Psychology Programs in New Mexico
Psychologists carry out their duties of understanding how people think and learn in an array of sub-disciplines across multiple environments. These professionals may work in clinical hospitals, private offices, research settings, and academic institutions.
This field explores emotional, social, and cognitive development and is well-rewarded in terms of employment and projected salary. To help candidates in New Mexico start their careers smoothly, we have provided an array of resources below dealing with multiple aspects of becoming a psychologist in the state.
We start by showing some of the most notable colleges and universities that have received psychology education and highlighting the programs candidates can apply for at these schools. We then move on to the licensure and certification requirements before pivoting to the projected annual average salary figures for this profession in New Mexico.
Top Psychology Schools in New Mexico
The following schools offer excellent training programs for prospective psychologists in New Mexico.
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM Campus + Online
It is almost impossible to mention high-quality destinations to receive psychology degrees in New Mexico by mentioning New Mexico State University. The university has many psychology programs for students with various interests and career objectives.
Tuition
$5,778- $26,830Contact
(575) 646-0111
admissions@nmsu.edu
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM Campus + Online
The University of New Mexico is another high-quality destination for Psychology education in New Mexico. The school offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science program in Psychology.
Tuition
$11,210 - $34,129Contact
(505) 277-0111
acecenas@unm.edu
University of the Southwest
Hobbs, NM Campus + Online
University of the Southwest’s Psychology programs include a series of undergraduate programs and multiple graduate programs. These programs are available through the school's College of Art and Sciences.
Tuition
$549 - $849 per CreditContact
(575) 392-6561
admissions@usw.edu
New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM Campus + Online
New Mexico Highlands University is another entry on the list that can be regarded as one of the best Psychology schools in the entire state. Thanks to its excellent Bachelor of Science in Psychology program, the school is especially well-regarded for foundational training.
Tuition
$296 - $533 per CreditContact
(877) 850-9064
admissions@nmhu.edu
Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM Campus + Online
At Western New Mexico University, residents who secure admission into the Psychology department may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, depending on their preference. They can expect to pick up expertise quickly in learning and memory, clinical psychology, cognition, and brain function.
Tuition
$285 - $607 per CreditContact
(800) 872-9668
admissions@wnmu.edu
Southwestern College
Santa Fe, NM Campus + Online
Southwestern College in Santa Fe—not to be confused with the University of the Southwest in Hobbs—offers online psychology programs at both the Bachelor's and Master's levels.
Tuition
$626 - $835 per Quater UnitContact
(877) 471-5756
admissions@swc.edu
Licensure & Certification
New Mexico regulates psychologists through the State Board of Psychologist Examiners, which oversees the licensure process for new psychologists.
Individuals who want a full license must acquire a doctorate. They may do so immediately after completing a bachelor’s program or skip the master’s.
Afterward, they are expected to meet the requirements of 3000 hours of supervised work experience. This allows 1,500 hours of training via an internship, typically a few years after starting a graduate program but before it is done.
Then, candidates may acquire 1,500 hours of training in a postdoctoral supervised practice.
As part of the examination requirements, candidates are expected to pass both the national examination (EPPP) and the state jurisprudence exam.
New Mexico is one of two states where psychologists are allowed to prescribe psychotropic medication.
Salary & Career Outlook
Once they make it to be among the highest-paid in the state at the top 10%, psychologists in New Mexico can earn an annual average salary of $162,458 or even higher. However, when they are only starting to find their feet in the profession, the annual average salary may understandably not be as high as this.
In this case, they may fall among the lowest-paid, with an annual average salary of $94,111, or among the average earners, with an average salary of around $123,649 annually.
To optimize their annual average salaries, psychologists in New Mexico may consider choosing specialty areas that are especially lucrative or moving to a more favorable location within the state. As it happens, psychologists in Santa Fe are the highest-paid in New Mexico, earning an annual average salary of $229,447. Those in Las Cruces are also prominent, with an annual average salary of $220,933, while psychologists in Clovis take home an annual average salary of $207,591.
Job Outlook
The positive sentiments concerning the growth of psychology and mental health awareness across the country are expected to continue over the next decades. This will result in more psychologist positions nationwide, including in New Mexico.
The job outlook is also expected to stay positive, thanks to schools and employers working with psychologists and the need to replace aging workers as they retire or move to other professions.