How to Become a Psychologist After 12th Commerce

Career Journey

If you've just completed 12th grade in commerce and are intrigued by how the human mind works, a psychology career might be your calling. While it's common to associate psychology with science or arts streams, commerce students can also embark on this fascinating journey.

Sep 22
author
Dr Disha Patel
Cardiac Anesthesiologist, Shalby Hospital, Ahmedabad
author

You don't need to change tracks entirely to pursue a psychology career after 12th commerce. Instead, you can opt for a psychology degree course, depending on your interests and the available courses. These psychology courses after 12th Commerce delve into various aspects of human behavior, educational psychology, and more. 

With the right educational path and determination, you can chart a fulfilling career in psychology, making a positive impact on individuals and communities.

 

What is Psychology?

Psychology is all about studying how human minds work and why we do the things we do. It's like being a detective for our thoughts and actions. 

Psychologists want to understand why we think, feel, and behave the way we do, both when we're on our own and when we're with others. They use science to figure it all out, conducting experiments and surveys, and watching people to learn more. 

 

This knowledge helps in many areas, from making people's lives better to solving problems and answering questions about how our brains work.

 

Why Study Psychology?

Studying Psychology can open up various career paths for you. It allows you to choose the kind of Psychologist you want to be.

With a bachelor's degree in Psychology, you can pursue higher education. This degree can be a stepping stone for Master's programs in fields like Human Resource Management, Education, Social Work, Advertising, Communication, Forensics, Sales, Politics, and more.

In our fast-paced, digitalized world, understanding the human mind is crucial. People today struggle to find time for themselves and maintain meaningful connections. They're more inclined to seek professional help. By gaining the right knowledge and skills through proper training and accreditation, you can contribute to making the world a better place.

 

How to Become a Psychologist After 12th Commerce?

If you want to be a psychologist after studying commerce in 12th grade, follow these steps:

1.   Choose a Psychology course: After 12th commerce, you can choose certain psychology courses such as certificate courses and undergraduate courses.

2.   Pursue postgraduate (Optional): To specialize and have more job options, think about getting a master's degree in psychology after your graduation.

3.   Gain Practical Experience: Do internships or volunteer work. This helps you understand how psychology works in real life.

4.   Get Licensed: Depending on where you live, you might need a license to work as a psychologist. Make sure you meet your area's requirements.

5.   Keep Learning: Stay updated by attending workshops and seminars on psychology.

6.   Start Your Career: Begin working as a psychologist in schools, hospitals, clinics, or your private practice.

 

Remember, being a psychologist needs commitment and a real interest in understanding people's thoughts and behavior.

 

Psychology Courses

Here are some of the psychology courses in India students can do after 12th commerce:

Certificate courses in Psychology After 12th Commerce

After completing 12th grade, you can explore certificate courses in psychology. These are short programs, lasting from a few hours to a few weeks, that introduce you to fundamental psychology concepts.

 

Bachelor courses in Psychology After 12th Commerce

After 12th Commerce, students can opt for bachelor courses in psychology.

 

Post-graduation courses in Psychology After 12th Commerce

There are several psychology courses after graduation which are listed below:

  • MA Psychology
  • MA Counselling Psychology
  • MA Philosophy & Applied Psychology

 

Eligibility Criteria

Course NameEligibility Criteria
Certificate in Child Psychology10 + 2 from a recognized board
Certificate in Clinical Psychology10 + 2 from a recognized board
Certificate in Counselling and Psychology10 + 2 from a recognized board
BA PsychologyA minimum of 50-55% marks in 12th in any stream
BA (Hons.) PsychologyA minimum of 50-55% marks in 12th in any stream
MA Psychology
  • Completed bachelor in psychology/ applied psychology
  • A minimum of 50% of marks in graduation
MA Counselling Psychology
  • Completed bachelor in psychology/ applied psychology
  • A minimum of 50% of marks in graduation
MA Philosophy & Applied Psychology
  • Completed bachelor in psychology/ applied psychology
  • A minimum of 50% of marks in graduation

 

Fees

Psychology courses fee vary depending on the university/ institute and the level of the course (certificate, bachelor’s, or master’s).

Course NameAverage Fees
Certificate in Child Psychology₹5,000 - ₹20,000
Certificate in Clinical Psychology₹5,000 - ₹40,000
Certificate in Counselling and Psychology₹2,000 - ₹50,000
BA Psychology₹20,000 - ₹3,00,000
BA (Hons.) Psychology₹20,000 - ₹2,50,000
MA Psychology₹10,000 - ₹2,00,000
MA Counselling Psychology₹5,000 - ₹2,50,000
MA Philosophy & Applied Psychology₹10,000 - ₹1,50,000

 

Admission Process

Course NameAdmission Process
Certificate in Child PsychologyMerit-Based Admission (On the basis of 12th marks)
Certificate in Clinical PsychologyMerit-Based Admission (On the basis of 12th marks)
Certificate in Counselling and PsychologyMerit-Based Admission (On the basis of 12th marks)
BA PsychologyMerit-Based Admission or Entrance-Exam-Based Admission
BA (Hons.) PsychologyMerit-Based Admission or Entrance-Exam-Based Admission
MA PsychologyDirect Admission/ Merit-Based Admission/ Entrance-Exam-Based Admission
MA Counselling PsychologyDirect Admission/ Merit-Based Admission/ Entrance-Exam-Based Admission
MA Philosophy & Applied PsychologyDirect Admission/ Merit-Based Admission/ Entrance-Exam-Based Admission

 

Top Colleges

After 12th commerce, there are several good psychology colleges in India that offer comprehensive psychology courses. Some of the top colleges for psychology courses include:
 

  • Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Uttar Pradesh
  • Christ University, Bengaluru
  • Fergusson College, Pune
  • Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida
  • Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar
  • Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
  • Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi
  • Lovely Professional University (LPU), Jalandhar
  • National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore
  • Osmania University, Hyderabad
  • Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai
  • St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad

These institutions provide excellent opportunities for students interested in pursuing psychology as a field of study.

Future Scope

A psychology course offers many career options. You can work in fields like counseling, research, education, or human resources. The demand for psychologists is growing because more people seek help for mental health. You can also specialize in areas like clinical psychology or sports psychology. 

Psychology is a global field, so you can work internationally. Psychologists advocate for mental health awareness and help shape mental health policies. Some psychologists have private practices. If you like teaching and research, you can become a professor. 

 

Overall, psychology provides diverse career options and is expected to keep growing.

 

Salary Prospects

In India, salaries for psychologists can vary. Fresh psychology graduates typically start with salaries ranging from ₹2 to ₹4 lakh per year, especially in fields like counseling or human resources. As you gain experience, your income can increase significantly, reaching around ₹5 to ₹9 lakh or more annually. If you specialize in areas like clinical psychology or establish a private practice, your earnings might be even higher. 

Note that these figures can improve with more experience, advanced degrees, or by focusing on specialized areas like neuropsychology or industrial-organizational psychology.

 

If you want to become a psychologist after 12th Commerce, you can apply to the psychologist course available on Docthub.com and you can directly apply to it.

 

 

FAQs

1. Does psychology need NEET?

No, psychology does not require the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) for admissions, as NEET is primarily for medical courses in India such as MBBS, BDS, and other related fields,

 

2. Is psychology a good career?

Yes, psychology can be a rewarding career for those interested in understanding human behavior and helping individuals improve their mental well-being.

 

3. Is psychology a high-paying job?

Psychology careers can offer competitive salaries, but they often require advanced degrees and experience to reach high-paying positions.

 

4. What is the salary of a psychologist in India?

The salary of a psychologist in India can vary significantly depending on factors such as experience, location, and specialization, but it typically ranges from ₹3-7 lakhs per year.

 

5. Which is better BSc or BA psychology?

Both BSc and BA in psychology can lead to rewarding careers; BSc tends to have a stronger focus on scientific aspects of psychology, while BA provides a broader foundation in the field with potential for diverse specializations.