| A career in psychology is one of the most rewarding paths, offering the opportunity to help individuals improve their mental health , behavior, and overall well-being. With the increasing demand for psychologists worldwide , understanding the right education , training, and certification process is crucial. Explore, in this detailed guide, the necessary steps to become a licensed psychologist in India, from education to practice areas. |
10 Steps to Become a Psychologist in India
Numbered below is an overview of 10 steps to become a psychologist in India. All the steps will be explained in the article in detail.
- Finish 10+2 with Psychology (Ideal) – Pick the Science or Arts track with Psychology as a subject.
- Get a Bachelor's Degree – Earn a BA or BSc in Psychology from a well-known university.
- Get Real-World Experience – Take part in internships, volunteer work, or research projects.
- Go for a Master's Degree – Sign up for an MA/MSc in Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or Counseling Psychology.
- Focus on One Area – Select a field like Clinical, Counseling, Industrial, or Forensic Psychology.
- Finish Internships or Training – Get hands-on practice in hospitals, clinics, or mental health centers.
- Get Certified or Licensed – Sign up with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) to practice.
- Go for a Ph.D. or M.Phil. (If You Want) – Needed for higher-level jobs, teaching, or clinical work.
- Build Skills & Keep Learning – Stay in the loop with psychological theories, studies, and therapy methods.
- Begin Your Career – Work in hospitals, schools, businesses, or start your own practice.
What is Psychology?
In Layman's terms, ‘Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior'. Psychologists are actively interested in researching and comprehending how the mind, the brain, and behavior work. A psychologist is a professional who studies human behavior, emotions, and mental processes. They help individuals manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorder through various therapies. Some of the important psychology course highlights are tabulated below:
Psychology Course Details | |
Different Levels of Psychology | Graduation, Post Graduation, MPhil, Doctoral |
Psychology Course Duration | Graduation: 3 Years Post Graduation: 2 Years Masters of Philosophy (MPhil): 1-2 Years Doctoral: 3 Years |
Psychology Course Eligibility | Graduation: Should have passed class 12th from a recognized board and secured a minimum of 50%. Post Graduation: Should have graduated from a recognized board and secured a minimum of 45%. |
Psychology Course Admission Process | For admission, universities either choose on the basis of merit or conduct entrance exams and personal interviews |
Check Also: BA Psychology Subjects.
Eligibility to Become a Psychologist in India
The eligibility to become a psychologist in India varies with course levels.
For Undergraduate Courses
- Candidates must have undertaken or passed the Class 12th Board exam or have received an equivalent education from the state or national education board in India to be eligible for UG psychology courses.
- The aspiring candidates must have scored a minimum aggregate of 50% or above to appear for undergraduate courses.
- The aspiring candidate must focus on clearing the entrance exams in order to get enrolled in undergraduate programs in top colleges.
- The candidates can enroll in undergraduate BA or BSc courses. In order to get a strong understanding of the topic and a specialization in it, students can also register for other courses like certificate or diploma programs.
- Before choosing any Undergraduate course, students should focus on different subjects and the overall syllabus of Psychology such as: Prejudice and Discrimination, Attention and Perception, Behavioral patterns, and emotions.
- All candidates, including those in the arts, science, and commerce, are eligible for admission to psychology courses.
For Post Graduate Courses
After clearing Graduation, students can begin studying for entrance tests to enroll in postgraduate programs.
- Candidates must select their field of expertise based on their preferences or where they wish to work as psychologists. For Example, child psychologists, industrial psychologists, clinical psychologists, perpetual psychologists, counselors, etc.
- In order to obtain experience outside of the classroom while attending college, individuals might opt to seek paid or unpaid internships.
- If a candidate wishes to work as a clinical psychologist, they can pursue further doctoral studies after completing the postgraduate program.
Further Reading: MSc Psychology Course and MSc Psychology Distance Education.
How to Become a Licensed Psychologist in India: A Step by Step Guide
Choosing a career as a psychologist is thrilling and rewarding. In order to comprehend human behavior and assist people in managing their mental health psychologists are essential. The process of becoming a psychologist entails education training and experience regardless of your career goals be they counseling clinical psychology or something else entirely.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology: This liberal arts-focused program covers topics like anthropology, sociology and literature.
- Science Bachelor's degree (B. Sc. A B in Psychology): The Sc. emphasizes more scientific topics like biology and chemistry offering a more profound comprehension of the brain's operations.
You can enter the field as a counselor or in other entry-level roles after earning your bachelors degree which normally takes three years.
Step 2: Specialize with a Master’s Degree in Psychology
With a masters degree you can work in counseling centers schools or hospitals. Additionally you can work as a counselor in various settings as a youth development manager or in mental health services.
Step 3: Pursue a Doctrine (Ph.D) in Psychology
A doctorate is the next step for people who want to work in academia and research or who want to pursue high-level positions. a Ph. D. D. In this field the highest level of education is in psychology.
- Duration : A Ph.D takes 3-5 years to complete.
- Curriculum Content: It includes extensive research , specialized training, and the completion of a dissertation.
- Career Opportunities: With a ph.D., you can pursue a private practice, engage in research or become a professor in universities. A doctorate gives you the expertise and credentials needed to excel in psychology and opens doors to advance career opportunities.
What are the Processes Involved to Become a Psychologist in India?
Select Relevant High School Subjects
The subjects of humanities will take you through the necessary steps and credentials to become a successful psychologist in India if you're thinking about pursuing a career in psychology. Research science and a thorough comprehension of human behavior are all combined in the intriguing field of psychology. In the high school, when you learn detailed explanation of the prerequisite education and abilities required to work as a psychologist in India, it will become easy for you.
Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Following your graduation from high school obtaining a Bachelor of Psychology degree is an essential next step. It is the cornerstone of your psychology education and usually takes three years to complete. You will study a wide range of subjects in the field during this time including the complexities of human behavior various psychological theories and research methodologies.
Some of the most common undergraduate programs available in India include :
Specialize with a Master’s Degree in Psychology
After finishing the 12th grade obtaining a Bachelor of Psychology degree is an essential next step. It is the cornerstone of your psychology education and usually takes three years to complete.
You'll study a wide range of subjects in the field during this time including the complexities of human behavior various psychological theories and research methodologies:
These two-year programs offer in-depth understanding of particular subfields of psychology like professional psychology counseling or organizational psychology. During this phase you might also be able to take advantage of internships or hands-on training which will give you the practical experience you need to succeed in your career.
Note: Internships are an essential part of your education because they let you put your theoretical knowledge to use in practical situations.
Consider a Doctoral Program(PhD or PsyD)
For most psychological jobs a masters degree is enough but getting a doctorate can improve your chances of landing a better job and lead to more advanced opportunities in clinical practice, academia or research. If you want to become a clinical psychologist or if you love teaching and research you should enroll in a Ph. D. program. D. or PsyD program could be your best option.
You may be required to submit original research in the form of a dissertation for both doctoral programs which normally take three to five years to finish. A doctorate greatly expands your knowledge and makes you eligible for higher-level positions even though it is not required for all psychology jobs.
Popular Psychology Courses in India
Psychology is a vast and comprehensive field. There are many branches of specialization. Tabulated below is the same:
Skills Required to Become a a Psychologist in India
The mind has no boundaries; the field in which a psychologist works has no limitations, and the skills they learn can be used for their patients or other disciplines. In today's times, psychologists are very much in demand due to the increase in stress, work pressure, and competition that is prevalent in every field. The following skills are required in order to qualify as a psychologist in India-
- Strong Communication Skills: Psychologists are expected to have excellent communication skills in order to effectively convey their messages, assist patients who are experiencing behavioral and mental health problems, and facilitate open dialogue.
- Analytical Mind: To correctly diagnose their patients, psychologists need a systematic account.
- Empathy: One must have the drive to assist people who are struggling to overcome behavioral and mental obstacles.
- Patience: Patience is a virtue because psychologists occasionally have to handle exceptionally challenging situations. Despite their everyday hardships, they must always have a strong determination and passion.
- Listening and Observing Skills: The desire to assist patients in overcoming their mental obstacles.
Top Entrance Exams
The top entrance exams for Psychology courses are as follows-
- Jammu University Entrance Test (JUET)
- Banaras Hindu University Postgraduate Entrance Test (BHU PET)
- Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET)
- Central University Entrance Test (CUET)
- Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Exam (JMI)
- Manipal University Online Entrance Test (MU OET)
Top Colleges in India
Mentioned below are the best colleges of Psychology in India-
S.NO | List of Colleges for Psychology | Course Fees |
1 | INR 15,000- 20,000 | |
2 | INR 1,00,000- 1,50,000 | |
3 | INR 10,000–18,000 | |
4 | INR 1,00,000- 1,20,000 | |
5 | INR 10,000-20,000 | |
6 | INR 20,000-50,000 | |
7 | St Xavier's College, Mumbai | INR 20,000-40,000 |
8 | INR 1,00,000- 3,00,000 | |
9 | INR 1,00,000-2,00,000 | |
10 | INR 30,000- 60,000 | |
11 | INR 10,000 | |
12 | INR 8,000- 10,000 | |
13 | INR 30,000- 50,000 | |
14 | INR 1,20,000- 1,50,000 | |
15 | INR 1,00,000- 2,00,000 | |
16 | INR 10,000- 20,000 |
Difference between Psychologist and Psychiatrist
There are differences between a psychologist and psychiatrist. The table below highlights the same:
Basis | Psychiatrist | Psychologist |
Introduction | Psychiatrists are doctors with an MBBS degree. They have the license to prescribe medications for healing a person, and their job profile mainly includes dealing with patients, teaching them medication management as a course of treatment. | Psychologists choose a different path of treating the patient; that is, they extensively rely on psychotherapy and treating emotional and mental suffering in patients through behavioral interventions or counselling. |
Education Required | Psychiatrists are trained at medical schools when they take MBBS and are trained in psychiatry along with other specializations. Then they have to do MD, and they practise for four years on residency training in psychiatry to be considered as a qualified psychiatrist. | Psychologists have to obtain either a Ph.D. or a PsyD doctoral degree. This might take four to six years for completion. Psychologists will be studying topics regarding personality development, the history of psychological problems, and the science of psychological research. |
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Various Types of Psychology
Psychology is a vast field with many categories in it, such as Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Developmental psychology, and so on. Here are the different types of Psychology courses that can be pursued in India:
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is also the branch of psychology that deals with examining and treating mental illness, mental state abnormalities, and psychiatric problems. In psychology, the psychologist integrates the science of psychology to treat complexions of human problems. Hence, it makes psychology an exciting area of choice for people looking forward to a challenging and exciting field. The average starting salary of Clinical Psychologists is INR 30,000-40,000 per month
Neuropsychology
A neuropsychologist is qualified to diagnose and assist those who struggle with memory, planning, language, reasoning, and other learning and understanding-related skills. Another element that might impact someone's psyche and capacity for information processing is fatigue. Even though central brain issues are uncommon in most mental diseases, the major difficulty for neuropsychology is comprehending anomalous behavior in terms of impaired memory processing in the brain. Instead of brain injury, this is more likely to be connected to the dysfunction of certain brain systems. The average starting salary of Neuropsychologists is INR 40,000-60,000 per month
How to Become a Clinical Psychologist in India?
- The first step is that you take Psychology as a subject in 12th or during graduation. It is important to know that Psychology can be pursued in the Humanities as well as the Science stream (Biology).
- The two-course options available for bachelor's degrees are BA (Hons) Psychology and BA (Hons) Applied Psychology.
- The final step involves Post Graduation. The curriculum entails almost 4-5 practical in each semester. You will have regular visits to hospitals and private clinics.
- You must complete a paper on the subject of your choice during the final semester, with the help of your lecturer. A paper is essentially an in-depth analysis of a certain topic.
Counselling Psychology
The field of psychology known as counseling psychology includes study and practical work in a number of major areas, including counseling process and results, supervision and training, career development and counseling, and health and prevention. The average starting salary of Counselling Psychologists is INR 35,000-50,000 per month.
How to Become a Counselor Psychologist?
- While there aren't many courses for counselors, the first step is that you take Psychology as a subject in 12th or during graduation. It is important to know that Psychology can be pursued in the Humanities as well as the Science stream (Biology).
- The next steps remain the same as to become a clinical psychologist.
- The two-course options available for bachelor's degrees are BA (Hons) Psychology and BA (Hons) Applied Psychology.
- The final step involves post-graduation in counseling psychology.
- You must complete a paper on the subject of your choice during the final semester, with the help of your lecturer. A paper is essentially an in-depth analysis of a certain topic.
Educational Psychology
The majority of educational psychologists work in educational settings, where they offer advice to students who require it. Additionally, they guide the teachers to present lessons in a very polite manner. It has become a major problem how teachers are using strict teaching methods and not assisting students to handle the problems that are currently present in the society. The study of educational psychology aids in the improvement of teacher training. A teacher must also impart to his pupils an understanding of their mental capacities and states of mind. The average starting salary of Educational Psychologists is INR 20,000-40,000 per month
How do I Become an Educational Psychologist in India?
- A doctorate degree in psychology or applied psychology is required to work as an educational psychologist.
- To begin a career as an educational psychologist, one might earn a bachelor's degree in psychology.
- Following the three-year psychology bachelor's degree, there are several chances to pursue an MA in applied psychology.
Follow the steps below to becomes a psychologist in India:
1. Get a Bachelor's degree in Psychology
A bachelor's degree in psychology with honors is available as a component of a bachelor's degree in arts or sciences, giving you a solid grounding for your future profession. You are free to choose your bachelor's degree that aligns with your background or interest. However, a B.A in psychology will be a better choice because it will clear your basic concepts of human behavior.
2. Earn a specialization with a Master's degree
A Master's degree is instrumental in giving you the advanced knowledge of the discipline. B.A in Psychology is just a rudimentary overview. A two-year postgraduate degree in clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, development psychology, counseling psychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology, and social psychology is available for both Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) programs.
3. Go for a Doctorate Degree
It is the highest degree you will can achieve in the field. The degree will open avenues for you. You can delve deep into research work or start your own practice.
Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
The study of how the mind processes information is known as cognitive psychology. It has to do with how we take in information from the outside world and interpret it. Research, instruction, and treatment are the three areas of life that cognitive psychologists primarily concentrate on. They are just required to focus on these three fundamental principles: treatment, instruction, or study of various ideas. The average starting salary of Cognitive Psychologists is INR 30,000-40,000 per month
A branch of psychology called developmental psychology uses a scientific method to explain how people grow, change, and remain consistent over the course of their lives. Developmental psychology describes how a person's thinking, mood, and behaviour evolve over the course of their lifetime. Since childhood is where most change happens, a substantial number of theories in this field focus more on the development of the kid throughout this period. The average starting salary of a developmental psychologist is INR 20,000-40,000 per month.
Forensic Psychology
One of the biggest crises in society, particularly in densely populated cities, is crime. No matter how much we would like to live in a peaceful, crime-free world, we can probably not expect this anytime soon. Typically, forensic psychology is crucial at crime sites. One of the scientific techniques for examining the crime or the criminal may be classified as "forensic." The combination of law and psychology is another way to define forensic psychology. The average starting salary of a developmental psychologist is INR 40,000-60,000 per month.
How to become a Forensic Psychologist?
The minimum requirement to become a forensic psychologist is to complete your bachelor's degree. It can be in psychology, criminal justice, or forensic psychology (3-4 years).
- The next step is to gain a master's degree in forensic psychology which provides a comprehensive outlook on psychology and criminal justice.
- You can obtain experience working for a legal firm, a rehabilitation facility, or the judiciary. It aids in exposing this field's difficulties and legal procedures. You wank also look for work opportunities in Non-Governmental Organisations.
- If you wish to study more about the field then, you can go for a PhD and conclude it with a research project.
Geriatric Psychology
Geriatric psychology is concerned with the mental, emotional, and physical issues that older people encounter. This sometimes entails studying and analyzing various issues that could arise as being someone near the end of their life in old age.
Scope for Psychology in India
Psychology is one of the subjects with the fastest growth rates in India. The students should consider doing an internship before they earn their psychology degree. Psychologists work in multiple fields, such as the following ones-
- Governmental Institutions
- Care Facilities
- Clinics and Hospitals
- Treatment Facilities
- Administration in Consulting Firms (Mental Health Professional)
- Schools, Colleges, and Institutes for Further Studies
- Companies and Marketing Agencies
- Non-Government Organizations (Mental Health Social Worker)
Future Scope of Psychology
With the rising awareness of Mental health, Psychologists are in high demand across various Industries, including corporate offices, hospitals, schools etc.
With the rising awareness of mental health , psychologists are in high demand across various industries , including corporate offices, hospitals, schools, and research institutes.
Upcoming Trends in Psychology
- AI Based Mental Health Counselling
- Virtual Reality(VR) Therapy
- Telepathy & Online Counselling
- Neuroscience & Brain- Interfaces
Famous Psychologists In India
Many young Indians get inspiration from top-tier psychologists who live and work in India. They have succeeded in making psychology a relevant subject in India at such a level that people now take mental health concerns seriously. A list of the most prestigious and highly achieved psychologists in India is provided below-
- Dr.Subin Vazhayil
- Dr.Kamna Chhibber
- Dr.Vipul Rastogi
- Dr.N Rangarajan
- Dr.Rashi Bijlani
- Dr.Mimansa Singh
- Dr.Shilpa Aggarwal
