Maine, also known as ‘The Pine Tree State,’ offers some incredible employment opportunities to Psychologists. Official statistics by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics have revealed that Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists working in Maine made an annual mean pay of $80,700 in 2019.

If you want to step into this field, then do give this article a read. It will guide you how to become a psychologist in Maine.

Should I Become a Psychologist in Maine

If you are sensitive, honest and have a passion for learning, then a career in Psychology would be ideal for you.

Take a look at the table below to understand what kind of requirements psychologists have to fulfill in order to get licensed.

Education Required A doctoral degree.
Training Internship/Residency.
Licenses/Certifications A license is required.
Key Skills/Qualities Problem Solving, Analytical, Interpersonal and Good Communication Abilities. Other desired traits also include patience and integrity.
Annual Mean Salary (2019)-National $87,450 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists)
Job Outlook (2018-28) 14%
Annual Mean Salary (2019)-Maine $80,700 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists)

Career Outlook

Since there is a greater demand for psychological services in hospitals, schools, and health centers, therefore the overall demand for psychologists is expected to go up. BLS has reported that it is likely that psychologists will enjoy an employment growth of 14% from 2018 to 2028.

Steps to Become a Psychologist in Maine

In order to be qualified for independent practice of psychology in Maine, candidates have to pass through the following sequence of stages:

    1. Complete a Bachelor’s Program

Aspiring psychologists have to first complete the necessary coursework to learn about the fundamentals of Psychology. They have the option of either pursuing a 4-year long Bachelor of Arts or a 4-year long Bachelor of Science in Psychology. In order to graduate from the program, students are required to study a range of modules such as Theories of Personality, Experimental Methodology, Psychology of Learning, Cognitive Processes, and Sensation and Perception.

    1. Complete a Master’s Degree

Earning a Master of Arts or Science in Psychology is not a requirement, however enrolling in these advanced degrees helps candidates prepare for the doctoral program. The Master’s degree can be completed in two years and allows students to specialize in a variety of fields such as Counselling Psychology and Clinical Psychology.

    1. Earn a Doctoral Degree

The next step is to earn a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology from an accredited institution. Aspiring psychologists also have to complete two years of supervised experience before they can apply for a professional license.

    1. Apply for a License
The Maine Board of Examiners of Psychologists is responsible for issuing licenses to individuals in Maine. In order to obtain the license, candidates have to send a licensure application to the Board, and have to pay the application processing fee. Only those candidates will be given the license who have cleared the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and the Jurisprudence Exam.

*For detailed information regarding the license process, please visit the relevant state pages.

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

Aspiring psychologists have to undergo years of training in order to obtain their license. First, they have to invest four years to get a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Then they have to invest two years to obtain a Master’s degree, and finally they have to spend around seven years to complete their doctoral program. They also have to complete the supervised training experience and have to clear several exams. In short, the entire process of becoming licensed usually stretches up to fourteen years.

What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Psychologist in Maine?

The candidate must have:

  • Received a doctorate degree in Psychology from an accredited educational institution.
  • Completed at least two years of supervised professional experience.
  • Completed a minimum of three hours of course work related to intervention and referral strategies and intimate partner or family violence screening. This is applicable for all candidates applying for an initial license from January 1, 2020.
  • Cleared the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Jurisprudence Exam.
  • Sent a licensure application to the Maine Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

 

How Much Do Psychologists Earn in Maine?

According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists working in Maine earned an annual mean wage of in $80,700 in 2019. This figure was slightly lower than the national average of $87,450.