How to Become a Cognitive Psychologist
Interested in becoming a cognitive psychologist? Learn more about educational requirements, steps to licensure, and earning potential in this guide.
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Cognitive psychology is a specialization that focuses on human perception, thought processes, problem-solving capacity, and memory. Cognitive psychologists can pursue careers in higher education, research, and clinical practice. Learn more about becoming a cognitive psychologist, including the educational requirements, steps to licensure, and earning potential.
Steps to Become a Cognitive Psychologist
These educational steps will lead you toward a career as a cognitive psychologist. Research and data skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking are all critical to success in this role.
- Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
The first step toward becoming a cognitive psychologist is to earn a bachelor’s degree. Most undergraduate degree programs require four years of full-time study to complete, culminating in 120 credit hours. A major in a related field isn’t required, but could help provide a strong cognitive foundation. A degree in psychology is ideal, as it will prepare you for further study in the field and fulfill prerequisite requirements for graduate programs in cognitive psychology.
- Step 2: Earn a Master’s Degree
A doctorate is required to become a cognitive psychologist. However, to work in the field of cognitive psychology, you can choose to earn a master’s or doctoral degree, or both. A master’s degree typically requires two years of full-time study and can prepare you for a career in research. Many cognitive psychology master’s programs cover topics including memory, perception, attention, and decision-making.
- Step 3: Earn a Doctoral Degree
Most cognitive psychologists who hold a doctoral degree teach and conduct research in a university setting or administer assessments for cognitive and behavioral disorders. Earning a doctorate takes around six years of full-time study, including the completion of a dissertation. The field of cognitive psychology is merging more closely with cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience, creating opportunities for cross-disciplinary study.
- Step 4: Satisfy Internship and Supervised Clinical Requirements
The post-graduate experience you pursue depends upon your career goals as a cognitive psychologist. If you want to pursue a career in organizational psychology, research, or academia, an internship in this area can be integral in obtaining a position in the future. If you wish to work as a clinical psychologist serving the public, then you will need to complete the supervised clinical experience hours required by your state’s licensing board.
- Step 5: Pursue State Licensure
To work in a clinical setting helping people overcome issues related to memory loss, sensory or perception difficulties, or Alzheimer’s disease, you will first need to obtain a license to practice. Clinical psychology licensure varies by state. For licensure eligibility, most states require clinical psychology coursework, ethics training, supervised clinical experience, and a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
How Long Will It Take to Become a Cognitive Psychologist?
Completing the educational requirements to become a cognitive psychologist can take six to ten years. For those pursuing clinical psychology licensure, the process can take longer to meet the supervised clinical experience requirements.
Below is a list of similar psychology careers and the typical time each takes to earn a bachelor’s, doctorate, and licensure.
| Job | Time to Become |
|---|---|
| School Psychologist | 6-7 years |
| Clinical Psychologist | 8-12 years |
| Child Psychologist | 8-12 years |
| Counseling Psychologist | 8-12 years |
How Much Does a Cognitive Psychologist Make?
The earning potential for cognitive psychologists varies by educational attainment, years of experience, and scope of practice. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not present data exclusively for cognitive psychologists, the annual salary averages for psychologists offer a valuable benchmark for how much cognitive psychologists might make.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Cognitive Psychologist
Cognitive psychologists specialize in brain processes, including memory, perception, and language. They often conduct research, teach at the university level, or offer services to people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other memory-related challenges.
