How To Become a Psychologist in Alabama 2025

Psychology is a field focused on human behavior. Psychologists may work in academic or research settings, or they may work with patients in clinical settings.

There are steps to consider as you determine how to become a psychologist, and these vary by state. For example, most states require a license to practice psychology professionally, but Alabama requires applicants to take two exams for licensure instead of just one. Keep reading to learn more about how to become a psychologist in Alabama.

What Does a Psychologist Do?

Psychologists are professionals who study thought processes, emotions, and behaviors. They do this by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to each other and their environments.

There are several different types of psychologists, each with a different focus. The educational requirements to become a psychologist vary slightly between the different types. Common types of psychologists include:

• Clinical and counseling psychologists: These psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They typically work within their own practice, and often focus on specific types of populations or specific families of disorders.
• Forensic psychologists: Forensic psychologists study psychology within the context of the legal system. They may be called in to assess a suspect's mental state.
• Industrial-organizational psychologists: I-O psychologists study how people function in the workplace. They work with businesses to improve employee productivity and organizational dynamics. These types of psychologists do not usually need a license.
• Neuropsychologists: These psychologists analyze how damage to the nervous system and brain affects cognitive and behavioral processes.
• School psychologists: School psychologists work in educational settings and help address educational, emotional, or behavioral challenges that students may face.

How long it takes to get a psychology degree will depend on the type of psychologist you want to be and whether or not you want to work a clinical practice setting.

6 Steps To Become a Psychologist in Alabama

To become a professional psychologist in Alabama, you must obtain a license. Alabama offers psychology licenses in four specializations: clinical psychology, counseling psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and school psychology.

The licensing requirements for each specialization are basically the same: you must earn a doctoral degree, complete supervised experience, and pass the necessary licensure exams. We've broken down the basic steps below.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

The first step to becoming a psychologist is to earn a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degrees are undergraduate degrees that take about four years to complete. These are required to move on to a graduate program.

Most graduate psychology programs do not require a specific undergraduate major, so you don't have to choose a major in psychology. However, many students choose to major in psychology because it provides them with a strong foundation for graduate study, and there are many schools with accredited psychology programs online at the bachelor's level.

Whatever major you choose, it should provide you with plenty of social science courses and be geared toward your intended specialty. For example, if you want to go into school psychology, you could major in education, or if you want to go into I-O psychology, you could major in human resources. If you're seeking the fastest way to become a psychologist, consider accelerated bachelor's degrees.

Step 2: Earn a Master's Degree

Before you earn a graduate degree, you may want to consider a master's degree. Master's degrees are graduate degrees that usually take about two years of full-time study, although some schools offer accelerated psychology degrees online that allow you to finish faster.

Many doctoral degrees in psychology do not require applicants to hold master's degrees. However, some will reduce the overall credits you need if you already hold a master's.

There are also some careers adjacent to psychology that require a master's program but not a doctorate. For example, a mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist might require a counseling degree.

On the other hand, some psychology-related careers require a master's but not a doctorate. For example, if you want to become a mental health counselor or a substance abuse counselor, you'll only need to complete a master's-level program.

Step 3: Complete a Doctoral-Level Program

To earn a psychologist license in Alabama, you must complete a doctoral program. This can be a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology, a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), or a Doctor of Education (EdD) in school psychology.

All three options lead to psychology licensure in Alabama, as long as the program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or is otherwise approved by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology.

PhDs in psychology are good for those who want to focus on research or clinical practice. APA-accredited programs will prepare students for both, while non-accredited programs are primarily for those who want to go into research or academia.

PsyDs are specifically for individuals who want to practice psychology. EdDs in school psychology are for those who want to practice in educational settings.

Your psychology program will include coursework in your chosen field of psychology. You'll likely also complete research projects and participate in practicums and an internship.

Step 4: Fulfill Supervised Experience

The psychology licensure requirements in Alabama include one year of supervised experience. Many students fulfill this requirement during the internship portion of their doctoral program.

However, if, for whatever reason, you weren't able to fulfill this requirement during your doctoral degree, you'll need to find a postdoctoral training program.

Step 5: Pass Required Exams

Before you can earn a psychology license in Alabama, you need to earn a passing score on two different licensing exams.

The first is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), which is meant to test your psychology knowledge. This is a national exam developed and administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).

The second is the Professional Standards Examination (PSE). This is a state-specific, multiple-choice exam covering material from the Alabama License Law and the APA's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

Step 6: Obtain and Maintain Licensure

Now that you've earned a doctorate, completed supervised experience, and passed the licensure exams, you can finish your application for licensure. You'll need to pay a $400 application fee, submit your official transcripts, internship documentation, and four positive references, and pass a background check.

Once you've become a licensed psychologist, you'll need to work to maintain that licensure. Psychologists in Alabama are required to renew their licenses annually, and to do so, they must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) credits. This CE must be approved by an organization like the APA or the Alabama Psychological Association.

You can learn more about the full requirements for psychology licensure in Alabama at psychology.alabama.gov.

What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?

The best degrees to practice as a professional psychologist in Alabama are doctoral degrees. PhDs in psychology, PsyDs, and EdDs in school psychology all lead to licensure and allow you to provide psychological services.

If you're interested in counseling or a similar human services role, you can earn a master's degree in counseling, marriage and family therapy, or social work.

Top Psychology Degree Programs

A handful of colleges and universities in Alabama offer psychology degrees. We've featured some of the best PsyD programs and PhDs in psychology below.

1. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is a public research institution in Tuscaloosa, AL. It offers a PhD in clinical psychology that has been accredited by the APA since 1959.

Students begin clinical coursework during their first year, and continuous practicum and research opportunities are provided throughout the training experience. Specialties in clinical child psychology, clinical geropsychology, clinical health psychology, and psychology and law are available.

• Estimated tuition cost: $11,380 per year (in-state); $33,372 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and APA

2. Auburn University

At Auburn University, students will find APA-accredited PhDs in clinical psychology and counseling psychology. Both programs provide training in scientific research and clinical practice.

This public research university is located in Auburn, AL. It offers comprehensive funding opportunities for PhD students in these programs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $11,016 per year (in-state); $32,112 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and APA

3. University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a unique PhD in medical/clinical psychology. UAB is a public research university in Birmingham, AL.

This APA-accredited program covers traditional topics in psychology, like psychopathology, psychotherapy, and assessment. However, it also specializes in medically relevant areas, such as health psychology and behavioral medicine, pediatric psychology, neuropsychology, rehabilitation, geropsychology, substance abuse, and health disparities.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,640 per year (in-state); $21,168 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and APA

4. University of South Alabama

The PhD in clinical and counseling psychology is an innovative, APA-accredited program. It trains students through a combined and integrated model so they can become both clinical researchers and clinical practitioners.

The University of South Alabama, located in Mobile, AL, is a public research institution. It offers fellowships and assistantships to help students pay for their degrees.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,640 per year (in-state); $17,280 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC and APA

5. Troy University

Troy University is a public institution in Troy, AL. It offers an online master's degree in psychology that takes 17 months to complete.

While this program does not lead to licensure, the flexible online format is a great way for students to prepare for their doctoral program. This program offers a thesis and non-thesis track.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,550 per year (in-state); $17,100 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Skills of a Psychologist

Psychologists need a strong understanding of psychological theory, clinical practice, and research methods. There are also several soft skills they need, including:

• analytical and critical thinking skills
• communication skills
• compassion and patience
• integrity and confidentiality
• interpersonal skills
• observational skills
• problem-solving skills

Your degree program will provide you with a firm foundation in these skills, but you'll develop them even further through practicums and internships.

Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects jobs for psychologists in general to increase by 7% by 2033 nationwide. The job outlook in Alabama depends on the specific career:

• clinical and counseling psychologists: 11% increase
• industrial-organizational psychologists: 9% increase
• school psychologists: 3% increase
• other psychologists:5% increase

What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in Alabama?

Similarly, the median salary for psychologists in Alabama depends on the field. It also depends on where you work.

Clinical and counseling psychologists have a median annual salary of $100,320, which is higher than the national median of $95,830. Those in Huntsville have a much higher median salary than those in the rest of the state, at $108,440 per year.

School psychologists, meanwhile, make about $71,660 per year in Alabama, less than the national median of $86,930. On the other hand, other psychologists, like neuropsychologists, have a median salary of $134,370 in Alabama, much higher than the national median of $117,580 per year.

To help maximize your salary, try to keep your costs low while in school and avoid taking out student loans when possible. Look for some of the most affordable online psychology degrees and take advantage of financial aid opportunities.

Explore Psychology Degrees

Start your journey toward a career in psychology by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to learn more about how they can help you reach your goals.