How to Become a Military Psychologist

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Walden University : MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited, five specializations to choose from)

Walden University : MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling (CACREP Accredited, six specializations to choose from)

Walden University : MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited, six specializations to choose from)

Liberty University : MA: Addiction Counseling (100% online, 8-week courses)

Grand Canyon University : Master's Degree in Counseling (Affordable Program with No Out of State Tuition)

Capella University : PsyD in School Psychology (CAEP accredited; Capella University is HLC accredited)

Liberty University : MSW: Social Work (100% online, 8-week courses)

Liberty University : MED: School Counseling (Online with required intensives)

Liberty University : MA: Marriage and Family Therapy (Online with required intensives)

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What Is Military Psychology?

Military psychology focuses on active members of the military and veterans who’ve returned to civilian life. Military psychologists may also treat family members of veterans since the psychological strain of service can significantly affect veterans’ loved ones. Additionally, psychologists can provide family members with support tools for veterans who may be suffering from trauma or depression.

Every branch of the U.S. military has its own group of designated psychologists, such as Army psychologists, Navy psychologists, and Air Force psychologists.

What Does a Military Psychologist Do?

Duties and specifics may vary based on what branch of military psychology you work in. No matter which service branch you choose, however, your duties may entail any of the following:

Assessing new recruits, ensuring that they’re mentally fit for service and helping pair them with the right jobs or posts

Guiding and counseling deployed soldiers through the challenges of service

Helping soldiers readjust to civilian life

Counseling military couples and families through various challenges

Diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can be common among veterans

Referring patients to psychiatrists or to inpatient care, as needed

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School and Program Information	Online Program? Entry Requirements	Course Information
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Walden University MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE scores not required	The counseling field is in need of qualified, compassionate professionals like you to meet the demand for services. In Walden's clinical mental health counseling and school counseling dual degree program, you’ll gain the insights and hands-on training to positively impact the lives of children, adults, and families. Learn More
Walden University MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE scores not required	Mental health counselors play a valuable role in helping people cope with life’s challenges. Walden’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can help you become the competent, compassionate counselor you know you can be. Learn More
Liberty University MA: Addiction Counseling SACSCOC	✔ Online 100% online, 8-week courses	Our graduate degree in addiction counseling is designed to fulfill or exceed the requirements for many national and state board organizations. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More
Grand Canyon University Master's Degree in Counseling HLC and NASAC Accredited	✔ 100% Online Over 14 Specializations Available	Affordable with No Out of State Tuition Learn More
Capella University PsyD in School Psychology	✔ Online No GRE or GMAT. Master's and minimum 3.0 GPA	Deepen your understanding of human behavior and advance your skills to help others with a degree in clinical psychology. Capella offers PsyD programs to help you develop leadership skills for your career. No GRE required. Learn More
Liberty University MSW: Social Work SACSCOC	✔ Online 100% online, 8-week courses	This program offers a general cognate and an individual and family clinical cognate. No matter which option you choose, you’ll receive advanced generalist training in social policy, research, and practice — as well as the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in your field. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More
Liberty University MED: School Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online Online with required intensives	Liberty University’s CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling can help equip you to work as a school counselor in Christian, public, and private schools. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More
Liberty University MA: Marriage and Family Therapy SACSCOC	✔ Online Online with required intensives	A Liberty University marriage and family therapy master’s program online can prepare you to help individuals, couples, and families find healing through counseling. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More

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Those wondering how to become military psychologists should know that there are specific educational requirements for practicing psychology. In addition to earning undergraduate and master’s-level degrees — typically in fields related to mental health — military psychologists must also earn PhDs. This can be in general or clinical psychology or in counseling. Students should enroll in programs that the American Psychological Association (APA) has accredited.

Though it’s not required, you can pursue your psychology degree from a military school. There are some potential advantages to doing so. First, in exchange for your service, the military may cover the cost of your tuition. Additionally, earning a psychology degree from a military school can provide training that’s more focused on issues impacting service members, military families, and veterans.

Following the completion of a PhD, a one-year clinical internship is required in one of the branches of the military. Becoming a military psychologist also requires a valid license or certification to practice psychology, which can be obtained by passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and meeting other related requirements. The specific requirements for licensure can vary depending on the state.

You can also choose from the following: enlisting as an active member of the military, doubling as a practicing psychologist, or serving in a civilian role.

Military Career Resources

According to Psychology Today, the military provides numerous financial resources for those who wish to pursue careers in military psychology. A few examples are as follows:

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) allows you to pursue your education without the requirement to pay tuition. However, you’ll be required to complete seven years of active service after completing your training.

The military’s Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) provides financial aid to those who are attending civilian programs but who wish to one day join the military.

The Army’s Financial Assistance Program (FAP) provides grant money to aspiring military psychology professionals who’ve been accepted into civilian internships.

The Department of Veterans Affairs also offers many career resources for veterans, including online networking and job training opportunities. These resources may be valuable to those seeking work in the counseling profession, whether in the military or in post-military life.

These are just a few examples of resources to consider as you contemplate how to become a military psychologist.

Key Skills in Military Psychology

A primary goal of advanced education is honing the skills required for success in military psychology. A few examples of essential military psychology skills are as follows:

Active listening. Psychologists must be prepared to fully listen to what their patients are saying and to extend empathy and compassion.
Familiarity with PTSD. Military psychology professionals should also have specific familiarity addressing mental health conditions that are common to service members, especially trauma and depression.
Communication. Psychologists should be able to convey the details of a diagnosis or a treatment plan in a clear, understandable way.
Critical thinking. Military psychology professionals may need to piece together details to arrive at a clinical diagnosis.
Collaboration. Success in this field often depends on the ability to cooperate with other clinical professionals.

MS in School Counseling Program at Walden University

Walden University - MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling Program at Walden University

Walden University - MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Walden University

Walden University - MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

MA: Addiction Counseling Program at Liberty University

Liberty University - MA: Addiction Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)

Master's Degree in Counseling Program at Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University - Master's Degree in Counseling (NASAC Accredited)

PsyD in School Psychology Program at Capella University

Capella University - PsyD in School Psychology (Capella University is HLC Accredited)

MSW: Social Work Program at Liberty University

Liberty University - MSW: Social Work (SACSCOC Accredited)

MED: School Counseling Program at Liberty University

Liberty University - MED: School Counseling (CACREP and NCATE through CAEP Accredited)

MA: Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Liberty University

Liberty University - MA: Marriage and Family Therapy (SACSCOC Accredited)

Discover the Path to Becoming a Military Psychologist

If you’re passionate about military life and also long for a chance to serve people in their hour of need, a career in military psychology may be just the thing. There are many ways to become a military psychologist and make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families. Explore some of the available resources, and find out which educational path is right for you.

Sources:

American Board of Professional Psychology
American Psychological Association
BetterHelp, “What Is a Military Psychologist and How to Become One”
Mayo Clinic, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Military.com, “How to Recognize PTSD in Your Spouse”
Psychology Today, “Becoming an Active Duty Military Psychologist”
U.S. Air Force, Clinical Psychologist
U.S. Army, Clinical Psychologist
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Employment Toolkit
U.S. Navy, Clinical Psychologist

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