Therefore, the total time commitment is usually:
* 4 years: for a Bachelor's degree (in psychology, social work, or a related field).
* 2 years: for a Master's degree in a relevant field like Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), Social Work (MSW) with a child and family specialization, Counseling Psychology with a child focus, or School Psychology.
This adds up to a total of 6 years of higher education. However, keep in mind that some programs may take longer depending on your chosen specialization and the specific requirements of the program. Additionally, you will likely need to complete supervised clinical hours (internships) to gain licensure after graduation, which adds more time.