Career Change to Phychology

IamtheWalrus

Hi all,

I am currently considering returning to university to take a course in Phychology and I was wondering if any one could give me some advice on entering the Phychology field.

I am a late 20's male and currently hold an M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Computing. I have been working in this field for 5 years and would like a switch.

I am wondering if the 'current climate' has had much of an impact on the Phychology sector. Can you tell me what level of education in Phychology I would realistically need to gain a job in Phychology? Is a PhD imperative to be successful?

Do you think I could get decent work by taking a Master's in Phychology? I was thinking about doing the master's and when in employment, doing a PhD afterwards. Can you recommend me any reputable courses?

I would like to gather as much information before I make the switch because of the financial implications of a career move. I would only make the switch if it was worthwhile. I am very interested in Phychology but I do not yet know which area I want to work in yet.

Apologies if this is all a bit vague.

Any help/advice would be very welcome!

Thanks,
Walrus

JuliusCaesar

Hello Walrus and welcome to psychology.

It really depends on which kind of psychology career interests you.

There are a good few threads on this topic in the forum, if you'd like to do a search. Also the PSI and BPS have good information.

Sorry for short reply.

hotspur

Well those with a degree are best advised to do a H.Dip in psychology which is a 2 year course for those with other degrees and is the equivalent of a degree in psychology. People don't really do a Masters in psychology without having a psychology degree or H.Dip. Not in this country anyway.

After that it depends on what you wish to do in psychology. Clinical and now counselling psychology will be a doctorate in this country, some other areas such as organisational, health psychology, educational psychology are more Masters level entry. Researcher will mostly be a PhD.

It's possible to do the H.Dip at night-time in dbs, so it could be done while holding down a job, but I believe it's tough going.

louloubella

I am wondering how IAMTHEWALRUS got on on the carear change.:D

Am in a similar position.