5 Reasons Why You Should Pursue a PhD Psychology

If you’re interested in pursuing your passion in psychology, there are some important reasons why you should consider getting your degree in PhD Psychology. By choosing to get your PhD and continue researching psychology.

You can make significant contributions to our understanding of how human minds work and the behaviors they generate. If this sounds like something that appeals to you, here are 5 reasons you should pursue a Phd in psychology.

You’ll Have the Expertise to Change Lives

If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference in the lives of others, then pursuing a Ph.D. degree is the perfect way to do it. With your Ph.D., you’ll have the expertise and knowledge to improve lives. Here are five reasons why you should pursue a Ph.D. in psychology:

Improved Employment Opportunities – A Ph.D. can vastly improve your employment opportunities, giving you more options for finding work that suits your skills and interests. Plus, many employers will value your advanced skills and experience as an advantage for their company.

Immediate Credibility – When you have a Ph.D. behind your name, people will know immediately that you are an expert who knows what they are talking about and doing.

Increased Salary – After earning a Ph.D., your salary will increase significantly, on average, by 50%.

Additional Learning Opportunities – With Ph.D. psychology programs, there are so many different topics available to explore, which means you’ll be learning new things on top of everything else!

Personal Development- Earn a Ph.D. and embark on personal development with rigorous study of academic theories and methods. Your doctoral research could even end up becoming the basis for your dissertation!

Less Competition in PhD Psychology

PhD Psychology doctoral programs are competitive, and you may have to apply to several of them before you find one that will accept you. This is unlike other graduate programs, where there might be only a few spots available. However, the trade-off is that there are also fewer people with doctorates in Reverse psychology than in other fields of study. 

As a result, your chances for employment after graduation are better than most. The lower competition means getting into a psychology doctoral program is more accessible. Your work as a student is relatively easy because teaching assistants handle much of the workload (though still not all). 

The classes aren’t too hard either; they’re not as broad or as extensive as other subject areas like mathematics or economics. Instead, they’re more focused on research and how to do it well. One of the reasons I chose to go into PhD psychology was because there were so many jobs available when I graduated.

Earnings Potential in PhD Psychology

A person earning the median income for a psychologist of $78,560 per year would need to work for about 20 years before their earnings would reach their lifetime earnings from an average bachelor’s degree. Your earning potential and how quickly you will recoup your educational investment depend on the type of psychology degree you earn and the employer you work for. Although the median income is $78,560, this figure can vary widely depending on factors like experience, education level, and where you live.

The projected mean wage for psychologists is $64,500, ranging from as low as $40,600 to as high as $92,300. The top 10% earn over $129,000 annually, while the bottom 10% earn less than $41,400. In comparison, someone who earns a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology might expect to earn between $47,800 and $68,200.

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Skills for Life

The skills you learn as a graduate student are valuable in many professions. Psychologists use scientific methods, research, and other data to study human behavior and mental processes. Psychologists also work with people who have mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders to help them lead more fulfilling lives. They may counsel patients, teach students about healthful lifestyles, or test and treat individuals for substance abuse problems. 

Job opportunities exist in private practices, hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, and government agencies. A doctoral degree is not necessary to become a psychologist. Still, it is essential to understand that this field requires an additional four years of graduate school training after earning a bachelor’s degree. There are several types of doctoral degrees available: PsyD (Doctor of Psychology), EdD (Doctor of Education), and Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy). 

The Doctoral programs usually include coursework, practical experience, and dissertation work. To be licensed as a clinical psychologist in the US, one must complete at least three years of supervised practice following graduation.

International Opportunities

An international PhD psychology career can take many paths. There are many more opportunities available to those who have an advanced degree. For example, one of the most popular destinations is working as a clinical psychologist or counseling psychologist with the United Nations (UN). These psychologists work with refugees, and other people uprooted from their homes due to wars or natural disasters. 

They also work on reconciliation and rehabilitation projects for war-torn countries like Afghanistan. The UN has even created a department for refugee issues that provides refugees with food, shelter, health care, education, vocational training, and legal assistance. If you are interested in international politics, economics, or sociology. 

This may be the right path for you! Another option would be to apply your skillset at embassies, consulates, and federal government agencies responsible for overseas affairs. Working internationally can be very rewarding, but remember that you will need a security clearance if hired by the government.

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Final Thoughts

There are many benefits to pursuing a degree in PhD psychology. First, many people find that they grow as a person while earning their degree. Second, the extensive coursework can provide you with valuable knowledge and skills. Third, doctoral degrees often lead to more lucrative careers than master’s degrees do.

Fourth, with more opportunities for teaching and research positions available to those with advanced degrees, doctoral programs often offer shorter time-to-degree ratios than master’s programs do. Fifth, the advanced education you receive will make you stand out from other candidates who only have bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

Finally, if you think about it for just one minute, pursuing a doctoral degree is the logical next step after earning your undergraduate degree—so why not take that step? Some of the best psychologists worldwide have had doctoral degrees (e.g., Abraham Maslow and Albert Bandura). So don’t let this opportunity pass you by!