How To Become a Psychologist in New York 2025
To work as a professional psychologist in New York, you'll need to earn a doctorate degree in psychology and obtain a psychology license through the state.
Psychologists work to understand how people think, which helps us to better understand how to help those with behavioral or mental health conditions. It's an important role that requires several years of education.
The pathway and steps on how to become a psychologist vary slightly between states, but most, including New York, require a doctoral degree and a license. Keep reading to learn more about how to become a psychologist in New York.
What Does a Psychologist Do?
Psychology is a field of study dedicated to understanding how the mind works. Psychologists are experts in this field who work to further psychology research and knowledge or help clients dealing with psychological conditions.
There are several different types of psychologists, including:
- Clinical psychologists: Also called counseling psychologists, these professionals meet with patients to help resolve emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders. They may work in private practice or within a healthcare facility.
- Industrial-organizational psychologist: Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology looks at the psychology of workplaces. These psychologists may be called in to help boost productivity or organizational dynamics.
- Neuropsychologists: These professionals study how damage to the brain can affect behavior.
- School psychologists: These psychologists work in school settings, helping diagnose students with developmental or behavioral delays and creating plans to help them succeed in academics.
If you're pursuing licensure, the educational requirements to become a psychologist are about the same for all types of psychologists. If you're wondering how long it takes to get a psychology degree, note that it can vary slightly.
<h2 id="section---7StepsToBecomeAPsychologistInNewYork">7 Steps To Become a Psychologist in New York</h2><p>To call yourself a psychologist in New York State, you must hold a license. Licensure for New York psychologists includes earning a doctoral degree in psychology, completing supervised experiences, and passing an exam. We've highlighted the pathway to a psychology license in the State of New York below.
</p><h3 id="section---Step1EarnABachelorSDegree">Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree</h3><p>The first step toward becoming a licensed psychologist is earning a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degrees are four-year undergraduate degrees that are typically required to progress to a graduate program.
</p><p>There is typically no specific bachelor's major required for graduate nursing programs, but whatever you take should provide you with a good foundation in social sciences. A bachelor's in psychology is an excellent choice.
</p><p>Your psychology coursework will cover topics like theories of personality, lifespan development, and social psychology. Many schools offer <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_psychology_degree_new_york.html">accredited psychology programs online</a> at the bachelor's level.
</p><h3 id="section---Step2EarnAMasterSDegree">Step 2: Earn a Master's Degree</h3><p>Master's degrees are graduate degrees that take about two years of full-time study to complete, although some schools offer <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_online_psychology_degree_programs.html">accelerated psychology degrees online</a> that allow you to finish faster.
</p><p>A master's program may or may not be necessary, depending on what type of psychologist you want to be and what school you want to go to for your doctoral program. Not all doctoral programs require you to hold a master's degree.
</p><p>Some allow you to earn a master's degree in the process of earning your doctoral degree. Others don't require a master's but will reduce the number of credits needed for the doctoral degree if you have one. This can be one of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_way_to_become_a_psychologist_new_york.html">fastest ways to become a psychologist</a>.
</p><p>Many careers in the field of psychology require a master's degree, but don't require a doctoral degree, like mental health counselor or marriage and family counselor. If you want to go into a role like this, a master's degree is necessary.
</p><h3 id="section---Step3CompleteADoctoralProgram">Step 3: Complete a Doctoral Program</h3><p>To practice psychology in New York, part of the licensure requirements include earning a doctorate degree from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). There are two doctoral-level options for psychology students: a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology.
</p><p>PsyD programs usually take three to six years to complete and are for those who want to go into clinical practice. PhDs in psychology are typically more for those who go into academia or research; these take four to seven years to complete. Both types lead to licensure and allow you to practice clinical psychology if that is your specialty.
</p><p>Your doctoral degree will provide coursework on your specific field of study. You'll also participate in supervised practicums and field experiences. If you're in a PhD program, there will also be a heavy emphasis on research methods and completing a dissertation in your specialization.
</p><h3 id="section---Step4CompleteSupervisedProfessionalExperience">Step 4: Complete Supervised Professional Experience</h3><p>Applicants for psychology licensure in New York must meet experience requirements. They must complete two years of full-time supervised experience, defined as 1,750 clock hours each year.
</p><p>You can complete up to half of these hours as part of your doctoral program. However, at least 1,750 hours must be completed after you've finished your degree.
</p><p>Your postdoctoral experience must be completed in an authorized setting, such as a private practice or a hospital. You'll need to provide psychological services under supervision for these hours to qualify. Depending on the setting, you may need to first secure a limited permit through the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
</p><h3 id="section---Step5TakeTheNecessaryExamsAndCourses">Step 5: Take the Necessary Exams and Courses</h3><p>Before you can apply for your psychology license, there are a few additional steps. You must take and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and complete a training course on child abuse.
</p><p>The EPPP is a standardized licensing examination developed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). You'll need to submit an application to NYSED, and when they approve your eligibility, you can take the exam. You must score at least a 75.
</p><p>The child abuse training course is required for many types of licensure in New York. You can find a full list of approved providers for training at the NYSED website.
</p><h3 id="section---Step6ApplyForLicensure">Step 6: Apply for Licensure</h3><p>To receive licensure in New York, there are several forms that you'll need to fill out to confirm your eligibility and verify that you meet the state's licensing requirements. Some you'll need to fill out before you take the EPPP, while others are for after.
</p><p>You'll need to pay an application fee of $294. You'll also need to undergo a background check.
</p><h3 id="section---Step7ContinueProfessionalDevelopment">Step 7: Continue Professional Development</h3><p>Even if you're working as a licensed psychologist, you'll still need to participate in continuing education to maintain your licensure. This is required to renew your license.
</p><p>Psychology licenses in New York must be renewed every three years. To be eligible for renewal, you must complete at least 36 hours of continuing education during this time period.
</p><h2 id="section---WhatAreTheBestDegreesForAPsychologist">What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?</h2><p>Those who want to practice psychology in New York will need either a PsyD or a PhD in psychology. Both are excellent options.
</p><p>As mentioned, PsyDs are focused on clinical practice, while PhDs are more research-based. Many schools offer concentrations within these programs so you can focus your studies on a psychology specialty.
</p><h2 id="section---TopPsychologyDegreePrograms">Top Psychology Degree Programs</h2><p>Many colleges and universities in New York offer doctorate degrees in psychology. We've highlighted some of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_psyd_programs_new_york.html">best PsyD programs</a> and PhDs in psychology below.
</p><h3 id="section---1.NewYorkUniversity">1. New York University</h3><p>New York University is a private institution in New York City. It offers a PhD in clinical/counseling psychology through its Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
</p><p>This program provides specialized training in clinical counseling and leads to licensure in New York. Comprehensive funding packages are available for PhD students.
</p><p>NYU also offers PhDs in cognition and perception, social psychology, and psychology and social intervention. However, these are not designed to lead to licensure.
</p><p><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $40,374 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and APA
</p><h3 id="section---2.StonyBrookUniversity">2. Stony Brook University</h3><p>At Stony Brook University, students can earn a PhD in clinical psychology. The program focuses on clinical psychology but also includes courses on numerous other areas of psychology. Students become immersed in research on day one.
</p><p>Stony Brook University, a public institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, is located in Stony Brook, NY. It also offers PhDs in integrative neuroscience, cognitive science, and social and health psychology.
</p><p><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $11,310 per year (in-state); $26,330 per year (out-of-state)
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and APA
</p><h3 id="section---3.UniversityAtAlbany">3. University at Albany</h3><p>The University at Albany offers three APA-accredited psychology degrees: a PhD in clinical psychology, a PhD in counseling psychology, and a PsyD in school psychology. SUNY Albany is a public university in Albany, NY.
</p><p>The counseling psychology program trains students in psychology as both a scientific discipline and an area of professional specialization, while the clinical psychology program prepares students for clinical work through participation in clinical research programs. The school psychology program focuses on using evidence-based practices and leads to licensure as both a school psychologist and a professional psychologist.
</p><p><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $11,310 per year (in-state); $24,970 per year (out-of-state)
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and APA
</p><h3 id="section---4.SyracuseUniversity">4. Syracuse University</h3><p>The Department of Psychology at Syracuse University offers two APA-accredited doctoral programs. The first is a PhD in clinical psychology, which trains students to be innovative and scholarly clinical psychologists. The second is a PhD in school psychology that prepares students to meet the needs of children in schools.
</p><p>Syracuse University, located in Syracuse, NY, is a private research institution. It also offers PhDs in cognitive psychology and social psychology, as well as comprehensive funding packages for PhD students.
</p><p><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $46,680 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and APA
</p><h3 id="section---5.UniversityAtBuffalo">5. University at Buffalo</h3><p>The University at Buffalo is a public SUNY institution in Buffalo, NY. It offers a PhD in clinical psychology and a PhD in counseling and school psychology, which are both approved by the APA.
</p><p>The clinical psychology program focuses on using evidence-based practice to assess, understand, and treat patients. The counseling and school psychology program provides specialized training for counseling and school environments. The university also offers PhDs in behavioral neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and social-personality psychology.
</p><p><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $11,310 per year (in-state); $24,990 per year (out-of-state)
</p><p><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and APA
</p><h2 id="section---SkillsOfAPsychologist">Skills of a Psychologist</h2><p>Psychologists need several skills to perform their job well. These include:
</p><ul><li>analytical and critical thinking skills
</li><li>communication skills
</li><li>compassion and patience
</li><li>integrity and confidentiality
</li><li>interpersonal skills
</li><li>observational skills
</li><li>problem-solving skills
</li></ul><p>Students develop many of these skills in their degree programs but will continue to hone these skills through clinical practice.
</p><h2 id="section---CareersAndJobOutlookForPsychologists">Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists</h2><p>The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs for psychologists in the U.S. to increase by 7% over the next decade, and that number is even higher in New York. Some careers and their job outlooks in the state include:
</p><ul><li>clinical and counseling psychologists: increase of 19% over the next decade
</li><li>neuropsychologists: increase of 14% over the next decade
</li><li>school psychologists: increase of 19% over the next decade
</li><li>other psychologists: increase of 14% over the next decade
</li></ul><p>Currently, information is not available for industrial-organizational psychologists in New York.
</p><h2 id="section---WhatIsTheAverageSalaryOfAPsychologistInNewYork">What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in New York?</h2><p>The average salary of psychologists in New York varies depending on the career and where in the state you work. Median salaries for psychologists include:
</p><ul><li>clinical and counseling psychologists: $99,910 per year, with a median of $108,080 in the Poughkeepsie area
</li><li>neuropsychologists: $113,730 per year, with a median of $131,450 in the Albany area
</li><li>school psychologists: $99,310 per year, with a median of $101,790 in the NYC metro
</li><li>other psychologists: $113,730 per year, with a median of $131,450 in the Albany area
</li></ul><p>To help maximize your salary, try to keep your costs low while in school. Look for some of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/affordable_online_psychology_degree_new_york.html">most affordable online psychology degrees</a> and take advantage of financial aid opportunities.
</p><h2 id="section---ExplorePsychologyDegrees">Explore Psychology Degrees</h2><p>Start your journey toward a career in psychology by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about their psychology programs.</p>