How To Become a Psychologist in Delaware 2025

<p>If you live in Delaware and have earned a psychology degree or are considering one, you may be interested in learning how to become a psychologist. While Delaware requires licensed psychologists to earn a doctoral degree, some fields, such as school psychology, only require a master's degree. </p> <p>Whether you've already earned a bachelor's or master's degree and are applying to doctoral programs or have recently finished a doctoral program, you probably have questions about these steps. Below, we explain <a href="https://learn.org/articles/how_to_become_a_psychologist.html">how to become a psychologist</a> and other requirements in Delaware. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatDoesAPsychologistDo">What Does a Psychologist Do?</h2> <p>Psychologists study human behavior and learn about topics such as social psychology and child and adolescent development. Psychologists spend their time conducting research or counseling clients in the clinical setting. Psychologists who practice in the clinical setting provide talk therapy and treatment plans for individuals who may be experiencing a mental health disorder. </p> <p>Keep reading to learn <a href="https://learn.org/articles/how_long_does_it_take_to_get_a_degree_in_psychology.html">how long it takes to get a psychology degree</a> and what the process entails. </p> <h2 id="section---6StepsToBecomeAPsychologistInDelaware">6 Steps To Become a Psychologist in Delaware</h2> <p>Below, we highlight the educational requirements to become a psychologist in Delaware, how to apply for your licensing credential, and where you can find <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_psychology_degree_delaware.html">accredited psychology programs online</a>. </p> <h3 id="section---Step1EarnYourBachelorSAndMasterSDegrees">Step 1: Earn Your Bachelor's and Master's Degrees</h3> <p>First, you'll need to earn your bachelor's degree, which takes an average of four years when attending full-time. In addition, while earning a master's degree is not required to become a psychologist in Delaware, doing so may provide you with a deeper knowledge of psychology and prepare you to enter a doctoral program. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2EarnYourDoctoralDegree">Step 2: Earn Your Doctoral Degree</h3> <p>To become a licensed psychologist in Delaware, you'll need to earn either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) from an American Psychological Association or APA-accredited program. As part of your doctoral program, you will complete a predoctoral internship and spend time in direct contact with clients. </p> <p>To find the right program, you can search for the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/affordable_online_degrees_psychology.html">most affordable online psychology degree</a> or the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_psyd_programs.html">best PsyD programs</a>. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3CompleteSupervisedExperience">Step 3: Complete Supervised Experience</h3> <p>After you've earned your doctoral degree, you'll need to register as a psychological assistant and complete one year of supervised postdoctoral experience. As per requirements set by the Board of Examiners of Psychologists, you must complete 1,500 hours of supervised practice to earn your psychologist license. </p> <p>To register as a psychological assistant, you must complete a background check and request copies of your transcripts be sent to the Board. </p> <h3 id="section---Step4PassTheExaminationForProfessionalPracticeInPsychologyEPPP">Step 4: Pass The Examination For Professional Practice In Psychology (EPPP)</h3> <p>Once you have received a psychology license that allows you to work as a psychological assistant, you will receive permission to sign up for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), the national licensure examination administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). </p> <h3 id="section---Step5ApplyForYourFullPsychologyLicenseAndCompleteABackgroundCheck">Step 5: Apply For Your Full Psychology License And Complete A Background Check</h3> <p>Once you pass the EPPP, you may upgrade your psychological assistant license to a full psychology license via the Delaware Board of Examiners of Psychologists. You can apply for your full license via the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) at <a href="https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/psychology/">dpr.delaware.gov/boards/psychology</a>. </p> <p>As part of licensing requirements, you must also complete federal and state background checks and have your fingerprints made. </p> <h3 id="section---Step6InquireAboutReciprocityAndCompleteContinuingEducation">Step 6: Inquire About Reciprocity and Complete Continuing Education</h3> <p>If you are interested in reciprocity for an existing psychology license earned in another state, you can check research licensure requirements via the DPR. </p> <p>As a licensee, you must complete continuing education to maintain your psychology license. According to the Delaware Psychological Association, psychologists must obtain 40 hours of continuing education every two years. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatAreTheBestDegreesForAPsychologist">What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?</h2> <p>If you are interested in a psychology career, note that the degree you'll need varies by job. If you want to become a school psychologist, the highest level of education you'll need is a master's degree, whereas if you want to work with clients in the clinical setting, you'll need to earn your doctoral degree. </p> <h2 id="section---TopPsychologyDegreePrograms">Top Psychology Degree Programs</h2> <p>If you've already earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and are looking to further your education, you may be wondering which graduate program is right for you. Keep reading to learn the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/how_fast_can_i_become_psychologist.html">fastest way to become a psychologist</a> in the state of Delaware. </p> <h3 id="section---1.UniversityOfDelaware">1. University of Delaware</h3> <p>The University of Delaware offers master's and doctoral programs in psychology. Depending on the program, students will obtain a Master of Science (MS) in clinical psychological science or a doctoral degree in behavioral neuroscience or another area. The interdisciplinary neuroscience program is available at both levels, with students earning a Master of Arts (MA) or PhD. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $1,069 per credit hour (for all residency statuses) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) </li></ul><h3 id="section---2.DelawareStateUniversity">2. Delaware State University</h3> <p>Delaware State University, a Dover-based research university, offers asynchronous, online master's programs in clinical psychology and neuropsychology. Copies of your official transcripts and a resume detailing your education and work experience are among the materials needed to complete the application process. </p> <p>The clinical psychology track features coursework, a practicum, and supervised experience. Both programs are online with occasional face-to-face meetings. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $500 per credit hour (for all residency statuses) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE </li></ul><h3 id="section---3.GoldeyBeacomCollege">3. Goldey-Beacom College</h3> <p>Goldey-Beacom College offers a graduate program in counseling psychology that prepares students to become licensed psychologists. The program provides students with the education and training to address a variety of mental health topics including substance abuse, career counseling, and family counseling. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $671 per credit hour (for all residency statuses) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE </li></ul><h3 id="section---4.DelawareValleyUniversity">4. Delaware Valley University</h3> <p>Delaware Valley University offers a master's in psychology program with concentrations in either child and adolescent counseling or social justice community counseling. Both concentrations feature a mix of coursework with practicum and internship experiences to help students gain experience in clinical settings. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $800 per credit (for all residency statuses) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE </li></ul><h3 id="section---5.WidenerUniversity">5. Widener University</h3> <p>Widener University offers a PsyD program that prepares students to become school practitioner psychologists. Specific concentrations include forensic psychology, health psychology, and consulting psychology. </p> <p>The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the APA (APA-CoA). </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $1,200 per credit (for all residency statuses) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE, APA-CoA </li></ul><h2 id="section---OtherPsychologyDegrees">Other Psychology Degrees</h2> <p>Graduate psychology programs are not limited to schools only in Delaware. Read on to learn about psychology programs offered at nearby universities or how you can earn your <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_online_psychology_degree_programs.html">accelerated psychology degree online</a>. </p> <h3 id="section---VillanovaUniversity">Villanova University</h3> <p>Villanova University offers a two-year MS in psychology program. Required classes include biopsychology and statistics, while available electives include social psychology and developmental psychology. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $955 per credit (for all residency statuses) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE </li></ul><h3 id="section---TowsonUniversity">Towson University</h3> <p>Towson University offers MA and MS programs in psychology. The MA track features concentrations in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, experimental psychology, and school psychology, while the MS track focuses on human resource development. </p> <p>Depending on which track they select, students will be prepared for careers in research or the clinical setting with the option to apply to doctoral programs. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $739 per unit (in-state); $1,335 per unit (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE </li></ul><h3 id="section---MontclairStateUniversity">Montclair State University</h3> <p>Montclair State University offers two doctoral programs in psychology with concentrations in clinical psychology or industrial/organizational psychology. In addition to doctoral programs, the university also offers multiple master's programs. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $781 per credit (for all residency statuses) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE, APA-CoA </li></ul><h3 id="section---MillersvilleUniversity">Millersville University</h3> <p>Millersville University offers several options, including: </p> <ul><li>MS in clinical psychology </li><li>MS in school psychology </li><li>Master of Education (MEd) in school counseling </li></ul><p>Both the MS in school psychology and the MEd in school counseling feature certification in school counseling or guidance services. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $516 per credit (in-state); $774 per credit (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE </li></ul><h3 id="section---SouthernNewHampshireUniversity">Southern New Hampshire University</h3> <p>Southern New Hampshire University offers an online MS in psychology program over a 10-week term. Students who enroll in this program may choose one of three concentrations: child and development psychology, forensic psychology, or industrial-organizational psychology. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $637 per credit (for all residency statuses) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) </li></ul><h2 id="section---SkillsOfAPsychologist">Skills of a Psychologist</h2> <p>Being a psychologist requires various soft skills. Some of the most important ones include communication, research, ethical judgment, and active listening. Hard skills, which are learned in the classroom, are also important and vary depending on the role. </p> <h2 id="section---CareersAndJobOutlookForPsychologists">Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists</h2> <p>If you've earned your psychology degree, you may become a school psychologist, clinical psychologist, or neuropsychologist. You may find employment in areas such as social work, human resources, family therapy, or substance abuse counseling. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatIsTheAverageSalaryOfAPsychologistInDelaware">What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in Delaware?</h2> <p>According to data from the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, the median annual salary for psychologists in Delaware was $94,310 in May 2024. </p> <h2 id="section---ExplorePsychologyDegrees">Explore Psychology Degrees</h2> <p>If you're considering pursuing a psychology degree, you can find numerous resources on Learn.org. Contact individual schools of interest to learn more about admissions and programs.</p>