How To Become a Psychologist in Arizona 2025

Both the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Arizona Psychological Association (AZPA) outline several requirements on how to become a psychologist in Arizona. While the license requirements and postdoctoral work are difficult, the clinical psychology field and other sub-disciplines offer rewarding opportunities to serve such an important mental healthcare role.

This article will show you how to become a psychologist in your state by identifying top doctoral programs, discussing how to complete licensure requirements, and other requirements such as passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

What Does a Psychologist Do?

Psychologists take on many academic and clinical roles related to the study of the human mind and behavior. They also diagnose and treat disorders and difficulties for patients suffering from a range of psychological troubles. This is why the educational requirements to become a psychologist involve years of education, certification exams, and hours of supervised professional experience before beginning one's own clinical practice.

We have many resources covering how long it takes to get a psychology degree, but this article will explore the specific requirements for licensed practitioners in the Grand Canyon State. Since the process involves obtaining a bachelor's degree and a Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD), we'll explore specific degree programs. Arizona is home to several institutions with accredited online psychology degrees, which help you fulfill all the important requirements.

3 Steps To Become a Psychologist in Arizona

Several steps are important for anyone seeking to obtain a psychologist license for a career in school psychology, counseling psychology, family therapy, advanced social work, or any other field of professional psychology. Consider these three steps for getting the best education and psychology licensure in the State of Arizona.

Step 1: Get a Bachelor's Degree

The first step to becoming a psychologist in Arizona involves getting a bachelor's degree with as much emphasis on psychology coursework as possible. This will lay the foundation for your entire career, so it is essential to select a strong undergraduate program with plenty of pre-internship training. Motivated students can accomplish this quickly by identifying the fastest psychology degree online and applying for college as soon as possible.

Step 2: Earn a Graduate Degree

The second step is to find the best accredited graduate programs and complete a master's degree or doctorate, depending on your desired career path. A master's degree will qualify you for future roles as a marriage counselor, mental health counselor, or school psychologist in some jurisdictions.

However, if you wish to perform clinical practice or academic research, then you should pursue either a PsyD or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology. Doctoral programs typically require between three and six years of full-time study � and are among the most competitive for admission. This means you will have to earn good grades and secure recommendations while completing step one of this process.

Step 3: Take Exams and Get Licensed

Finally, psychologists must finish their training by acquiring more postdoctoral experience (3,000 hours of supervised experience for full licensure) and completing all other licensure requirements. The fastest way to become a psychologist also involves finding mentors in the field and building a professional network among other trained psychological professionals.

You must also sit for the EPPP exam, administered through the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners. The state board's website has the online application for licensure, verification forms for background checks, and other steps for completing the national exam. The verification process will confirm that you completed the requisite internship and postdoc hours, including practicum experiences if applicable.

What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?

There are many master's and doctoral-level degrees in psychology. A Master of Arts (MA) degree provides a broad overview of research methods and counseling skills, whereas a Master of Science (MS) degree focuses more intensively on the research elements. Some graduate programs feature a Master's in Counseling Psychology (MCP) for future mental health professionals and specialized counseling psychologists.

The highest-paying clinical and research jobs go to those who hold either a PsyD or PhD in the field. While these programs open many career doors, they can be expensive. That's why you should devote enough time to researching the most affordable online psychology degree options before applying anywhere.

Top Psychology Degree Programs

If you would like to pursue a career as a licensed psychologist, then you should explore graduate degree opportunities from one of these accredited programs. These five Arizona universities offer master's programs and/or doctoral degrees in psychology.

1. University of Arizona Global Campus

The University of Arizona Global Campus is one of the few universities to offer an online PsyD degree. Its program has no application fee, features convenient five- or six-week sessions, doesn't require standardized tests for admissions, and has full academic accreditation. You can also earn credit for work/life experience after completing the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).

Estimated tuition cost: $812 per credit hour (in-state); $812 per credit hour (out-of-state)

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

2. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) offers six graduate degrees and certificates in psychology, including two MS degrees and two PhD degrees. One of the MS degrees concentrates on addiction psychology and is available 100% online.

PhD training at ASU focuses on quantitative methods and research or allows you to specialize in behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, or cognitive psychology.

Estimated tuition cost: $12,939 per year (in-state); $37,085 per year (out-of-state)

Accreditation: APA

3. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University offers an MA degree through its psychological sciences department � which requires only 18 to 24 months to complete 36 credit hours. The program promises to introduce graduate students to sophisticated research methods in psychology, preparing them to advance to doctoral work or enter various career fields. This program places a strong emphasis on quantitative methodology and the use of statistical software to evaluate psychological trends.

Estimated tuition cost: $12,936 per year (in-state); $31,658 per year (out-of-state)

Accreditation: APA

4. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona offers multiple graduate programs, including an on-campus PhD option. It requires 54 credit hours, allowing students to specialize in the psychology of human behavior, biomedical science, health and nutrition, or social and behavioral sciences. This competitive program admits less than 7% of applicants, but if you gain admission, you'll enjoy a terrific chance of getting a passing score on the EPPP exams on the first try.

Estimated tuition cost: $12,939 per year (in-state); $37,085 per year (out-of-state)

Accreditation: APA

5. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix serves both Arizona residents and the rest of the country with reputable online degree programs. This includes multiple graduate programs in general psychology, industrial-occupational psychology, and related fields. These degree tracks each include psychologist training plans that fit into 12 core courses, which students can complete within two years or fewer.

Estimated tuition cost: $698 per credit hour (in-state); $698 per credit hour (out-of-state)

Accreditation: APA

Skills of a Psychologist

Psychologists who work with adults or children must possess many skills and abilities to serve their patients effectively. They must have empathy for their patients' suffering, active listening skills, and attention to detail to provide proper diagnoses.

They also need critical thinking skills to determine the proper treatments and always prioritize patients' well-being as their top concern. These are just a few of the skills psychologists must master during their education and training to earn a psychology license.

Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a 7% growth in the job outlook for psychologists between 2023 and 2033. This includes a projected increase of 14,000 psychologist jobs nationwide.

The fields of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and substance-abuse psychology are among the fastest growing areas in the field. If you'd like to capitalize on these growth trends, then consider applying for one of the best PsyD programs and earn the necessary credentials to practice psychology full-time.

What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in Arizona?

The BLS shows that psychologists earn a median annual salary of $94,310 in the U.S. This is a growing field, especially since many parts of the country continue to experience a shortage of licensed professionals (including in rural areas of Arizona). The high salary figures, combined with a need for more psychologists, make this an ideal time to consider this career path.

Explore Psychology Degrees

Learn.org can help you find reputable online psychology degrees in Arizona and anywhere else in the country. Our information can guide you to the most suitable academic programs, helping you start your career as a school psychologist, clinical psychologist, and more.