How to Become a Psychologist Online

Psychology can be defined as the scientific study of the mind. What draws so many people to the study of psychology is an interest in investigating the root causes of problems and conditions in a person's life. The California Southern University School of Behavioral Sciences now makes the ability to help others a goal within reach for working adults.

California Southern University offers a virtual education in subjects which include psychology. The school offers four degree programs: a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctorate (PsyD) of Psychology.

Two of those programs, the M.A. and PsyD, meet the current educational requirements for two professional licenses in the State of California.

The online Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy of the California Southern University meets the current educational requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. After conferral of the M.A. in Psychology from California Southern University pre-licensed graduates must meet experience and testing requirements. Graduates of this approved program are eligible to sit for their Marriage and Family Therapist license exam after being supervised in a marriage and family therapy setting for 104 weeks and meeting the 3,000 hour minimum requirement of supervised work experience. Licensing, experience, and exam requirements are prescribed by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Behavioral Sciences.

The online Doctorate of Psychology of the California Southern University meets the current educational requirements for licensure as a Psychologist in the State of California. After conferral of the Doctorate degree, pre-licensed graduates of the PsyD program must still meet experience and examination requirements. Pre-exam experience will require the program graduate to accrue 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised professional experience. At least 1,500 of those hours must be accrued after the Doctorate of Psychology degree is conferred. Exam requirements will require the program graduates to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and the California Psychology Supplemental Examination. Study guides for these two examinations are available through various third party retailers. Licensing, experience, and exam requirements are prescribed by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

While these programs are only designed to meet educational requirements for licensure in the State of California, prospective students who would like to practice either one of these professions in another state are encouraged to contact their respective state regulatory agency for psychologists and therapists and determine if these programs meet any local requirements. It is also possible that after a person has attained full licensure by the State of California that other states may allow them to practice psychology or therapy in their jurisdictions. In most cases a person would have to prove a certain amount of time as a practicing and fully licensed professional with little to no derogatory information in his or her background.

These programs are ideal for working adults who want further insight into the field of psychology or for those who are considering a career move. Prospective students should realize that after the degree is conferred but before the licensing exam can be taken, the time used to meet the experience requirements are generally paid, so having to juggle prior career commitments while chasing new ones is generally unnecessary.

Sources:

MFT License Requirements. Board of Behavioral Sciences. California Department of Consumer Affairs.

Frequently Asked Questions. Board of Psychology. California Department of Consumer Affairs.

Doctor of Psychology. School of Behavioral Sciences. California Southern University.