Psychology Programs in Missouri

Naturally, anyone looking to start a successful career as a psychologist in Missouri must understand what the field entails. They must also understand how to obtain a license and facilitate career growth.

The guide below breaks down the key considerations in this process straightforwardly and concisely.

Of course, another issue of huge importance is education. Luckily, the state of Missouri is no stranger to having high-quality destinations to prepare prospective psychologists for their upcoming duties.

Although discovering the best among these programs can sometimes be quite challenging, we have solved this challenge by providing the comprehensive resource below.

Residents of Missouri will not only discover the most worthwhile schools offering an array of highly rated psychology programs, but they will also discover what these institutions offer in terms of prospective awards and educational highlights.

Top Psychology Schools in Missouri

Candidates seeking a psychology degree in Missouri may consider any of the schools below.

Licensure & Certification

The state of Missouri offers certifications and licensure for psychologists. Candidates are expected to receive a license before they can start their professional careers, and those working as health service providers will also be expected to have certifications. To qualify for licensure, candidates must acquire a PhD or PsyD doctorate level education, pass professional examinations, and receive real-world experience on the job.

Candidates in research or academic roles are not considered to be health service providers, and although they will need a license, they don’t need certification.

The real-world experience requirements to be licensed in Missouri as a psychologist include 1,500 hours of supervised professional experience. The examination process includes passing a national examination called the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and passing the Missouri Psychology Practice Act and Rules Jurisprudence exam.

Salary & Career Outlook

While the annual average salary for a psychologist in Missouri can climb as high as $123,215 or more, this number is usually more relevant to candidates who have had some time on the job and have been able to scale their earnings to be among the top 10% in the entire state. For regular candidates just beginning their careers, their annual average salary may be closer to $94,108—the figure of the average earner.

Earning less than this and being among the bottom 10% is possible, taking home an annual average salary of $71,877. However, with factors such as credentials, specialty, more experience, and favorable employers, candidates can improve their earnings and climb to higher categories in no time.

Location is another criterion worth mentioning. In Missouri, for example, psychologists in Jefferson City earn the highest average salary in the state, $218,182. Those who work in Kansas City take home an average salary of $95,908.

Job Outlook

Psychologists in Missouri are expected to continue their upward trajectory in terms of demand and better salaries. Projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other relevant employment platforms in the country show that more companies are working with psychologists to protect and improve the mental health of their workers, leading to higher productivity levels.

Regular individuals are also focusing more on their mental health and working with psychologists.