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Can I Become a Psychologist Online at 40 with a STEM Background?

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10849 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Mar 06, 2025

Nayagam is a certified career counsellor and the founder of EduJob360.
He started his career as an HR professional and has over 10 years of experience in tutoring and mentoring students from Classes 8 to 12, helping them choose the right stream, course and college/university.
He also counsels students on how to prepare for entrance exams for getting admission into reputed universities /colleges for their graduate/postgraduate courses.
He has guided both fresh graduates and experienced professionals on how to write a resume, how to prepare for job interviews and how to negotiate their salary when joining a new job.
Nayagam has published an eBook, Professional Resume Writing Without Googling.
He has a postgraduate degree in human resources from Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi, a postgraduate diploma in labour law from Madras University, a postgraduate diploma in school counselling from Symbiosis, Pune, and a certification in child psychology from Counsel India.
He has also completed his master’s degree in career counselling from ICCC-Mindler and Counsel, India.
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PD Question by PD on Feb 21, 2025Hindi
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Career

Can I become a psychologist via online studies (anywhere in the world)?I am looking for a career shift at 40, and psychology excites me (my background is Masters in STEM not psychology related).

Ans: Online studies can help become a psychologist, depending on your career goals and the level of psychology you want to pursue. For clinical psychologists, online degrees alone may not be enough for licensing, while industrial/organizational psychologists and academic/research psychologists require a Ph.D. or PsyD. Online certifications are usually sufficient for coaching, HR, or behavioral specialists. Best online psychology degrees worldwide include a bachelor's or master's in psychology, a master's in psychology, or a doctorate. Some universities offer online master's programs for career changers, but it is essential to ensure the program is accredited by the relevant psychology board in your target country. After an online psychology degree, you can work in various psychology-related fields, such as counseling, corporate HR, mental health support, behavioral science, and academic and research psychology. Accreditation matters, licensing requirements, and choosing a specialization carefully are crucial for success in the field. All the best for your Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

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Career Counsellor - Answered on Aug 18, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 17, 2025Hindi
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Sir my aunt is a married woman.Due to family pressure she wasn't able to complete her graduation in political science.But now she is interested in psychology but due to family related issues she will not be able to attend classes regularly.Is there any institution where she could do distance learning at low costs considering she is from Hindi medium background? She says she would love to be a mentor.Are there online jobs available for mentors?
Ans: Several open universities in India offer affordable, flexible distance-learning programs in psychology tailored for Hindi-medium students. The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) provides a Bachelor’s in Arts with Psychology elective and a Master’s in Arts in psychology through its School of Social Sciences at annual fees under ?10,000, with course materials in Hindi and regional support centers nationwide. Annamalai University and Nalanda Open University similarly deliver BA and MA psychology degrees via printed and online content in Hindi, EMI payment options, and minimal residency requirements. These institutions are UGC-DEB accredited, ensuring degree recognition and transferability. Quality online platforms such as SWAYAM-NPTEL supplement foundational coursework with free psychology modules from premier IITs, offering certificates upon nominal exam fees. Key institutional aspects include recognized accreditation for credibility; comprehensive curricula covering developmental, social, and clinical psychology; multilingual study materials and student counseling services; affordable fee structures with payment flexibility; and robust learner support through online forums, recorded lectures, and regional study centers. For mentorship roles, online tutoring portals like Vedantu, Chegg, and UrbanPro recruit subject experts as mentors, offering flexible, work-from-home opportunities where she can leverage her sociopolitical background to guide students in psychology and related humanities subjects. UpGrad and LearnVern host mentorship and peer-coaching roles, often remunerated per session. These platforms require minimal technical setup and provide training on pedagogical methods and platform usage. They value clear communication skills, foundational subject knowledge, and the ability to engage learners remotely. Building a mentor profile on LinkedIn and professional tutoring networks like Preply can also attract clients seeking personalized guidance. This approach combines low-cost academic credentials with viable online mentoring opportunities, enabling her to pursue psychology education and a parallel mentoring career without regular campus attendance.

Recommendation:
Enroll in IGNOU’s BA or MA psychology for accredited, Hindi-medium distance education at minimal cost, and register as a mentor on platforms such as Vedantu or Chegg to secure flexible online tutoring roles. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Asked by Anonymous - Dec 02, 2025Hindi
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My married ex still texts me for comfort. Because of him, I am unable to move on. He makes me feel guilty by saying he got married out of family pressure. His dad is a cardiac patient and mom is being treated for cancer. He comforts me by saying he will get separated soon and we will get married because he only loves me. We have been in a relationship for 14 years and despite everything we tried, his parents refused to accept me, so he chose to get married to someone who understands our situation. I don't know when he will separate from his wife. She knows about us too but she comes from a traditional family. She also confirmed there is no physical intimacy between them. I trust him, but is it worth losing my youth for him? Honestly, I am worried and very confused.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I understand how difficult it is to let go of a relationship you have built from scratch, but is it really how you want to continue? It really seems to be going nowhere. His parents are already in bad health and he married someone else for their happiness. Does it seem like he will be able to leave her? So many people’s happiness and lives depend on this one decision. I think it’s about time you and your BF have a clear conversation about the same. If he can’t give a proper timeline, please try to understand his situation. But also make sure he understands yours and maybe rethink this equation. It really isn’t healthy. You deserve a love you can have wholly, and not just in pieces, and in the shadows.

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