Becoming a clinical psychologist typically requires significant education and training, which can take several years to complete. While it may be challenging to become a licensed clinical psychologist by the age of 35 if you start college at 26, it is not impossible.
Here's a general timeline of the steps involved in becoming a clinical psychologist:
Bachelor's Degree: You will need to complete a 4-year undergraduate degree, usually in psychology or a related field. Some students may choose to pursue a bachelor's degree in another discipline and then complete specific psychology prerequisites.
Graduate Education: After obtaining a bachelor's degree, you'll need to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. This can take 4 to 7 years, depending on the program. The most common doctoral degree in clinical psychology is the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology.
Internship: During your doctoral program, you will typically complete a pre-doctoral internship, which is a year-long supervised training experience in a clinical setting.
Postdoctoral Experience: After completing your doctoral program and internship, you may need to gain additional supervised postdoctoral experience, which can last one to two years.
Licensing Exam: To become a licensed clinical psychologist, you must pass a licensing exam. The specific exam requirements can vary by state or country.
Considering the timeline above, it is possible to complete all the necessary education, training, and licensing requirements to become a clinical psychologist by the age of 35 if you start college at 26. However, this timeline assumes that everything goes according to plan, and there are no delays or breaks during your educational journey.
Keep in mind that the process may take longer if you choose to pursue a Ph.D. over a PsyD or if you decide to specialize in a specific area of clinical psychology that requires additional training.
It's important to consult with academic advisors and career counselors at the college or university you plan to attend to get a more personalized assessment of the time and effort required to achieve your goal. Also, remember that the journey to becoming a clinical psychologist is demanding but rewarding, and it's crucial to stay committed and focused on your goal throughout the process.