Find the Best Mississippi Psychology Degrees Online

Consider a Featured Online Psychology Program That Is Accepting Applicants

In Mississippi, there are over 20 colleges that offer a psychology degree (all of which are accredited). There are options for online psychology degrees in Mississippi as well, with an Online Bachelor of Psychology available at Mississippi State University. With a relatively equal number of clinical professionals and psychology instructors, there is a mix of interests in this field. With Mississippi State and Hattiesburg drawing in record numbers of students each year, these are a great start for individuals seeking the perfect college to begin an educational career in psychology.

Mississippi can be a great place to engage in college degree programs. If you are on the path to becoming a psychologist, you should consider the Bachelor's in Psychology as your first true step in this process. Many students moving along this path may also choose to enroll in the Master's in Psychology in an effort to best prepare for the long and intensive licensing road ahead. Each of these programs can help you gain skills and knowledge that can be utilized during doctoral degree programs. Altogether these requirements may take 5-6 years to complete for most students at a full-time rate.

Consider a Featured Online Psychology Program That Is Accepting Applicants

Mississippi State University: Online Bachelor's in Psychology

Residents of Mississippi considering a career in Psychology can engage in degree programs to help them obtain the career of their dreams. Since licensing as a psychologist in this state requires a minimum of a doctoral degree, you should be prepared to enroll into multiple levels of educational programs along the way.

The online Bachelor's in Psychology at Mississippi State University can be an excellent initial choice for you to consider as an introductory program. Bachelor's programs typically provide students with knowledge into the development of the field, experimental learning opportunities, and psychological research.

What courses would you take?

Additional courses within this program can help you better comprehend the application of psychological sciences with individuals, groups, and even whole communities. Specialized areas such as Educational Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychology, and Addictions Psychology may also be included within your learning program.

Most bachelor's programs take around 4 years to complete for most learners and include some general educational courses alongside Psychology-focused courses. Completion of this degree program can lead you into more career-focused master's and doctoral programs designed to lead you towards licensing once complete.

The University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi is home to over 15,000 students each year. Located in the historic town of Hattiesburg, this university has gained the trust of new and current learners over the years. Students working on a degree in psychology will take courses that are appropriate to their major.

Typical coursework for their psychology programs

While attending courses in research, theories and practice, and statistics, students will learn to use critical thinking and communicate effectively in the field. These skills will provide for a more effective and trustworthy professional in the field. This university provides everything that learners need to move forward progressively in the field of psychology.

Steps to Become a Psychologist in Mississippi

1. The path to becoming a psychologist in Mississippi may also entail the licensing requirements outlined by your state board. In order to be considered for licensing, you must hold at minimum a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Psychology. The American Psychological Association (APA) provides a list of currently accredited degree programs for you to enroll in, making it easy to browse available options in your area. Once you are enrolled in an accredited degree option, you can ensure that your choice can lead to licensing within your state.
2. The third step in the process to become a psychologist involves around 2 years of supervised clinical experience. While still in your doctoral program, you may have the opportunity to participate in internships and residencies working alongside actual psychologists licensed in your state. This introductory practice can also prepare you for the second portion of your experience requirement, which takes place in the field after graduation from your program. You should begin locating a supervision placement prior to graduating from your program in order to minimize any down time in between.
3. Your state should have an outline for incoming psychologist applicants on the path to licensing. Most states require that you complete your supervised experience components prior to applying, so that all documentation from this process can be reviewed during the decision process. Mississippi may also require that you submit to background testing prior to being approved for testing. Most applicants for licensing as psychologists estimate that the wait time for application processing can be anywhere from 4-6 weeks depending on the amount of applications currently being processed.
4. If you have provided your application, paid all fees, and submitted all required documentation, the next thing you should hear from your state licensing board is an approval for testing. The board examination for psychological professionals is the last and final step towards achieving your goal of becoming a psychologist. The test that you may be required to take is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). This multiple choice test calls upon the knowledge you have gained in your degree programs, as well as the practical skills you have learned throughout each level of your supervised experience. The board required passing scores prior to approving your licensure status.

Psychology Scholarships in Mississippi

If you are like many other new learners in the field of Psychology, you might be seeking out alternative methods for paying for your degree programs. Grants may be great for undergraduate degree programs, but they often do not provide any relief to graduate-level learners.

For graduate level programs

Students entering into master's and doctoral degree programs should consider applying for scholarship opportunities as a means for covering the costs of their higher degree programs. Scholarships may offer diverse amounts of support depending on the source and can be utilized to pay for anything considered degree-related along your path.

One interesting aspect about Psychology-based scholarships is that they can be found focusing on specializations within the field or specific to certain degree levels. The Henry P. David Grants for Research in Human Reproductive Behavior and Population Studies can provide you with funding for research specific to human reproductive behavior.

The Kenneth B. and Mamie P. Clark Fund can provide applicants with up to $9,000 to support research into academic achievement for children in specific age groups, making it a great opportunity for Educational Psychology or Developmental Psychology students. Application for these scholarships can be completed through the APA website.

Psychology Degrees in Mississippi

Consider a featured online psychology degree or related program.

Mississippi Psychology Licensing

• After completing your bachelor’s and master’s programs in Mississippi, you should begin seeking out an APA-accredited Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Psychology. Enrollment into these programs could be considered your first actual step towards licensing and can include important practical skills to use throughout your experience. One important aspect of your degree program that counts towards licensing is the field experience. Your state board for Psychology requires that you participate in a minimum of 1-year of supervised experience throughout the duration of your doctoral degree program.
• The Mississippi Board of Psychology outlines specific supervision hour requirements for learners interested in pursuing licensing as psychologists. In order to move forward in the application process, you must first complete 4,000 hours of supervised work experience in the field. The first year of your experience can be completed during your doctoral program but the second half must take place after graduation and under a licensed supervisor in the field. Many prospects for licensing choose practice fields aligned with the career goals in the future in order to receive the most relevant experience.
• The application process follows the completion of all supervision requirements. Your state offers an initial application packet that includes background authorization forms, information about professional references, and citizenship confirmation forms. You may also be required to submit an initial application fee of $300 along with your application packet to start the verification process. Most students are then set up for background testing prior to moving forward in the licensing process.
• The state of Mississippi provides learners with the opportunity to set up board testing after completing all education, supervision, and documentation requirements. Learners interested in becoming licensed psychologists must first pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) before moving on to state required oral examinations that can complete the licensing process. Each tests presents its own unique challenges that you can prepare for through intensive study and practice throughout your educational programs and supervised experience, as well as adequate preparations prior to sitting for each exam.
• The Board within your state will then conduct a final review of your documentation, supporting elements, and test scores to determine your final approval for licensing. Once you are approved, you should receive notification from you state along with a license document for display. Some applicants for licensing within this state have received their official license within 4 weeks of completing their examinations and submitting all required scores to the state.
• The state of Mississippi also requires that you meet all requirements for renewal once you have been issued a license to practice Psychology in the state. Mississippi outlines a 1-year cycle that closes in the month of April of each calendar year. In order to renew, you should submit the renewal application to the state board along with a $275 renewal fee. Every 2-years you should also gain a total of 20 continuing education credits and provide certificates to the board for verification.

Mississippi Board of Psychology

The Mississippi Board of Psychology is located in Yazoo City, and is responsible for the licensing, monitoring, educating of psychologists to ensure proper practices in the state.

Address:
Mississippi Board of Psychology
2395 Deerfield Road
Yazoo City, Mississippi 39194
Phone (888) 693-1416
Website

A Quick Overview of Mississippi Psychology Careers

Clinical psychologists in Mississippi provide a helping hand in the mental health community. Typically working directly with patients in a health care setting, these professionals are in integral part of the psychological community.

As clinical professional, learners are expected to go beyond just getting a degree and receive a license to practice from the state department. This consists of registration, application, and testing administered by the state of Mississippi. Once these steps are completed, a license can be obtained.

Although the job possibilities are vast with a lower degree in psychology, the possibilities increase with a graduate degree. It is well worth the effort of learners to go forward with a higher degree program in order to receive a specialty and work directly with the public. Mississippi offers a wide range of working environments that can suit the needs of any individual.

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