Psychology School Through Veterans Education Benefits

Military psychologists may work in military hospitals, medical clinics, and offices. They may work on land or onboard ships, and may go to other installations within the military if needed.

Psychologists in the military are considered officers. Psychology schools prepare these officers to perform the following duties:

• Conducting research of the behavior of military personnel, along with research on the state of mind of military members and the way that they perceive their surroundings.
• Performing aptitude tests and keeping an eye on the behaviors of military officers and other personnel.
• Identifying problems in patients via psychological testing, and correctly analyzing the results of those tests.
• Ensuring that military personnel who become psychological patients are treated properly according to their needs on an individual or group basis.
• Preparing for experiments and providing good ideas for maintaining proper military mental and moral disciplines.
• Examining research projects that are conducted by outside contractors. Military psychologists will ideally demonstrate the following traits:
• A dedication to help others
• A passion for mathematics and statistics
• A desire to conduct research in other related scientific fields.

How to Become a Military Psychologist

You can prepare to become a military psychologist and serve the active duty members of the armed forces or complete military service and attend psychology schools through the post 911 GI Bill or other veterans education benefits To become a military psychologist, follow these steps:

1. Apply for U.S. citizenship as soon as possible if you are not already a citizen.
2. Receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field of psychology. Psychology degrees must be from an accredited university or college that is recognized by your state’s psychology board. Before applying to a school, make sure that it has an adequate psychological program. (Note: To become a psychologist in the Air Force, you must obtain a PhD in the field of clinical psychology.)
3. Join your school’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) program. While this isn’t required to become a psychologist in the military, it will increase your ability to obtain scholarships.
4. Become a licensed psychologist in your state. You can apply for a license through your state’s psychological board, which will decide whether you should be approved for licensure. You must also pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), which will be administered through your state’s psychology board.
5. Contact a recruiter from the branch of the military with which you would like to serve to learn how to submit an application to become a psychologist in the military.