Psychologists handle various kinds of mental health issues including panic attacks, anxiety disorders, stress, depression, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), etc. They offer diagnosis and treatments in group as well as individual settings.

As of 2019, there are more than 250 employed Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists in South Dakota according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Do you also want to become a mental health practitioner in The Mount Rushmore State? Read this piece to understand how to go about your journey.

Should I Become a Psychologist in South Dakota?

Education Bachelor’s, Master’s (optional) and Doctorate degrees
Area of Study/Major Requirement Psychology
License/Certification Required
Experience/Training Required
Key Skills Communication, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Problem Sensitivity, and Active Listening.
Annual Mean Salary (2019)-National $87,450 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists)
Job Outlook (2018-2028) 14%
Annual Mean Salary (2019)-South Dakota $77,560 (Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists)

Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*Net Online

As a psychologist, you will be diagnosing and treating various kinds of brain disorders and mental health issues. Many professionals are also employed by large organizations for employee counseling and training programs. In addition, more and more psychologists are now working in academia. They are involved in student counseling and research practices.

Career Outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job opportunities for psychologists to increase by 14% (more than the majority of other occupations) from 2018 to 2028. This growth will be a result of the constantly rising demand for psychologists in hospitals, companies, schools and community groups, etc.

Steps to Become a Psychologist in South Dakota

To become a psychologist in South Dakota, you need to follow the process outlined below.

    1. Obtain Your Bachelor’s and Master’s (Optional) Degrees

To become a psychologist, you need to first get a Bachelor’s degree in psychology or some other field. It can be a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Both of these will take 4 years to complete. If you choose to specialize in something other than psychology or a related subject, then you might need to take some prerequisite psychology courses before going on to a post-graduate program.

When you are done with the Bachelor’s degree, you can enroll in a standalone Master’s degree program. It isn’t mandatory since you will earn a Master’s degree as part of your doctoral studies later on. However, if you do plan to pursue a 2-year standalone Master’s degree in the field, then you’ll have the following options.

  • Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology
  • Master of Science (MS) in Psychology
    1. Get Your Doctorate Degree in Psychology

The next step is to get a doctoral degree in Psychology. You’ll have the following options available.

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology
  • Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

You will need about 4 to 7 years to complete a doctoral degree in Psychology. During your studies, you must take part in a supervised practicum as well as lab training in psychology. A supervised psychology internship (at least 1,800 practice hours) must also be completed.

    1. Obtain Your License
Following the completion of your doctoral degree, you can apply for your license from the South Dakota Board of Examiners of Psychologists. To be eligible for a license, you need to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and then complete 1 year of supervised post-doctoral psychology practice.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist in South Dakota?

It takes 4 years to complete a Bachelor’s degree followed by an optional 2-year Master’s program and a doctoral degree that is 4 to 7 years long. After this, you need to complete 1 year of supervised post-doctoral work experience for license eligibility. The total time adds up to 10 to 14 years.

What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Psychologist in South Dakota?

You need to fulfill the criteria outlined below to become a psychologist in South Dakota.

  • Bachelor’s and Master’s (optional) degree attainment.
  • Completion of doctoral studies.
  • Completion of a supervised psychology internship (at least 1,800 hours).
  • Obtaining 1 year (minimum) of supervised post-doctoral work experience.
  • Getting your license approved by the South Dakota Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

 

How Much Can I Make after Becoming a Psychologist in South Dakota?

As per the latest information provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2019 annual mean wage of South Dakota’s clinical, counseling and school psychologists was $77,560.