Media Psychologists are generally employed by broadcasting companies, private and government research facilities and advertising firms. They also work with universities and colleges to help them in create effective educational materials.
If this field sounds exciting to you, then you should consider joining it. Here’s an informative article on how to become a Media Psychologist in the U.S.
Should I Become a Media Psychologist?
If you are interested in studying how technology and media influences human behavior, then you should launch a career as a Media Psychologist.
There are a specific set of requirements that Psychologists are expected to meet if they want to work in the U.S. These are outlined in the table below.
| Education Required | A Doctoral degree is typically required, however a Master’s degree is sufficient for industrial organizational and school positions. |
| Training | Residency/internship. |
| Licenses/Certifications | Psychologists in clinical practice are required to have a license. |
| Key Skills/Qualities | Problem-Solving Skills, Patience, Integrity, Analytical Skills, and Interpersonal Skills. |
| Annual Mean Salary (2019) – National | $98,230 (Psychologists – All Other) |
| Job Outlook (2018-28) | 14% (Psychologists) |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Outlook
The job prospects for Psychologists seem quite bright in the near future. It has been predicted that the career growth in this field will be 14% from 2018 to 2028. This projection is as per the data obtained from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Steps to Become a Media Psychologist
If you wish to start your career as a Media Psychologist, you will be expected to go through the following steps:
- Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
You will need to obtain the right qualifications in order to become a Media Psychologist. The first step is to enroll in a 4-year long undergraduate program in a related discipline. You can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology with a concentration in Technology and Media. The undergraduate program will help you explore various modules such as Digital Learning, Cyber Communication, Social Media and Human Interaction, and Influence of Media on Behavior. The approximate length of the Bachelor’s program is around four years.
- Complete a Master’s Program
The next step is to enroll in a Master’s program in Media Psychology. The 2-year long program will introduce you to a range of interesting topics such as Audience Engagement, Transmedia Storytelling, Neuromarketing and Positive Psychology.
- Complete a Doctoral Program
Psychologists usually need a doctoral degree to conduct high-level research, therefore pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis on Media Psychology would be a great idea. The doctoral degree will cover a range of modules such as Biological Bases of Behavior, Social Bases of Behavior, Theories of Personality, Cognition and Technology, and Advanced Topics in Media Psychology. Doctoral programs usually take anywhere between five to seven years to complete.
- Check the State Requirements
The last stage involves consulting your local authorities to check whether the state has set any additional certification or training requirements for Media Psychologists. BLS has stated that Psychologists in clinical practice require a license, and since this area of Psychology is not involved in treating patients, thus you might not need a license.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Media Psychologist?
The path to joining this profession begins with a 4-year long Bachelor’s degree. This is followed by a 2-year long Master’s degree in Psychology/Media Psychology. Candidates interested in research positions might also want to complete a doctoral degree in Psychology and should specialize in Media Psychology. Graduating from the doctoral program can take another 5 to 7 years. Thus, the time involved in becoming a Media Psychologist ranges from 11 to 13 years.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Media Psychologist?
In order to become a Media Psychologist, you will have to:
- Earn a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Media Psychology.
- Earn a Master’s/Doctoral degree in a relevant discipline such as Psychology/Media Psychology.
- Meet any certification or training requirements set by the state.
How Much Do Media Psychologists Earn?
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has not published separate data for Media Psychologists, thus we will mention the occupational statistics of another segment, called ‘Psychologists (All Others)’. The data indicates that the yearly mean salary of this segment was $98,230 in May 2019.