The state of Louisiana, also called ‘The Pelican State,’ offers lucrative opportunities to individuals who want to pursue a career in Psychology. In 2019, Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists working in Louisiana earned an annual mean pay of $96,040, which was much higher than the national average of $87,450. This information has been obtained from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you want to launch a career in this field, then take a look at this comprehensive article. It will guide you how to become a psychologist in Louisiana.
Should I Become a Psychologist in Louisiana
If you are willing to help people manage their mental illnesses and want to help them cope with traumatic or stressful situations, then a career in Psychology would be best suited to you.
Before treading onto the path to becoming a psychologist, you should be aware of the general training and licensing guidelines, which have been highlighted in the table below.
| Education Required | A doctoral degree is mandatory. |
| Training | Individuals have to complete an internship/residency program. |
| Licenses/Certifications | A license is needed to practice psychology. |
| Key Skills/Qualities | Psychologists need to have good communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills. Moreover, they need to have high integrity. |
| Annual Mean Salary (2019) – National | $87,450 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists) |
| Job Outlook (2018-28) | 14% |
| Annual Mean Salary (2019) – Louisiana | $96,040 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists) |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Outlook
According to the data presented by BLS, the demand for psychologists will grow by 14% from 2018 to 2028. Job prospects for these professionals will also depend upon the level of education acquired and specialty.
Steps to Become a Psychologist in Louisiana
The process of becoming a licensed psychologist in Louisiana incorporates the following steps:
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- Enroll in a Bachelor’s Program
The first step involves obtaining a 4-year long Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Universities are currently offering a range of Psychology degrees at the undergraduate level. You have the option of enrolling in a Bachelor of Science (B.S) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Psychology. These programs cover a range of modules such as Abnormal Psychology, Experimental Psychology, History of Modern Psychology and Methods of Research.
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- Get a Master’s Degree (Optional)
You can enroll in a 2-year long Master of Arts (M.A) or a Master of Science (M.S) in Psychology. Although getting a Master’s degree is optional, it is highly recommended. The Master-level degree offers core training in Psychology which prepares candidates for successful entry into the doctoral program.
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- Earn a PhD or a PsyD in Psychology
In order to get licensed, you will have to obtain a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology. Moreover, you will also be required to gain two years of supervised professional experience.
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- Get Licensed from the State Board
How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist in Louisiana?
In order to practice Psychology in Louisiana, you will have to complete a 4-year long undergraduate program in Psychology, a 2-year long Master’s program in Psychology, and a 6 to 7-year long Doctoral degree in Psychology. Once you have obtained the Doctoral degree, you will also have to meet the training and examination requirements. All in all, the process of getting licensed takes around thirteen years.
What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Psychologist in Louisiana?
Candidates won’t be able to engage in the practice of Psychology unless and until they have fulfilled the following conditions.
The candidate must have:
- Earned a doctoral degree in Psychology from an accredited institution and should have completed the supervised training requirements.
- Passed the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
- Passed the jurisprudence exam and the oral exam.
- Have submitted a complete licensure application to the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
How Much Do Psychologists Earn in Louisiana?
Employment statistics indicate that the annual mean pay of Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists working in Louisiana in May 2019 was $96,040. This figure was significantly more than 2019’s national average which was $87,450. This data has been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.