Learn how to become a community psychologist. Explore education requirements, 2024 salaries ($117K median), degree programs, and career pathways.
How to Become a Community Psychologist: Career Guide 2025


Learn how to become a community psychologist. Explore education requirements, 2024 salaries ($117K median), degree programs, and career pathways.

Cognitive neuroscientists examine and understand brain functions and how they relate to behavior and development. Their primary job responsibility is to study and conduct research on how and why humans think and behave the way they do. They combine science and psychological knowledge to try and understand how behavior and actions are controlled by neural activity and functions.

Learn how to become a clinical psychologist with this complete guide covering PhD vs PsyD programs, licensing steps, and salary data.

Child psychologists are licensed mental health professionals specializing in treating children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. The career requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), 1,500-2,000 clinical hours, and state licensure. Clinical and counseling psychologists earn a median salary of $92,740 annually (May 2024 BLS) with 3% projected job growth through 2034. The complete path typically takes 8-10 years depending on whether you pursue a master's degree.

To become a forensic psychologist, you'll need a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology with forensic specialization, complete 1-2 years of postdoctoral supervised experience (varies by state), and obtain state licensure. The process typically takes 10-13 years after high school and leads to a median salary of $117,580 according to 2024 national data.



To become a counseling psychologist, you'll need a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD in psychology), complete 2-3 years of supervised clinical training, and pass your state's licensing exam. The entire process—from undergraduate education through postdoctoral training—typically takes 8-10 years and leads to a median salary of $106,600 annually according to May 2024 BLS data.

No comments by Dr. Julian Navarro, PhD, LCSW yet.