How To Become a Psychologist in South Dakota 2025

If you are interested in learning how to become a psychologist in the state of South Dakota, keep in mind that the path to becoming a psychologist depends on the type of role that you want. While the term psychologist is often used to describe clinical and counseling psychologists, there are other types of psychologists who have different paths to their careers.

The educational requirements to become a psychologist will vary depending on the role. Continue reading to learn how to become a psychologist.

What Does a Psychologist Do?

Psychologists examine and interpret human behaviors and processes; they work in various roles to improve mental health and behaviors. The exact duties of psychologists vary by role, but many conduct research, assess individuals or groups, and make recommendations. Psychologists may work within substance abuse services, social work, private practice, and various other settings.

The main types of psychologists are clinical/counseling psychologists, school psychologists, and industrial-organizational psychologists. Clinical and counseling psychologists usually become licensed psychologists and work directly with people to assess and improve their behaviors and emotions. School psychologists work in educational settings while industrial-organizational psychologists utilize their skills in workplace settings.

5 Steps To Become a Psychologist in South Dakota

The fastest way to become a psychologist depends on what type of psychologist you want to be, and what your educational background and work experience are. South Dakota does not require psychologists to complete a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), but programs do need to meet specific practicum and educational requirements.

There are five primary steps involved in becoming a licensed psychologist, but some types of psychologists, like industrial-organizational psychologists, only need to complete some of these steps. Keep reading to learn the educational requirements and licensure requirements to become a psychologist, as well as how long it takes to get a psychology degree below.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Before you can start a graduate psychology program, you need to obtain a bachelor's degree. While a bachelor's in psychology is the most applicable and preferred by graduate admissions, some schools accept non-psychology degrees and offer bridge classes to meet the prerequisite requirements. Your bachelor's degree program sets a foundation for the study and academic expectations of the psychology program.

Step 2: Complete a Graduate Degree in Psychology

Psychologists need to complete a graduate psychology program, and many schools offer accredited online psychology degrees. If you plan to become a school psychologist or industrial-organizational psychologist, you need to have a master's degree that is designed specifically for those roles. To become a clinical or counseling psychologist, however, you need to earn a doctoral degree in psychology with a concentration of clinical, counseling, or a closely related psychology focus.

Step 3: Fulfill the Required Clinical Practice Hours

South Dakota clinical/counseling psychologists must fulfill two separate categories of practice hours: pre-graduation supervised practice/internship and a one-year postdoctoral internship. Most graduate psychology programs designed to prepare students for licensure include built-in practice hours, but some do not. Upon graduation, aspiring psychologists need to complete one year of supervised experience.

Step 4: Apply for Licensure and Take Exams

Clinical and counseling psychologists apply for licensure through the South Dakota Board of Examiners of Psychologists while school psychologists apply through the S.D. Department of Education. Within the application process, clinical/counseling psychologists must take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and earn a passing score on an oral examination. An application fee and background check are also required for licensure, and applicants cannot have certain types of criminal convictions.

Step 5: Maintain Licensure

To maintain licensure, clinical/counseling psychologists must renew their license every year before the first day of July. Fifteen hours of continuing education or related actions are required for renewal each year.

School psychologists renew their certifications every five years and must complete six hours of continuing education over each period. Becoming a member of the South Carolina Psychological Association gives psychologists access to networking, events, continuing education, and other resources for license renewal and professional practice.

What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?

There are a few types of psychology programs that prepare students for work as psychologists, including master's programs and doctoral degree programs. School and industrial-organizational psychologists typically earn a master's degree in their field. Doctoral programs for clinical and counseling psychologists include the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) as well as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology.

Industrial-organizational psychologists may be able to complete their programs entirely online, but other types of psychologists usually need to complete real-world practical experiences as part of their programs. APA-accredited programs typically contain the necessary supervised experience components, although APA-accreditation is not needed for licensure in South Dakota. Students looking for more flexibility may prefer to complete an accelerated psychology degree online.

Psychology degree program costs vary by school, but students can reduce costs by utilizing financial aid as well as choosing the cheapest online psychology degree. Aspiring clinical and counseling psychologists should choose from the best PsyD programs or PhD programs that meet the licensing requirements of the state.

Top Psychology Degree Programs

There are various graduate psychology programs that can prepare students for careers as psychologists, including both in-person and online options. We discuss some of the best psychology programs below.

1. University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota (USD) offers several graduate psychology programs:

• Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology and Juris Doctor (JD) dual degree
• Clinical psychology and clinical disaster psychology (MA or PhD)
• Clinical psychology (MA or PhD)
• Human factors psychology (MA or PhD)

USD has two campuses, giving students more flexibility in completing their programs, and it emphasizes cultural and ethical considerations in the psychology programs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $350 per credit (in-state); $673 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Kairos University

Kairos University offers several programs related to the field of psychology, including:

• MA in Counseling
• Doctor of Professional Counseling
• PhD (customized)

Doctoral students can choose many of their courses and focus on subjects that are relevant to their career goals. Coursework is delivered online, but students are provided with mentorship and periodic virtual meetings with classmates and mentors.

• Estimated tuition cost: $300 to $600 per month (in-state); $300 to $600 per month (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

3. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers a PhD in Clinical Psychology program that prepares students for licensed psychologist roles. Enrollees study a variety of topics, such as psychotherapy, behavioral pathology, human behavior, and statistical analysis. The on-campus program can be completed in as few as four years (full-time) and offers opportunities for students to earn a stipend through part-time work (such as teaching assistant hours).

• Estimated tuition cost: $498 per credit (in-state); $748 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Franklin University

Franklin University offers two fully online psychology programs: a Master of Science (MS) in psychology and an MS in business psychology. The psychology program can be completed in as few as 16 months and the business psychology program can be finished in as little as 14 months. Psychology students can participate in an optional in-person practicum and take coursework in social psychology, psychopathology, and cognitive psychology.

• Estimated tuition cost: $670 per credit (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

5. National University

National University offers a PhD in Psychology program online through accelerated eight-week courses. The program consists of 60 credit hours and explores theories, research methods, ethics, and diversity in psychology. Students can choose from 10 specialization options, including health psychology, counseling psychology, psychology of gender and sexual fluidity, and psychology in trauma and disaster relief.

• Estimated tuition cost: $705 per credit (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Skills of a Psychologist

Some of the most useful skills for psychologists are:

• critical thinking and analytical skills
• communication and interpersonal skills
• observation and interpretational skills
• patience, empathy, and integrity

While different positions can utilize different skill sets, these skills are helpful in most psychologist roles. Psychologists need to be able to observe, assess, think critically, and effectively communicate information.

Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that clinical and counseling psychologist positions will grow by 13% nationally and by 14% in South Dakota (through 2032). It is expected that an average of 1,400 psychologist jobs will be available each year, with the greatest growth impacting the field of counseling and clinical psychology.

Psychology students perform supervised work until obtaining licensure, and can work independently in numerous settings once they obtain a license. Psychologists may work for private or government institutions, or choose to pursue independent practice and/or research-oriented positions.

What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in South Dakota?

According to BLS, the average salaries for clinical and counseling psychologists in South Dakota are $86,160, while the average for school psychologists is $81,020. Other psychologists, including neuropsychologists and forensic psychologists, earn an average of $110,490 (according to data from 2023). The highest paying industry for psychologists is government positions, averaging $126,990 nationally, while psychologists working in various healthcare facilities earn an average of around $96,500.

Explore Psychology Degrees

You can find other great psychology programs on Learn.org, including online and accelerated options. Contact the schools with programs that you are interested in to find out more.