Psychology Programs in Tennessee
Anyone looking to start a successful psychology career in Tennessee should begin with a comprehensive education. The reasons for this are quite obvious.
Not only are well-educated psychologists more likely to succeed on the job, but they also have access to professional opportunities, including credentials and a high employment appeal. Of course, the state also has several licensure requirements for aspiring psychologists with a strong focus on receiving education from an accredited institution.
The program and degree a candidate will earn to start their careers will depend on individual preference and specialty. Candidates may begin with a bachelor’s degree program and take on assisting roles before earning their Master’s degree and, ultimately, a doctorate.
Regardless of award choice, the following section highlights some incredible destinations for receiving an array of psychology degrees and certificates in Tennessee. We also discuss other key process elements, such as licensure and salary projections.
Top Psychology Schools in Tennessee
These are the top colleges and universities for candidates wanting to receive their psychology degrees in Tennessee.
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN Online + Campus
Vanderbilt University in Nashville is arguably one of the top universities in the state. The school offers a Bachelor's in Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, and General Psychology.
Tuition
$65,008 per YearContact
(615) 322-7311
admissions@vanderbilt.edu
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN Online + Campus
The University of Tennessee has multiple campuses across the state where candidates can receive a high-quality education and begin their careers on the right trajectory. These include locations in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Martin, among others.
Tuition
$13,812 - $33,256Contact
(865) 974-1000
admissions@utk.edu
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN Online + Campus
The University of Memphis offers prospective psychologists an online Bachelor's in Psychology program and multiple Cognitive Science and Educational Psychology certificates.
Tuition
$447 - $1,242 per CreditContact
(901) 678-2000
admissions@memphis.edu
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN Online + Campus
East Tennessee State University has diverse programs for psychology students, including bachelor's, master's, and doctorate options. These programs provide possible concentrations ranging from Clinical and Child Psychology to General Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis, among others.
Tuition
$10,472 - $26,486Contact
(423) 439-1000
admissions@etsu.edu
Lee University
Cleveland, TN Online + Campus
Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, is another amazing school to receive a Psychology degree as a resident of Tennessee and beyond. The school provides undergraduate education through an array of programs, including both in-person and online options.
Tuition
$915 - $960 per CreditContact
(800) 533-9930
info@leeuniversity.edu
Sewanee The University of the South
Sewanee, TN Online + Campus
People who study psychology at Sewanee, the University of the South, are often amazed at the quality of the faculty. They develop a strong fundamental understanding of the field, which makes it easier for them to advance their education, cultivate more skills, and thrive throughout their careers.
Tuition
$27,911 per SemesterContact
(931) 598-1000
admiss@sewanee.edu
Licensure & Certification
Anyone looking to work full-time as a psychologist in Tennessee must be licensed. A psychologist must go through the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology to be licensed.
The board issues both psychology licenses and health service provider designation. Candidates working with functionally impaired and at-risk individuals must have a license and the HSP designation.
The first step in getting a license is graduating from an accredited training program and earning a doctorate. Applicants are also expected to complete 1,900 hours of internship and acquire more experience at the postdoctoral level.
This postdoctoral practice must also include 1,900 hours of experience.
Finally, candidates may go on to pass the relevant examinations to receive their license officially. These are the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and the state jurisprudence exam administered monthly in Nashville.
Salary & Career Outlook
Numerous factors influence the average salaries of psychologists in Tennessee. Still, experience, specific location within the state, specialty area, and professional credentials are all among the major players.
These factors work together to split psychologists in Tennessee into three broad categories based on their annual earnings. In the first and most popular category, we have the average earners who get to leave with an average salary of $242,844 at the end of the year.
In the second and third categories, we have the lowest and highest earners in the state. While the lowest-paid psychologists in Tennessee earn an annual average salary of $183,795, the highest-paid manage an annual average salary that can be as high as $320,865 or even more.
Whiteville is where psychologists in Tennessee earn the most by location, with an annual average salary of $272,034. Psychologists in Clifton earn an annual average salary of $266,245, while psychologists in Smyrna manage an annual average salary of $227,797.
Job Outlook
All major fields of psychology, from counseling and clinical to industrial organization and school psychology, are expected to enjoy a boom in demand over the next ten years at least. This applies to the state of Tennessee as well as the entire country.
While several reasons are responsible for this projection, the most important include the increase in mental health awareness and the greater priority placed in this direction at schools, companies, and organizations across the country.