How To Become a Psychologist in Vermont 2025

Psychology is a wide and varied field in which practitioners treat patients for behavioral and mental health issues. To study the inner workings of the human mind, its development, and the experiences that help shape us, you must complete a combination of education, exams, and supervised practice. Read on to learn how to become a psychologist and what specific requirements are necessary to gain full psychology licensure in Vermont.

What Does a Psychologist Do?

Generally, psychologists work in the following fields:

• Counseling psychologists help people with emotional, social, and physical stressors in their lives.
• Clinical psychologists focus on diagnosing and treating more serious mental health disorders.
• Educational and school psychologists may research learning processes and educational systems or work with students to evaluate and assist them with academic and emotional challenges.

Psychology students typically specialize in one of the numerous subfields and then work in various environments, including hospitals, counseling centers, private practices, government agencies, academic institutions, correctional facilities, and the military. If you're wondering how long it takes to get a psychology degree, know that this specialization also plays a role. Continue reading to learn more about how to become a psychologist and the educational and other requirements to become a licensed psychologist in Vermont.

4 Steps To Become a Psychologist in Vermont

The educational requirements to become a psychologist involve earning a four-year bachelor's degree in psychology, followed by two to three years for a master's degree and another four to six years for a doctoral degree. Exactly how long this takes depends on many factors, such as your field of study, your enrollment as either a part-time or full-time student, and whether or not you opt for accelerated programs that help provide the fastest way to become a psychologist.

To obtain a psychology license, your degree must be earned at one or more colleges with accredited programs, preferably by the American Psychological Association (APA), whether you attend school in person or earn your credentials from accredited psychology programs online. In addition, you must complete the following steps to practice professional psychology in Vermont:

Step 1: Earn as many as 1,500 hours of direct supervised experience before receiving either your master's or doctoral degree; this is usually accomplished through an internship as part of your educational training.

Step 2: Earn at least 1,500 hours of direct supervised experience after you've received either your master's or doctoral degree; steps one and two require about two years to complete, and must be overseen by licensed professionals with at least three years of experience.

Step 3: Pass two exams, the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Vermont Jurisprudence Examination.

Step 4: Complete the application process by submitting official transcripts, verification of supervised experience, application form, and exam scores to the Vermont Board of Psychological Examiners, along with paying the required fees.

What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?

Those who want to pursue a career in counseling psychology typically earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in some field of psychology. A clinical psychologist typically requires a PhD or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree. Still, others interested in educational or school psychology can achieve this by earning a PhD, PsyD, Education Specialist degree (EdS), or Doctor of Education (EdD) with a concentration in psychology.

A doctoral degree is the national standard for practicing psychologists and is required in most states � but in Vermont, you can become a licensed provider with a master's degree. The requirements are the same as those accompanying a doctoral degree; however, the scope of what a psychologist-master can do is limited, as ongoing supervision may be required depending on the practice area and employer preferences. In addition, since most states require a doctoral degree for endorsement to practice, a master's degree may prevent you from practicing in a state that interests you.

Top Psychology Degree Programs

The following academic institutions offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in various fields of psychology. Three of the schools are in Vermont, while two feature some of the most affordable online psychology degrees available. Tuition applies to the graduate programs.

1. Vermont State University

Vermont State University (VTSU) is a public university offering four bachelor's degrees and two master's degrees in counseling (clinical mental health or school counseling) and clinical mental health (for adults or for children, youth, and families). Both master's programs are presented in a hybrid format.

• Estimated tuition cost: $684 per credit (in-state); $880 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. University of Vermont

The University of Vermont (UVM) is a public land-grant research university in Burlington, VT. It is home to four psychology programs: two bachelor's degrees, one master's degree, and one doctoral program. You may choose from one of two concentrations for the master's degree � experimental or clinical � and you may opt for an accelerated pathway beginning in your undergraduate program at UVM. You can also obtain your PhD in clinical psychology.

• Estimated tuition cost: $692 per credit (in-state); $1,375 to $1,860 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: NECHE, APA

3. Saint Michael's College

As a private non-profit school in Colchester, VT, Saint Michael's College (SMC) offers a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in clinical-counseling psychology. Master's program graduates at SMC generally pursue licensure as a psychologist-master or a licensed clinical mental health counselor.

• Estimated tuition cost: $675 per credit (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: NECHE

4. Franklin University

Franklin University (Franklin U), a private institution based in Columbus, OH, offers psychology degrees nationwide through its online program. You can earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in psychology, or one of two business psychology master's degrees with different concentrations.

Each master's program is designed to offer an accelerated psychology degree online. While there are no specific doctoral degrees in psychology, Franklin U provides various EdD degrees, some with specializations relevant to educational or school psychology.

• Estimated tuition cost: $536 to $899 per credit (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

5. Walden University

Another private institution with an online program, Minnesota-based Walden University (Walden U) offers a BS in Psychology with several concentrations available, including an Accelerate Into Master's (AIM) track. An MS in Psychology offers five specializations and also features an accelerated pathway into the doctoral program.

Your PhD in Psychology may include one of six concentrations, such as educational, health, and social psychology. Walden U also offers an accredited PsyD program online in behavioral health leadership.

• Estimated tuition cost: $10,000 to $19,296 (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

Skills of a Psychologist

Psychologists use many evidence-based treatments to help improve people's lives. Most often, they use psychotherapy, which relies on guided discussion as a method to assess the patient's feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Here are some ways a psychologist may employ psychotherapy:

• cognitive behavioral therapy: structured and goal-oriented
• dialectical behavior therapy: adapted for people with intense emotions
• interpersonal therapy: tailored for major depressive disorders
• humanistic therapy: focused on growth and self-discovery
• psychodynamic therapy: explores unconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences

Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists

Nationally, the job outlook for psychology is strong, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting 7% growth in the industry through 2033, an average that is faster than all occupations combined. Over the same period, about 13,000 psychology-related jobs will open each year.

In Vermont, 38 new counseling jobs are expected to open by 2026, growing 1.9% since 2024. Jobs in community and social services are projected to grow by 242, or 1.4%, while 210 jobs in social and human services are slated to open, at a growth rate of 1.7%.

These fields generally require psychology-related roles, with some suitable for psychology master's graduates. Here are some key areas likely to see the highest demand in the next several years:

• educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
• rehabilitation counselors
• substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
• clinical and counseling psychologists
• school psychologists

What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in Vermont?

The median annual wage for psychologists in the U.S. is $94,310, according to the most recent data from the BLS. Many clinical and counseling occupations average more than $117,000 per year, while other top wages by category average $126,990 annually for government roles, $109,840 for industrial-organizational occupations, and $96,960 for those working in ambulatory healthcare services. School psychologists earn a median wage of $86,930.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay in 2025 for a psychologist in Vermont is $163,801 a year, or approximately $78.75 an hour. This represents a salary approximately 74% higher than the national average, although this figure varies greatly depending on position and location.

Explore Psychology Degrees

We invite you to explore the programs offered by accredited institutions on Learn.org and discover the best and most affordable colleges to suit your needs. Contact school representatives with your questions so you can begin taking your next big career step today.