What Are My Career Options in Neuropsychology?

If you are interested in how the brain's physical features affect memory, language, concentration and personality, you might wish to study neuropsychology. While enrolled in such a degree program, you might prepare to help diagnose and plan treatments for possible brain injuries or other changes. Keep reading to learn about your career options in neuropsychology.

About the Field of Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology is a specialization within the field of psychology. It deals primarily with the connections between brain function and behavior, including memory, motor skills and verbal cognition. Neuropsychology degree programs are typically offered at the doctoral level, and they can prepare you to work as a clinical neuropsychologist or a researcher in the field. Additionally, some neuropsychologists specialize in areas such as child psychology or experimental psychology.

Important Facts About Neuropsychologists

Median Salary (2021)	$81,040 (for all psychologists)*
Job Outlook (2021-2031)	6% (for all psychologists)*
Professional Certification	Voluntary; available through the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology
Key Skills	Analytical and critical thinking; patience; observation; problem solving; clear written and spoken communication
Similar Occupations	Mental health counselors; marriage and family therapists; physicians; surgeons; social workers; substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Options

Typically, when you choose a neuropsychology degree program, you decide whether you'd like to enroll in a clinical track or a research and academic track. Clinical neuropsychologists usually work directly with patients, while researchers seek to better understand the brain and its functions. In a program with a research focus, you could also prepare for a career in academia by participating in teaching assistantships.

Clinical Neuropsychology

As a clinical neuropsychologist, you'd conduct tests on patients to determine whether various ailments or conditions affect their cognitive functions. The patients you'd work with might include the elderly, children, HIV patients, developmentally-disabled patients and others who have some type of brain injury. You could also help develop a treatment plan for patients who have neurological disorders. In all states, you must meet licensing requirements to work as a clinical neuropsychologist.

Neuropsychology Research and Academics

If you're interested in studying the brain and conducting experiments to discover new information, you could earn a Ph.D. that gives you the background and skills necessary to work in neuropsychology research. Your academic and research work could require that you write reports, conduct interviews, teach students and stay on top of your colleagues' and peers' discoveries. These types of careers don't usually require licensure since you wouldn't be directly treating patients.

Specializations Within Neuropsychology

You could choose to study and practice neuropsychology as it relates to a particular population. Some clinicians work primarily with children and address disorders unique to them, although researchers can also focus on specific areas.

Child Neuropsychology

Child or pediatric neuropsychologists understand how the brain develops through childhood. In this discipline, you'd work with children to determine whether their brains are functioning properly and, if necessary, help develop treatment plans to minimize the effects of injuries or disabilities. You might become board-certified as a child neuropsychologist through the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology.