Wondering how to become a Psychologist in India? Follow our step by step guide below.

Approximately 234 applications for just 1 seat in the elusive Delhi University, making Psychology as one of the hot favourites for students in India. Helping in resolving your day-to-day problems to training the top management team in MNC’s, Psychologists are seen in every nick and corner of the professional world. Here is a guide for you to becoming a Psychologist in India.

HOW TO BECOME A PSYCHOLOGIST IN INDIA

 Hello future Psychologists, the following article will take you through the stages of becoming a Psychologist in India.

STAGE 1: KEEP PSYCHOLOGY IN 10+2

The school are the most important place of a student’s overall development. Similarly, keeping Psychology during your 11th and 12th will help you in building the base in the subject. The best part about Psychology is that it goes with each stream. You can take it with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Commerce with Psychology or with Humanities.  This will also be helpful for your admissions in colleges as you are given some relaxation (about 1%) if you have studied Psychology during 10+2.  Hence, keeping Psychology is a win-win situation. Although, don’t worry if you are already in 11th or 12th and have not taken Psychology. It is suggested but is not compulsory. 

STAGE 2-PURSUE YOUR BACHELOR’S IN PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelors in Psychology in India is for 3 years and students from all streams are welcome. There are basically two degrees at UG-BA Psychology and BA Applied Psychology. While BA Psychology is more theoretical in nature, the latter is more practical with a high application of psychological principles. There are colleges that offer some specializations such as Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, etc. I would suggest you take up a more general program, rather than going for a specialization. 

Pro Tip: Go for multiple internships to gain practical knowledge. You can intern at NGOs, private clinics, schools, hospitals, etc. 

TOP COLLEGES FOR PSYCHOLOGY IN INDIA (UNDERGRADUATE)

Top Colleges for Psychology in Delhi 

•  Lady Shree Ram College
• Gargi College
• IP College for Women
• Zakir Hussain College
• Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College
• Bhim Rao Ambedkar College
• Daulat Ram College
•  Kamla Nehru College
• Keshav Mahavidyalaya
• Mata Sundari College
• Sri Aurobindo College (Evening)

Top Colleges For Psychology In Punjab

• Panjab University, Chandigarh
•  MCM DAV
• DAV College

 University of Mumbai, Mumbai

•  Sophia College for Women
• Jai Hind College
• Maniben Nanavati Women’s College
• Mithibai College of Arts
• Somaiya Vidyavihar

 Few Other Colleges in India

•  Ashoka University, Sonipat
• Ambedkar University, New Delhi
• Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi
• Christ University, Bangalore
• Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru
• Fergusson College, Pune
• The University of Pune, Pune
• Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, Pune
• Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi)

Admission: The admission in all the colleges is based on merit, although few colleges conduct an entrance exam, for example, Jamia Milia Islamia, Christ University, BHU, Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, etc. Likewise, Ashoka University also conducts an aptitude test followed by essays, group discussion and personal interview.

STAGE 3-PURSUE MASTER’S IN PSYCHOLOGY (Specialization)

At stage 3, you will get the opportunity to choose your area of specialization. This is a very crucial stage in your career, as it will determine which area you will work in. Choose your specialization very carefully. During the 2 years, you will also get the opportunity to write a thesis on the topic of your interest. A thesis is just like a mini form of PhD where you select your topic and do in-depth research on it. Also, majority of the colleges will have a compulsory internship where you can learn the real world skills. 

Specializations Offered At Masters 

Clinical Psychology : Clinical Psychologists are therapists who understands a person concerns and help them achieve a normal state of mind. They work in hospitals and clinics and work with problems like anxiety, depression, relationship issues and even severe patients with schizophrenia, Psychosis, etc. 

Organizational Psychology: Another set of Psychologists who work in companies and aim at maininting a peace environment in the company. They also work for the training and development in the company. Some professionals move to the core HR side of the organisation. 

Social Psychology : As the name suggests, they work for the welfare of  social problems. They target large areas of society who are suffering from issues like poverty, lack of disease awareness, domestic violence, etc. 

Health Psychology :  Health Psychologists are doing one of the most difficult work. They generally deal with patients and their families who are suffering from life threatening diseases. You can imagine the kind of mental status of such individuals and handling them is not easy. 

Counselling Psychology:  One of the most interesting area of Psychology, Counselling Psychologists deal with the every day problems of the individuals. Relationship issues, family problems, difficulty in adjusting in a new environment, etc. 

Sports Psychology :  Comparatively new field of Psychology, Sports Psychologists work with the sports team. Every match comes with some pressure and at it very important for the players to have a relaxed state of mind to perform the best. 

Educational Psychology : Educational Psychologists help students in selecting the right career for them. They are also known as Career Counsellors. With the help of psychometric tools and counselling sessions, they clear a students mind and make a suitable path for them. 

Consumer Psychology:  Even the advertisement industry uses some psychological principles to create heart touching ads. If you believe advertisements are just creative, think again now! Ads are created with a mix of creative touch motivated to trigger some emotions! 

Forensic Psychology :  I am sure we all have grown watching CID, right? You must remember Dr. Solankhi? A Forensic Psychologist critically evaluates the crime scene and analyses the criminals mind. They closely work the crime and criminals. 

TOP COLLEGES FOR PSYCHOLOGY IN INDIA (POST-GRADUATION)

 The next step in becoming a psychologist is your post-graduate degree. Even if you have not studied Psychology, you are still eligible in the majority of the colleges. Although a few colleges e.g. TISS might ask you for Psychology subject as an elective.  Here is a list for you:

•  The University of Delhi, New Delhi
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai
• Ambedkar University, New Delhi
• University of Mumbai, Mumbai
• Christ University, Bangalore
• Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi
• Central University, Karnataka
• Panjab University, Chandigarh 
• Pune University, Pune
• Annamalai University, Chennai

Admission: The admission in the above-mentioned colleges is based on an entrance exam. To ease the process, here is a list of books you can refer, to begin with:

• Carson and Butcher (Clinical Psychology)
• Baron and Baron (General Psychology)
• Taylor (Social Psychology) (Book by David O. Sears, Letitia Anne Peplau, and Shelley E. Taylor)

STAGE 4-GET YOUR LICENCE 

After stage 2, you are ready to work in industries, clinics, NGOs, etc. But if you wish to open your own set up as a clinical psychologist, it is utmost important to pursue M.phil for RCI recognized institute to get the licence. Although if you wish to work in other fields of psychology, RCI Licence is not required. 

SCOPE OF PSYCHOLOGY IN INDIA 

In addition to the steps of becoming a psychologist in India, it is important to understand the scope of the field. 

• First of all, the demand for Psychology is on a rise and is expected to increase in the coming years. In fact, you will also find psychologists working in NGOs where they manage the projects. Likewise, psychologists are also working in a top sports team where they take care of the psychological health of the players.
• Psychologists are the mastermind behind the ad themes for top advertising agencies. They keep in mind what will work for their target audience.  For example: “Mere bachpan ki maggie”  is a very famous advertisement utilizing emotions of childhood. 
• Psychologists are required in every school and with the 7th pay commission, the salary is around 35-40k for freshers. 

The average salary of a fresher is around INR 25,000 to INR 35,000. If you have the passion and skills, you will definitely rise and shine! Hope the article addresses most of your queries of becoming a Psychologist in India. Furthermore, you have any questions, do mention in the comment section.

Also Read: How To Become A Clinical Psychologist In India