How To Become a Psychologist in New Hampshire 2025

<p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the field of psychology is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the national economy. The BLS projects that 13,000 new job openings will open each year. </p> <p>This article explores <a href="https://learn.org/articles/how_to_become_a_psychologist.html">how to become a psychologist</a> in the state of New Hampshire, from licensure requirements to job outlooks to some of the best <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_psychology_degree_new_hampshire.html">accredited online psychology degrees</a>. Read on to learn about how to become a psychologist and join this important mental health profession. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatDoesAPsychologistDo">What Does a Psychologist Do?</h2> <p>A psychologist is a mental health professional who studies the human mind, using talk therapy and other evidence-based strategies to help clients cope with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral issues. Because psychology is a broad field, psychologists typically have a professional specialization, like counseling, school psychology, behavior analysis, and more. </p> <p>Psychologists work in an array of environments, including schools, hospitals, private practices, research institutions, and community centers. </p> <h2 id="section---5StepsToBecomeAPsychologistInNewHampshire">5 Steps To Become a Psychologist in New Hampshire</h2> <p>Whether you decide to pursue licensure will determine <a href="https://learn.org/articles/how_long_does_it_take_to_get_a_degree_in_psychology.html">how long it takes to get a psychology degree</a>. Earning your doctorate is one of the fundamental educational requirements to become a psychologist. </p> <p>The following steps outline the process of becoming a licensed psychologist in New Hampshire. </p> <h3 id="section---Step1EarnABachelorSDegree">Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree</h3> <p>Earning your bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is the first step. A psychology major is not necessarily required to be accepted in a graduate program, though it will help your transition into continuing education. You can start your education by earning one of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/affordable_online_degrees_psychology.html">most affordable online psychology degrees</a>. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2EarnADoctoralDegree">Step 2: Earn a Doctoral Degree</h3> <p>You must graduate from an in-person doctoral program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) to be eligible for a psychology license. Doctoral degree programs include psychology theory coursework, a thesis and dissertation, and internship experience. Doctoral programs generally take between four and eight years to complete on a full-time basis. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3GainPostdoctoralExperience">Step 3: Gain Postdoctoral Experience</h3> <p>After graduating, you will need to accrue 1,500 hours of postdoctoral experience under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. This supervised experience ensures you are practicing to the standards set by the APA and the New Hampshire Board of Psychologists. This step generally takes one year or more to complete. </p> <h3 id="section---Step4PassTheLicensureExam">Step 4: Pass the Licensure Exam</h3> <p>The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) administers the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). You will need a score of least 500 (equal to roughly 70% or higher) on the EPPP to pass in the state of New Hampshire. Your EPPP score results are usually submitted directly to the state board. </p> <h3 id="section---Step5SubmitYourApplication">Step 5: Submit Your Application</h3> <p>You must submit your application to the New Hampshire Board of Psychologists, which includes your official transcripts, internship confirmation form, supervised hours form, professional references form, and application fee. You will also need to undergo a criminal background check. </p> <p>Your completed application and all necessary paperwork must be mailed. If you're renewing your psychologist license, you may do so online. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatAreTheBestDegreesForAPsychologist">What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?</h2> <p>You can pursue a psychology degree at three levels: bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctoral degree. Which degree pathway is best for you will be determined by your professional goals. </p> <p>As New Hampshire licensing requirements stipulate that licensed psychologists have a doctorate, you must earn either a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology to be eligible. Doctoral programs typically take between four and eight years to complete. They are the biggest investment in time and money; they also offer higher rewards in terms of job opportunities and salaries. </p> <p>You may choose to earn your Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) in psychology. There are many psychology jobs available to professionals who have earned their master's degrees, including behavior analysts, mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists. As master's degree programs generally take between two and three years to complete, this is one of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/how_fast_can_i_become_psychologist.html">fastest ways to become a psychologist</a>. </p> <p>A bachelor's degree is the gateway to many entry-level psychology jobs. You can gain exposure to different specializations before deciding which graduate degree you would like to pursue. Some schools offer <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_online_psychology_degree_programs.html">accelerated psychology degrees online</a>. </p> <h2 id="section---TopPsychologyDegreePrograms">Top Psychology Degree Programs</h2> <p>The following New Hampshire schools offer a variety of graduate degree programs, from the <span>No InterWiki reference defined in properties for Wiki called "Link applicable state page https"!</span> to accredited master's degrees online. All are accredited programs. </p> <h3 id="section---1.UniversityOfNewHampshire">1. University of New Hampshire</h3> <p>The University of New Hampshire is a public school located in Durham, NH, that offers a PsyD program in clinical psychology. The five-year track emphasizes an academic approach, preparing many of its doctoral students for careers in teaching and academia. You can specialize in one of three areas: </p> <ul><li>developmental psychology </li><li>social psychology/personality </li><li>brain, behavior, and cognition </li></ul><p>Doctoral students are eligible for a full tuition waiver and stipend for all five years of the program. In exchange, you'll work as a teacher and research assistant as you work towards your degree. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $14,880 per year (in-state); $29,210 per year (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> APA </li></ul><h3 id="section---2.RivierUniversity">2. Rivier University</h3> <p>Located in Nashua, NH, Rivier University is a small private school with a unique doctoral program. Its PsyD program combines counseling and school psychology, preparing graduates to work in various community, independent practice, and public service settings. </p> <p>Rivier University's PsyD program consists of coursework, practicum experiences, a doctoral research project, and an internship. Some of the psychology coursework is offered online, though the majority is conducted face-to-face. The program is designed to be completed in five years. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $1,275 per credit (in-state); $1,275 per credit (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> APA </li></ul><h3 id="section---3.AntiochUniversity">3. Antioch University</h3> <p>Antioch University New England (AUNE) has its campus in Keene, NH, and offers a PsyD in clinical psychology. The degree program focuses on therapy and assessment, management, applied research, and supervision. Students prepare for professional practice in a broad range of fields, from clinical psychology to public policy. Financial aid is available via federal, state, public, and private packages (e.g., loans, scholarships, and grants). </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $37,450 per year (in-state); $37,450 per year (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> APA </li></ul><h3 id="section---4.SouthernNewHampshireUniversity">4. Southern New Hampshire University</h3> <p>Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has an online degree program for students interested in earning their MS in psychology. The graduate program covers cognitive psychology, social psychology and personality, research methods, learning theories, and ethical practices. </p> <p>Graduate students choose from three concentrations: forensic psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and child and development psychology. Coursework is broken into 10-week terms, designed to be flexible for working adults. SNHU offers active military members and their spouses a discounted tuition rate of $470 per credit hour. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $637 per credit (in-state); $637 per credit (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) </li></ul><h3 id="section---5.FranklinPierceUniversity">5. Franklin Pierce University</h3> <p>Located in Rindge, NH, Franklin Pierce University offers a 24-month degree program for those pursuing their MA in clinical mental health counseling. This graduate program prepares students to be mental health counselors whose clients face depression, addiction, trauma, and other mental health issues. </p> <p>The degree program is a hybrid of online coursework and on-campus lab sessions, along with 48 weeks of clinical practice. Financial aid is available through scholarships, loans, and grants. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $665 per credit (in-state); $665 per credit (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> NECHE </li></ul><h2 id="section---SkillsOfAPsychologist">Skills of a Psychologist</h2> <p>The following skills are some of the most essential to being a successful psychologist. </p> <ul><li><b>Communication:</b> Clear and effective communication is important in both therapy and research. Psychologists must convey complex ideas in an understandable manner. </li><li><b>Problem-solving:</b> Psychologists must be able to identify and diagnose a wide range of symptoms in their clients. Psychologists design research, evaluate programs, and collect information to find solutions to cognitive and behavioral issues. </li><li><b>Empathy:</b> Many of the people psychologists work with deal with stressful and traumatic situations, so psychologists must practice understanding and compassion. </li></ul><h2 id="section---CareersAndJobOutlookForPsychologists">Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists</h2> <p>There is a growing demand for psychologists. The <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-3">BLS</a> projects that psychology jobs will grow by 7% each year for the next decade. </p> <p>Psychology is a broad field, providing many areas in which to practice. Depending on your education and career goals, you may work as a school psychologist, counseling psychologist, social worker, behavioral analyst, clinical psychologist, and beyond. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatIsTheAverageSalaryOfAPsychologistInNewHampshire">What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in New Hampshire?</h2> <p>As a practicing psychologist, your annual salary will depend on your degree level and field of specialty. For example, the BLS reports that clinical and counseling psychologists earn an average annual salary of $95,830, while school psychologists average $86,930 per year. </p> <p>According to the Economic Research Institute (ERI), the average annual salary for psychologists in New Hampshire is $113,397. </p> <h2 id="section---ExplorePsychologyDegrees">Explore Psychology Degrees</h2> <p>Whether you want to serve in social work or counsel in your own private practice, there is a psychology degree path for you. Explore the schools on Learn.org to discover which is the best choice for your education journey.</p>