Deciding on a Program Education should fit with your values, abilities, and interests. It is important to make sure you are applying to the right program. First, you should be clear about your goals and needs. If you are clear about your interests and find a program that is a match, you need to decide which degree you are going to pursue. Typically, at least four years of study are required to obtain a doctorate.
Students often spend five or more years obtaining their doctorates.
There has been a great expansion in the last decade in subfields of psychology, and proportionally fewer new doctorates are heading into faculty positions. Also, if you are planning to seek licensing, before enrolling in a graduate program you should contact the State Examining Board for Psychology to find out each state's requirements. There are also many worthwhile jobs that do not require the time or money necessary to earn a doctorate degree. Many people with master's degrees perform research, data collection, and analysis in universities, government, and private companies. There are also jobs in health, industry, and education for those with a master's degree.