Seven Convincing Reasons to Pursue a Doctorate in Psychology

Things that a human mind can do fascinate everyone at some point in life. Among millions of people, only a handful feel inclined enough to walk on the track of studying psychology and understand the what and why of the human mind.

The realm of psychology is so fascinating that people often consider heading back to school to pursue a doctorate in psychology. It is a great way to improve your horizon, career plan, and salary prospects. It can be hard to think of the downside of furthering your study in psychology.

Here are some of the most convincing reasons to pursue a doctorate in psychology…

1. Earn More

Every professional wants to look for opportunities to make more money in their respective field. As someone who loves psychology, you must know that people with a Doctorate in Organizational Psychology make a notably better income than others without it.

As you qualify for more jobs with your doctoral degree, you can have more options to choose from. It means that switching jobs also becomes easier, and you can also explore opportunities in different parts of the world for change.

2. Help More People

With every passing day, more and more people realize the need to be helped by mental health professionals. The stress of fast-paced, modern-day life can easily get the best of us. In such circumstances, a helping hand with the right knowledge to help can seem nothing less than a blessing.

Psychologists who pursue a doctoral degree in psychology develop a better understanding of the human mind and behaviors. It adds four to six years of experience and study to your knowledge. A doctorate degree can enable more people to rely on your professional help.

3. Better Understanding

Human psychology is an ever-growing field. What professionals understood about human psychology a few decades ago has been challenged, revised, and added to several times. Pursuing a degree in psychology is an ideal way to keep up with this fast-paced field.

Information and knowledge gained in a degree is a great way to become a specialist in the subject. It can help you understand how the brain processes certain information. You can conduct in-depth research in the area you want to understand better once you get back on track to learn more.

4. Work in Private Clinical Practice

Private clinical practice is a great way for one to feel independent in the field of psychology. Yes, you can work as a clinical psychologist with a master’s degree in psychology. However, it is possible only under the supervision of a Ph.D. which can be unsatisfactory for many people.

If you want to work independently as a clinical psychologist, you may want to consider a doctorate in Psychology. It is the best way for you to start your own private practice as a clinical psychologist. It can open several doors of opportunities for aspiring practitioners.

5. Specialize in a Field

Psychology is a vast field. Its grandeur must be understood in order to grasp it and specialize in it. Several branches of psychology explore specific phenomena, concerns, and wonders. Pursuing a doctorate in psychology gives you an opportunity to focus on the field that you are interested in.

With specialization, you can become an expert and authority in the field. Hence, you can become a reliable entity in the specialized field of psychology. There are many choices for you to choose from in order to specialize.

• School psychology
• Social psychology
• Engineering psychology
• Abnormal psychology
• Sports psychology
• Forensic psychology
• Developmental psychology
• Human factors psychology
• Educational psychology
• Health psychology

6. Become a Researcher

Becoming a research psychologist is one of the biggest goals for many Ph.D. students. Research allows you to study complex psychological issues to come up with reliable solutions. It can be one of the most satisfactory ways to steer your career. This journey can be exciting and ever-engaging for candidates with different interests.

If you aspire to become a researcher in your field, you may also become more demanded by non-profit organizations and the government as a professional. You can study a variety of complex issues and come up with new solutions for mental health conditions. 

7. Grow into an Academic 

Earning a bachelor’s or a master’s degree can be a great milestone for your professional journey. However, this degree should not be the end of your life as a student if you want to pursue the best-paying jobs in academia. You can become a full-time psychology professor only by earning your doctorate in psychology.

Numerous students aspire to achieve a Ph.D. to pursue a career in academia. Being a full-time professor offers a stable job with a decent salary and benefits. You can also conduct research at universities and attain research grants from different entities.