How To Become a Psychologist in Arkansas 2025

Are you interested in learning how to become a psychologist in Arkansas? This process involves meeting specific educational requirements and obtaining licensure from the Arkansas Psychology Board.

If you want to help people manage daily issues or more serious mental health challenges, keep reading. Below, we'll outline how to become a psychologist in the state.

What Does a Psychologist Do?

Psychologists are health services professionals who help people manage everyday issues and chronic conditions. In this role, experts:

• study how the brain functions
• perform diagnostic tests and provide psychotherapy
• diagnose and treat behavioral, emotional, and other disorders
• provide guidance and resources to help clients manage mental health challenges
• design plans to modify client behavior

Psychologists may perform other duties, depending on their specialty. For example, a forensic psychologist works with lawyers and judges to analyze legal cases and provide psychological insights.

8 Steps To Become a Psychologist in Arkansas

Do you want to start a career as a psychologist in Arkansas? Below, we'll detail the educational requirements to become a psychologist and discuss other steps to attain a psychology license.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree in psychology (e.g., Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) from an accredited program is the first step in pursuing a career in this field. Students learn the basics of human behavior and perception and can pursue specializations, such as school psychology.

Students ready to pursue a bachelor's degree can find accredited psychology programs online at colleges nationwide. Some schools even help students graduate sooner by earning an accelerated psychology degree online.

Step 2: Complete a Doctoral Program

Licensure in Arkansas requires a doctoral degree in psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) (or another qualifying program). Common degrees include the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) for clinical psychologist roles and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), which trains learners for academic and research careers.

Are you wondering how long it takes to get a psychology degree at the doctoral level? Most programs take about four or six years to complete.

Step 3: Meet Training Requirements

To meet licensure requirements in Arkansas, students must gain at least two years of professional experience, with one year being postdoctoral. In most cases, students complete a 2,000-hour internship at the post-clerkship, post-practicum, and post-externship level.

Students must also complete a full-time (40 hours per week) postdoctoral supervised experience lasting one calendar year or a total of 2,000 hours.

Step 4: Make an Initial Application Request

After completing the 2,000-hour internship, students can make an initial request for a licensure application packet. Learners complete a fillable form and email it to the office at APB.Info@arkansas.gov to be assigned an applicant number.

The application fee is $200. Students can send the full application payment with the request or pay a $50 deposit with the request and send the remaining $150 with the completed application.

Step 5: Submit an Application and Receive a Provisional License

The next step is to submit the completed application for a credential review. For an application to be considered complete, the applicant's file must contain the following:

• Statement of Intent
• transcripts from their registrar's office
• three recommendations from qualified psychologists and one letter from the program director
• an official transcript showing doctoral degree completion
• fingerprint card and packet (in-state applicants must go to Arkansas LiveScan to have fingerprints and a criminal background check done)

When the applicant's file passes credential review and they're admitted to the next scheduled written exam, they can work under supervision via the provisional licensure applicant status.

Step 6: Complete the Examination Process

The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is a written national test administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). For licensure, students must earn a passing score of 500. The Board also uses a formal interview and oral exam to assess knowledge of the field before approving licensure.

Step 7: Secure a Psychologist License

When all requirements are met, students are ready to obtain a license. To complete this final step, students must:

• Pay a certificate fee of $200.
• Submit a revised Statement of Intent.
• Pay the pro-rated license fee.

Once completed, the official wallet card and certificate will be emailed to the student.

Step 8: Meet Continuing Education Requirements

Psychologists who wish to renew their licenses must complete at least 20 hours of continuing education activities during each renewal period. They can engage in supervised independent study and/or training with a psychologist. Or, they can complete any other educational experience approved by APA.

What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?

The fastest way to become a psychologist is to pick the program that aligns with your career goals. You'll need a doctoral degree to become a licensed psychologist in Arkansas. A master's program can prepare you for other roles. The following majors are offered at both degree levels:

• Counseling psychology: Students learn counseling theories, research methods, ethics, and more.
• Clinical psychology: Programs focus on the process of diagnosing and treating disorders.
• School psychology: These programs teach students how to assess and counsel learners in school settings. (Note: A doctoral degree is needed to become a school psychologist. Master's degree holders qualify for school psychology specialist roles).

Top Psychology Degree Programs

Are you looking for accredited PsyD programs online in Arkansas? While online PsyD programs aren't available, schools offer campus-based master's and PhD programs.

1. Arkansas State University

At Arkansas State University, the MS in psychological science, a research-intensive graduate program, prepares learners for a PhD in psychology or an applied research career. Coursework focuses on research methods, statistical analysis, and more.

• Estimated tuition cost: $381 per credit (in-state); $698 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. University of Arkansas

The PhD in experimental psychology at the University of Arkansas teaches core concepts while also enabling students to focus on a specialty area. While enrolled, learners complete research, coursework, a master's thesis, and a doctoral dissertation.

• Estimated tuition cost: $459.68 per credit (in-state); $1,250.24 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

3. University of Central Arkansas

The Department of Psychology and Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway offers an APA-accredited PhD in counseling psychology that examines community mental health prevention and intervention. The Education Specialist (EdS) in school psychology prepares learners to perform psychological assessments in school settings.

• Estimated tuition cost: $519.41 per credit (in-state); $840.11 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

Other Psychology Degrees

The following list highlights one of the cheapest online psychology degree programs alongside a low-cost campus-based program in neighboring states.

1. University of Missouri

The PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Missouri prepares students for research roles in academic and related settings. Coursework explores the promotion of adaptive functioning, the prevention of human problems in behavior, and more.

• Estimated tuition cost: $11,038 to $12,526 per year (in-state); $25,924 to $27,412 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

2. University of Memphis

The University of Memphis in Tennessee offers a PhD in educational psychology that students can complete online on a full-time or part-time basis. This program teaches core courses and provides electives that learners can align with their area of interest.

• Estimated tuition cost: $646 per credit hour (in-state); $646 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Skills of a Psychologist

Experts in this role help clients manage personal challenges and perform research to further the field. The skills needed to achieve these goals include:

• interpersonal
• compassion
• patience
• analytical
• problem-solving

Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists

Career paths in this field are plentiful. Find out the projected job growth through 2033 for the following roles, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• clinical and counseling psychologists: 13%
• general psychologist: 7%
• school psychologists: 1%

What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in Arkansas?

The average salary of psychologists and experts in related fields in Arkansas varies by position. Here is a list of annual mean wages for several roles, based on BLS data:

• mental health and substance abuse social workers: $58,980
• school psychologists: $59,050
• all other psychologists: $101,380

Explore Psychology Degrees

Take the next step toward your career as a psychologist by exploring the degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools of interest today to find out how they can help you reach your goals.