Nebraska, also known as ‘The Cornhusker State,’ offers an array of opportunities to Psychologists. Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists working in Nebraska made a lucrative annual mean salary of $71,130 in 2019 as per the information provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If you have dreams of joining this field, then you might want to read this guide. It will help you understand how to become a psychologist in Nebraska.

Should I Become a Psychologist in Nebraska

If you want to help people fight mental illnesses, then you should consider establishing a career in psychology.

In order to help you understand how to join this field, we have outlined some basic training and education requirements below. The data presented in the table below has been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education Required A doctoral degree.
Training Pre- or postdoctoral experience.
Licenses/Certifications A license is needed.
Key Skills/Qualities Interpersonal, Analytical, Observational, Problem-Solving, and Communication Skills, along with Integrity and Patience.
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – National $87,450 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists)
Job Outlook (2018-28) 14%
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – Nebraska $71,130 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists)

 

Career Outlook

Employment growth in the field of Psychology varies by occupation. It is forecasted that the employment opportunities for psychologists will increase by 14% from 2018 to 2028 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics). Individuals who have specialist education or doctoral degree and have completed supervised post-doctoral experience will have the best job opportunities.

Steps to Become a Psychologist in Nebraska

The process of becoming a psychologist in Nebraska includes the following steps:

    1. Get a Bachelor’s Degree

The path to becoming a licensed psychologist usually starts with an undergraduate degree in Psychology. You can either enroll in a Bachelor of Science (B.S) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Psychology. It usually takes around four years to complete these degrees.

    1. Enroll in a Master’s Program

After you have obtained a Bachelor’s degree, you can enroll in a 2-year long Master of Arts (M.A) or Master of Science (M.S) in Psychology. During your graduate study, you will be introduced to a range of courses such as Neuroscience and Behavior, Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis.

    1. Complete the Doctoral Degree and Meet the Training Requirements

After completing the Master’s degree, you will have to obtain either the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program. Moreover, you will also have to complete two years of supervised professional experience in order to apply for the state license.

    1. Apply for a License

Once you have accumulated the required training hours, you will be able to send a licensure application to the Department of Health and Human Services. The following documents will have to be submitted to the Department along with the application and the license fee:

  • Official transcripts.
  • Documentation that shows evidence of clearing the national standardized examination.
  • A complete affidavit of internship and post-doctoral experience.
  • Proof of having attained the age of majority. You can attach documents such as a driver’s license or a marriage certificate.
  • If you have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor, then you have to provide copies of arrest records, the official court record, mental/addiction health evaluations, evidence of treatment, a letter describing the nature of the conviction, and a letter written by the probation officer (if you are on probation).

Once the application has been approved, you will also have to complete the Jurisprudence Exam. If you are able to get an 80% score on the exam, you will be issued a license.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist in Nebraska

The process of becoming a psychologist in Nebraska can be quite time-consuming. Candidates have to obtain a 4-year long Bachelor’s degree, a 2-year long Master’s degree, and a 5 to 7-year long doctoral degree in Psychology. After completing these degrees, candidates have to complete two years of work experience and clear several exams. Thus, it can take around 11 to 13 years to enter this profession.

What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Psychologist in Nebraska

Applicants should have:

  • A good moral character and should have attained the age of majority.
  • Obtained a doctoral degree from a program that has been accredited by the American Psychological Association.
  • Completed two years of supervised professional experience.
  • Cleared the national standardized examination.
  • Cleared the jurisprudence examination.
  • Have sent a licensure application to the state board.

 

How Much Do Psychologists Earn in Nebraska?

Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists working in Nebraska earned an annual mean pay of $71,130 in 2019. This information has been obtained from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.