1) Bachelor's degree: You will need to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field. Some common undergraduate degrees for aspiring psychologists include psychology, human development, and sociology.
2) Master's degree: You will then need to complete a master's degree in psychology. Some common master's degrees for aspiring psychologists include clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and school psychology.
3) Doctoral degree: You will then need to complete a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD). This will typically take between four to seven years. During your doctoral program, you will take coursework, conduct research, and complete a supervised clinical internship.
4) Postdoctoral experience: After completing your doctoral degree, you will need to complete a postdoctoral residency or fellowship in order to gain additional supervised experience. This typically lasts for one to two years.
5) Licensure: In order to practice psychology independently, you will need to be licensed by the state in which you wish to work. This typically requires passing a national exam and meeting other state-specific requirements.
The total time it takes to become a psychologist can vary depending on your individual path, but it typically takes around 10 to 12 years of education and training.