If you see yourself working in this rewarding field, then you should take a look at this detailed article. It will help to figure out how to become a Neuropsychologist in the U.S.
Should I Become a Neuropsychologist?
If you have good reasoning skills and problem solving abilities, then you should consider a career in Neuropsychology.
Individuals who want to work in the field of Psychology are generally required to meet the following requirements. Take a look at the table below to learn what it takes to become a Neuropsychologist.
| Education Required | Doctoral or Master’s Degree |
| Training | Each state has certain residency/internship requirements. |
| Licenses/Certifications | Required |
| Key Skills/Qualities | Communication Skills, Integrity, Observational Skills, Patience, and Interpersonal Skills. |
| Annual Mean Salary (2019) – National | $98,230 (Psychologists – All Other) |
| Job Outlook (2018-28) | 14% (Psychologists) |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Outlook
The overall demand for Psychologists is expected to rise by 14% from 2018 to 2028 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Steps to Become a Neuropsychologist
The steps to becoming a Neuropsychologist in the U.S. have been outlined below:
- Get an Undergraduate Degree
Candidates should first enroll in a Bachelor’s program (B.Sc. or B.A) in Psychology and major in Neuropsychology. The 4-year long degree will let you take courses in Psychology and Biology. Some of the courses that you will study include the following: Statistics in Psychology, Principles of Genetics, Research Methods in Psychology, Psychobiology, Psychology of Consciousness, Brain & Behavior, and Drugs & Behavior.
- Complete a Graduate Program
The next step is to get admitted to a graduate program and pursue a Master of Science (M.S) in Neuroscience. The 1-2 year long degree will cover a variety of topics such as Computational and Integrative Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience and Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience.
- Complete a Graduate Program
The next step would be to enroll in a PhD/Psy.D in Clinical Psychology with a Neuropsychology emphasis. The goal of these programs is to train students to get the Board Certification in Clinical Neuropsychology. Doctoral candidates may also be required to complete an internship.
- Check the State Requirements
After completing the internship, you will have to sit for the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) in order to get licensed. You might also want to become board certified to enhance your reputation. In order to get certified from the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN), you will have to gain some postdoctoral experience.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Neuropsychologist?
The educational degrees required to enter this profession include a 4-year long Bachelor’s degree, a 1 to 2-year long Master’s degree, and a 5 to 7-year long doctoral degree. Thus, it typically takes around 11 to 13 years to join this field.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Neuropsychologist?
In order to start a career as a Neuropsychologist, you will have to:
- Earn a Doctoral degree in a relevant discipline such as Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis on Neuropsychology.
- Get licensed by the state after passing the exam requirements.
How Much Do Neuropsychologists Earn?
Since the employment data for Neuropsychologists is not available on BLS, we have used the data for the category called ‘Psychologists’ (All Others). The data reveals that the annual mean wage of this segment was $98,230 in May 2019.