It’s a good time to become a psychologist in Colorado because these professionals are earning an above average annual mean wage. It has been reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics that Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists working in Colorado earned an annual mean salary of $92,840 in 2019.If you are interested in establishing a career in this field, then go through this article to understand how to become a psychologist in Colorado.

Should I Become a Psychologist in Colorado

If you want to help people live a healthy and productive life, then you should consider becoming a psychologist.

However, please bear in mind that the process of becoming a psychologist is exhausting and demanding. You will be expected to meet a number of education and training requirements, as outlined in the table below.

Education Required A doctoral degree.
Training Internship/Residency.
Licenses/Certifications Psychologists require a license.
Key Skills/Qualities Integrity, Patience, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Problem-solving and Interpersonal Skills.
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – National $87,450 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists)
Job Outlook (2018-28) 14%
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – Colorado $92,840 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists)

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Outlook

According to the career outlook statistics by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, it has been predicted that the career opportunities for psychologists will jump by 14% from 2018 to 2028.

Steps to Become a Psychologist in Colorado

The process of becoming a psychologist in Colorado includes the following stages:

    1. Earn a Bachelor’s degree

In order to become licensed, you will have to be equipped with the right knowledge and degrees. Therefore, you will be required to enroll in a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. You can either get admitted to a Bachelor of Science program or a Bachelor of Arts program. These degrees will help you gain fundamental understanding of the principles of human behavior, emotion and cognition. Full-time students can complete their bachelor degrees within four years.

    1. Earn a Master’s Degree (optional)

Once you are done with the Bachelor’s degree, you can get admitted to a Master of Arts (M.A) or a Master of Science (M.S) in Psychology. Earning a Master-level degree is not compulsory, but it is useful because it will set an educational base for advanced courses. The Master’s degree typically takes around two years to complete.

    1. Complete a Doctoral Degree and Meet Training Experience Requirements
This stage involves enrolling in a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology program. The time it takes to complete these programs varies from institution to institution, however the standard length of the doctoral degree is around seven years. Once you have completed the degree requirements, you will also have to complete 1,500 hours of supervised post-degree experience.
    1. Apply for a State License

In order to get licensed, you will have to submit an application for a license to the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners. Please note that you will be given a license only if you have passed a series of exams which includes the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Colorado’s Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist in Colorado?

Candidates are required to meet several state requirements and regulations in order to become a licensed psychologist in the ‘Centennial State.’ The first step is to obtain a 4-year long Bachelor’s degree, followed by a 2-year long Master’s degree in Psychology. In order to become eligible for the license, candidates have to further invest around seven years in obtaining a Doctoral degree in Psychology. Once the doctoral degree has been conferred, candidates have to meet additional training and examination requirements. Thus, the process of becoming a psychologist in Colorado may take around thirteen years.

What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Psychologist in Colorado?

You can work as a licensed psychologist in Colorado if you have:

  • Obtained a doctoral degree in Psychology.
  • Completed 1,500 hours of supervised post-degree experience.
  • Cleared Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
  • Passed Colorado’s Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination.
  • Have submitted a licensure application to the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners.

How Much Do Psychologists Earn in Colorado?

As per the wage estimates shared by BLS, the annual mean pay of Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists working in Colorado was $92,840 in 2019, which was higher than that year’s national average of $87,450.