involving Elder Care and Research with a Doctoral Degree in Psychology?Once you have a Psychology degree, you may decide to get a Doctoral degree. Psychologists with a Doctoral degree generally work in one of several areas related to issues of elder care and research. These areas include jobs at a school, private clinic, a non-profit organization, or government. Given your training, private practice is also an option.
Clinical (PhD or PsyD)--deal with psychopathological (mental health disorders) populations and behavioral health.
Counseling (PhD)--deal with vocational and career processes, human diversity, and professional training.
Experimental (PhD)--research the human growth and development process
Non-profit Organizations/Government Agencies (Phd or PsyD)--work with organization/agencies that are designed to further a specific purpose or mission
Program and Policy Consultants (PhD or PsyD)--provide expert advice to various organization, government agencies, etc.
If you decide to become a Clinical Psychologist or become a consultant you can earn one of two degrees. You can earn a PhD (Doctor of Philosphy) or a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology), whereas in the other career areas you typically receive a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). You should also be aware that a PhD follows the completion of a Master's (MA or MS) degree, either from the same school or another school. The time to complete a PhD takes between 4-6 years of graduate school, and your degree will be earned after you complete a dissertation (research project). With regard to a PsyD, it takes a little less time to complete than a PhD. In addition, a PsyD does not involve a research project. Another interesting fact about earning a Doctoral degree is that typically when you are working toward your PhD you do NOT pay tuition, and you receive what is called a "stipend" (salary for working as a Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant). However, the same is not true for a PsyD. Finally, both a PhD and a PsyD offer greater job opportunities and a greater salary than a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, and both a PhD and a PsyD allow you to be licensed by a state to do certain activities (e.g., testing, therapy). Read about a comparison between Masters and PhD degrees in psychology here. Also, read about a comparison between a PhD and a PsyD here.
Upon completion of your Doctoral degree, job locations include working at a school, at a private clinic, with a non-profit organization, or with the state or local government.
Salary Informationapa.org lists the median yearly income for a PhD in Clinical Psychology at $80,000.
apa.org lists the median yearly income for a PhD in Counseling Psychology at $85,000.
zipcruiter.com lists the average yearly income for a PhD in Developmental Psychology at $71,000.
payscale.com lists the average yearly income for a PsyD at $77,000.
Click here to read important steps to be an MA/MS or PhD Psychologist.To learn more about applying to Psychology graduate school check out the following:
American Psychological Association
Other links on explorecareersinpsychology.orgClick here to return to homepage of explorecareersinpsychology.org
Click here to return to the Careers by Category page.
Click here to return to the Elder Care and Research Careers page.
Click on the links below to read about another Elder Care and Research career that only requires a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology:
Elder Care and Research Careers--Elder Adovcate/Fundraising
Elder Care and Research Careers--Aide to Elderly
Click on the links below to read about other Elder Care and Research careers that require a graduate degree:
Elder Care and Research Careers--Master's Degree in Psychology
Elder Care and Research Careers--Master of Social Work
How can I use my Psychology degree to earn a Master of Social Work degree and work with Elders?You can use your Psychology degree to pursue a graduate degree called a Master of Social Work (MSW). An MSW allows you to offer direct services to elders by working with them to help solve everyday problems. You might decide to get an MSW in clinical social work where your job will entail the diagnosis and treatment of elders (typically through therapy) who are dealing with mental health issues.
There are a variety of contexts where you can get a job as a Social Worker. First, you may work for state and local governments (e.g., Department of Health), a hospital, medical clinic or nursing home. Second, you may find a job in a non-profit community health agency. Third, you might work ior an organization serving the elderly. Finally, you may decide to go into private practice and serve as your own boss.
An MSW degree usually requires 2 years of graduate school. Some schools do not require a thesis, and typically you must pay tuition. An MSW offers greater job opportunities and greater salary than a Bachelor’s degree. It also allows you to be licensed by a state to do certain activities (e.g., testing, therapy). This type of degree places greater emphasis on the practice of psychology and much less emphasis on research. Click here to learn more about an MSW degree.
Click here to link to the National Association of Social Workers website. Salary InformationThe Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average yearly income for an MSW at $48,000.
Click here to read some important steps in earning an MSW. Other links on explorecareersinpsychology.orgClick here to return to homepage of explorecareersinpsychology.org
Click here to return to the Careers by Category page.
Click here to return to the Elder Care and Research Careers page.
Click on the links below to read about another Elder Care and Research career that only requires a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology:
Elder Care and Research Careers--Elder Adovcate/Fundraising
Elder Care and Research Careers--Aide to Elderly
Click on the links below to read about other Elder Care and Research careers that require a graduate degree:
Elder Care and Research Careers--Master's Degree in Psychology
Elder Care and Research Careers- Doctoral Degree in Psychology