How to Become a Psychologist in Massachusetts

Psychologists are the type of doctors who diagnose, treat and care for patients with mental and behavioral problems. They may work in a variety of settings such as, hospitals, mental healthcare facilities, clinics and schools etc.

If you have a strong curiosity about understanding human nature and behavior at a deeper level, then this career might be a good fit for you. To find out a bit more about psychologists, let’s take a look at what they do. Their general duties revolve around;

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019)

For psychologists in the US, a 14% growth in employment is projected by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) from 2018 to 2028. According to the BLS, there will be a considerable increase in the demand for psychologists due to rising mental health problems. In 2019, the BLS data reported that 820 “psychologists, all other” were working in Massachusetts.

If you want to become a licensed psychologist and help people improve their mental health, then this step-by-step guide can help you achieve your goal.

1. Bachelor’s Degree
A 4-year bachelor’s degree acts as a stepping-stone toward becoming a psychologist and many universities in Massachusetts offer this degree. For instance, the University of Massachusetts Boston offers a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

2. Master’s Degree
If you have completed your bachelor’s degree with major in Psychology and your grades were excellent, then you may directly apply for a doctoral program. If that was not the case, then you must complete a 2-year master’s degree first. Several universities in Massachusetts offer a master’s degree in Psychology like, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and the Boston University etc.

3. Doctoral Degree
The minimum required level of education for becoming a psychologist is a 4-6 year doctoral degree in Psychology. Several universities in Massachusetts offer this degree.

4. Field Experience
One of the most important requirements in the licensure process is having at least 2 years of work experience in the field under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

4. Licensure
The Massachusetts’ Board of Registration of Psychologists is the regulatory authority that issues licenses for all psychologists in the state. All candidates must fulfill the requirements set by the board to be licensed.

Depending upon your educational choices and the path you opt for, it may take you approximately 10 to 12 years (or more) to finally be able to work as a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts.

All candidates must do the following to work as a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts.

(These exams must be cleared within 3 years of getting the board’s approval.)

In 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported as the annual mean salary of $89,600 for Psychologists, All Other employed in the state of Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts was reported as the highest paying state for this occupation with an annual mean salary of $117,610.