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Psychologists
What they do?
Psychologists perform some or all of the following duties:
A. Provide consultation services to government and other organizations.
B. Psychologists may specialize in applied psychology or experimental research. Sub-specialties include behavioural psychology, child psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, educational and school psychology, industrial psychology, neuropsychology, social psychology or sports psychology.
C. Examine and assess behaviour, diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients and provide therapy
D. Help clients manage physical illness and disorders
E. Counsel individuals and groups to achieve more effective personal, social and vocational development and adjustment and offer mediation services
F. Use standard psychological tests for assessment
G. Plan intervention programs and conduct program evaluation
H. Apply psychological theory and principles regarding behaviour and mental processes such as learning, memory, perception and language development
I. Formulate hypotheses and experimental designs, review literature, conduct studies and publish research papers, educational texts and articles
J. Deliver presentations at conferences, workshops or symposia
Where they find work?
1. Health care and social assistance - 73.0%
2. Educational services - 21.0%
3. Public administration - 7.0%
What education do I need?
1. You must have a graduate university degree in psychology and be registered with a regulatory body in all provinces and the Northwest Territories. Membership in a provincial professional association for psychologists is voluntary.
2. You must have a doctoral degree in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia and a master's or doctoral degree in all other provinces and the Northwest Territories. In Prince Edward Island, you must have a doctorate to work in professional private practice, while a master's degree limits practice to institutions/agencies.
3. In Ontario and Manitoba, you need a master's degree for the designation of Psychological Associate, and you need permission by provincial regulatory authorities to perform duties restricted to psychologists, namely diagnosing and communicating the diagnoses to clients.
4. You must complete a period of supervised practical experience in most jurisdictions.
5. You must successfully finish the written Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) in most provinces/territories and oral examinations and/or board interviews in some provinces/territories.
6. Most recent entrants have a graduate degree.
High School Subject that will help:
1. Math
2. English
3. Sciences
4. Social Studies
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Psychologists is $29.97/HR, which is above average for occupations in the social science, education, government service and religion and are above average for all professional occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
1% of Psychologists are unemployed. This rate is below the average for professionnal occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Psychologists is considered Above Average because:
1. Employment grew at an average rate.
2. The retirement rate is above average, and the number of retiring workers contributes to job openings.
3. Hourly wages ($29.97) are above the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average.
4. The unemployment rate (1%) is below the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Above Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be significantly above average because greater government funding should continue to increase resources for health/social services.
2. The retirement rate will likely be above average and the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely exceed the number of job openings. This will not be significant enough to have an impact on the work prospects.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Psychologists are found in Alberta and Quebec while the lowest concentrations are in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (64%) is above the average (32%) for all occupations.
Useful Experience:
1. Leadership
2. Interpersonal skills
3. Facilitating
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
27% of Psychologists are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 15,700 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 16% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The relatively low percentage of younger workers suggests few entry-level job openings, and could point to a greater need for workers with experience or a number of years of training. The older-than-average age (43) of worker will likely result in an above-average retirement rate to 2009.
