Professional Licensure and Other Credentials

While there are many different career choices within the field of psychology, the options differ based on your degree path taken.  Depending on the type of graduate degree earned, you may be eligible for professional licensure, which can open many new and exciting doors for you!

As you may already be aware, many of the professions within psychology require additional schooling and/or professional licensure. If you are planning to become a practicing and licensed counselor or psychologist, you must eventually earn your graduate degree. At that point in your education, your psychology training will become much more focused on your chosen specialty. A graduate degree is the ideal choice for students who want to increase their knowledge and skills; advance in their place of employment; or want to go on to become professionally licensed.

Many master’s programs in psychology or social work are now offered online, and you can earn your degree in approximately two to three years. Many professionals with a master’s degree find work in psychological services, education, prisons, government agencies, private practice, and career centers.  There are many masters programs available to prepare you to be licensed-eligible.  A professional license can broaden your opportunities by allowing you to open a private practice or work independently.

The doctoral degree in psychology is the terminal degree in the field, meaning that you cannot earn a higher degree. Whether or not you will need to earn your doctoral degree in psychology depends upon your career goals. For example, if you want to become a tenured professor of psychology, you would need to earn your doctorate.

However, you have two options of doctoral degrees in psychology:

  • Ph.D.: Most professionals in psychology who earn a PhD. are focused on spending their career in academia, either as a professor, conducting research or both. Most people with a Ph.D. in this field plan to publish a great number of scholarly works in various areas of psychology.
  • Psy.D.: This program is generally practice-oriented and you will focus on developing the skills that you need to practice privately as a psychologist in many different specialties. You may conduct research and publish as well with a Psy.D., but most of your work will be clinically based.

In addition to a graduate degree, there are also certifications and credentials attainable as you progress in your career.

The following section will provide you with a list of various professional licenses and credentials you might consider.

Important:  Please note that each state and credentialing body might have its own requirements, so it is always best to go directly to the licensing board with your specific questions.

Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification 

Certified Brain Injury Specialist

Do you have experience working with individuals with a brain injury?  If you have at least 500 hours of verifiable direct contact experience, you may be qualified to sit for this certification exam.

Brain Injury Association of America 

Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP)

This credential recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a sufficient level of knowledge and skill to provide integrated employment services to a variety of populations.

Association of People Supporting Employment First (ASPE)

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)

Take a look at this PDF to learn more about the requirements for becoming a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). 

Child Development Association Certificate (CDA)

Hoping to work with children?  Take a look at this certification designed to help professionals foster the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of young children.

Council for Professional Recognition: Child Development Association Certificate  

Child Life Specialist

Child life specialists are pediatric health care professionals who work with children and families in hospitals and other settings to help them cope with the challenges of hospitalization, illness, and disability.

Counselors, Clinicians and Therapists

Depending on the state in which you live, you may see different titles and professional licenses for mental health professionals.  Below is an example of just a few:

Bay Path’s very own Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program is designed to prepare students for licensure in Massachusetts, as well as meets the requirements for many other states.  The Bay Path graduate program website contains a list of all of the states along with a direct link to each state licensing board.

Professional Licensure Disclosure: Clinical Mental Health Counseling 

Direct Support Professional Certification

The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals offers several different certifications geared towards the direct service professionals.  The Direct Support Certification offers several different levels of certification, all geared towards the helping professional supporting people with disabilities.

National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals

Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP)

Interested in human services?  Check out this credential through the Center of Credentialing and Education.

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) 

Interested in applied behavioral analysis (ABA)?  Check out the requirements to become a registered behavior technician (RBT).  This role provides direct care under the supervision of a board certified behavioral analyst (BCBA).  The RBT credential does not require a college degree, so this is a great opportunity for anyone looking to pursue a career in ABA.

Social Work

  • Licensed Social Worker Associate (LSWA)
  • Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW)

Check out this link to learn more about the social work licensing requirements in Massachusetts: Association of Social Work Boards.  Don’t live in Massachusetts?  Conduct a quick Google search to find your state’s licensure board and state-specific requirements.

 

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Psychology Handbook Copyright © by David Adams. All Rights Reserved.

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