How To Become a Psychologist in Missouri 2025

If you're thinking about becoming a psychologist, you may be wondering what steps you'll need to take. Specifically, you're wondering how to become a psychologist in Missouri and what the state's educational requirements are.

Keep reading as we explore the question of how to become a psychologist in detail. We'll provide a step-by-step process you can follow and answer common questions you may be asking.

What Does a Psychologist Do?

Psychologists are mental health professionals with advanced training in evaluating and treating various conditions and concerns. They use psychotherapy (talk therapy), testing, and other methods to help people identify and cope with life or relationship problems as well as mental and emotional disorders.

How long it takes to get a psychology degree depends on the type of degree you're pursuing, which in turn is affected by your career goals. If you plan to become a licensed psychologist in Missouri, you'll need to complete multiple degrees and levels of training, which can take up to a decade or longer.

5 Steps To Become a Psychologist in Missouri

There are many educational requirements to become a psychologist in Missouri. Let's take a closer look at each of these requirements and the process you can follow to pursue a psychology license in your state.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

After graduating high school, the first thing you'll need to do is go to college and earn a bachelor's degree. Most students planning to become psychologists major in psychology, but you could also choose related fields like social work or sociology, which will provide introductory coursework on human behavior and thought processes.

Many schools offer accredited online psychology degrees. These programs typically provide extra flexibility over on-campus options, and they are often more affordable as well.

Step 2: Earn a Master's Degree (Optional)

The fastest way to become a psychologist is to skip the master's degree stage, as many doctoral programs provide direct-entry options for those with only a bachelor's degree. Still, there can be benefits to earning a master's degree.

Master's degrees are typically the fastest psychology degrees online, as they can be completed within two to three years. They are recommended for those who earned a bachelor's degree in a field other than psychology or for those who want to pursue other career paths while working toward their psychology license.

What's more, some psychology doctoral programs require candidates to hold a master's degree. If you plan to enroll in one of these programs, getting your master's degree first is essential.

Step 3: Earn a Doctoral Degree

To become a licensed psychologist in Missouri, you must hold a doctoral degree, ideally one that is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). There are two types of programs you can choose from: the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology.

PsyD programs tend to focus on practical applications of existing research and usually lead to clinical psychology careers. PhD programs are more focused on original research and psychology theory, potentially leading to a wider array of career opportunities.

Pursuing one of the most affordable online psychology degrees can help you save money as you complete your education and work toward your ultimate career goals.

Step 4: Obtain a Provisional License and Gain Supervised Experience

Obtaining a provisional license is a necessary step to complete supervised experience requirements in Missouri. To earn this license, you'll need to submit an application and application fee, along with supporting documents such as college transcripts, professional references, and proof of fingerprinting for a background check.

The provisional license is nonrenewable and lasts for one year. Upon receiving this license, you can begin accumulating the necessary 3,500 hours of supervised professional experience.

At least 1,500 hours of the required experience should be completed as part of a doctoral internship; the remaining 2,000 hours can be obtained through other supervised internships, pre-internships, and post-doctoral training options.

Once you've completed 3,500 hours, you'll fill out the Attestation of Post-Degree Professional Experience form and receive approval to test from the State Committee of Psychologists (SCOP) so you can earn your full license.

Step 5: Complete Licensing Requirements

To get licensed, you'll need to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). You must schedule the exam within 60 days of receiving authorization to test.

You will then need to complete an oral examination and a written jurisprudence exam to demonstrate your knowledge of psychology conduct and standards in Missouri. The oral exam is available every few months, while the written exam is available monthly.

Upon receiving passing scores on these exams and demonstrating you've met all state licensure requirements, you will earn your credentials to practice psychology in the state of Missouri.

What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?

Psychology degrees are available at every program level: associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral. Each level of education leads to different professional and educational opportunities.

Lower-level psychology degrees can lead to diverse careers in healthcare, social work, counseling, and other human services. However, if you want to become a licensed psychologist, you're going to need a graduate degree.

Students are encouraged to choose a degree that aligns with their intended psychology specialization. For example, those hoping to become school psychologists can earn degrees in school psychology. Other specializations to consider include:

• clinical psychology
• counseling psychology
• experimental psychology
• sports psychology
• industrial-organizational psychology

Some psychologist career paths require only a master's degree; however, most candidates pursuing licensure in the field of psychology will need to complete a doctoral program. As such, a doctoral degree is typically the best degree for aspiring psychologists.

Top Psychology Degree Programs

If you're ready to start your path to psychology licensure in Missouri, keep reading. Below, we'll look at some top online and in-person graduate programs in psychology, including the best PhD and best PsyD programs.

1. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri University of Science and Technology, also known as Missouri S&T, is a public school in Rolla. It offers an online Master of Science degree in industrial-organizational psychology.

The program helps students learn to use psychological principles to create a more positive and effective work environment. Students begin the program during the fall semester and graduate within one to two years, taking one to two courses per semester.

Estimated tuition cost: $13,608 (in-state); $24,720 (out-of-state)

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. William Woods University

William Woods University is a private school in Fulton. It offers many online degree programs, including a Master of Arts in psychology.

This broad degree program offers students the opportunity to take courses in a variety of psychology topics, such as advanced psychopathology, testing and assessment, and more. Graduates can pursue various careers in psychology practice or advance to doctoral programs.

Estimated tuition cost: $14,661 (in-state); $14,661 (out-of-state)

Accreditation: HLC

3. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University is a private school in St. Louis. Students can pursue a PhD in psychology on campus at this school.

The program features several areas of emphasis, including trauma psychology, clinical child psychology, and clinical neuropsychology. Students enjoy advanced research and clinical experience in specialized fields through fellowships, internships, and contracts.

Estimated tuition cost: $24,660 (in-state); $24,660 (out-of-state)

Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Missouri - Columbia

The University of Missouri - Columbia is a public school and the flagship campus of the state's university system. Students can earn both a Master of Arts in psychology and a PhD in psychology.

The PhD program offers specializations in developmental psychology, quantitative psychology, and more. Programs are completed on campus.

Estimated tuition cost: $12,600 (in-state); $31,500 (out-of-state)

Accreditation: HLC

5. Missouri State University

Missouri State University is a public school in Springfield. Students at this school can complete an in-person master's degree in psychology with specializations available in industrial-organizational and experimental psychology.

The experimental program is offered in an apprenticeship style, helping students develop research skills as they work toward their PhD. Students must enroll on a full-time basis for both programs.

Estimated tuition cost: $6,822 (in-state); $13,608 (out-of-state)

Accreditation: HLC

Skills of a Psychologist

Psychologists are highly skilled individuals. The nature of their job requires that they possess many essential soft skills, many of which are developed over years of experience and education. These skills include:

• compassion
• communication
• emotional stability
• listening
• patience
• problem-solving

Psychologists must also have excellent research skills to determine the best, research-backed methods to help their patients. They must also be committed to lifelong learning through continuing education, which helps them stay on top of the latest trends and developments in psychology.

Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists

Depending on your type and level of education, you can pursue various psychology career paths in Missouri. Some of the options include:

• counseling psychologist
• clinical psychologist
• school psychologist

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Missouri employs 1,670 counseling and clinical psychologists alone � with more licensed psychologists likely working in other specializations. The national job outlook for psychologists is good, suggesting a faster-than-average increase of 7% by 2033.

What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in Missouri?

BLS data suggests that the average salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in Missouri is $42.18 per hour and $87,730 per year. Those in the lowest 10% of earners make less than $38,430 per year, while those in the top 10% earn more than $131,920 per year.

The national average salary for all psychologists in the U.S. is $45.34 per hour and $94,310 per year. Psychologists employed by government organizations and ambulatory healthcare services typically earn the highest salaries.

Explore Psychology Degrees

If you're ready to enroll in an accredited program and begin your psychology journey, explore the schools featured on Learn.org. Contact any of the colleges or universities today to learn more about their undergraduate and graduate programs.