Find the Best South Dakota Psychology Degrees Online

Consider a Featured Online Psychology Program That Is Accepting Applicants

In South Dakota there are 10 accredited universities for psychology. At one of these universities, a student can gain a degree in psychology that can assist with providing a proud and profitable career. 260 clinical psychologists are currently on staff in the State of South Dakota. Cities like Vermillion in South Dakota draw in students for the density of knowledge available as well as the qualified staff in the universities.

Students in South Dakota that are interested in entering the field as a licensed psychologist should begin their educational journey in undergraduate degree programs. Program options such as the Bachelor's in Psychology can be a great first step that includes learning the basics around Psychology and its many influencing factors. In some cases, students may also complete master's programs prior to entering doctoral degree options to help them gain a better understanding of the field as a whole and the elements associated with diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.

Consider a Featured Online Psychology Program That Is Accepting Applicants

The University of South Dakota: Online Master of Arts in Psychology

Learners that are preparing for the educational journey towards licensing as a psychologist may come in contact with different levels of Psychology degree programs along the way. The MA in Psychology can be an excellent stepping stone for students that are seeking specialized degree programs focusing on psychological disorders and treatment.

When engaging in an online Masters in Psychology, students may spend around 2 years learning more about the social, biological, ad emotional factors that play a role in psychological development. At this stage of the learning process, students may also begin studies around diagnosis and treatment of common psychological disorders.

Most masters programs take around 2 years to complete when enrolled at a full time rate. Since licensing requires a doctoral degree in this state, the masters can act as an introductory clinical program that provides insight into conducting assessments and analyzing psychological test results.

Our team recommends finding a masters program that best aligns with the treatment field that you plan to work in once licensed. Following your completion of these programs, you can move into doctoral programs accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

USD at Vermilion Offers Campus Based Psychology Programs at All Levels

A prestigious accredited university for psychology programs in this state is the University of South Dakota at Vermilion. Offering a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate Degree in Psychology, this school attracts students from all over the state. Courses in psychology at this university include: Sensation and Perception, Statistics in Psychological Research, and Introduction to Research Methods. This university not only assists learners in getting a profitable degree, but also advises students on job availability and guides students to new employment opportunities after completion of a degree program.

Steps to Become a Psychologist in South Dakota

1. An important step towards a career in this field includes meeting all of your state's requirements for licensing in the future. Your state requires that you graduate with a minimum Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Psychology prior to becoming eligible for licensure. The American Psychological Association (APA) is the leading accreditation agency for doctoral Psychology programs and provides a list of currently approved programs for you to choose from during your search. Doctoral programs are not currently offered online and can take around 4 years to complete when enrolled full time.
2. In addition to specific degree requirements, your state may also require that you complete a very specific amount of supervised work experience along your path. The APA works with institutions to help design degree programs that include around half of the experience components needed for licensing. Essentially, when you graduate from your program you should be prepared to engage in a more free-form experience in the field. The second half of your experience component takes place in psychological agencies under the supervision of licensed psychologists.
3. Like many other career fields that require licensing, you may be required to pass the board examination for psychologists as a final step towards becoming a psychologist in your state. The test that you may be required to pass is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). This exam may test you on facts learned during your degree programs, as well as the clinical knowledge you have gathered throughout your internship opportunities. Your state may also have its own jurisprudence examination or oral examination for you to pass prior to being approved.
4. The last step on your pursuits to becoming a psychologist is completing your state's documentation requirements for licensing. This may include filling out an initial application for licensing and the submission of documents associated with your college degrees and supervised experience. Most states may also require that you participate in background testing and also turn in letters of recommendation from other licensees in your field. Once you have submitted these items and paid all required fees, you may be eligible for licensing as a psychologist in your state.

Psychology Scholarships in South Dakota

The educational requirements for licensing as a psychologist in South Dakota include degree programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. With these varying levels of degree programs it may be necessary for incoming students to consider financial aid to help cover the costs of these programs.

Scholarships can provide funds towards the cost of tuition, housing, travel, and even internships at multiple points throughout your journey. Opportunities such as the Bill Bendiner and Doug Morgenson Scholarship require that students submit an annual application to be considered for varying award amounts.

Resources to consider for scholarship opportunities can include large organizations such as the American Psychological Association and even smaller agencies such as fraternal organizations within your state. In some cases, local businesses and non-profits may offer funding resources for individuals making a difference through psychological practice.

Psychology Degrees in South Dakota

Consider a featured online psychology degree or related program.

South Dakota Psychology Licensing

• Licensing standards for incoming psychologists can vary depending on the state in which you live. One of the most prominent steps in South Dakota and many other states is enrolling in and finishing an APA-accredited doctorate in Psychology. These programs are regularly reviewed and consist of both the appropriate course work and supervised experience components needed for optimum field preparation. These programs can take around 4 years to complete for most learners. Once graduated you can move forward with the remaining licensing steps outlined by your state.
• During your doctoral degree program, you should participate in around 1 year of internship opportunities alongside licensed psychologists in the field. This portion of your degree program can count towards your later supervised experience requirements. At the onset of this experience you may spend some time observing other clinical professionals before slowly moving into hands-on training with feedback from instructors and supervisors. Documentation of this experience should be submitted to the Board at the time of application.
• You should then submit your initial application to the South Dakota Board of Examiners of Psychologists. This application should accompany a $300 application fee and any documentation required from your degree program and doctoral experience. The Board may then issue you a temporary or provisional license so that you may complete the remaining half of your supervised experience component. The Board may also authorize you for background testing and national board testing at this time.
• The experience component for licensing in South Dakota includes a minimum of 3,600 field training hours. The first 1,800 hours may be completed during your doctoral program with the second 1,800 being required after your graduation. Your field internship should include regular meetings with your designated supervisor for feedback and thorough documentation of your gained hours. This additional experience can be completed in a little over a year for most learners. Submission of supervision documents to your state can lead you into the next phases of the licensing process.
• Your state board may authorize you to sit for national board testing after they have reviewed your initial application and all experience documents. The test that you may be required to take is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). This in-depth multiple choice examination calls upon skills learned during your doctoral program and in the field. Each state requires passing scores prior to approving applicants for licensing as psychologists.
• Notifying your state of passing scores on the EPPP can lead you into licensing as a psychologist. Your state may also require that you participating in an oral examination as a final step before issuing your official license in the mail. The current renewal period for psychologists in South Dakota is 1 year. Before your license expiration date, you should submit your application for renewal along with a $300 fee to the state board for consideration.

South Dakota Board of Examiners of Psychologists

The South Dakota Board of Examiners of Psychologists is located in Spearfish, just Northwest of Rapid City, and is responsible for the licensing, monitoring, educating of psychologists to ensure proper practices in the state.

Address:
South Dakota Board of Examiners of Psychologists
810 N. Main St. #298
Spearfish, South Dakota 57783
Phone(605) 642-1600
Website

Overview of South Dakota Psychology Careers

In comparison to the population, the number of clinical psychologists in South Dakota is small. The interest in the field is high, making the potential for growth in this path unstoppable. Those desiring to work with individuals needing mental health assistance will find that a career in psychology is the best fit.

The licensing process is done directly through the state, and requires upkeep after obtaining it. Searching for a job after completion of a degree program and/or licensure can be done in a variety of settings. Schools are often looking for psychologists to assist with student problems and hospitals need psychologists to assist with mental health patients. The potential for work is endless in this field, making it one of the most popular fields of study in the United States.

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