There is a distinction between the academic and the practitioners route in Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology and Educational Psychology:
The academic route allows one to pursue a professional career in research, teaching and some fields of psychological practice, excluding psychological testing, psychotherapy and counselling.
The practitioner route means training as a counsellor (a first-level practitioner) or a psychologist in order to register in one of the registration categories offered by the Professional Board for Psychology. Currently, the following categories are available: first level counsellors (in various fields of specialisation), clinical, counselling, research, educational and industrial psychology. Provision is also made for registration as a psychometrist (independent practice).
It is important to do career research about the various options available to you should you wish to pursue a career in the field of psychology. Remember that poor research could lead to your having unrealistic expectations of what a career in psychology entails. Thorough research in terms of career options would enable you to broaden your knowledge about alternative careers should you not be selected for, or not wish to continue with postgraduate studies in Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology or Educational Psychology.
