In this busy era, everyone is looking for success, due to which the tension and anxiety in the people are also big. The psychologist is the only one who can help you in fighting all this. There are numerous types of psychologists, a neuropsychologist is one of them. The demand for Neuopschologist is rapidly increasing in India for the past few years. The study of Neuropsychologist involves brain injuries, memory loss, mental disorders, learning disabilities, and other traumatic injuries related to the human brain. Such professionals may be specialized in different areas such as sports Neuropsychology, pediatric brain disability, and memory thrashing disorder or disability.
A Neuropsychologist’s study as a career will be a challenging task but as well as it also enhances the importance of such specialized in society. In-depth knowledge and lots of dedication will require in becoming a successful neuropsychologist. Even, long-term internships will help to understand how the human brain works. You should be perfect to stay long in this field. So, candidates are advised to participate in research programs and improve their reading skills. Moreover, the tricks and methods of Hypothesize will be the best option to check the mental status of humans. In this article, we have mentioned some steps that you should consider becoming a Neuropsychologist. Let’s quickly have a look-
What is a Neuropsychologist?
Neuropsychology is a sub-domain of Psychology that imparts knowledge of the human brain and its related aspects. Throughout this study, candidates are taught how the brain works and how the nervous system manipulates, its positive and negative impact on human behavior. Apart from brain functions, it also involves the disorders and illnesses that create inside the brain. The main object of this course is to prepared candidates to handle real-life challenges. Experiments and Research work will also be considered so that it helps candidates to rectify the unusual thoughts and brain damage, inpatient.
Roles and Responsibilities of Neuropsychologists
As we mention, neuropsychologists are trying to figure out the correlation between brain formations and function, mental changes, disabilities, and fluctuation of emotions. The major role of neuropsychologists is to diagnose and prevent diseases of the brain. Other than that, it also performs laboratory tasks like managing, operating, handling, and reporting report of the patient. The other major roles of Neuropsychologists are:
- Managed clinical data by using psychological tests of patients.
- Offer psychotherapy, counseling & behavior therapy to patients who have mental disorders.
- Keep interactions with patients to attain past medical histories.
- Modify surgical procedures, but before applying discussed with risks associations.
- Increase mental awareness among society.
- Offer brain education to families and individuals.
- Update with modern methods which can be used to diagnose mental disorders.
- Develop neuropsychology techniques by attending national and international medical conferences.
- Recreate or execute rehabilitation strategies for patients.
- Prevent disorders such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome dementia, environmental toxin exposure, alcohol addiction, chemical addiction and among others.
- Identify injuries like degenerative diseases, head traumas, anxiety, cerebrovascular mishappen, neoplasms, inflammatory and infectious bacterias, degenerative disease, and many more.
Five steps to Becoming a Neuropsychologist
In this section, we are mention eligibility criteria, academic qualification, experience, colleges, and applying process which you should consider to becoming a Neuropsychologist.
Step-1 Earn a Degree in a Specific field
Those who have keen on this field need to earn a degree in their respective field. Numbers of courses are available at Postgraduate, Undergraduate, Master, and doctorate levels in Psychology. In beginning, should pursue a relevant UG degree level course in Psychology.
- Undergraduate level course in Psychology –
B.Sc in Psychology :
- To pursue B.Sc in Psychology, you should have passed 10+2 with a science stream from a recognized university.
- The candidates scored at least 50 marks in the qualifying exam.
- Postgraduate level course in Psychology –
There are two degrees available that you should consider pursuing: M.Sc in Psychology and MA in Applied Psychology.
M.Sc in Psychology :
- Those who seek admission in M.Sc Psychology need to qualify B.Sc in Psychology from any recognized university.
- The students should have scored a minimum of 55% aggregate of marks in B.Sc.
MA in Psychology :
- To pursue MA in Psychology, you need to qualify Bachelor’s in a similar subject (BA).
- Candidates, who have passed BSc in Psychology, are considered eligible to pursue MA in psychology.
- Students must have scored at least 55% of marks in the qualifying exam.
- Further Courses in Psychology –
M.Phil in Psychology ( Specialization):
The candidate should have passed their MSc/MA in psychology with specialization from an authorized university.
- He/ she should score at least 55% of marks in the previous exam.
- Doctorate level course in Psychology –
Ph.D. in Psychology (Specialisation):
- To pursue a research program, you need to qualify MA/M.Phil./M.Sc from any recognized university.
- The minimum aggregate to pursue this course is 60% of marks.
List of Entrance Exam
In India, varies college/institute/university offers neuropsychologist study. Admission to PG courses is based on the score of the NEET entrance exam. The procedure of the NEET exam is followed by every college. On the other hand, certain universities conduct own entrance test. If you are seeking admission in a UG level course, you need have to clear any entrance exam but for a PG level course, you should appear in the national level or state level entrance exam. Some popular entrance exams are mentioned below-
- Amity Institute of Psychology & Allied Science MA in Applied Psychology Entrance Exam.
- Agra University M.Sc Psychology Entrance Exam
- Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham All India Entrance Examination
- Bharathiyar University M.Sc in Clinical Psychology Entrance Exam
- Annamalai University M.Sc Clinical Psychology Entrance Exam
- Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Science, Clinical Psychology Entrance Exam
- Delhi University M.A. Applied Psychology Entrance test
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Entrance Exam
- Manipal University Ma Clinical Psychology Entrance Exam
- J.P. Rohilkhand Ma Applied and Clinical Psychology Entrance Exam
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences M.Sc in clinical Psychology Entrance Exam
Step-2 Earn a State License
Having a professional degree does not mean that you can work as a specialist. To work as a neuropsychologist, you have to get a license. Each state has its rules and regulations to follow enrolment procedures. Just like other professional degree courses, you must hold a valid license to practice. In some states, a doctoral degree is mandatory for enrolment. Some considered aggregate scores of a passing exam along with 1-year experience. State procedures may vary, so professionals are advised for being updated for the requirements in their respective state. Those who want to pursue the academic sector after completing neuropsychologist study, may not have a license.
Step- 3 Uphold Credentials
If you want rapid growth in this field, so you must manage credentials. Various states in India possess educational tests or interviews for licensure renewals. Top-notch organizations are mostly considering further education programmes for talented and skilled persons.
Step-4 Pick the right college or universities that offered programmatic accreditation
Before applying to any institute for the course, you are advised to check the right college. If a college has accreditation whether it is national or regional, then you can choose it. Those who have degrees along with valid accreditation will get more priority during the selection process. In addition to that many professional certifications and licenses need an accredited degree. However, the neuropsychology course may opt for programmatic accreditation from an institute like the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, or recognized by the American Psychological Association. Some states required APA accredited degree holders to earn a license or certification.
List of Colleges/institute/universities that offered Neuropsychologist course
Here we are mention popular institutes that you should consider
- AIIMS Delhi – All India Institute of Medical Science
- JMI New Delhi – Jamia Millia Islamia
- LPU Jalandhar – Lovely Professional University
- IGNOU Delhi – Indira Gandhi National Open University
- MSU Baroda – Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
- Christ University, Banglore
- GGSIPU Delhi – Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
- BHU Varanasi – Banaras Hindu University
- Chandigarh University – Chandigarh
- B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad
- Aligarh Muslim University – Aligarh
- SPPU, Pune – Savaitribai Phule Pune University
- MAHE – Manipal Academy of Higher Education
- MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai
- MSRUAS Banglore – MS Ramaiah University of Applied Science
Skills-Set required in Neuropsychology
In the above section we explaining basic requirements, but to be neuropsychologists candidates need to possess high-level educations and in-hand experience. To become a neuropsychologist, you can sharpen your skills. Some of the major skills that required in this field are-
- Good Communication Skills and Superb Listening skills
- Documentations and Writing
- Problem Solving
- Thinking Critically
- Monitoring and Awareness
- Analysis and Interpretation
- Willingness to understand brain disorders
- Technical ability
- Equipment knowledge
Job Roles of Neuropsychologists
Through this course, candidates can attain knowledge of human behavior and its connection to the nervous system. Moreover, they are trained on cognitive rehabilitation, neuropsychological evaluations, anatomy structure, and treatment methods and understand neuropsychological disabilities. Overall, in one course they are specialized for performing multiple tasks. Neuropsychologists can pursue many specializations in their respective fields. They may handle clinical techniques, neuropsychological disabilities, brain disorders of a child, memory damage or injury, memory loss, etc. Some of the major job roles of neuropsychologists are-
- Clinical Neuropsychologists – This category of neuropsychology is specifically trained to handle the assessment of the human brain. If there is any disorder found in the brain, it would be referred to the senior neuropsychologists. He or she may rectify the brain symptoms and trying to prevent them. Also, they are diagnosing mental injuries and diseases by using techniques like Computerized tomography (CT Scanning), MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging), and PET (Position emission tomography).
- Forensic Neuropsychologists – Professionals in this specialist are trained to give a contribution to solve legal issues. Such experts are also called as a witness in individual injury cases. In India, the demand for this expert in the legal field is growing fastly. The major role of these experts is to figure out people who have been accused of crimes to boost a mental health defense.
- Pediatric Neuropsychologists – This category of neuropsychologists are trained to differentiate the brain and behavior of newborn and children. Experts in this field are specialized to test brain damages and functional disorders. Moreover, they often provide counseling sessions to children and give suggestions to parents and teachers that how children can grow.
- Cognitive Neuropsychologists – Such professionals mainly focus on the affiliation among the brain and functions such as planning, perception, body language, memory, attention, and others. These experts are directly in contact with patients and provide counseling programs to patients.
Salary Packages of Neuropsychologists
No doubt a neuropsychologist is a respective career. It brings a wide range of job opportunities across the world. In aborad, healthcare sectors find talented and skilled neuropsychologists as per their requirements. When it comes to payscale, it is one of the most targeting fields as a career. According to the experience, a neuropsychologist may get 1, 20,000 salary per month. Remember, the salary may depend upon the organization and job post which they can obtain. But in the beginning, a non-experienced neuropsychologist will get 50,000 to 80,000 salaries per month.
Job Areas
A Neuropsychologist can seek jobs in various fields. He or She can work in Hospitals, Laboratories, Nursing sectors, academic sectors, research centers, and others.
Future Scope of Neuropsychologist
A Neuropsychologist may work in hospitals (Government or Private), organizations, Non-profitable organizations, and Child healthcare centers. These experts found jobs in private sectors but for the immense growth, professionals can seek jobs in government sectors. Infect, many national and international hospitals offered vacancies to skilled professionals. Experts can also become Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, Mental health Counsellors, Rehabilitation Counsellor, Occupational Therapists, and Physicians and Surgeons. Other than that, he or she can pick educational centers to trained candidates for their respective job roles.
An individual who is enrolled in the Neuropsychology course studies the brain disorders, mental health, brain injuries, and trauma that can occur in the human brain. Candidates are involved in various hospitals for a practical understanding of concepts. Candidates are advised to focus on the studying of biology subject. I Hope, the above-mentioned details are helpful to you.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
