A career in psychology involves planning ahead. Before you embark on your decision to study psychology, you have to ask yourself some questions.
So do you want to achieve in the future with a psychology degree?
We came across many teenage students who thinks that a psychology degree is about mind reading, like Professor X in X-Men. Some students think that because they are weak in mathematics and sciences thus, doing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology would allow them to "escape" mathematics and sciences. Sorry to crush your hopes but Psychology is the science of mind and behavior. You can certainly reduce the amount coursework in sciences in a BA degree but you will not be able to "escape" science classes like biology. Since you are required to understand the behavior of people, it is not through mind reading, you must be able to work with data, run and interpret multiple regression models, understand mathematical statistics and run hypothesis testing.
There are many fields in psychology but we will first go into the bachelor degree,
Undergraduate psychology degrees are usually done at a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science level. The duration in Australia is 4 years with Honours), United States is 4 Years and the UK is 3 Years with Honours.
Australia and UK Admission Requirements:
The entry minimum entry requirements for being admitted to psychology degree is the A Level, IB or a 1 year foundation program. Find out more about doing a 1 year foundation in Australia and the UK after your O Level instead of doing the A Level or IB and progress to Group of 8 Universities in Australia and Russell Group Universities in the UK.
United States Admission Requirements:
Most US universities accept O level as admissions to the first year of university. Highly selective universities would require A Level, IB or equivalent qualification.
The career outcomes for graduates with a bachelor degree in psychology are, but not limited to:
- Guidance Counselor
- Human Resources Staff
- Market Research Analyst
- Business Psychologist
- Sales
- Psychologist Associate
However if your goal is to become a clinical psychologist, you will need to obtain a Master or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from an accredited university. The qualification has to be registrable by the Singapore Psychological Society if you intend to return and practice as a registered psychologist in Singapore.
What is a Clinical Psychologist?
A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional with an accredited graduate degree in clinical psychology. A clinical psychologist is highly trained in the specialization in the diagnosis and psychological treatment of mental, behavioral and emotional illnesses, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Difference between a Clinical Psychologist and Psychiatrist?
This is a question that many students and parents are confused about. It is important to note that ALL psychiatrists have an accredited medical degree (MBBS, MD, etc.) and are registered medical doctors. The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD.) and PhD in Psychology are NOT medical degrees.
The biggest difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that a psychiatrist can prescribe medications, while most psychologists are not medical doctors and typically cannot prescribe medication.
In Singapore, the court will assess and decide on the eligibility for Mandatory Treatment Order (MTO) of the offender based on the final report submitted by the court-appointed psychiatrist.
However it is possible to be both a clinical psychologist and psychiatrist but it is a very long route. You will first need to take a Bachelor Degree in Psychology (4 Years), Master in Clinical Psychology (2 years) or Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) (3-4 Years) followed by a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) (4 Years).
How Competitive is it to be admitted to a Master or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology program
It is highly competitive to be admitted into a Master or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology program as the cohort is usually very small and thus, universities are highly selective. If you do not have a first class honours or GPA 3.70/4.00 and above in your bachelor degree in psychology, your chances of being admitted will be reduced very significantly. The minimum to qualify is usually at least a second class uppers or a GPA of 3.50/4.00.
To increase your chances, you should start volunteering or working in healthcare, especially in mental health. It could be in hospitals, social work, juvenile rehabilitation programs, counseling roles, etc. Start early! You could start volunteering as early as in secondary school. The earlier you start the more experience you have and the more experience you have, the more favourable you are to an admissions officer. As the program is highly selective, there may be an interview required. Interviewers tend to question about your work/volunteering experiences in mental health and social work.
Besides your grades and work/volunteer experiences, it is very important to have an impressive final year research report in your undergraduate degree and good academic references from both your lecturers and supervisors at work.
How to be a Registered Psychologist in Singapore?
Always refer to the Singapore Psychological Society's website for any updates. We DO NOT assist in the registration process as we only provide education advice and university application services..
if you are planning to study for a degree in psychology overseas, you should only consider countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, UK or Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Your overseas overseas qualifications has be accredited by a recognized accreditation body in the respective countries.
Australia :
Accrediting body: The British Psychological Society (BPS)
Bachelor Degree with Honours: 3-4 years
Master of Clinical Psychology: 2 Years
Doctor of Clinical Psychology: 3-4 Years
United Kingdom:
Accrediting body: Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Bachelor Degree with Honours: 4 years
Doctor of Clinical Psychology: 3 Years
United States:
Accrediting body: American Psychological Associate (APA)
Bachelor Degree: 4 years
Doctor of Clinical Psychology: 4-6 Years
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