How To Become a Psychologist in Minnesota 2025

Psychologists play an important role in helping us understand how the human mind works. There are many different types of psychologists; some provide mental health services, while others focus on research.

If you want to learn how to become a psychologist, note that this varies between states and what you want to do with your degree. For example, most states require psychologists to have a license � but in Minnesota, part of those licensure requirements is a state-specific professional responsibility exam. Keep reading to discover how to become a psychologist in Minnesota.

What Does a Psychologist Do?

Psychology is a field of study dedicated to understanding how the mind works. Psychologists are experts who work to further psychology research and knowledge, as well as help clients dealing with psychological conditions.

There are several different types of psychologists, including:

• Clinical and counseling psychologists: These psychologists 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 psychologists study how damage to the brain can affect behavior.
• School psychologists: These professionals work in school settings, helping diagnose students with developmental or behavioral delays and creating plans to help them succeed in school.

If you're pursuing licensure, the educational requirements to become a psychologist are about the same for all types of psychologists. However, how long it takes to get a psychology degree can vary slightly between specializations.

6 Steps To Become a Psychologist in Minnesota

Psychologists in Minnesota must hold a professional license. The licensure requirements include a doctoral degree, supervised experience, and exams. If you're looking for the fastest way to become a psychologist, there are ways to expedite these requirements. We've broken down the 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.

Often, students who want to become psychologists will major in psychology. This provides them with a firm foundation in the social sciences, and there are many schools with accredited psychology programs online at the bachelor's level.

However, most graduate programs in psychology do not require a certain major. You should choose a program that aligns with your area of interest. For example, if you want to be a school psychologist, you could major in education, or if you want to be a forensic psychologist, you could major in criminology. If you're looking for a quicker way to meet these requirements, consider accelerated psychology degrees online.

Step 2: Earn a Master's Degree

Master's degrees are graduate degrees that take an average of two years of full-time study to complete. A master's degree may or may not be necessary, depending on your intended career and the doctoral program you're interested in.

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 (e.g., counseling and human services) that require a master's degree but not a doctorate � for example, a mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist.

Step 3: Complete a Doctoral Degree

To become a licensed psychologist in Minnesota, you need a doctoral degree. This can be a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology, a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), or a Doctor of Education (EdD) in school psychology.

PhDs are the most common option, and they typically focus on both research and professional practice. PsyDs are specifically for those who want to work in counseling or clinical practice. Degrees in school psychology are for those who plan to work in educational settings.

All three lead to licensure in Minnesota, provided the program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or meets the requirements established by the Minnesota Board of Psychology.

Your degree program will include coursework specific to your intended field of psychology. You'll also complete research projects and participate in an internship.

Step 4: Complete Supervised Experience

In Minnesota, you must meet two supervised experience requirements to obtain psychologist licensure. The first is part of your doctoral program, and the second is postdoctoral experience.

Within your doctoral program, you'll complete an internship. Up to 1,800 hours of internship or practicum experience from your doctoral degree can count toward your experience requirements.

You'll also need to complete 1,800 hours of postdoctoral supervised experience. This experience must be under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Step 5: Pass Licensure Exams

Minnesota also requires applicants to take two licensure exams. One is a national exam, and the other is a state-specific professional responsibility exam.

The national exam is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). It's developed and administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and tests your knowledge of psychological concepts and the practice of psychology.

The other exam is the Professional Responsibility Examination (PRE). This is administered by the Minnesota Board of Psychology and assesses your knowledge of Minnesota's Psychology Practice Act Rules of Conduct.

Step 6: Obtain and Maintain Licensure

Once you've earned your doctorate, completed supervised experience, and passed both exams, you can complete your application for your psychology license. This includes paying the application fees, passing a background check, and obtaining endorsement from two licensed psychologists.

After obtaining your license, you'll need to renew it every two years. To qualify for license renewal, you must complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during those two years.

What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?

The best degrees for a psychology career are doctoral-level 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

Minnesota is home to a few APA-accredited institutions. We've featured some of the best PsyD programs and PhDs in psychology below.

1. University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota is a public research institution spanning the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. It offers three psychology PhD options: clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and school psychology.

The clinical psychology program provides rigorous training in research, clinical assessment, and intervention, while the counseling psychology program blends research with the practice of counseling. The school psychology degree aims to create school psychologists who create learning environments where students, families, and school staff feel safe, welcome, and supported.

• Estimated tuition cost: $19,980 per year (in-state); $31,212 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), APA (all above programs), Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) (clinical psychology program), National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) (school psychology program)

2. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

At Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, students can earn a PsyD in counseling psychology. This degree helps students develop the essential competencies in assessment, intervention, clinical supervision, consultation, administration, and research necessary to become a licensed psychologist.

Saint Mary's, a private Catholic university, is located in Winona, MN. It offers various scholarships to help students pay for their degree programs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $12,474 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC and APA

3. Augsburg University

Augsburg University offers a PsyD in clinical psychology that's built with a commitment to social justice. Augsburg is a private Christian university in Minneapolis.

The curriculum for the PsyD incorporates psychological research, theory, and clinical practice. Graduates will be prepared to function effectively as mental health professionals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $13,766 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC and APA

4. University of St. Thomas

The PsyD in counseling psychology at the University of St. Thomas prepares professionals for numerous work settings. It aims to train students to integrate the science of psychology with self-reflective practice to provide ethical, inclusive, and culturally sensitive services.

St. Thomas, located in St. Paul, MN, is a private Catholic university. It also offers a Master of Arts (MA) with direct entry into the PsyD program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $20,754 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC and APA

5. Minnesota State University, Mankato

Minnesota State University, Mankato is a public institution in Mankato, MN. It offers a PsyD in school psychology that prepares students to practice as licensed school psychologists.

While this program is not accredited by the APA, it is accredited by the NASP and meets the requirements for psychology licensure in Minnesota &mdasdh; however, it may not meet the requirements for all states.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,540 per year (in-state); $19,080 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC and NASP

Skills of a Psychologist

Psychologists need a strong understanding of the biological bases of behavior, psychological theory, and research methods, as well as experience in clinical practice. However, 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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for psychologists are expected to increase nationwide, with an estimated rise of 7% by 2033. Numbers are generally positive in Minnesota as well but vary by career.

Jobs for clinical and counseling psychologists are supposed to grow by 10% in Minnesota within that time frame, while jobs for school psychologists will increase by 4%. Jobs for other types of psychologists, like neuropsychologists, are also expected to increase by 4%.

What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in Minnesota?

The salary for psychologists in Minnesota also varies by career, as well as by location.

Counseling and clinical psychologists in Minnesota have a median annual salary of $102,650, higher than the national median of $95,830. However, those on the border by La Crosse, WI, have a median annual salary of $137,990. Those in the Rochester, MN, area, where the Mayo Clinic is located, have a median salary of $124,740 per year.

School psychologists in Minnesota make less than the national median, $82,540 per year, compared to $86,930 per year. The highest salaries are for those in the Twin Cities metro, but even those are less than the national median.

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

Find the perfect psychology degree by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn how they can help you reach your psychology career goals.