Find the Best Missouri Psychology Degrees Online

Consider a Featured Online Psychology Program That Is Accepting Applicants

Missouri has 37 accredited universities that provide educational opportunities from certificate programs to undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology.

If you live in the state of Missouri and are interested in becoming a psychologist, consider enrollment into Psychology-based undergraduate degree programs to start your journey. This state requires that psychologists hold a doctoral degree in their field, making it important to complete bachelor's and master's programs focusing on related subject areas to best prepare for the road ahead.

The Bachelor's in Psychology and Master's in Psychology can be found in both traditional and online format and can take around 6 years to complete if you maintain a full-time schedule throughout.

Consider a Featured Online Psychology Program That Is Accepting Applicants

There Are Online Psychology Degrees At Missouri Based Universities

Southeast Missouri State University: Online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

One of the first and biggest steps towards a prosperous career in Psychology is choosing the right bachelor's degree program. If you live in Missouri, you may have direct access to multiple undergraduate degree programs that can help you build the skills you need for later studies and careers in this field.

Southeast Missouri State University is a reputable university that current provides an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology for you to apply to. This program focuses on the introductory elements of Psychology as a foundation for learning and provides students with the convenient option of learning online.

While engaging in this option, you can take classes like Psychological Development Across the Lifespan and Ethics and Diversity in Psychology. These courses can help to broaden your current perspective of the field of Psychology and provide you with knowledge that can be applicable in many different treatment settings.

The bachelor's degree can be your first great step towards licensing within your state. Once you have completed this level of degree, you can move forward to master's and doctoral programs that focus specifically on the treatment elements that you would most like to utilize during your career.

There Are Campus Based Psychology Programs at the University of Missouri Kansas City

The University of Missouri at Kansas City provides the largest psychology program in the state. There are 4 degree programs currently available, including Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Psychology and Doctoral programs in Psychology and Counseling. The psychology program at Kansas City offers a flexible course schedule that includes classes that are relevant to the degree program. This is one of the larger universities in the state and provides a flourishing social environment as well as a reputable educational program. Kansas City is a great place for future psychological professionals to begin their journey.

Steps to Become a Psychologist in Missouri

1. One of the most important steps on your path to becoming a psychologist is choosing the right type of doctoral program. As you sort through the options available, you should take note of programs consisting of APA accreditation. Your state may require that you graduate from a Ph.D. or Psy.D in Psychology that holds accreditation from the American Psychological Association to be considered for a license. This program lasts anywhere from 3-4 years and can provide you with the skills you need to assess and treat clients in the clinical setting.
2. While you are still enrolled in your doctoral program, you can gain supervised experience hours towards your total requirement. Beginning in the later years of your program, you may engage in internship opportunities or residencies that allow you to observe and practice alongside your licensed supervisors. This entry-level experience can help you to become prepared for the post-doctoral experience requirement that is mandatory after graduating from your program. The post-doctoral experience component should take around 1 year under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. It is during this phase that you may gain the most experience providing direct services to actual clients in the field.
3. After all of the hard work and dedication that you put into your degree program and supervised experience, you can then submit your application for licensing to your state board for consideration. Your state may require that you provide proof of citizenship, official transcripts, and even your supervision confirmation forms at the onset of this step for consideration. Any application fees and testing fees should also be paid to the state at this time prior to moving on to the final step in your process. The wait time from application to testing can vary depending on the demand for licensing at the time, with most prospects being authorized for testing within 6 weeks from submission of their application.
4. Since psychologists play such a huge role in the treatment of individuals with diverse mental health issues, it is important for them to be knowledgeable and experienced prior to entry into their field. The final step for you to complete in the long journey to becoming a psychologist is board testing. The state can authorize you to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) once you have successfully provided all required documentation and completed the application process. A passing score is required by the state before approving individuals for licensing, so you should prepare for this test utilizing the skills and resources learned during each phase of your experience and education. Once the board holds your passing scores you should be approved for licensing in your state.

Psychology Scholarships in Missouri

Learners that are prepared to begin the long path to licensing in Missouri should take advantage of financial support options for college students in their state. Some methods for obtaining financial aid include filing the annual FAFSA for grants and loans, and seeking out scholarship options for learners in the field of Psychology.

One of the major benefits of seeking out scholarship opportunities is that these funding sources do not have to be repaid like standard student loans. These options can provide you with extra funds to use towards tuition, housing, travel, or even experimental research in later college years.

Scholarship opportunities can be found in specific focus areas for doctoral level learners preparing to present research during their programs. The Wayne F. Placek Grants are awarded to students presenting research in behavioral sciences focusing on topics related to sexuality and LGBTQ issues.

The Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant can be a post-doctoral funding opportunity for psychologists that are showing promise within the early stages of their careers. Grants and scholarship opportunities can be found through reviewing local and state resources, as well as reviewing what is offered through the American Psychological Association.

Psychology Degrees in Missouri

Consider a featured online psychology degree or related program.

Missouri Psychology Licensing

• In Missouri, psychologists may be required to participate in rigorous doctoral programs currently accredited by the APA in order to be approved for licensing. This program consists of a reviewed and approved set of courses, as well as a specific amount of internships or residencies throughout its duration. During your internships, you can actually gain hours toward the total amount needed for full licensure as a psychologist in Missouri. Your state allows you to gain up to half of the total amount of hours needed for licensing during your degree program.
• Prior to beginning the remaining half of your supervised experience, you should begin the application and background check process required by the Missouri State Committee of Psychologists (SCOP). The state will request that you engage in background testing through the use of fingerprinting in order to ensure your ability to work with clients in the field. When submitting your initial application, you should also ensure that all transcripts and documentation of doctoral experience are sent in as well. The fee for the initial application in Missouri is $150.
• Prospects in the field of Psychology should plan to complete a total of 3,500 hours of supervised experience as part of the overall requirements for licensing in this state. The first part of your experience is completed during your APA-accredited doctoral program, with the second half taking place in a postdoctoral experience placement. There are specific requirements outlined for time working directly with supervisor and the amount of one-on-one meetings required, so be sure to be familiar with these expectations prior to beginning your experience.
• After you have submitted your initial application and completed your supervision components, you should then prepare yourself for the examination requirements for psychologists in Missouri. The first test you may be required to pass is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) – the national test for psychologists across the country. Passing this test may be followed by sitting for your local jurisprudence examination, which focuses primarily on the ethics of practice for various types of health providers in your state. Passing scores should be sent to the Board for a final review.
• When your state board is holding all documentation pertaining to your educational programs, supervision elements, exams, and background tests, a final review of your eligibility for licensure will take place. Licensing fees should also be paid prior to the issue of your state license, a process that takes around 4-6 weeks from the time of your board examination. Once you have your license from the state you can begin your practice in the field as a licensed psychologist.
• Becoming a licensed psychologist in Missouri comes with great responsibility for those that have completed the long and intensive process. Each licensee within this state should be prepared to renew their license every 2 years, with the deadline currently being at the end of January. A renewal application and renewal fees are due at this point and should be submitted prior to the deadline. License holders should also provide evidence of 40 continuing education credits gained during the 2-year licensing cycle to the state to be approved for continued licensure.

Missouri State Committee of Psychologists

The Missouri State Committee of Psychologists is located in Jefferson City, and is responsible for the licensing, monitoring, educating of psychologists to ensure proper practices in the state.

Address:
Missouri State Committee of Psychologists
P.O. Box 1335
3605 Missouri Blvd.
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
Phone (573) 751-0099
Website

Quick Overview of Missouri Psychology Careers

Regardless of whether or not a learner is interested in an undergraduate program or furthering their education by obtaining a graduate degree, Missouri has an appropriate degree program for both. Clinical psychology is a popular degree program in Missouri, with 750 active employees in this field. With the amount of professionals currently in the field, it is clear that there is room for more. Psychologists are needed in a large number of different settings.

A psychologist is valuable in health care settings, social services, and even as consultants for businesses. Any business that works with the public values the addition of a psychology professional. With knowledge of human behavior, a person holding a psychology degree provides important insight on why people make decisions and how their behavior affects their own lifestyle.

Missouri always has job openings available that can suit the needs of psychology specialists. Those seeking licensure must register directly through the state and pass the licensure exam. Missouri provide excellent resources for students looking for information on how to apply.

Neighboring States

For those living in the cities on the Missouri border, you can find many Psychology programs in Kansas and Illinois that could be within a reasonable distance. You might also consider Online Psychology Schools, which can be very convenient.

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