Rhode Island, also called the ‘The Ocean State,’ offers some exciting opportunities to psychologists. According to the information published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Rhode Island was one of the top five states that had the highest concentration of Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists jobs in 2019. If you are looking for reliable information on how to become a psychologist in Rhode Island, then skim through this step-by-step guide.

Should I Become a Psychologist in Rhode Island?

Nearly all career paths in psychology involve a significant amount of collaboration and interaction with other people. If you are a social person and like helping others, then you should think about becoming a psychologist.

Before you decide on joining this field, you should be aware of the basic training and education requirements which have to be met by psychologists. These are mentioned in the table below.

Education Required Most Research, Counseling, and Clinical psychologists need a doctoral degree.
Training Psychologists have to complete pre-/postdoctoral training.
Licenses/Certifications A state license is required.
Key Skills/Qualities Psychologists are required to be good communicators and problem solvers. Moreover, they should have good observational and interpersonal skills.
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – National $87,450 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists)
Job Outlook (2018-28) 14%
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – Rhode Island $84,120 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists)

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Outlook

According to the forecasted figures shared by BLS, the employment opportunities for Psychologists will increase by 14% from 2018 to 2028. This increase will create 26,100 more jobs in the field.

Steps

Steps to Become a Psychologist in Rhode Island

Aspiring psychologists have to go through the following stages in order to become licensed in Rhode Island.

    1. Get an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology

In order to familiarize themselves with the basics of Psychology, candidates should consider enrolling in a four-year long Bachelor of Arts (B.A) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Psychology. The curriculum of these programs incorporates a range of topics such as Human Development, Personality, Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology and Social Cognition.

    1. Enroll in a Master’s Program

After completing the undergraduate program, candidates might want to obtain a Master of Science (M.S) or a Master of Arts (M.A) in Psychology. These degrees help the students understand advanced theoretical perspectives and concepts in psychology. It typically takes two years to complete the Master’s program.

    1. Get a Doctorate and Fulfill the Training Requirements

After obtaining the Master’s degree, candidates can enroll in a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology program. Students pursuing a doctorate in Psychology can specialize in a number of fields such as Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Science. The estimated time of completion for these degrees is 6.5 years. Getting the degree is not enough – students also have to complete two years of supervised work experience.

    1. Get Licensed!

After meeting the training requirements, candidates have to send a complete licensure application to the Rhode Island Board of Psychology. Please note that only those candidates can apply who have passed the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). The following documents have to be submitted to the Board along with the application fee:

  • Official transcripts
  • Official test score and certifications
  • Pre-doctoral supervised practice form
  • Post-doctoral supervised practice form

If the Board approves the candidate’s application, then he/she will be given a state license.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist in Rhode Island?

Individuals have to undergo several years of educational and professional training in order to become a psychologist in Rhode Island. First of all, they have to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, which typically takes four years to complete. Then, they can earn a Master’s degree in Psychology, which can take another two years to complete. Lastly, they have to complete a Doctoral degree, which can take up to seven years to complete. Thus, becoming a psychologist may take up to thirteen years.

What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Psychologist in Rhode Island?

Individuals are required to:

  • Obtain a doctoral degree from an accredited school of Psychology
  • Complete two years of supervised professional experience.
  • Clear the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.
  • Send a licensure application to the Rhode Island Board of Psychology.

 

How Much Do Dentists Earn in Rhode Island?

The yearly mean salary of Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists working in Rhode Island in 2019 was $84,120. This information has been obtained from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.