Psychology Programs in Iowa

It is undeniable that the world is experiencing a rapid increase in awareness of the relationship between mental health and a functional society. This has led to an even more profound appreciation of mental health experts, at the top of which are psychologists in all arrays of subdisciplines.

In Iowa, individuals aspiring to become successful psychologists must meet a few requirements to start their careers. However, as with most states, the most uniform and prominent step in the journey to launch a career in psychology is graduating from a top-class, accredited training program.

While Iowa offers many options for candidates to consider, the guide below showcases the most notable options and explains why these programs are noteworthy.

We continue exploring possible licensure and certification requirements while breaking down interested individuals’ annual average salary and career projections.

Top Psychology Schools in Iowa

The following are among the best psychology colleges and universities in Iowa.

Licensure & Certification

The Iowa Board of Psychology, operating under the Bureau of Professional Licensure, is responsible for issuing and regulating psychology affairs in Iowa. Candidates looking into practice in a professional capacity must receive a license from the board by meeting the following requirements:

• Firstly, candidates are expected to complete a doctoral degree program by graduating from an institution accredited by either the American Psychological Association or the Canadian Psychological Association.
• Afterward, they must enroll for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, which costs $600 to register for.
• After passing their EPPP, candidates may receive two years of verifiable experience under licensed supervision. The first year is usually an internship that includes 1,500 hours of training.
• Afterward, they will participate in one year of postdoctoral supervised practice for another 1,500 hours.

Those who have completed these steps may officially send their applications and receive their license. This costs a $120 application fee.

With a lower-level degree, applicants might qualify for supporting roles such as case manager, psychiatric technician, or human resources specialist.

Salary & Career Outlook

Once they are well established on the job, a psychologist in Iowa can earn an annual average salary as high as $164,316. This figure pertains to the highest-paid psychologists in the state who are among the top 10%.

Of course, those just starting their careers may not end as high as this, especially in the beginning. They may have to start from the bottom 10%, in which case they will take home an annual average salary of $60,774, or from the midpoint, where they will earn an annual average salary of around $99,931.

To optimize their salary and increase their annual returns, candidates may want to acquire credentials, choose lucrative specialties, work in reputable establishments, and consider favorable locations in the state.

Cedar Rapids is Iowa’s highest-paying city for psychologists, with an annual average salary of $179,907. Those working in Des Moines are also highly rewarded, with an annual average salary of $174,530.

Job Outlook

The demand for psychology professionals has steadily increased thanks to the continual improvement in mental health awareness among regular individuals. This is true for Iowa as it is anywhere else in the country.

It is also worth mentioning that this positive projection is expected to keep increasing, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 6% increase from 2022 to 2032.

Some reasons for this estimation include the need for companies to work with psychologists for a better work environment and schools looking to work with psychologists to improve the mental health of their students.