Science, art, and people skills all come together in the rewarding and demanding field of dentistry. As a dentist, you may make a positive impact on people’s lives by assisting them in taking better care of their oral health. You may be asking how to get started if you are a veteran interested in a dental profession. You’re in luck since the Veterans Administration (VA) offers educational perks that can help you become a dentist.
It takes perseverance, hard effort, and a genuine desire to serve others in order to succeed as a dentist. Opportunities to improve people’s lives are abundant in this field of work. Dentistry is a versatile field that can lead to careers in private practice, public health, or academia. You may become the dentist you’ve always wanted to be and make a difference in people’s lives with the help of VA education benefits. This article will walk you through the process of becoming a dentist with the help of your VA educational benefits, and it will also tell you what kinds of services dentists often offer and how much money you can anticipate to make in this field.
Tips for Getting Started in the Field of Psychology
A doctorate is required for general psychology practice, but a master’s degree is required for school psychology.
Earning the necessary degree, passing a state and/or national test, and meeting additional licensing criteria are necessary for practicing psychology legally.
However, it is during the supervised internship that you will begin to really practice psychology. A doctoral degree is often followed by a year of supervised practice (about 3,500 hours), with at least one year of that time spent in an internship. A mentor may alleviate some of the stress of learning on the job and provide guidance when dealing with difficult customers.
You can apply for a license and start working independently after completing an internship.
Courses in Psychology Programs
Different schools, majors, and advanced degrees need different sets of courses. Research techniques and experiment analysis, two essential abilities for practicing psychologists, are often taught early on in undergraduate programs. Cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology are some of the more complex topics that undergraduates study. Students’ post-graduation vocations may be affected by the exposure to various subfields of psychology that are covered in these classes.
Course content in graduate-level psychology is substantially more specialized and covers a wider range of advanced subjects. Students pursuing advanced degrees in psychology might expect doing research and producing a thesis.
Future students in the field of psychology may expect to take the following classes, however their availability will vary by program.
Statistical Techniques
Students majoring in psychology will learn the basics of statistics in this introductory course, including how to organize and interpret data, as well as how to quantify central tendencies and spatial dispersion. Students learn about and practice estimate, probability, and testing hypotheses. Every subfield of psychology relies heavily on statistical methods, making this basic course essential for all undergraduates.
Abnormal Psychology
Mental illness and its treatment are introduced in this introductory course. Students learn about a variety of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, and addiction. The many types of mental diseases and how they are categorized are discussed as students learn about abnormality. Due to the prevalence of mental problems among psychologists’ clientele, this course lays the groundwork for advanced study in the field.
Sociological Theory
This course introduces students to the intersection of mental and emotional processes with daily life. Students gain an understanding of fundamental social psychological concepts and theories and develop skills in critically evaluating psychological studies. Social psychology, the foundation of clinical psychology and other branches of psychology, is useful to most practitioners of the psychological sciences throughout their careers.
Lifespan Development
This course, which can be taken at either the undergraduate or graduate level, examines the evolution of the human brain and body from infancy to old age, giving special emphasis to key developmental milestones along the way. Students can focus on a single age group — toddlers, teens, or adults — as the course examines psychological aspects across all three.
Capstone
The capstone course is the final course taken at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students demonstrate their knowledge of psychology through independent study and a written report. Students may submit their capstones to peer-reviewed publications. The capstone project gives students an opportunity to conduct research in their area of interest, which looks great on a resume.
Psychologist Compensation
As of May 2020, the median annual salary for psychologists in the United States was $81,780, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s right; although half of psychologists made more than that, the other half made less. The bottom 10% of earners brought in less than $45,380, while the top 10% brought in over $137,590.
The BLS also found that the median annual salary for psychologists working for the government was $102,590. However, the healthcare and social support sector pays its workers a median annual salary of $81,790.
In 2019, American psychologists with doctorates earned a median salary of $100,000, as reported by the American Psychological Association (APA). Meanwhile, master’s level psychologists made $75,000 annually on average.
Keep in mind that these are only averages, and a psychologist’s actual compensation might vary substantially based on a number of factors. The income of a psychologist might vary depending on a number of factors, including their amount of education and experience, as well as their region, employer type, and industry. Nonetheless, a profession in psychology that focuses on assisting others and improving their mental health may be financially profitable.
How to Get a Degree in Psychology
Obtain the Necessary Knowledge and Training
To pursue a career in psychology, you need have a solid educational background in the discipline and others like it. The following are examples of necessary skills:
- Ability to express oneself and listen attentively
- Capacity for deep thought and problem solving
- Affection and sympathy
- Longsuffering and tenacity
First, you’ll need a 4-year degree in psychology or a closely related discipline. However, the majority of psychologists hold a doctorate in the field. The following are only a few examples of possible courses of study:
- B.A. in psychology or a closely related discipline.
- A master’s degree in psychology or a closely related area
- Earned a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology
Get some experience in the field through internships or thesis work.
Internships and research opportunities are great ways for aspiring psychologists to get hands-on experience. Internship and research opportunities can be found through academic institutions, professional groups, and academic institutions.
Earn a Ph.D. in psychology.
Most psychologists have completed the PhD program in the field, which can take anywhere from four to seven years. A master’s degree is often required for admission to psychology Ph.D. programs, however some do accept undergraduates. Your PhD program in psychology will provide you the freedom to focus on a subfield of the field.
Get a license to practice psychology in your state.
A state license in psychology is required for employment. Different states have different necessities for obtaining a license, however in general:
- Possession of a reputable doctorate degree in psychology
- Successfully completing a professional internship or training program
- Obtaining a passing score on a nationally administered test, such as the EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology).
- Having successfully completed a state-specific test on legal requirements
Getting a Background Check
A fingerprint and background check will be required. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) specifies that applicants must employ a vendor certified to perform electronic fingerprinting services in order to satisfy this requirement. Popular authorized suppliers include the Florida Electronic Fingerprinting Service.
License Application
Candidates can apply for a licensure as an elevator safety professional after they have passed the required background check. You’ll have to fill out paperwork and pay a fee to the state licensing board.
Preparing for a Test
Candidates who have their applications accepted will be required to take and pass the Elevator Safety Professional Examination. Exam for Professional Psychology Practice (EPPP) preparation is required.
Acquiring One’s Permit
Following these procedures, you will be eligible to apply for a state license to practice psychology. To renew, one must normally submit an application together with any applicable renewal fees and proof of completion of mandatory continuing education.
Get Real-World Experience in Your Target Industry
After passing the necessary exams and receiving your state license, you will be able to begin working in your chosen sector. Clinical psychology, counseling psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and school psychology are all branches of the larger discipline of psychology. Hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practice are just some of the places you may put your skills to use.
Concluding Remarks
If you are a veteran who wants to keep giving back to your community, studying psychology may be the way to go. Veterans can use their VA education benefits to get the education they need to become psychologists or work in a similar area.
There is a broad variety of career paths open to those with a degree in psychology, including helping people with mental health problems, doing cutting-edge research, and mentoring the next generation of psychologists. So, if you’re a veteran wishing to switch careers, do some research into the many options in psychology and make use of the VA’s services. If you put in the time and effort, you may find a fulfilling profession that also benefits others.
