Find the Best Arkansas Psychology Degree Programs Online

Consider a Featured Online Psychology Program That Is Accepting Applicants

With nearly 20 accredited universities offering undergraduate and graduate programs, there is nothing but opportunity for individuals seeking psychology degrees. All levels are available, and licensure is required to practice in a clinical setting.

Consider a Featured Online Psychology Program That Is Accepting Applicants

Steps to Become a Psychologist in Arkansas

1. New prospects of the field of Psychology can begin their journey towards becoming a psychologist at the undergraduate level. You can find online bachelor's and master's programs within your field to engage in that can make this stage of the process much more flexible. The undergraduate stage of this process can include around 4 years of course work pertaining to entry-level psychological principles. The Master's in Psychology program usually takes around 2 years to complete and can provide you with the option to choose a specialization if you are interested.
2. The second step included on your path to becoming a psychologist is choosing an accredited Psy.D. or Ph.D. program in Psychology to enroll in. This level of educational program should include both in-depth course work into research and practice in the field, as well as around 1 year of internship experiences throughout. Psychologists in the state of Arizona are required to be licensed, making your supervised experience components vital to your licensing ability. Most doctoral level programs in Psychology can take around 4 years to complete.
3. In partnership with the 1-year of experience you complete during your doctoral program, your state will require that you complete an additional year of supervised experience after graduation. This step within your requirements includes finding a licensed psychologist willing to take you on as a supervisee and completing all necessary practice elements outlined by your state. The total hours required for consideration as a psychologist in Arkansas is 3,000.
4. Following the completion of your supervision experience, the next step toward becoming a psychologist is applying for licensing through your state's licensing board. You may be required to submit thorough documentation of your degrees, transcripts, recommendations, and experience at this point in the process. The Board will then evaluate your achievements in comparison to what they require for licensing acceptance. The processing time for applications can vary depending on the Board's workload, time of year, and number of applicants.
5. The final step towards becoming a licensed psychologist in your state includes sitting for required examinations. The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is a national exam for incoming psychologists in all states. This test includes concepts related to diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of clients with multiple psychological presentations. Once you have passed this examination you should have your scores sent directly to the Board for consideration.

Online Psychology Degrees

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock: Online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

If you are just starting your journey in the field of Psychology, an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology could be an excellent program to consider for enrollment. At this degree level, students can learn introductory topics related to the field of Psychology, as well as begin their delve into the numerous philosophies and theories related to professional psychological practice.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock provides a completely online BA in Psychology for incoming learners. This 120 credit-hour program can be completed in around 4 years for students enrolled at a standard full-time rate.

This program can provide you with a delve into the stages of psychological research and allow you to exercise these skills through the analysis of current psychological issues. Courses like Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology can provide you with insight into the diverse fields included within this area of study.

Many learners considering a licensure path choose to pursue psychology-based degree programs for their undergraduate and early graduate experiences. If you are interested in completing these degree options online, there are available degree programs located within your home state.

Arkansas Psychology Licensing

• The journey towards licensing in the field of Psychology begins during your doctorate degree program. This is the minimum degree requirement in Arkansas for licensing as a psychologists, with specializations such as Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology being some of the most popular. Your program should hold current accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) since this is the leading association for psychological degree programs and careers in the U.S. During later application processes, your degree program and curriculum will be audited to ensure that you have completed all required topics for licensure.
• Another aspect of your doctoral program that may be under heavy scrutiny during the licensing evaluation is the supervision components. All APA-accredited psychology programs should include around 1 year or 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience. Your internships throughout your program should allow you to observe as licensed psychologists provide services in the field and then begin to practice under the direct supervision of psychologists in that treatment area.
• The total requirement for supervised experience for licensing in Arkansas is 2 years, meaning that the second half of your experience should take place after graduation from your doctoral program. This post-doctoral experience should take place in a setting that aligns with your chosen specialization, if any. All documentation pertaining to your supervision agreement, hours earned, and qualifying hours should be provided to the Arkansas Psychology Board at the time of licensure application.
• Once you have completed your supervision requirements, you can then submit your initial application for licensing to the Board along with a $200 application fee. The Board will then evaluate your documentation and experience to determine if you can move forward with testing. Additional documentation that may be required during this process can include proof of citizenship, professional references from licensed psychologists, and original transcripts from all attended universities.
• The Board may then approve you for testing through the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). This is a national examination that focuses specifically on psychological practice, the implementation of treatment programs, and multiple formats of assessments. The goal of this examination is to test your ability to provide relevant and research-driven services to individuals in the public setting. You must successfully pass this test prior to being approved for licensing. Once you have submitted your passing scores to the board, you can pay $200 for a licensing fee to receive your license to practice in the field.
• Once you have received your initial license, you must maintain it through continuing education requirements. The license renewal cycle for psychologists in Arkansas is 1 year, during which you must complete at least 20 CEUs in your practice area. Before the expiration date of your license each year, you must submit proof of completion of your continuing education courses along with a $300 fee and renewal application.

Psychology Scholarships in Arkansas

If you are like many other learners, you may be wondering what you can do to lower the financial burden associated with pursuing doctoral-level degree programs. Some of the most basic options like federal grants may only be available during undergraduate degree programs, making it necessary to consider alternative options for funding your education.

Many students have found that seeking out scholarship opportunities can be a great way to offset some of the costs of their program. Scholarships are often provided to students based on educational excellence, community service, and contributions to research in the field of Psychology.

One example of a scholarship opportunity for Psychology learners is the Rudolf Arnheim Award for Outstanding Achievement in Psychology and the Arts. The amount of this award varies and is based upon outstanding achievements or contributions made to the field of creative psychology. Students in multiple stages of their educational experience may qualify for this award.

The Kay Wilson Presidential Leadership Award is a scholarship opportunity totaling $1,200 that is awarded to learners that exhibit exceptional leadership skills. In order to qualify for this award, students must be current Psi Chi chapter presidents with up to 4 students receiving the award each year.

These scholarships and many others may be provided to future psychologists that have worked hard to make contributions to their field, lead others positively, and promote mental health in positive ways within their community. You are encouraged by our team to apply for scholarships within you community, at the state level, and even national opportunities.

What is it Like to Live and Work in Arkansas in Counseling or Psychology and What Should You Expect?

The estimated population of Arkansas rounds out to 2.95 million, making a noticeable increase over the last few years. The increase in population also increases the need for psychology professionals in this state.

A psychologist can earn anywhere from $41,050 to $107,290 yearly in Arkansas. The potential earnings for psychology professionals are outstanding. There are currently 580 clinical professionals currently in the workforce. Depending on the type of degree program and field of study a student chooses, there are a number of available positions constantly needing to be filled.

Psychology Degrees in Arkansas

Consider a featured online psychology degree or related program.

Campus Spotlight: University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Located in the heart of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has one of the best psychology departments in the state. Psychology is one of the most popular majors at this university, with more than 600 undergraduate students enrolled at any time. The faculty relies heavily on past philosophies and literature to teach students the most valid and precise histories of psychology.

The undergraduate program leaves students with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The curriculum is designed to give students the most important information needed to be precise and professional psychologists.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock offers a variety of graduate programs that both prepare students for the field or for doctoral training. The Master’s degree in Applied Psychology is one of the most popular graduate programs, followed by a Post-Baccalaureate degree.

What to Know About Arkansas Psychology Careers

The median income for psychology professionals in Arkansas is $61,050. This median salary is comparable to most other states in the United States, meaning that psychologists in this area can find profitable opportunities.

Since the medical field is one that is constantly finding growth, the need for qualified psychology professionals grows with it. Psychology degree holders can find comfort in knowing that their degree can continue to carry significance throughout time.

The continuous change in technology and new therapies allows for more techniques that professionals can learn and apply. Clinical Psychologists can work directly with patients in a hospital setting. Professionals that have a degree in research can help implement the new therapy techniques that are needed to give clients the best care.

Arkansas Board of Psychology

The Arkansas Board of Psychology is located in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Address:
Arkansas Board of Examiners in Psychology
101 East Capitol, Suite 415
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: (501) 682-6167
Website

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