Psychology Programs in Massachusetts

When starting a career as a psychologist in Massachusetts, it is important to ask a few questions, including what the scope of the profession is, what training opportunities are available, and what steps are required to receive a license.

You have come to the right page if you are an aspiring psychologist in the state. The guide below explores these questions and provides detailed answers in each category.

We begin by pointing out the array of high-quality schools in Massachusetts offering comprehensive training in various psychology disciplines. We then thoroughly explore these schools’ programs and degree choices.

From there, we highlight the steps involved in receiving a psychology license in Massachusetts before exploring the salary categories professionals may fall into and the factors influencing these figures.

Top Psychology Schools in Massachusetts

Below are some high-quality destinations where you can earn a psychology degree in Massachusetts.

Licensure & Certification

The Massachusetts Board of Registration for Psychologists handles licensure affairs for psychologists in Massachusetts. The board offers licensure and certification for psychologists but notes that candidates don’t always have to receive both.

More than having a license alone is required for professionals who only need to have the title of a psychologist but will not be providing direct services. For those taking the health service provider route (as most do), licensure and certification are important.

To be licensed as psychologists in Massachusetts, candidates must have a doctorate and meet the supervised experience requirements. The latter includes completing 1,600 hours of post-doctoral supervised experience and an internship.

Candidates may then take their professional examinations, including the National Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and the state jurisprudence examination.

Individuals with lower degrees often start in supplementary roles, including case management, psychiatric technician, or human resources positions.

Salary & Career Outlook

Experience influences how much a psychologist in Massachusetts will take home at the end of the year. Based on these criteria, candidates can be divided into three general categories.

The first category belongs to those still finding their feet when they start their psychology career in Massachusetts. Those in this category will likely take home an annual average salary of around $78,285, good enough for the bottom 10%.

The second category belongs to psychologists established in the field but have yet to maximize their earnings. Those in this category will likely earn an annual average salary of $111,930.

Lastly, psychologists in Massachusetts are among the highest-paid in the state. At the end of each year, they earn an average salary of around $160,033.

Location is another understated factor that can influence these figures. Candidates in Brookline, for instance, earn the highest annual average salary in the state by location, around $135,076 per year. They are followed by Cambridge, with a salary of $131,892 per year.

Psychologists in Boston make an annual average salary of $118,585.

Job Outlook

Massachusetts is already one of the best places to work as a psychologist in the United States, and this is expected to remain the same. The field is projected to improve as more people prioritize their mental health.

Openings for fresh psychologists will also arise in the state as existing psychologists retire, move into other specialty areas, or consider other professions.